NAMM 2024: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions from the greatest gear show on Earth By Michael Astley-Brown last updated 28 January 24 The guitar, amp and pedal news you need to know about, all in one place
NAMM 2024: “A masterpiece in high-performance guitar for the modern era”: ESP modernizes its 1000 range guitars with EverTune and Fishman Fluence pickups By Phil Weller published 22 January 24 From seven-string baritones to Vs and its off-set SG-styled Viper, the features help its 1000 range appeal to the modern player
NAMM 2024: “For players seeking the most hardcore performances imaginable”: ESP takes LP Junior-style guitars in a heavier direction with new LTD Eclipse range, featuring exclusive Seymour Duncan pickups By Phil Weller published 22 January 24 The new single-humbucker, flat-top lineup boasts mahogany bodies, three-piece necks and one surprisingly versatile humbucker
“When Kiesel built me the first one, I was like, ‘Man, this is amazing’”: Kiesel and Deftones’ Stephen Carpenter launch new Vader signature model – a mean, clean headless metal machine that’s “exceptionally difficult to produce” By Matt Owen published 14 December 23 Carpenter will continue to endorse ESP Guitars alongside the new models, which come in Snow and Shadow variants, as well as seven-string, eight-string and left-hand configurations
“The Double-Neck Montreal makes me think of the smell of your own burning flesh”: James Hetfield opens up about the agony of his 1992 pyro accident, and how his scorched ESP left a lasting legacy on Metallica By James Hetfield published 13 November 23 In this exclusive extract from his new book, the Metallica frontman describes the experience of getting torched by pyro while playing guitar, and offers a closer look at the damage done to his ESP double-neck during the band’s fateful 1992 performance in Montreal
“A meticulous recreation of Kirk’s prized original”: Epiphone has launched a Kirk Hammett signature 1979 Flying V – and it’s a lot more affordable than the Gibson Custom Shop version By Matt Owen published 31 October 23 Made in partnership with the Gibson Custom Shop, the Metallica man’s accessible Epi pays homage to “one of the most important heavy metal guitars of all time”
“My go-to guitar in the studio”: This Fender Telecaster lived in Metallica’s HQ and became Kirk Hammett’s writing workhorse – now it’s going under the hammer By Matt Owen published 10 October 23 The single-cut became an integral part of Metallica’s writing process, and helped craft St. Anger and Death Magnetic
Fender discontinued its sought-after Blacktop Baritone Telecaster in 2015 – now Schecter has plugged the gap and hot-rodded the format for 2023 By Michael Astley-Brown published 5 October 23 The PT EX is heavily inspired by the still in-demand Blacktop Baritone Telecaster, but supercharges the design with a number of smart updates
Metallica just launched the world’s first-ever guitar-shaped ice cream bar By Michael Astley-Brown published 4 September 23 Based on James Hetfield’s ESP Truckster, the Enlightened x Metallica vanilla dark chocolate bars will raise money for the metal icons’ All Within My Hands foundation
“Gibson represented vintage makeup-era Kiss – Paul Stanley wanted me to be part of the new generation of guitar players”: How Bruce Kulick gave Kiss a hair-metal makeover with his iconic ESP ‘Banana’ guitar By Andrew Daly published 23 August 23 By 1984, Kiss had ditched the makeup and recruited a hot new gunslinger, who was on the hunt for a six-string identity worthy of the Superstrat era. Kulick tells us why his beloved yellow shred machine was “special from the first power chord I hit”
“In soviet Russia, guitar shreds you”: Meet the Torture Eclipse – a W.A.S.P.-inspired electric guitar that incorporates a rotating circular saw blade By Matt Parker published 23 August 23 The latest stunning mod build from UK luthier Hutchinson Guitar Concepts brings new meaning to the term shred guitar
Vito Bratta recorded White Lion’s All You Need is Rock 'n' Roll with Jimi Hendrix’s black Stratocaster – and Leslie West’s Marshall amp By Matt Owen published 11 July 23 West's 100-watt Mountain Marshall is still owned by Bratta, who got his hands on the fabled Strat through Al Kooper – who was gifted the guitar by Hendrix himself
Architects announce departure of guitarist Josh Middleton By Matt Owen published 31 May 23 The ESP signature artist leaves the band after six years and three studio albums, and turns his attention to his other metal group, Sylosis
ESP officially welcomes Slipknot's Mick Thomson to its artist roster – and confirms a new ESP/LTD signature model is on the way By Matt Owen published 16 May 23 Former Jackson player Thomson – who is also rumored to have joined Fishman – is currently spec'ing up some custom models, which will precede a highly anticipated signature guitar
James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett debut new ESP and Gibson guitars at first show of M72 world tour By Michael Astley-Brown published 28 April 23 Papa Het has a fresh Vulture, while Hammett’s uber-rare ’59 Les Paul got its first-ever runout for the set’s surprise opener
Want a bass that never goes out of tune? The EverTune Bass Bridge has arrived to answer your prayers By Matt Parker published 18 April 23 The rock-solid bridge system offers the ultimate in tuning stability and has been available for guitars for a decade. Now bassists are finally getting their turn
NAMM 2023 news: all the latest guitar news, rumors and predictions By Michael Astley-Brown last updated 15 April 23 Everything launched this year at the world’s biggest guitar gear show
NAMM 2023: From camo to Candy Apple Red, ESP’s latest LTD Deluxe guitars offer a winning combo of fancy finishes, Floyd Roses and Fluence humbuckers By Matt Parker published 14 April 23 The LTD Deluxes attempt the high-end at the mid-price, complete with branded components, matching headstocks and neck-thru-body builds
NAMM 2023: ESP lifts the curtain on 12 updated and all-new models in extensive E-II drop By Matt Owen published 13 April 23 Two Arrows, four Eclipses, a quartet of M Series models, and lone Viper and SN six-strings make up the 2023 lineup, which introduces striking new looks, hardware appointments and pickup options across the board
Fender CEO Andy Mooney explains why Fender isn’t at this year’s NAMM – and what needs to change before it returns By Matt Owen published 4 April 23 The company's head honcho said he'll “never say never” about returning to the trade show, but it doesn't look likely any time soon