Kirk Hammett Has The Coolest Guitars

Well today something a little different. In my review of the Metallica DVD it was mention that Kirks Boris Karloff Guitar would look even better on BluRay so this got me to think which guitarist has the coolest guitars!

After some long thinking i can come to only one conclusion, Kirk Hammett!

Kirk is a long time ESP endorsee with plenty of signature models, its not uncommon to see him wielding other brands such as the odd Les Paul or a Randy Rhodes Jackson during Sad But True

I love his three Horror themed ones the Boris Karloff Mummy, Frankenstein and the Dracula ones. Interesting fact is that Kirk owns the rights to Boris Karloff's image by all accounts, despite a lot of demand he has decided not to release the pattern as a signature model and keep it just for himself! Very Selfish but does help preserve the uniqueness of the guitar.

Also seen regularly is Kirk's Ouija board guitar which is so simple but got to be one of the best designs out there! I believe this is available to buy now. mmmmm

If you are wanting to look like kirk and sound like kirk well its not going to be easy or cheap. But with a lot of money and a hell of a lot of practice you never know! ESP do a range of signature guitars available for purchase. The pick has to be the KH-2 Vintage which has the Caution Hot motif. Its worth noting here that the hardware on these is amazing. The two EMG Active pick ups are stunning the bridge pick up helps give that really chunky sound kirk get while the neck gives the clean sparkling sound heard on the intros for Fade to Black for example. 

So who came close to taking this coveted prize!

Well for me i love jerry Cantrell's G&L rampage, its an absolute beast that packs a hell of a tone! I saw him play Man in a Box in a small venue in London and apart from the fact the whole show was superb for the purpose of the topic at hand that guitar was beautiful, the fact its a real original make it for me something of hallowed nature. (Away from the point a much under rated guitarist who is as versatile as he is creative, should definitely feature towards the top of any best guitarist list) 

Here is Jerry Pictured on the Cover of  Guitar Wold Magazine in 1995

No mention of cool guitars would be with out Zakk Wyldes Bullseye. Seen for a fleeting glimpse int he movie the "Fast and the Furious" (surely the movies high point) its a truly iconic Axe! it has spawned a family of other bulls which for me dont quite have the same appeal of this beautiful piece of work from Gibson. Personally i can take or leave Zakk as a guitarist, i find his solos all sound the same after No More Tears but shread he can.

Dimebag is now afforded legendary status and quite right too, before his tragic death he was treading hollowed boards to all would be guitarists. Ahead of his time he could play balls to the wall heavy riffs with a clarity unheard before. Dime used a signature shape most models available from Dean with some really nice patterns. A true metal guitar for one of the genres definitive players. 

Not so much cool guitars, well i guess they are but they just go to complete the all round look that is Kerry King. He is a monster of a guy and with the whole ensemble he looks like the kind of guy you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. (why do people meet guys in alleys anyway?). Despite this scary look he is by all accounts a gentlemen and all round nice guy. So even if they guy throws around breeze block heavy riff with a spiky guitar remember looks can be deceiving. 

Nice Guy....Great Guitarist....Awesome Band!

The explorer is a classic guitar shape, favored by many guitarists. The Edge from U2 is an obvious example of one of its patrons but he can't quite look as cool as Papa Het from Metallica. The fact he is rhythm guitarist and could probably show most leads a thing or two says something for the quality in Tallica but his driving rhythms set the tone for one of the greatest bands (not just metal bands) to have lived. A truly magnificent sight to behold, Hetfield stomping along to Sad But True

Must admit to not knowing a huge amount about this band, love the opening riff to Bleeding Mascara and Dan Jacobs signature guitar is bad ass! Looks like he just clubbed a seal to death with it! 

Ok so not exactly metal per say, but if you dont hear the RATM influence at times you are an idiot and you should go back and listen to Coldplay! A guitar virtuoso who has helped co build his own guitar with Manson Guitars jsut up the road from me in Exeter Devon oooooo arrrrrr. Built in effects and a Chaos Pad...... A what????? Exactly????? They are things of mystery and beauty and his guitar playing is some of the most innovative of the last decade. 

Easy one to call this, one of the greats and a beautiful guitar, not much to say other than that really, One of Steve Vai's JEM's

Well it would be wrong to not mention Tony Iommi, as i bang on to anyone that will listen all the time, he invented the whole thing. His SG with the crucifixes gargles nails! Where would we be with out him and it! 

And one of the worst........

It pains me to say this but recently PRS brought out a Mikael Akerfeld signature model. The Custom 24's he plays are beautiful guitars, you dont see him play anything but live. I love Opeth in fact if pushed to name a favorite metal band they are it! This is the only bad thing i have to say about this band and its Mikaels signature baby. It quite frankly just looks boring and the logo just means only a die hard Opeth fan who plays guitar will buy it! oooh ooooh thats me! nope not even i want this.

 I am prepping myself to write about my love of Opeth but i really dont think my writing can do the band and the music justice. Crap looking guitar, tone from heaven!

I feel bad now, as PRS guitars are beautiful usually, look no further than Dave Navarros sexy white number! Incidentally a custom 24 like Akerfelds but with a much more stylish finish. I saw janes Addiction live in a small venue and thinking back that gig still blows my mind. Entering with Up the Beach, Navarro was every bit the rock star half man half woman and a bit of god thrown in the mix! Black Feather Boa, Cigarette, White PRS is was a sight to behold then the tone cut through the venue so crisp and clear, one of my favorite live music moments! 

I could go on and on with this, there are literally thousands! If you have any cool guitar ideas leave a comment and i will add it. 

Dedicated to Spud :) A Blog on beautiful things wouldn't be complete with out a mention