What guitar did Kirk Hammett use on the album “Master of Puppets”?

Kirk Hammett used his 1981 ESP KH-2 “Flametop” on the 1986 album, Master of Puppets. The guitar was originally a black model with an ebony fingerboard, but Kirk later had it refinished to include red, yellow and orange flames all over the body. He continues to use this guitar as one of his main instruments to this day.

The History of Kirk Hammett’s Guitars

Kirk Hammett has been a virtuosic guitarist for the rock band Metallica since 1983. Throughout his career, he has gone through several guitars and amplifiers, gradually moving from custom models to mass-produced ones. His first instrument was an ESP KH-2 Ouija guitar, followed by his signature Gibson Flying V in the late 1980s. He then went on to use different variations of the Ibanez RG series and Jackson Warrior models until 1998 when he switched to using mainly ESP Signature Series guitars.

Since 2003, Kirk has used both single cutaway ESP Horizon models and other Explorer style guitars as well as double neck ESP M-IIIs onstage with Metallica. For recording purposes, he often relies on various modified Jackson Soloist guitars that are tailored specifically to meet his needs. Although much of his later live rig is based around highly modified Les Pauls and Stratocasters, it’s important to note that these instruments have never been featured on any official recordings produced by Metallica.

During performances of “Master Of Puppets”, one can see him playing either a heavily customized Gibson SG Standard or an ESP Eclipse with EMG 81/85 active humbucker pickups – both being very popular choices among metal guitarists today. It’s clear that over the years Kirk Hammett’s preferences have changed quite significantly but one thing remains true – regardless of what guitar he plays, it will always sound undeniably heavy.

The Making of the “Master of Puppets” Album

Metallica’s eighth studio album, “Master of Puppets,” was released in March 1986 and is considered one of the band’s greatest works. The record featured complex compositions, extended solos, and unique effects. At its core was Kirk Hammett’s guitar playing which has been described as some of his finest work to date.

Hammett recorded with three different guitars during the making of “Master of Puppets.” He used a black Gibson Flying V for rhythm parts, a silver-finished Explorer for lead sections, and a modified Jackson Randy Rhoads for both lead and rhythm duties. All these instruments were connected through an array of effect processors that included flangers, phasers, delays, and chorus pedals. This setup allowed Hammett to shape and combine tones from each guitar in ways previously unheard on metal records.

The combination of Hammett’s skillful playing along with inventive production techniques made the album sound unlike any other metal record at the time. From driving riffs on songs like “Battery” to melodic soloing on “Orion” -Kirk Hammett’s use of multiple guitars played an essential role in establishing “Master Of Puppets” as a groundbreaking classic among heavy metal fans around the world.

Kirk Hammett’s Preferred Guitar Brands

Kirk Hammett is widely known as one of the most influential metal guitarists of all time, and his choice of instruments has only added to his reputation. While it’s clear that he favored ESP guitars on the album Master Of Puppets, this was far from being his first encounter with the brand. For years before he joined Metallica in 1983, Hammett had already been an avid user of ESP products. As such, when it came time for him to record solos for Master Of Puppets, he already knew which tools would best help bring out the sound he desired.

Hammett’s preferred brands include other famous names besides ESP; Jackson Guitars were also a mainstay in his collection throughout most of his career. With both these manufacturers now owned by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC), Kirk seems to have found two excellent partners in music-making equipment. He chose their models specifically because they could provide him with consistent results no matter where or when he played – something many professionals rely on for crafting signature sounds and tones.

Aside from these major corporations, Kirk was also open to smaller companies like Dean Guitars who made custom models just for him throughout different eras of his career. Even today you can find official “Kirk Hammett” branded guitars made by them – testament to how far this musician has come in terms of influencing popular culture and its musical equipment industry too.

An Overview of Kirk Hammett’s Gear on the “Master of Puppets” Album

Kirk Hammett’s guitar style is undeniably iconic and heavily associated with the album “Master of Puppets”. His choice of gear on this album was integral to creating his signature sound that many metal fans know and love. During the production of this landmark record, Kirk utilized two main guitars – a 1984 Gibson Flying V and an ESP Sharkfin Custom.

The Flying V had been used extensively in previous tours but was given fresh coat of paint prior to recording for “Master of Puppets”. It had a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup installed at the bridge, which provided maximum clarity and power. This combination gave Kirk’s solos extra crunch while still being able to retain its harmonic content. The neck pickup was replaced by a Gibson 500T humbucker, which created a much smoother tone when using distortion pedals or amp overdrive settings.

In addition to the Flying V, Kirk also brought out his custom-built ESP Sharkfin for some tracks on the album. The guitar featured 24 frets, an original Floyd Rose tremolo system, as well as EMG 81/60 pickups. This model allowed him to achieve great articulation without sacrificing any tonal qualities due to its extended range capabilities; allowing for fluid lead playing that greatly enhanced solo sections such as “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” or “Damage Incorporated” from Master of Puppets.

The Role of Guitars in Metal Music

The impact of guitar playing in metal music has been felt for decades. From its origins with the likes of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, the power of the electric guitar has been a driving force in this genre. With metal bands such as Metallica and Megadeth pioneering the sound and establishing themselves as iconic figures in modern metal, it’s clear that guitar playing plays an integral part in producing the signature heavy tones associated with metal music.

From distortion pedals to extended range guitars, there is a wide range of sonic tools available for metal musicians to craft their signature sound. Every player brings their own style to their instrument – whether it’s through hammer-ons or tapping techniques – which helps create new textures within each riff. This variety allows listeners to hear something fresh each time they turn on one of these classic albums.

Guitars have also allowed metal bands to push boundaries beyond what had been previously heard. By taking elements from blues and jazz rock, creating unique song structures and experimenting with different effects pedals, many genres such as thrash and death metal were formed out of these creative acts of exploration with sound production technology. This evolution has enabled countless memorable albums be made that are forever remembered by fans today – Master Of Puppets being no exception.

How Kirk Hammett’s Guitar Playing Style Influenced Metal Music

Kirk Hammett’s playing style has been credited with helping to shape the sound of heavy metal music in the 1980s. His soloing technique was often characterized by a mix of fast alternate picking and sweeping arpeggios, along with harmonic minor and neo-classical scales. He also introduced two-handed tapping into Metallica’s repertoire, utilizing it on several tracks including “Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”. The use of this technique opened up a new world of possibilities for guitarists and helped propel the genre towards more intricate compositions.

Hammett also developed an aggressive style of power chords that were integral to Metallica’s signature thrash sound. This approach featured heavily downpicked notes interspersed with quick strums, often creating a wall of noise through multiple layers of distorted guitars. This was first heard on the album “Ride The Lightning” and later popularized across much of modern metal music.

His solos often combined technically proficient playing with melodic phrasing and memorable hooks, setting him apart from many other guitarists in the scene at the time. Kirk Hammett used these techniques when recording his lead parts for “Master Of Puppets” which are still seen as some of his best work to date. Kirk Hammett’s approach to guitar playing influenced generations after him and remains influential today among heavy metal musicians worldwide.

A Look at the Legacy of Kirk Hammett’s Guitars on the Metal Scene

Kirk Hammett’s career in metal music is legendary, and his use of various guitars throughout the years has had a major influence on the genre. His signature sound can be heard in countless metal albums and his iconic playing style has inspired generations of metal guitarists.

When it comes to heavy metal, few guitarists are as influential as Kirk Hammett. He first rose to prominence as the lead guitarist for Metallica in 1983, and since then he has been an icon of metal music. From his unique solos and riffs to his unmistakable tone, there’s no denying that Kirk is one of the most important figures in modern metal music.

Kirk’s guitars have played a huge role in defining his sound over the years. On Metallica’s classic album Master of Puppets, he was playing a Gibson Flying V – an instrument that quickly became synonymous with his own unique style. Since then, Kirk has been seen playing everything from Fender Strats to Dean V-shaped models – but it was that original Flying V which set him apart from other players at the time.

Today, many aspiring metal guitarists look up to Kirk for inspiration when it comes to finding their own personal sound; whether they’re using a Flying V or another model entirely, they know that if they want to channel their inner Kirk Hammett – this is where they need start.