ESP Kirk Hammett Models

Lucid_Lunatic

Lucid_Lunatic

Rebelyellologist
Tell me about the different standard production ESP KH models. I'm not really interested in any of the LTD stuff.

I have been checking eBay and it looks like all the regular models have a bolt on neck. I've mostly been pricing KH-2's because that's the only model I'm seeing in the under $1500 price range. Did they make any through necks that aren't the cheaper LTD models?

I have ran across a few LTD's with through necks, I think it was the KH 502???

It doesn't matter to me if it's a current model or a discontinued model because I will be buying off the used market anyways if I decide on one.

How do they compare in quality to say a Jackson SL1 USA? (I owned one and I liked it alot)

I've also trolled for some of the old KH-3's, the one that was Les Paul shaped with a Floyd.

Oh yeah, that's another question I have. Are all the ESP models standard with a real Orignal Floyd or is it the Lic. By?


I know at least of couple of you guys can school me on different ESP KH models and what to look for and what to avoid.


Thanks!
 
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Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

yeah is youre gonna get an esp, it will have an OFR. the kh-503 had a licensed fr and emg hz, the 603 had OFR and Emg 81's. both were neck thru, but the KH-3 was a bolt on. idk why. i had a kh-2 a while ago, it was cool. idk exctly which soloist youre talkin bout, but of the couple USA soloists ive played, both the jackson and esp are awesome, imo. you could just get an M-II with dunc's? one will pop up every now and then.
 
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Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I think the LTD KH-602 ones are neck thru with Floyd Rose 1000/Special (import Floyd). The ESP KH-2 ones have offered with either neck thru (KH-2 NTB or Vintage) and bolt-on (just plain KH-2),both with Original Floyd Rose. AFAIK KH-3s are neck thru.
I guess that the bolt-on ESPs are far better than their bolt-on LTDs version,either hardwares,wood choices,and build quality.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

marvelous_seven said:
I think the LTD KH-602 ones are neck thru with Floyd Rose 1000/Special (import Floyd). The ESP KH-2 ones have offered with either neck thru (KH-2 NTB or Vintage) and bolt-on (just plain KH-2),both with Original Floyd Rose. AFAIK KH-3s are neck thru.
I guess that the bolt-on ESPs are far better than their bolt-on LTDs version,either hardwares,wood choices,and build quality.
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Thanks.

I'm just interested in the real ESP stuff. I've seen some of the limited/custom stuff like the ouiji's and they are way on up there in price.

I'll just be looking for a standard model from over the years. Not sure I'm really wanting a bolt on though, although I've never tried one because we don't have any ESP dealers around here.

I've had an SL-1 and I liked it and I really liked the feel of the neck through. I'm kind of considering trying to find a KH-3 LP shape since I already dig Les Pauls alot more than anything else.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I was looking at the neck through models and the prices are way up there.

The standard KH-3 has a bolt on neck. I'm not seeing many used and it looks like they are going for $2k new. There are tons of KH-2's out there on the used market for under a grand. What is the going used rate on the KH-3 bolt on models when they pop up?

Also, I've got it in my head about the price being comparable to used USA Jackson prices. Which would you go with? A Japanese ESP or USA Jackson?
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

IMO even with neck thru the KH-3 seems need more effort to play on higher last frets,on King V seems much better. You have to try it anyway to see how it feels on your hands. Good luck with your search.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

marvelous_seven said:
IMO even with neck thru the KH-3 seems need more effort to play on higher last frets,on King V seems much better. You have to try it anyway to see how it feels on your hands. Good luck with your search.
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I keep having a Rhodes model in the back of my mind. I could really dig that kind of free neck acsess.

The thing that got me onto the ESP's in the first place was the LP shape on the KH3. I had always thought with ESP's prices, they were all neck through.


Here's the pro and con list I'm coming up with, at least for things important to me.

ESP KH3:

Pros: LP Body Shape (This is a HUGE pro to me)
Original Floyd
Headstock (I like this alot better than the regular Eclipse headstock)

Cons: I hate the spider painting on the body, the inlays are kinda cool though
Non USA made
Bolt on neck (to me bolt on's just seem to be cheaper built)
Possible harder sell if I don't like it.

Jackson RR1: (I just don't care to go for a strat style is why I'm against the Soloist or KH2)

Pros: Neck through with great upper fret acsess
USA made
Original Floyd


Cons: Those fins get beat to hell




I really wish I could just play some ESP's to see what I think. I've played lots of Jacksons and I know I like thier USA models. The only ESP stuff I have tried was the LTD's and honestly, they feel cheap to me and don't come close to any USA jackson I've messed with or owned. The few people I have talked to that have owned real ESP's said they were in the same legue as the Jackson USA stuff.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I played a real ESPee way back in like 1991 or 1992. It was a neckthrough Soloist-copy with the Jackson headstock. It felt like a Jackson Soloist. Same neck profile and flat fretboard.

I also played a real ESPee Lynch Kamikaze a few years ago (bolt-on). While not exactly the Hammett model, it felt solidly built (the all-maple body weighed a friggin ton). I did find the neck to be stupidly wide like a Classical.

I compared that to an LTD Bengal in the same sitting, and it felt weak and cheap. It was pretty, but crap.

I've also heard from ESPee bolt-on KH owners that they are well built and not cheap-feeling at all.


If you're going to spend the same money, I'd say get a USA Jackson. The resale isn't as good, of course, and the Japanese do know how to make a great, expensive guitar, but I just can't see paying USA prices for Import guitars.

If you lived in the UK where everything is an import model, I'd say Coin-Toss.


However, if you're dead set on an ESPee, and you want the LP shape, look at the Edwards stuff. I hear great things about them (as in, "screw Gibson and they're overpriced/hit-or-miss quality and VOS nonsense").

Given that Edwards is their "Japan-only" branding, they're free to make them as close to Gibson as possible without regard for trademarks and lawsuits.


However, if your'e going for a USA Rhoads, be awar the access to the higher frets is much like that of a Les Paul in that the fretboard enters the body at about the 18th fret, leaving the rest well into the body, which means reaching around.

The KV has a similar disorder, but adds two more frets and scoots the neck pickup back to fit them. They seem to have this fixation with keeing the bridge a religiously-precise distance from the crotch of the V, so it's up-and-over for anything beyond the 19th fret.

Unlike the more Strattish designs where the 22nd fret is actually easier to access on a 24 fret model than on a 22 fretter. Dunno how that works. Deeper cutaway? Splitting the difference with the bridge? Who knows.

Now, if you're not the type of player who does the Steve Vai thing of holding the fingers fully extended even when meedling on the 1st string, you might look at the USA Jackson Warrior. Excellent upper fret access, though again, depending on how you keep your fretting hand the lower front horn might get in your way. I'm a thumbwrapper so it doesn't bother me.

However, finding one for less than brand new is nearly impossible, and everyone wants MSRP $2500 for them. I paid $2500 each for my WarAngel and 7-string Warrior. Those were both Custom Body Shape upcharges. Granted they're both bolt-ons, but Jackson knows how to do bolt-ons right.


Another alternative is the JacksonStars models. In particular, the WRTN-01 and 02. These are near-USA quality Warriors (neckthrough) available for the Japanese domestic market, so they're not really limited by USA-HQ constraints like the import Professionals are. They can also be had new for about $1600. The 01 has an ebony board and I belive the 02 has striped (not jet-black) ebony.

If you don't mind the lack of a Floyd, Jackson offers the Mark Morton, which is a Les Paulish type thing with a fat neck and mahogany body and ebony board.

Jackson also offers the KV2T which is a non-Floyded KV2 with a short scale.
This should improve upper-fret access somewhat, but they're still adhering to the crotch-to-bridge spacing formula, so there's gonna be some reach-around action nonetheless.


Then there's the ESPee Alexi Laiho Rhoads copy, with its wusscut on the lower wing. Same as Ibenhad used on their Rhoads copy.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

DrNewcenstein said:
If you're going to spend the same money, I'd say get a USA Jackson. The resale isn't as good, of course, and the Japanese do know how to make a great, expensive guitar, but I just can't see paying USA prices for Import guitars.
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This is how I feel as well.

I was going back and forth between a ESP Horizon, ESP Mirage, ESP Eclipse, Jackson Soloist, and Jackson Kelly.

They all felt solid in their construction. The Jacksons had better tops and the fact they are made in the US helped in my decision. Also the pointy factor of the Kelly really did it for me.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

Lucid_Lunatic said:
Also, I've got it in my head about the price being comparable to used USA Jackson prices. Which would you go with? A Japanese ESP or USA Jackson?
Click to expand...

I have played both over the years. I liked the Jacksons much more. The ESP and Jackson both sound great and offer similar features, but I really like the feel of the Jacksons.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I had both a KH3 and a (modified) KH2. I had that KH2 for ten years. It served me well. My KH2 was really a custom shop but it was the KH2 model with a right side up neck.

I loved that KH2. I really loved the KH3 as well. Until I got a Jackson.

Most of the production stuff I've seen has been bolt on even if it was actual ESP. Kirk's first few sigs for himself were neck thru, but I dont think they made many if any production models with neck thru. I know they're rare at least.

I'd say a USA Jackson has the ESPs beat, but I'm biased maybe. They were great playing and sounding guitars but after having other guitars in my hands I lost the love. After a while I didn't even enjoy playing the KH3.

The KH2 is a comfy guitar, more so than the KH3 really. I never really like Les Pauls though so...

ESP will come with an OFR not licensed. With Kirk's models you're also gonna get two EMG 81s.

At the end of the day to my hands and ears a Jackson SL2H will give you a better time than the Hammett ESPs.

Edit: Just saw your bit about not wanting and SL2H but an RR1. I tell ya what, the RR1s and KV2s are the most comfortable guitars I've ever played. I have two of each and love them. I'm finding that I dig the 22 fret necks better than the 24s though, which is odd for me. The ends on the RR1s do get dinged up a bit. I've had my one JV2 for 4 years though and don't have any dings on it. The paint is thinner on the points of the RRs vs the KVs. Regardless, I wouldn't trade either of the four for any KH model ESPs.
 
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Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I had a Jackson KV4, and shapewise that thing could play itself. The neck access is damn near perfect.

So if you like that, you're on the right track with the RR idea.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

H8Red442 said:
I had both a KH3 and a (modified) KH2. I had that KH2 for ten years. It served me well. My KH2 was really a custom shop but it was the KH2 model with a right side up neck.

I loved that KH2. I really loved the KH3 as well. Until I got a Jackson.

Most of the production stuff I've seen has been bolt on even if it was actual ESP. Kirk's first few sigs for himself were neck thru, but I dont think they made many if any production models with neck thru. I know they're rare at least.

I'd say a USA Jackson has the ESPs beat, but I'm biased maybe. They were great playing and sounding guitars but after having other guitars in my hands I lost the love. After a while I didn't even enjoy playing the KH3.

The KH2 is a comfy guitar, more so than the KH3 really. I never really like Les Pauls though so...

ESP will come with an OFR not licensed. With Kirk's models you're also gonna get two EMG 81s.

At the end of the day to my hands and ears a Jackson SL2H will give you a better time than the Hammett ESPs.

Edit: Just saw your bit about not wanting and SL2H but an RR1. I tell ya what, the RR1s and KV2s are the most comfortable guitars I've ever played. I have two of each and love them. I'm finding that I dig the 22 fret necks better than the 24s though, which is odd for me. The ends on the RR1s do get dinged up a bit. I've had my one JV2 for 4 years though and don't have any dings on it. The paint is thinner on the points of the RRs vs the KVs. Regardless, I wouldn't trade either of the four for any KH model ESPs.
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Awesome post!

I think I may wait for a used RR1 to pop up then. Whichever I choose, it's going to have EMG's after it's all over and done with. I've just been having serious gas for a "metal" guitar.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

Kirk plays bolt ons Im sure, so that would explain why his sig model is bolt on.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

He also plays the LTDs on stage as well. He takes about 50 of them with him on tour and beats the living day lights out of them.

His first few sigs were neck thru. I remember seeing ads for them back in the early 90s. I've also seen a couple run across ebay as well.

Regardless, I don't think they were ever production or at least not in any large number.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

Varg said:
Kirk plays bolt ons Im sure, so that would explain why his sig model is bolt on.
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I wouldn't be too sure of that. Hammet and Hetfield's guitars are made by a private lutheir that ESP sources the job out to, as compared to the "signature models" you can buy which were built by ESP. Originally Hetfield's ESP explorer was set neck, Hammet's main No. 1 ESP was neck thru, yet the models ESP put out to the public as their signature models both had bolt on necks. In recent years they've seemed to corrected it by offering both neck thru and bolt on versions of Hammets's guitars
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

jmh151 said:
I wouldn't be too sure of that. Hammet and Hetfield's guitars are made by a private lutheir that ESP sources the job out to, as compared to the "signature models" you can buy which were built by ESP. Originally Hetfield's ESP explorer was set neck, Hammet's main No. 1 ESP was neck thru, yet the models ESP put out to the public as their signature models both had bolt on necks. In recent years they've seemed to corrected it by offering both neck thru and bolt on versions of Hammets's guitars
Click to expand...

I know he plays bolt ons often, you can see it in plenty of photos.

1230077866469_f.jpg


However, I've seen photos of him playing somethign that LOOKS like a bolt on until you look closer and its actually a neck through with the neck unpainted so it looks like a bolt on.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

Kirk prefers (and uses) neck thru models. His original signature model was based on his old Mirage.

The KH-2 is a neck thru model, and I am pretty sure that is still in production.
 
Re: ESP Kirk Hammett Models

I have had 4 ESP's 2 neck thru and 2 bolt on. U can get usually get an ESP MII custom neck thru for a pretty good price and imho it plays better than the kamakaze and the KH-3 ive also had a bolt on MII that i loved aswell. Both of my MII's completely blew my soloist out of the water I dont really care for jackson guitars to much.

My MII custom was black with Screaming demon in the bridge and a esp custom in the neck ( sounded very similar to a hotrails)

MII standard was was EMG 85 and esp custome in the neck

I miss both guitars but they just dont suit what im playing now.
 
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