James Hetfield
Latest about James Hetfield

How Ken Lawrence came to build some of James Hetfield’s most iconic guitars – including one using wood from Metallica’s former home
By Jacob Paul Nielsen published
The luthier specialized in bass guitars before he met Hetfield via Mesa/Boogie. It would land him his most challenging but rewarding collaboration

When Metallica hit the road for their first national tour, crowds weren’t convinced by their music
By Phil Weller published
James Hetfield and co went on tour with British heavy metal band Raven when they came over to the States in the early 1980s – but they didn’t always win over the audience

James Hetfield's luthier on how he went from crafting basses to becoming the Metallica guitarist's go-to axe maker
By Janelle Borg published
And why we have Doug West from Mesa/Boogie to thank for Ken Lawrence and Papa Het's now-iconic link-up

Jerry Cantrell and James Hetfield have talked about making an album together
By Matt Owen published
The two guitar heroes have recorded together in the past, and collaborated at a number of benefit concerts. Could a fully fledged album be next?

James Hetfield explains the controversial mixing of Metallica’s …And Justice for All
By Jackson Maxwell published
The band's first album with Newsted, ...And Justice for All was marked by the band's increasingly progressive and technically intricate bent – and barely audible bass parts

Gibson’s mystery Metallica-inspired Explorer hasn’t gone to James Hetfield – it’s been gifted to a Hollywood superstar
By Matt Owen published
It was theorized that Gibson was crafting a Custom Shop Explorer inspired by Hetfield’s “So What” model ahead of some signature models, but that wasn't the case...

Metallica pull out all the stops for All Within My Hands charity gig – bringing out oddball Danelectros, Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament and rarities
By Phil Weller published
With the help of some special guests, Metallica played deep cuts, new covers, and a very interesting reimagining of one of their recent releases all in the name of charity

Billy Corgan reckons this Metallica track sounds suspiciously similar to a Smashing Pumpkins deep cut
By Phil Weller published
Corgan says Hetfield has “written some of the greatest, most amazing riffs” of all time, but one cut from 1997 sounds awfully familiar...

The story of Metallica's meteoric rise – as told by the people who were there
By Richard Bienstock published
The story of Metallica's meteoric rise – as told by the people who were there, including Dave Mustaine, Scott Ian, Kerry King, Gary Holt, and, of course, Metallica themselves

“Reveal coming soon”: At long lost, is Gibson finally working on James Hetfield signature guitars?
By Matt Owen published
The Metallica frontman is poised to receive a Gibson Custom Shop creation that pays homage to his famed ‘So What’ 1984 Explorer. Could signature guitars be next?
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!