ESP has launched its long-anticipated Kirk Hammett LTD KH-V electric guitar
The ESP KH-V was first announced at NAMM last year.
Credit: ESP
ESP have officially launched the latest addition to their Kirk Hammett Signature Series, the LTD KH-V.
A production version of the ESP USA Custom Shop signature V-shape ESP USA V-1 guitars Hammett has used since 2019, the LTD KH-V boasts a 25.5” scale, with a korina body and three-piece extra-thin U-shaped maple neck in a neck-through-body construction. The fingerboard is made of Macassar ebony and features 24 extra-jumbo frets.
Hardware-wise, the KH-V has a TonePros BB-B ceramic bridge, LTD locking tuners, alongside a set of Hammett’s signature EMG Bone Breaker pickups and BB-N alnico 5 neck pickups. The guitar has also been equipped with volume and tone knobs, and a three-way selector switch.
The KH-V is available in the same three colourways as Hammett’s high-end instruments, with Black Sparkle with black hardware and black pickguard; Red Sparkle with gold hardware and gold pickguard; and Metallic Gold with gold hardware and cream pickguard on offer.
First announced at NAMM 2022, the KH-V was something of a surprise when it was revealed, as Gibson was due to launch the Gibson Kirk Hammett Flying V in the following months. Touted as a more affordable version of the classic ESP LTD, the KH-V joins a fleet of ESP Kirk Hammett signatures that include the KH-3 Spider, the KH Demonology and more.
In other Hammett-related news, actor Jason Momoa announced last year that he had purchased the last-available Gibson Custom Shop “Greeny” replica. The Gibson Custom Shop Collector’s Edition Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard, which was made in a limited run of only 50 copies, are replicas of the iconic 1959 Burst owned by Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green, and Gary Moore before handed over to Hammett.
