ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar Review

Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of legendary metal band Metallica, has inspired thousands, if not millions of budding young guitarists to pick up their first instrument. He is revered among guitar players for his ability to take a blues scale and make impressive metal solos out of it. Knowing this, the ESP guitar brand is trying to appeal to his fans with the ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett signature electric guitar. In this article, I'll take a close look at it to see if this guitar's quality is good enough to live up to the player who inspired its name.

Features: The body of the ESP LTD KH-202 is made of basswood. ESP, it seems like, prefers to make the signature series guitars out of this wood because it provides a tone that is easily manipulated and versatile. There is just one finish available on the guitar, and not surprising that is jet black. The matching painted headstock completes a dark, unified look. The neck of the ESP LTD KH-202 is bolted onto the body, and is made of maple wood. It has a rosewood fretboard with twenty four huge extra jumbo frets and very cool looking skull and bones inlays. All of the hardware on the ESP LTD KH-202, including the ESP brand tuning heads, and genuine Floyd Rose brand tremolo bridge, is made of black nickel. Electronically, the guitar has two ESP brnad LH-301 pickups, one volume and two tone control knobs, and a Fender Stratocaster style five way selector switch. It's definitely an uncommon control setup for a guitar with two humbuckers.

Playability: Just by looking at the ESP LTD KH-202, one can tell that it plays well. Its basswood body is extra thin, light, and has deep cutaways for excellent high fret access. Additionally, the neck is only about 40 millimeters thick - which is about as thin as it gets. You'll feel in full control with that neck resting in your hand. The only issue, as is common with the tremolo bridge, is that excessive use of the whammy bar will throw the guitar out of tune. It's kind of just a fact of live for guitars that have a Floyd Rose.

Sound: This is where the guitar differs from its "signature" status. Kirk Hammett uses active pickups on his guitars, and the ESP LTD KH-202 just has two ESP passive ones. This is not necessarily bad, as you won't have as many sound issues when switching from clean to distortion tones. And, as you'd expect from a guitar at this price, the ESP LTD KH-202 handles both types well.

Overall: From the perspective of an intermediate musician, the ESP LTD KH-202 has a ton of potential. If you're looking for a main axe that can be upgraded as you go, say a swap in pickups for EMG's and tuning head replacement, this guitar can definitely do it. And, in the meantime, it will keep you sounding good and satisfied. You can find the ESP LTD KH-202 in music stores for about $470.