Kirk Hammett Rig

Estimated build cost: ~$23,782 (based on current listings)

Metal Metallica Kirk Hammett

Kirk Hammett is Metallica's lead guitarist, known for his fast alternate-picked solos and wah-driven leads that defined thrash metal from the mid-1980s onward. His classic rig centered on the ESP KH-2 with EMG 81/85 pickups and a Mesa/Boogie Mark IV head for the tight, saturated tone heard on ...And Justice for All and the Black Album.


By the mid-2000s he moved to the Mesa Mark V for more voicing options during the Death Magnetic era, then adopted the Fractal Axe-Fx II and III for live touring and recording since the Hardwired... to Self-Destruct sessions, while continuing to use ESP KH-series guitars with active pickups.

~$23,782 Estimated total
8 Pieces of gear
Metal Genre / style
Affiliate Disclosure
Kirk Hammett Rig
Photo by 4TheWynne / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Kirk Hammett guitars, amps and pedals

Classic / iconic era

The breakthrough pieces they are most associated with.

Guitar
ESP KH-2 Vintage Kirk Hammett Signature 2006 - Distressed Black
Classic 1986–1991: primary guitar on ...And Justice for All and Metallica (Black Album).
Amp
Mesa Boogie Mark IV 3-Channel 85-Watt Guitar Amp Head 1990 - 2008 - Various
Classic 1986–1999: main amp head for early tours and breakthrough records.
Pedal
Dunlop Dunlop Cry Baby Classic GCB95F Wah Pedal – Fasel Inductor – Boxed 2015 circa
Classic 1980s–1990s: wah used on nearly every solo from Kill 'Em All through the Black Album.
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Mid-career

A real in-between era or endorsement — not what they use now.

Amp
Mesa Boogie Mark V 90 Watt Tube Head & Custom 2 X 12 Cabinet
Mid 2008–2015: main amp during Death Magnetic and subsequent tours.
Guitar
ESP KH-2 Vintage Kirk Hammett Signature 2006 - Distressed Black
Mid 2000s–2010s: continued use of KH-2 models with updated finishes.
Current / most recent

What they tour or record with now, or the newest signature line.

Audio Interface
Fractal Audio Axe-FX III
Current 2016–present: primary live and studio processor replacing tube heads on tour.
Guitar
ESP LTD KH-3 Kirk Hammett Signature Spider - Black with Spider Graphic
Current 2010s–present: newer signature model used alongside KH-2 on recent tours.
Pedal
Dunlop 535Q Cry Baby Multi-Wah
Current: multi-mode wah still used in the Axe-Fx live rig.
Estimated build total ~$23,782
Rig Overview
Estimated total ~$23,782
Pieces of gear 8
Genre / style Metal
Classic / iconic era 3 items
Mid-career 2 items
Current / most recent 3 items
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