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Metallica fans know the moment Kirk Hammett sets foot on stage, he’s ready to unleash the sound that’s defined thrash leads and shaped modern metal—with his arsenal of well-curated gear on tap. From face-melting solos on Master of Puppets to the megalithic riffs of The Black Album, Hammett’s iconic style has driven countless legions of metalheads to seek out V-shaped, Les Paul and S-type models, as well as wah pedals, humbucking pickups and anything else he uses in search of that sold-out-stadium-worthy sound. Hammett’s signature gear, thoughtfully designed with the likes of ESP, Dunlop and Gibson, captures a tone, an aesthetic and an era of the lead guitarist’s legacy. Whether you're inspired by his higher-fret wizardry, massive chugging riffs or wah-drenched magic, this guide walks you through all of Hammett’s signature gear available at Guitar Center. Cue “The Ecstasy of Gold”—we’re off to never-never land.
Pictured: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett KH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary Edition Electric Guitar in Black and ESP LTD KH-602 Headstock
Table of Contents
Kirk Hammett's Signature Guitars
Kirk Hammett's Signature Pedals
Kirk Hammett's Signature Pickups
Kirk Hammett's Signature Accessories
Fade to Black: Channel Your Inner Kirk
Kirk Hammett's Signature Guitars
Pictured: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-V Electric Guitar in Metallic Gold Sparkle
ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Series
Why It Rocks: It checks out on all the essentials you’d look for in a high-octane S-type guitar—it’s streamlined, aggressive and built for speed.
Things to Consider:
- Active EMG Bone Breaker pickups dish out articulate high-gain tones
- Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo’s reliability is tried and true
- Purple sparkle model also available
Shop Now: ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammett Signature Series Electric Guitar in Black
Hammett’s KH-602 is more than a sleek-looking Superstrat with Kirk’s signature skull-and-bone inlays—it's a thoughtfully outfitted precision instrument honed for high-intensity shredding. Powered by his signature EMG Bone Breaker pickups, it delivers clear note separation at extreme distortion levels, perfect for replicating Kirk’s legendary solos from Kill ’Em All to 72 Seasons. The Floyd Rose tremolo invites wild dive bombs without sacrificing tuning stability.
ESP LTD KH-WZ Kirk Hammett Signature White Zombie
Why It Rocks: Another S-style axe, the KH-WZ pays homage to one of the great horror films of the 1930s.
Things to Consider:
- Features graphics from the Halperin-directed White Zombie film
- Powerful EMG 81/60 active pickup combo
- Floyd Rose bridge for expressive whammy effects
Shop Now: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature White Zombie Electric Guitar
The LTD KH-WZ White Zombie guitar blends Hammett’s passions: heavy metal, cinematic horror and fiery performance. This axe begs for stage lights and theatrics, boasting a graphic homage to classic horror cinema while the aggressive EMGs dish out riffs that hit like a freight train. The Floyd Rose tremolo encourages expressive dive bombs, perfect for recreating solos from Metallica’s darker tracks like "For Whom the Bell Tolls."
ESP LTD Kirk Hammett KH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary
Why It Rocks: Celebrates three decades of Hammett’s iconic “Spider” guitar design.
Things to Consider:
- Collector-friendly, with a signed variant available
- Distinctive spider graphic and premium hardware
- EMG pickups and Floyd Rose tremolo standard
Shop Now: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett KH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary Edition Electric Guitar in Black
Initially debuted during Metallica’s meteoric rise in the early ’90s, the KH-3 Spider remains symbolic of Kirk’s style—bold, memorable and aggressive. A limited signed edition adds collectible cachet, but both versions deliver blistering tone through EMG active pickups, ensuring this guitar performs as fiercely as it looks.
ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-V
Why It Rocks: Blends classic V shape and Hammett-approved performance upgrades.
Things to Consider:
- Neck-through-body construction offers massive sustain
- EMG Bone Breaker pickups dish out powerful tone
- Available in three sparkle finishes: red, black and metallic gold
Shop Now: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-V Electric Guitar in Red Sparkle
Hammett’s ESP LTD KH-V reinvigorates the iconic pointy-V silhouette, integrating metal-geared enhancements like active EMG Bone Breaker pickups and neck-through-body construction for endless sustain. Ideal for cranked-up gain settings, this guitar is built for aggressive rhythm playing and lead work—think the slash-and-burn ferocity of “Battery” or “Disposable Heroes.”
Epiphone Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard
Why It Rocks: Legendary Greeny tone and vibe at an accessible price.
Things to Consider:
- Unique reversed neck pickup captures Greeny’s distinctive sound
- Vintage-style appointments and stunning Greeny Burst finish
- Great entry point for vintage Les Paul enthusiasts
Shop Now: Epiphone Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar in Greeny Burst
This Epiphone “Greeny” Les Paul incarnation is the more accessible alternative to the Gibson “Greeny”—modeled after the famously reversed-pickup ’59 LP previously owned by Peter Green and Gary Moore. Hammett bought Greeny in 2014 for an undisclosed amount. Greeny’s unique out-of-phase tone comes from its reversed-magnet neck pickup, yielding an irresistible bluesy charm that’s made it a staple on Hammett’s studio and live equipment list ever since he laid his hands on it.
Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V
Why It Rocks: This budget-friendly Flying V faithfully recreates the guitar Hammett wielded in his thrashiest era.
Things to Consider:
- Classic Flying V silhouette with a sleek ebony finish
- ProBucker pickups produce a vintage-style vibe
- Affordable model ideal for fans of mid-’80s thrash
Shop Now: Epiphone Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V Electric Guitar in Ebony
Inspired by Hammett’s go-to Gibson from his tenure in Exodus through Metallica’s early era, the Epiphone 1979 Flying V signature delivers all the thrashy fire you need to forge your own metal tone at a very tempting price. It’s perfect for fans of his raw, aggressive energy on albums like Kill ’Em All and Ride the Lightning—it was also used on select recordings on Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All and their Diamond-certified self-titled album.
Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" Les Paul Standard
Why It Rocks: Gibson’s meticulous homage to the legendary guitar gives you all the appointments without the nicks and dents of the real deal.
Things to Consider:
- Period-accurate recreation with reversed neck pickup
- Premium Gibson craftsmanship ensures exquisite detail
- Ideal for collectors and professional players
Shop Now: Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar in Greeny Burst
This Gibson model painstakingly replicates the famous "Greeny" guitar’s specifications, tone and feel. Ideal for collectors and discerning guitarists who appreciate early Fleetwood Mac (1967–1970), Skid Row (1970–1971), Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore’s solo career and/or Kirk Hammett, this guitar sings with the inimitable voice and aesthetic that’s made Greeny one of the most famous and valuable Les Pauls in history.
Gibson Custom Murphy Lab Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul
Why It Rocks: The ultimate collector’s version is complete with a weathered finish just like the original.
Things to Consider:
- Murphy Lab aging process replicates its wear and tear
- Authentic reproduction of iconic reversed-Alnico 2 magnet neck pickup
- Extremely limited, sought-after instrument with a price to match
The crown jewel among Gibon’s “Greeny” offerings, this Gibson Custom Murphy Lab “Greeny” embodies the authentic vintage vibe of the original. Every detail—from its aged nitrocellulose lacquer finish to the lack thereof in certain parts of the neck thanks to decades of exquisite musical expression—is painstakingly executed for accuracy and collector’s appeal.
Kirk Hammett's Signature Pedals
Pictured: Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Yellow Sparkle Edition
Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah
Why It Rocks: Instantly recognizable Hammett wah tone in a rugged package.
Things to Consider:
- Custom-tuned parameters by Hammett himself
- Sturdy build with a custom rubber tread
- 9V battery compartment and power supply jack (pedal power supply sold separately)
Shop Now: Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah in Black and Green
There’s perhaps no pedal more associated with Hammett’s style than his Cry Baby wah, heard on countless Metallica solos. While on tour, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer used a rackmounted Cry Baby DCR-1SR, whose handcrafted parameters were then translated to his signature wah, the KH95. It delivers his quintessential sweep and vocal-like expression, with an even, smooth wah-wah swell that’s perfect for high-gain situations. To sweeten the pot, it’s even got a tracklist of his favorite Metallica wah solos—spanning their debut album to Death Magnetic—on the underside of the chassis.
Shop Now: Dunlop KH95 Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby Wah Yellow Sparkle Edition
And if the yellow-and-black color scheme of 2023’s 72 Seasons speaks to you, tread on the KH95Y Cry Baby wah in yellow sparkle. It features all the EQ-tweaking magic of the original KH95, but with an alternate paint job, front-facing logo and tread.
Kirk Hammett's Signature Pickups
Pictured: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett KH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary Edition with EMG Bone Breaker Pickups
EMG Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Pickup Set
Why It Rocks: Hammett’s personally tuned EMGs for punchy, articulate metal tone.
Things to Consider:
- High-gain clarity ideal for shredding leads
- Versatile enough for rhythm and solos
- Signature reliability from EMG
Shop Now: EMG Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Pickup Set
As seen on the KH-602 and KH-3 Spider, Hammett’s Bone Breaker set provides detailed clarity and aggression, essential for rapid-fire solos and heavy riffs alike, encapsulating the dynamic range of his career. While the end of the signal chain might be drenched in distortion via pedals and amps, these EMGs get your tone off to a surprisingly clean start. As Hammett himself put it, “Metallica’s crunch sound is often cleaner than people expect … I prefer my tone to be nice and crisp.”
EMG KH20 Kirk Hammett Prewired Pickguard
Why It Rocks: It’s a simple, instant, Hammett-approved upgrade for your guitar.
Things to Consider:
- Easy installation on Strat-style guitars
- EMG-81 bridge and EMG-S middle and neck pickups deliver a powerful tonal trio
- Single volume and tone knobs make it easy to achieve Hammett’s sound
Shop Now: EMG KH20 Kirk Hammett Prewired Pickguard/Pickup Set
Drop it in, and you’re ready. This EMG KH20 prewired set provides instant Hammett-approved tone, transforming your S-type guitar into a shredding machine. Just screw in the 11-hole pickguard and jump in the fire.
Kirk Hammett's Signature Accessories
Pictured: ESP LTD Kirk Hammett Signature KH-V Electric Guitar in Metallic Gold Sparkle Headstock
Dunlop Kirk Hammett Monster Pick Tin
Why It Rocks: Collectible picks combining functionality and style.
Things to Consider:
- Excellent grip and control
- Includes five picks featuring monster artwork, and one modeled after the pick Hammett has used on tour
- Part of a collectible series
Shop Now: Dunlop Kirk Hammett Monster Pick Tin With 6 Picks
As a guitarist, you know how picks can seemingly disappear into thin air—sad but true. With Dunlop’s Kirk Hammett Monster pick tin, you’ve got a fun, convenient way to stash your six included horror-themed .88 mm picks wherever you may roam, with room to spare for spares.
Dunlop Kirk Hammett Jazz III Guitar Pick
Why It Rocks: Precision picking meets glittery stage flair in this signature V-shaped plectrum.
Things to Consider:
- Thick, precise pick favored by “The Ripper”
- Glitter finish for high-vis flash
- Green variant available
Shop Now: Dunlop Kirk Hammett Jazz III Yellow Glitter Guitar Pick 1.35mm 6-Pack
Included as the special-edition touring pick in the Monster pick tin, this six-pack of Kirk Hammett Custom Jazz III picks gives you the master soloist’s right-hand tool of choice. And if you’re looking to stock up, it’s also available in a 24-pack at a bargain value.
Fade to Black: Channel Your Inner Kirk
Pictured: Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar in Greeny Burst
Along with rhythm guitar counterpart James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett has forever changed the course of metal with his unmistakable riffs, solos and tone that have inspired millions to pick up the guitar and shred. Whether you’ve chosen that new axe or pedal to welcome home or are still searching for that which you desire, Kirk Hammett has amassed quite the lineup of signature gear to choose from. If you want some help narrowing it down, the best way is to visit your local Guitar Center to try it out in person. Or chat with our friendly Gear Advisers, who can help you claim your own Metallica-inspired tone.