The ESP Ltd KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar

The ESP Ltd KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar

Who is ESP?

ESP stands for Electric Sound Products

• Vinnie Vincent (KISS)
• Bruce Kulick (KISS)
• George Lynch &
• Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones) 

George Lynch discovered ESP in 1985 while on tour in Tokyo. The Artist was looking for a replacement neck and found out that ESP also built custom guitars. This resulted in the first Geoge Lynch signature ESP Kamikaze.

During this time, ESP also began some joint venture work with…

• Krammer Guitars (making bodies and necks, with many traits still visible today, including neck construction and body bevels.)
• Schecter Guitars w/shaved bolt-on neck heels, which became the standard on their in-house guitars) &
• DiMarzio

Between 1990 and 1992, the ESP Signature Series and its standard product line expanded; they discontinued their business replacement parts section to focus exclusively on the guitar/ bass lines and Custom Shop Series Models.

In 1993 ESP moved its headquarters from New York to Los Angeles, and in 1995, the LTD Series was created to produce ESP high-quality products at more affordable prices, with the LTD Lines being made in Korea and Indonesia.

Due to the high cost involved in exporting from Japan to the US, ESP stopped selling most of its Japanese-made flagship guitars in the US, except for the Signature Series lines, which remained ESP rather than LTD brand models.

In early 2000, ESP resumed exporting the standard Japanese-made lines to the US because of the popularity among the heavy metal and hard rock players for higher costs than in the early 1990s.

Competition

ESPs Main Competition in Japan was Ibanez, also known for making high-quality and customized replicas of famous American guitars like Strats and Teles as well as Gibson Explorers.

ESP’s Main Competition in the US was Jackson Guitar.

The Explorer model (EXP/MX) became famous when the avid ESP User, James Hetfield (Metallica), rose to popularity in the late 80s/early ’90s. (More on this later)

But just like Ibanez, Gibson filed lawsuits to prevent sales of these guitars in the US, resulting in ESP needing to make less similar design lines to the American models.

Even today, Hetfield’s Black ESP sells for thousands of dollars beyond the original retail price. And is still valued by guitar collectors.

In 2005, ESP celebrated its 30th Anniversary.

ESP and Jackson

Jackson was ESP’s Main competitor throughout the ’80s and ’90s in the US, and because of the Fender buyout of Jackson’s guitar company in 2002, ESP was ranked one of the faster-growing companies in the US.

Which Side Were You On?

The Jackson brand champions or loyalists cited that Fender would dilute the pure metal image for which Jackson was made famous and moved over to the ESP side.

And the Jackson loyalists, despite the Fender buyout, still felt that ESP was only known for copying popular instruments (i.e. the Gibson Explorer etc.) and would stay with the Jackson line.

In the end, ESP would be crowned the new Metal Guitar King to be associated with, which led to rapid growth and a grab of the Metal Niche Market Place.

The ESP LTD Models

ESP LTD guitars were created to bring a more affordable version of the classic designs of guitars to a new marketplace.

The entire LTD line of instruments features quality from…

• Premium tonewoods,
• Quality pickups &
• Solid hardware 

So that every instrument is ready to rock as soon as it leaves the manufacturer.

Standard & Signature Series Models

In 2006, 22 of its newest models were showcased to the market. This included the Standard Series Models…

• ESP LTD EC-500 &
• ESP LTD B-500

And you had artists showcasing their newest ESP Signature Models, like George Lynch and Dave Mustaine of Megadeth.

ESP Guitars Built  With Attention To Detail

Coming from a company that started manufacturing after-market parts in japan (’70s-’80s) and now making custom instruments for some of the biggest names in the rock business.

ESP has become Heavy Metal’s most dominant guitar brand simply because it is committed to nothing less than putting out a top-notch quality product and has an impressive list of brand champions to show for it.

The Artist and Signature Guitar that we will look at has been an ESP Brand Champion for decades along with his fellow band member and is non-other than…

Metallica’s blazing guitarist Kirk Hammett.

He has been using ESP guitars almost exclusively starting in 1986/87 through to this day.

Kirk Hammett

Kirk Lee Hammett (born November 18, 1962) has been an American guitarist and songwriter for the Heavy /Thrash Metal band Metallica from 1983 to the present.

Before joining the Band, he formed and played with a group named Exodus, an American thrash metal band formed in Richmond, California, from 1979 to 1983, when he left Exodus to replace Dave Mustaine’s spot in Metallica’s lineup.

Dave Mustaine later went on to form another thrash metal style project Megadeth, who, alongside Metallica, is one of the big 4 American Heavy /Thrash Metal groups, including Anthrax & Slayer.

Rolling Stone, in 2003 ranked Hammett 11th out of 100 greatest guitarists.

Metallica

Was formed in 1981 in Los Angeles by James Hetfield (Vocalist/Guitarist) and co-founder Lars Ulrich (Drummer)

(See image)

Metallica has maintained a strong presence in the Heavy/Thrash Metal Niche for over 4 decades and has not only changed the face of Metal music but has gone on to sell more albums than any metal band in history and inspire generations of players.

The Band has gone on to perform on every continent to hundreds of thousands of fans and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

The Metallica Sound

A critical part of the Metallica sound is Hammett’s playing, and ESP has been part of that sound by making him guitars and meeting his expectations for over 3 decades.

Even though Kirk Hammet has a wide range of ESP Signature Guitars to his credit, we will look at the LTD KH-602 Model.

The ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar Overview

This instrument features a comfortable Alder body in a glossy Back Finish or Purple Sparkle.

(See image)

A 25.5″ scale with an extra-thin U-shaped 3-piece Maple neck, 24 Extra-jumbo frets and /Pau Ferro fingerboard for the Black models and a bound Rosewood on Purple Sparkle models.

Along with a Neck-Thru Body construction, Jet Black Hardware, EMG-81/60 active humbuckers Pickups and an Original Floyd Rose 1000 series locking tremolo bridge system.

Also, skull-and-crossbones inlays on the fretboard, 2 volume/tone w /3-way switching controls and form-fitting ESP rugged Shell Case.

The LTD KH-602 Black models come in left- and Right-handed configurations, while the purple sparkle is only left.

Unlike the higher-end KH2 model (developed with the Metallica lead guitarist himself at a cost of $4,999.00) this LTD version gives the player a signature guitar and sounds almost the same as its higher-end version model for a much more affordable price point and is designed for any player from basement warrior to a serious live player or recording artist.

Technical Specs

Body

• Comfortable Deeply Countered Alder Body– Alder is a Lightweight wood commonly used in Guitar making; it has a wide tonal range giving a strong clear full-bodied sound with controlled highs, solid mids/lows and a good amount of sustain.
• Body Shape – Double Cutaway
• Body Material Type – Solid Wood
• Series–Signature
• Construction –  A neck-through-body design. (See image)

Crafted with a neck-through-body design, allows for easier access to higher frets because there is no need for a heel- (The thickened area of the neck where it is attached to the body ), giving a smooth feel.

Many players believe that it provides greater sustain, adds midrange and allows for fewer tuning issues, all complementing the Alder body.

• Brand –LTD
• Finish – Black or Purple Sparkle
• Black Manufacturer Part Number (MPN)- LKH-602-BLK -LH
• Purple Sparkle Manufacturer Part Number (MPN) –LKH-602-PS
• Product Dimensions-‎129.54 x 15.24 x 45.72 cm
• Weight – 5.1 Kilograms/8lbs 2oz
• Country/Region of Manufacture –Indonesia
• Body finish –Gloss

Neck

• Neck –  3-piece maple neck to improve strength and stability and provide a clearer tone
• Scale – 25.5″
• Fretboard Radius-350mm/13.77 Inches
• Fingerboard Material – Bound Rosewood on Purple Sparkle, Pau Ferro or Macassar Ebony on Black

Pan Ferro is a South American Tonewood with a smooth feel and similar sonic traits to Rosewood, giving you warmer and fuller sounds but lighter in colour than Rosewood with a Reddish Tone; it is and harder density than Rosewood commonly used on fretboards but rarely considered for Guitar bodies or necks.

• Nut Type – 1.614″ locking nut
• Nut width – 1.653 in. (42 mm) 
• Neck Profile – Extra Thin U-shaped Maple Neck
• Neck finish –Gloss
• Number of Frets  – 24
• Fret Type – 24 Xtra Jumbo 

Inlays – Custom Skull & Crossbones with Guitar model Identifier appointments on the 24th fret (See image below)

Electronics

 

Active EMG 81/60 Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Humbucking Pickups with HH Configuration

• Number of Pickups–2
• Neck Pickup – EMG  60-Bone Breaker Covered Humbucker
• Bridge Pickup – EMG 81- Bone Breaker Covered Humbucker
• Electronics – Active
• Coil Tapping- No

Controls

• Electronic Control Layout –  Individual Vol/Vol/Master Tone/3-Way Pickup Switch

Hardware

• Bridge Type – Tremolo/Vibrato
• Bridge Design – The Floyd Rose 1000 Locking Series Tremolo w/LTD Tuners

Floyd Rose Original Locking Tremolo – Double-locks guitar in tune at nut and bridge- allowing for flexibility with using the bar while keeping your tuning & Intonation unaltered.

• Strap Buttons – Standard

Special Features

Reverse Head Stock

Outside the cosmetic appeal, the reverse headstock design offers a change from the traditional headstock configuration and provides a different playing experience.

But you also get a tension difference on the EAD (Bass Strings) and the G B higher E Strings.

With the longer string length on the Bass Strings, you seem to get more clarity and snap.

While with shorter string length on the Treble Strings, you create a tighter playing feel, easier for bending and vibrato.

You have a serious battle AXE topped off with Black Hardware, Proprietary LTD Tuning Machines and a Sleek Black Finish with a Matching Headstock.

Video

Final Thoughts

This Superstrat Guitar is a no-brainer in being a lead player with a heavier sound.

The fact that Hammett has never changed his alliance as ESP Brand Champion speaks for itself, and the Company has truly built an impressive collection of signature artist instruments.

Also, it was good to see ESP move to the LTD Series to offer guitar warriors’ playability and tone at an affordable price while still getting the ESP Value.

I am more of a non-bar user, so having the Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo is not a need, but the active EMG pickups are a must in my toolbox.

They say pickups find you and not the other way around, and in my case, this is exactly what happened. EMG will always be my go-to, along with having a neck-through construction.

Although this instrument is a “Made in Indonesia Guitar” and is a bit pricey, I feel that you could probably get an excellent non-signature guitar for the same price as this signature model.

But it’s a subtle enough design as a signature instrument that you can call your own and still get the feeling that you own a small part of Metallica’s incredible legacy.

Should You Add This To Your Collection

If you are looking for a great-sounding guitar with all the tools, then Yes.

But if you do not need certain accessories, look at some other LTD Models for the same price point you will have plenty of options to choose from.

Did You Like This Article

Check out my review on the Nita Strauss Signature Ibanez Guitar

Also…

Leave your comments in the section below if you want me to review a favourite guitar.

As always, stay the course and keep playing.

Image in the Feature image of Kirk Hammett courtesy of Wikimedia.org Author- Ralph Arvesen and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

Front and Back guitar images courtesy of zzounds.com

Image of Kirk Hammett CTA Image Courtesy of Wikimedia -Author- Raph_PH and s licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Image of the EMG KHBB Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Humbucker Guitar Pickup Set courtesy of Amazon