METALLICA: New KIRK HAMMETT and JAMES HETFIELD ESP Signature Series Models Unveiled At NAMM

January 19, 2009

The legendary guitarists of METALLICA, Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield, have worked with ESP Guitars to create their newest additions to the ESP and LTD Signature Series. The ESP KH-2 Ouija and LTD KH-Ouija are the latest models from Hammett, while the new James Hetfield model is the ESP Iron Cross.

"As most METALLICA fans know, the original Ouija model was a custom created for Kirk, and only a handful were made," says Matt Masciandaro, ESP President. "Not only are we bringing back the Ouija for the first time in more than a decade, but we're offering it in a white finish for the first time ever. For the Iron Cross, we're offering the guitar that James has been using for much of METALLICA's 'Death Magnetic' world tour, and will only be making this model during 2009.”

Available in limited quantities during 2009 only, the new Ouija model remains true to the original, with a neck-thru-body 25.5" scale design, alder body, maple neck, 24XJ frets, Gotoh tuners, an original Floyd Rose bridge, EMG 81 (B) / 60 (N) active pickups, and is available in both black and white finishes. Upgrades to the original model include mirror inlays and an ebony fingerboard.

The LTD KH-Ouija offers similar features to the ESP version, substituting a 1000-Series Floyd Rose bridge, ESP tuners, and a rosewood fingerboard (and is only available in black).

Available in limited quantities during 2009 only, the ESP James Hetfield Signature Iron Cross is currently featured on METALLICA's "Death Magnetic" world tour. Painstaking effort has gone into recreating every nuance of James' original guitar, while adding some new appointments to make it a truly unique signature ESP. Features include a set-neck, 24.75" scale, mahogany body with maple cap, mahogany neck, 22 XJ EVO "Gold" Ni- Free alloy frets, distressed gold hardware that includes Sperzel locking tuners, Schaller straplocks, Tonepros Locking bridge and tailpiece, and special EMG 81 (B) / 60 (N) active pickups with distressed gold covers. The guitar's finish is a highly distressed black with a gold racing stripe and a metal iron cross on the body top.

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