TEST: ESP KH-V

 Even Kirk Hammett doesn't always have it easy. Playing in the most famous metal band of all time has many advantages, but also some disadvantages. Probably the biggest disadvantage is that as a vegetarian you have to play in a band with a hunter. Personally, it's a complete mystery to me how he gets through something like that. One of the biggest advantages, in addition to the economic income, is probably the fact that in this league you are well to very well supplied with instruments of all kinds, as you represent a very strong advertising medium for the respective manufacturer, who not only receives an unlimited number of instruments, but of course also involved in the sale of the instruments. The latest Hammett model from LTD is called ESP LTD KH-V Metallic Gold and is the Korean version of the American ESP models.

The concept of ESP LTD KH-V Metallic Gold

If we take aside the legendary Les Paul Greeny, which Kirk Hammett acquired from Gary Moore in a cloak and dagger operation for the price of one million dollars, since Gary Moore got into financial difficulties due to liability problems, we see the man who Rumor has it that he had his car's clutch pedal replaced with Wah Wah pedals (just kidding!), usually only with three different models on stage. For my part, I associate Kirk Hammett primarily with various versions of Powerstrats, and secondarily with Les Paul variants tailored to him with Floyd Rose Vibrato systems. As a third body shape, Kirk Hammett often used the Flying V, especially in his early days, which was later converted into the Arrow shape due to the cooperation with ESP, the shape that is not completely symmetrical, but is characterized by the fact that the upper horn is slightly longer is the lower one and, as far as I know, the first time it was brought onto the market by the Jackson company.

This form is exactly what the LTD uses. But it's not enough that the same iconic shape in itself generates a certain amount of attention, the instrument is also painted in "all gold", meaning not only the body, front and back, but also the entire headstock and neck are continuous painted in opaque gold. This is a finish that was adopted from earlier Les Pauls from the 50s, which at the time was a particularly elegant design due to the lacquered back of the neck. The paintwork is applied absolutely perfectly and offers no cause for criticism.

In order to generate maximum sustain, the instrument was built with a three-piece, continuous neck made of maple, with the glued-on body wings made of Korina. All in all, the construction is unusually light, especially for its very large dimensions, and weighs just over 3 kg. The fingerboard is a medium dark Macassar ebony with 24 extra jumbo frets. The fingerboard inlays were subtly based on Jackson's Sharkfin fingerboard inlays, but gave the shape a personal character by rounding the upper edge into a kind of "club".

However, the big disadvantage of this body shape follows immediately. It is virtually impossible to place this instrument on a guitar stand other than in a purely hanging stand in any way that does not cause either the horns or the back of the guitar to be scratched in some way. Of course you can lay out the guitar from below in a guitar boat with appropriate soft material, but it is only a matter of time before the upper horn in particular loses its finish in some way. The only way to prevent this would be to use a hanging stand, such as the one König & Meier offers, as long as you don't want to scratch your instrument in any way at some point. LTD has taken care of the transport; the instrument is delivered in a high-quality hardshell case and is therefore protected during transport.

Another special feature of this instrument is the fact that the guitar is delivered without a vibrato system, which is otherwise used on most Kirk Hammett signature guitars. Instead, a fixed bridge is used, with the sides being passed through the body again for maximum sustain and countered on the back of the body. In order to take the King Midas flair to the extreme, all of the hardware is of course made of gold, with the tuners being locking mechanisms with the company's own logo. I couldn't find out whether LTD manufactures the tuners itself or buys them as OEM goods from a renowned manufacturer. In any case, their functionality is flawless.

The pickups

As expected, Kirk Hammett's signature EMG pickup set called the Bone Breaker was of course also installed on the guitar, but in my opinion this has a visual disadvantage. In the signature set, the EMG lettering is colored green, which in itself leaves a very tasteful image on the black pickups and also looks very good on a black guitar. The green lettering on a gold guitar, on the other hand, is, in my opinion, a bit visually borderline and would be picked up by any design police. As always, it's all a matter of taste, you can see it however you like, but perhaps a different color, preferably gold of course, would have been more appropriate.

The hardware

As already mentioned, LTD consistently applies the gold finish down to the last cracks, so that not only are almost all wooden elements gold-plated, but of course all the hardware and all screws are gold-plated as well. The only thing not captured are the plastic pickup frames and a cream-colored pickguard that houses a master volume, master tone control, and three-way switch.

With the strap pins, LTD has to deal with the same problem that all guitars have where the back pin is not attached to the top horn at the end. Because the front pin is on the back of the body and the rear pin is attached to the top horn facing downwards, we automatically have a slight forward leverage that turns the guitar away from the body through the strap. Under certain circumstances, this can mean that the view of the fretboard is not quite as relaxed as when a guitar is turned towards the body, as is the case with almost all Powerstrats due to the shaping. Everyone has to determine for themselves to what extent this influences their personal playing experience. I'm relatively sure that you'll adjust to it quickly, but particularly sensitive people should start a test run in advance.

It is also interesting that the transition from the neck to the body or through the body, especially on the upper body wing, was kept relatively “masculine”, which means that the hand still has a lot of wood to overcome, especially in the area of the upper frets on the bass sides. before she finally gets where she wants to go with her fingers. But hey, if it's a signature model, Kirk Hammett will probably have the appropriate finger lengths to master this point.

The ESP LTD KH-V Metallic Gold in practice

Once again, “you get what you see” applies to this instrument. Even the most beautiful gold finish, which will bring tears of joy to the eyes of one or two show musicians, cannot hide the fact that this instrument is a tough, hard'n'heavy guitar that is aimed at a clear target group delivered accordingly. The instrument offers everything it needs for a good metal show, a slightly provocative look, an eye-catching finish and an iconic shape that will probably only be found very rarely in the dance music sector.

The playability of the instrument is very good, the combination of woods and pickups provides very good performance even with high gain escapades and is guaranteed to find its buyers. If you can't get used to the gold finish, the instrument can also be purchased in Red or Black Sparkle. Although there is no different gradation between bridge and neck pickup in the KH Bone Breaker Set, the set offers a balanced sound, which, in addition to the classic EMG basic sound, also generates a subtle adjustment to the musician's personal taste.

A very good heavy guitar with a high attention value.


Conclusion

With the ESP LTD KH-V Metallic Gold, the Korean manufacturer has a heavy guitar of the classical school in its range. The look, sound and conception were uncompromisingly tailored to the hard rock / metal area and should bring every Kirk Hammett fan a lot of joy in the rehearsal room and on stage.


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Additional Informations:



Metallica, a name synonymous with the power and aggression of heavy metal music, has solidified its place in the annals of rock history. The band's journey from its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential and successful metal acts of all time is a tale of perseverance, passion, and relentless dedication to their craft.

**Formation and Early Years**

The story of Metallica begins in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. Drummer Lars Ulrich had placed an advertisement in a local newspaper seeking musicians to form a band. Guitarist James Hetfield responded, and the two quickly bonded over their shared love of hard rock and heavy metal. With Hetfield on rhythm guitar and vocals and Ulrich on drums, the foundation of Metallica was laid.

The duo's vision for the band was clear: to create uncompromising, aggressive music that pushed the boundaries of conventional rock. They recruited guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney to complete the lineup. This formation would become known as the "original" Metallica lineup.

In 1982, Metallica recorded their first demo, "No Life 'til Leather," which gained them attention in the underground metal scene. Mustaine's blistering guitar solos and Hetfield's raw vocals showcased the band's potential, earning them a dedicated following.

However, tensions within the band began to rise, particularly between Mustaine and the rest of the group. His excessive substance abuse and volatile behavior led to his dismissal from the band in 1983. Mustaine would go on to form the influential thrash metal band Megadeth, but Metallica would continue without him.

**Rise to Prominence**

Following Mustaine's departure, Metallica recruited guitarist Kirk Hammett from the band Exodus to fill the void. With the new lineup solidified, Metallica set out to record their debut album. In 1983, they released "Kill 'Em All," a landmark record that would lay the groundwork for the thrash metal genre.

"Kill 'Em All" showcased Metallica's trademark sound: blistering guitar riffs, lightning-fast solos, and aggressive rhythms. Tracks like "Seek & Destroy" and "Whiplash" became instant classics, earning Metallica a reputation as one of the most exciting bands in heavy metal.

Buoyed by the success of their debut album, Metallica embarked on a relentless touring schedule, performing across the United States and Europe. Their electrifying live shows earned them a devoted fanbase and caught the attention of major record labels.

In 1984, Metallica signed with Elektra Records and began work on their sophomore album. The resulting record, "Ride the Lightning," further solidified Metallica's reputation as pioneers of the thrash metal genre. Tracks like "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and the epic instrumental "The Call of Ktulu" showcased the band's musical prowess and songwriting depth.

**Mastering the Craft**

Metallica's ascent to superstardom reached new heights with the release of their third album, "Master of Puppets," in 1986. Widely regarded as one of the greatest metal albums of all time, "Master of Puppets" showcased Metallica at the peak of their creative powers.

The album's title track, along with songs like "Battery" and "Welcome Home (Sanitarium)," demonstrated Metallica's ability to blend intricate song structures with powerful melodies and searing aggression. "Master of Puppets" catapulted Metallica to international fame and cemented their status as metal legends.

Tragically, the success of "Master of Puppets" was overshadowed by the death of bassist Cliff Burton in a tour bus accident in Sweden in 1986. Burton's untimely passing devastated the band and their fans but did not derail Metallica's momentum.

**Continued Evolution**

In the wake of Burton's death, Metallica faced the daunting task of carrying on without one of their founding members. After auditioning several bassists, including Jason Newsted, Metallica eventually welcomed Newsted into the fold.

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Despite facing criticism from some longtime fans for deviating from their thrash metal roots, Metallica's commercial success remained unparalleled. They continued to sell out arenas and stadiums worldwide, solidifying their status as one of the biggest rock bands on the planet.

**Legacy and Influence**

Metallica's impact on the world of heavy metal cannot be overstated. From their early days as pioneers of the thrash metal movement to their later experiments with different musical styles, Metallica has consistently pushed the boundaries of what metal music can be.

Their influence can be heard in countless bands across multiple generations, from thrash metal icons like Megadeth and Slayer to modern metal acts like Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium. Metallica's legacy extends beyond their music, with their pioneering approach to music videos, merchandising, and live performances setting new standards for the industry.

In 2009, Metallica was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, cementing their place in music history. Despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks over the years, including personal struggles, lineup changes, and creative differences, Metallica has remained a formidable force in the world of rock and metal.

As they approach their fifth decade as a band, Metallica shows no signs of slowing down. With a new album in the works and a relentless touring schedule, the band continues to inspire legions of fans around the globe with their electrifying live performances and uncompromising dedication to their craft.

In conclusion, the story of Metallica is not just one of musical achievement but also of resilience, passion, and the enduring power of rock and roll. From their humble beginnings in Los Angeles to their status as metal gods, Metallica's journey is a testament to the transformative power of music and the enduring legacy of one of the greatest bands of all time.