Kirk Hammett [METALLICA] > ESP
ESP KH-2
1993 → 2018
Even if appears officially in the 1995 ESP catalog, the first ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature was introduced in 1993 as Custom Shop order.
The ESP KH-2 is the main Signature Series guitar created by Kirk Hammett, lead guitarist of the world's most successful metal band in history, Metallica. Originally based on the ESP M-II, the guitar was then customized by Kirk to include the precise pickups and other components for Metallica's sound, and personalized with Kirk's skull-and-bones fingerboard inlays and signature on the headstock. The KH-2 is simply a bolt-on monster for shredding guitarists, with a comfortable alder body, extra-thin U-shaped maple neck, rosewood fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo frets and Kirk's signature inlays, and high-end components including Gotoh tuners, a Floyd Rose Original bridge, and a set of EMG 60 (neck) and EMG 81 (bridge) active pickups. It's made by hand, one at a time, by luthiers at the ESP Custom Shop in Japan. Available in Black finish, the KH-2 comes with a premium hard shell case and a Certificate of Authenticity from ESP. Also available in a left-handed version.
- year: 1993 → 2018
- shape: like M2
- construction: Bolt-on neck (4 screws with metallic boltplate)
- neck: 3-piece maple - Extra Thin U Neck Contour
- body: alder
- fingerboard: rosewood, 305mm radius (12"), 24 XJ frets, "skull & crossbone" horizontal inlays, 25.5” Scale, 42mm Locking Nut
- electronics: active EMG 81 (bridge) / 60 (neck)(some old has a pair of 81, also available with passive ESP humbuckers), 2 Volumes, 1 Tone, Lever 3 way selector
- hardware: Original Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo, Gotoh Tuners, Gotoh black hardware
- logos and serials:
-- front of headstock: "ESP" light grey/gold glittered logo + Kirk's signature
-- back of headstock: K-2XXX or K-2XXXX serial number stamped in black, "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" round black logo changed to "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" in 2004, changed in "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" in 2010.From the start of production 1993 to 1995 they made in total 1000 guitars, about 4400 until today.
The real date of manufacture is write on pencil on the body of the guitar where is joined to the neck (you have to unscrew the neck), very often the date is prior to the date written on the certificate, even over a year!
The serials are consecutives, the format is K-2(+number).
1993 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $1295 K-2001 --> K-209X
1994 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $1895 K-21XX --> K-253X
1995 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2095 K-254X --> K-29XX ; K-210XX; K-21142
1996 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2095 K-2115X --> K-218XX
1997 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2195 K-218XX --> K-220XX
1998 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-220XX --> K-223XX
1999 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-224XX --> K-227XX
2000 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-228XX --> K-229XX
2001 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-2295X --> K-230XX
2002 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-231XX --> K-232XX
2003 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-233XX --> K-2348X
2004 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2399 K-2349X --> K-236XX
2005 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2399 K-2377X - K-238XX -->
2006 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2999
2007 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-239XX --> K-2403X
1993 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $1295 K-2001 --> K-209X
1994 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $1895 K-21XX --> K-253X
1995 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2095 K-254X --> K-29XX ; K-210XX; K-21142
1996 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2095 K-2115X --> K-218XX
1997 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2195 K-218XX --> K-220XX
1998 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-220XX --> K-223XX
1999 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-224XX --> K-227XX
2000 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2199 K-228XX --> K-229XX
2001 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-2295X --> K-230XX
2002 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-231XX --> K-232XX
2003 - "ESP CUSTOM GUITARS" - MSRP: $2399 K-233XX --> K-2348X
2004 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2399 K-2349X --> K-236XX
2005 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2399 K-2377X - K-238XX -->
2006 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" - MSRP: $2999
2007 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-239XX --> K-2403X
2008 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-239XX - K-241XX
2009 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 (2008 TO 2010 has common serials)
2010 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-238XX --> K-242XX
2011 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-242XX
2012 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-242XX - K-243XX
2013 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-240XX - K-242XX - K-243XX
2014 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999
2015 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-243XX
2009 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 (2008 TO 2010 has common serials)
2010 - "ESP CUSTOM SHOP" or "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-238XX --> K-242XX
2011 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-242XX
2012 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-242XX - K-243XX
2013 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-240XX - K-242XX - K-243XX
2014 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999
2015 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $2999 K-243XX
2016 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $3199
2017 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $3199
2018 - "ESP SIGNATURE SERIES" - MSRP: $3199
It is interesting to note that production has almost run out over the years. In fact, so many were produced that the market became saturated. The price of the new one is more than double compared to the used one, even in excellent condition, so it doesn't make sense to buy a new one when it can be easily found at affordable prices. ---> BECOMES DISCONTINUED FROM 2019
Notes:
- starting from 2008 there's a lot of confusion, serials are not consecutive, also c.o.a. are released in different versions.
- some old custom orders have a 5 digit code (es.394XX) or a 8 digit code (es.0112XXXX))
- XXXXX (5 digits) punched on the bolt plate in the neck → see ESP SERIAL NUMBERS LEGENDA page
- some old custom orders have a 5 digit code (es.394XX) or a 8 digit code (es.0112XXXX))
- XXXXX (5 digits) punched on the bolt plate in the neck → see ESP SERIAL NUMBERS LEGENDA page
from 2004 NO SERIAL punched on the bolt plate
- colors and other features: black, comes with ESP C.O.A. and ESP Hardcase.
In 2012 added the battery compartment.
In 2013 removed the ESP Signature Series circle logo on back of headstock.
I believe in 2014 they are going with the work map logo.
In 2013 removed the ESP Signature Series circle logo on back of headstock.
I believe in 2014 they are going with the work map logo.
https://youtu.be/g-hN3yZjt94
