A signature guitar is an artist's spec sheet made buyable: the shape, scale, pickups and hardware they settled on after years of touring, built at a price tier they chose. This guide covers the four signature lines we stock deepest, Metallica's James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett at ESP and LTD, Avenged Sevenfold's Synyster Gates at Schecter, and Zakk Wylde's own Wylde Audio brand. Every guitar below is in stock today, and the B-Stock signatures are called out because a signature at 20% off is where the value is.

Hetfield · Hammett · Synyster Gates · Zakk Wylde · B-Stock deals

What "signature" means, tier by tier

Each of these artists has a top-tier model built to their exact spec (ESP Japan, Schecter USA-pickup Custom-S, Wylde Audio) and one or more LTD or Standard versions that keep the shape, scale and pickup layout at a lower price. The LTD Snakebyte and the ESP Vulture are the same design at two price points; the KH-202, KH-602 and KH-V climb the same ladder. When we say "the artist plays this," we mean the spec, not necessarily the price tier, and we say which tier each pick is.

James Hetfield: Snakebyte, Iron Cross, Vulture

Hetfield's ESP models share a formula: 24.75-inch scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, and a shape drawn from his Explorer-era guitars. See the James Hetfield artist page for the full story.

Why: the Snakebyte is the Hetfield guitar most players buy, and as B-Stock it is under $1,200. Also in Snow White B-Stock. Spec line: 24.75 in. scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, LTD tier, B-Stock.

Why: the Iron Cross is Hetfield's single-cut, in Snow White with the cross inlay, and a left-handed version is in stock too. Spec line: 24.75 in. scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, LTD tier.

Why: the Vulture is his newest shape, a V that balances better than it looks like it should; the LTD version in Olympic White. Spec line: 24.75 in. scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, LTD tier.

Why: the ESP Vulture is the top of the ladder: the same design built by ESP, for the player who wants the guitar as it appears on stage rather than the LTD interpretation. Spec line: 24.75 in. scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, ESP tier.

Kirk Hammett: KH-202, KH-602, KH-V

Hammett's line is built around a 25.5-inch scale, a Floyd Rose and the skull-and-crossbones inlays, from a $599 starter to ESP-built anniversary pieces. See the Kirk Hammett artist page.

Why: the cheapest real signature guitar we sell, and it has a working Floyd Rose. Also in stock left-handed. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, Floyd Rose, bolt-on neck, LTD tier.

Why: the KH-602 is the neck-through, EMG-equipped Hammett most players should look at, and this B-Stock brings it to $1,119. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, neck-thru, EMG pickups, Floyd Rose, B-Stock.

Why: the same KH-602 new, in black, with a left-handed version also in stock. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, neck-thru, EMG pickups, Floyd Rose, LTD tier.

Why: the KH-V is Hammett's V shape, neck-through with EMGs, and the Metallic Gold B-Stock is the standout finish of this list. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, neck-thru, EMG pickups, B-Stock.

Synyster Gates: Standard Plus, Custom, Custom-S, Headless

Synyster's Schecter line goes from the Floyd-equipped Standard Plus to the Custom-S with Schecter USA pickups and a Sustainiac, plus the newer headless TR models. See the Synyster Gates artist page and the series page.

Why: the Standard Plus in Gloss Natural is the entry to the line with the Floyd Rose intact. Spec line: Floyd Rose tremolo, Synyster Gates signature, Standard tier.

Why: the Custom adds a set-neck and Schecter USA pickups in the classic Gloss Black with silver pinstripes. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, set-neck, Schecter USA pickups, Floyd Rose.

Why: the Custom-S is the Custom plus a Sustainiac in the neck position, here in Satin Gold Burst; a B-Stock unit is in stock at 20% off. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, set-neck, Schecter USA pickups, Sustainiac, Floyd Rose.

Why: the Custom-S Distressed is the stage-worn finish version of the same guitar, the one that matches the touring instrument. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, Schecter USA pickups, Sustainiac, Floyd Rose.

Why: the Custom-6 TR-S Headless is the newest Synyster: headless, Hipshot hardware, Schecter USA pickups and Sustainiac, and it travels in half the case. A 7-string version is in stock too. Spec line: headless, Hipshot hardware, Schecter USA pickups, Sustainiac.

Zakk Wylde: Wylde Audio

Zakk Wylde's guitars are their own brand, built by Schecter to his spec: set-neck, EMG pickups, and the bullseye, buzzsaw and Norse-dragon graphics that go with the Black Label Society stage. See the Zakk Wylde artist page.

Why: the Odin Grail Genesis is the single-cut Wylde shape with EMGs at the entry price of the brand. Spec line: set-neck, EMG pickups, Wylde Audio.

Why: the Blood Eagle in Mahogany Blackout is the Wylde V, all black, EMG-equipped. Spec line: set-neck, EMG pickups, Wylde Audio.

Why: the Berzerker Blood Skull is the offset-shape Wylde with the skull graphic. Spec line: EMG pickups, Wylde Audio.

Why: the RawTop Warhammer FR Norse Dragon Bullseye is the Floyd Rose Wylde, the one to buy if you want the whammy. A B-Stock unit is in stock. Spec line: Floyd Rose, EMG pickups, Wylde Audio.

Why: the Wrathmaker in spalted maple with a black burst is the figured-top Wylde for players who want the spec without the graphics. Spec line: 25.5 in. scale, set-neck, EMG pickups, Wylde Audio.

Why: a Goregehn in cocobolo with the Psychic Bullseye graphic at 20% off as B-Stock, one unit. Spec line: set-neck, EMG pickups, Wylde Audio, B-Stock.

FAQ

Does the artist actually play the LTD or Standard version?

The artists tour with the top-tier builds (ESP, Custom-S, Wylde Audio). The LTD and Standard versions are made to the same shape, scale and pickup layout at a lower price, which is what makes them signature models rather than lookalikes.

What is the difference between the LTD Snakebyte and the ESP Vulture?

They are different Hetfield shapes at different tiers: the Snakebyte is his Explorer-derived design at the LTD price, the Vulture is his V, available as both an LTD and an ESP-built guitar. Both use a 24.75-inch scale, set-neck and EMG pickups.

Which signature guitar is best under $1,000?

The LTD KH-202 at $599 is the only one under $1,000 new; the Synyster Standard Plus and Standard, and the B-Stock Snakebyte and KH-602, are the next step up in the $950 to $1,200 range.

Do B-Stock signature guitars have the full warranty?

Yes. B-Stock is a new guitar with one small cosmetic blemish, sold 20% below MAP with the full manufacturer warranty, photographed flaw-and-all on the product page.

Are left-handed signature models available?

Yes: the Iron Cross LH, Snakebyte LH, KH-202 LH, KH-602 LH, Synyster Custom-S LH and a Wylde Wrathmaker LH are in stock at the time of writing. See the left-handed page for the live list.

Shop signature guitars

All of the guitars above are in stock at the time of writing. The artist pages stay current when a pick sells out: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Synyster Gates, Zakk Wylde, plus the Synyster Gates series page and B-Stock deals.