Guitarist Kirk HammettGuitarist Kirk Hammett is definitely an awesome guitarist with the force of a Jedi. There is nothing this lead guitarist can not do in all the arenas of rock god guitar. He has his own style and sound and is easily recognizable with the likes of Van Halen, Angus Young, Ted Nugent, etc. Need I say anymore…? Metallica have sold over 90 million copies worldwide of their collection of heavy music. They have been one of metals most successful acts in history. Guitarist Kirk Hammett has definitely grown as a musician and a guitar player over the years. To me, he really seems to be the glue between James and Lars and that’s a very noble position to be in. I think Kirk has shown his mettle (no pun intended) with their last album and self analytical movie. Check out the ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar at Musician’s Friend. There is also a cool Google Video of Kirk doing some cool intermission riffing and soloing below. - Riffmaster
Taken From Metallica.Com Kirk Hammett, never without a grin or a curious thought, is the true Bay Area band-member. Born in the East Bay town of El Sobrante (also the birthplace to one Les Claypool), he gained an interest in music from his brother Rick's extensive record collection, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and UFO. It all led to him properly picking up the guitar when he was 15, his first being a wholly unglamorous Montgomery Ward catalog special accompanied by a shoe box with 4 inch speaker for an amp.
After picking up a 1978 Fender Stratocaster, Kirk experimented by mixing and matching guitar parts to find his perfect sound before falling for a 1974 Gibson Flying V. In a determined (and successful) effort to upgrade his equipment, Kirk even took a shift at Burger King to get the cash together for his first Marshall amp. Around that time, Kirk also co-founded Exodus with Paul Baloff, and the East Bay thrashers crossed paths with Metallica twice, in late '82 and early '83, as a support act.
In April 1983, Kirk received a phone call from Metallica in New York. They were in the process of firing guitarist Dave Mustaine and wanted Kirk to fly out and audition. Kirk got the money together for the flight, left California for the first time and arrived in the late afternoon to find three guys who were still waking up. Immediately he, and they, knew the fit was right despite the fact nobody ever formally invited him to join.
A keen student of his instrument even today, Hammett followed his first 'Kill 'Em All' tour by taking lessons from Joe Satriani, and embarked upon a passage of guitar self-education that took in jazz, blues and classical styles. Indeed, education has always been Kirk's answer to potential burnout. After the marathon 'Black' album tour ended in 1993, he immediately went to the City College of San Francisco where he took classes, something he credits as the reason behind his reinvention as a guitarist on the 'Load' and 'Re-load' albums.
Kirk continues to bring not only a dazzling array of lead guitar parts to Metallica's music but also some savage rifferey, having started sharing 6-string duties with James during the 'Load' era. He is happily married to Lani, and lives in San Francisco along with a large collection of old Hollywood movie memorabilia, his two dogs Darla and Hoku, plus cats.......Oh, and for the record, Kirk plays his guitar at least 361 days a year.
ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar
Thru-body neck for more sustain and tone. The ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar is great for lightning fast leads. With the KH body style and Kirk's trademark skull-and-crossbones inlays, this model steps up with a maple body, rock-solid maple neck-thru construction, a rosewood fingerboard, EMG-81 pickups, and an original Floyd Rose tremolo. Extra-jumbo frets. Black hardware. 2 volume, tone, and 3-way switching controls. ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar Features: Maple body Maple neck Rosewood fingerboard Neck-thru construction A set of EMG-81 pickups Original Floyd Rose tremolo Extra-jumbo frets Black hardware 2 volume, tone, and 3-way switching controls To get the real Kirk sound, you need the real Kirk guitar. Order today. Great guitar!!!
Features: 9 Quality: 10 Value: 10 Overall: 9 James from Central coast - CA...
Experience: I own it
Background: Hobbyist
Style of Music: Metallica and other!!! Jan 17, 2006 - I bought this guitar on ebay and got a great deal. I'm totally satified with the guitar. I did change out the neck pickup to an EMG 85. It was well worth the money to upgrade the pickup. I would recommend the EMG 85 on the neck position. My custom Carvin was my "go to" axe. It's now my backup and the kh602 is the main axe. The guitar just make you want to play fast and hard! Going up and down the neck is so smooth and easy. The floyd Rose has been flawless. It's been staying in tune and I've been hammering the hell out of it. Now that I have experience the KH -- I'm now considering getting the KH-2 (should have gotten it in the first place). For the money -- kh-602 is awesome!!
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"So... let me introduce to my man Kirk Hammett"
Updated: 2/15/07
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