ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar Open Box
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- Open box from our own stock: unboxed, inspected and set up by our techs
- Otherwise new and unplayed, original packaging and factory accessories
- Covered by our 30-day money-back return policy
In stock
Only 1 left
- SKU
- EKH3-U
- Color
- Black
. Description
Sound & Tone
The active EMG BoneBreaker set pushes a high-output, tightly focused voice with plenty of upper-midrange bite, while the alder body, neck-thru construction and Macassar ebony fingerboard keep notes clear and sustaining under heavy gain. The 24.75" scale adds a touch of warmth and slinkiness to palm-muted riffing, and the extra-thin neck with scalloped upper frets favors fast lead runs and expressive vibrato. Best suited to thrash, modern metal and hard rock players who lean on the Floyd Rose for dives and want articulate, aggressive rhythm and solo tones.
ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar Open Box
The ESP KH-3 Spider reissue captures the sonic aggression and precision that defined Kirk Hammett's studio and touring work throughout Metallica's 90s era, rebuilt with the exacting standards of ESP Japan's custom shop. The neck-thru-body construction and scalloped upper fretboard deliver the sustain and resonance critical for tracking high-gain lead work and layering complex rhythm parts, while the extra-thin U-shaped neck profile ensures rapid access to upper registers during session overdubs. The aggressive spider graphic and skull inlays across the black finish make a visually distinctive statement in any recording environment.
Playability & Build
Neck-thru-body construction with a 24.75" scale maximizes sustain and tonal coherence across the full frequency range—essential for capturing articulate leads and sustaining notes during multi-tracked sessions. The three-piece maple neck with extra-thin U-shaped profile enables precision work across the fretboard, and the scalloped fingerboard from frets 17–24 reduces friction during lead passages and vibrato techniques, critical for repeatable takes in the studio.
Tone & Recording Applications
The EMG BoneBreaker pickup set—Kirk's signature design—delivers the articulate, high-output character essential for cutting through dense mixes and tracking aggressive rhythm and lead parts with clarity. Active electronics with independent volume controls for each pickup enable quick tonal adjustments between takes, allowing you to dial in the exact aggression needed for each session. The Floyd Rose Original bridge maintains tuning stability through extreme whammy bar techniques while the locking nut prevents slip during aggressive bends, keeping your tracking sessions locked in time.
Key Features
- Neck-thru-body construction for superior sustain and resonance
- 24.75" scale with three-piece maple neck
- Alder body with black finish and metallic silver spider graphic
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo frets and spider/skull inlays
- Scalloped fingerboard from frets 17 to 24
- EMG Bonebreaker signature pickup set (Neck and Bridge)
- Floyd Rose 1000 bridge with locking nut (42mm width)
- Extra-thin U-shaped neck profile for rapid position changes
- Active electronics with Volume/Volume/Tone/Toggle Switch layout
- Grover tuners for precise, stable tuning
- Form-fit hard case included with Elixir Nanoweb Super Light strings (.009–.042)
This 30th-anniversary edition delivers authentic KH-3 specifications with the build quality and electronics required for professional studio tracking and session work.
Open Box - our own stock. This unit was unboxed, inspected and set up by our techs in Temecula; it is otherwise new and unplayed and ships in the original packaging with all factory accessories. Sold as open box at a reduced price. Covered by our 30-day money-back return policy, including any problem on arrival.
More Information
| Condition | Used |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Neck Construction | Neck-Thru-Body |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan |
Reviews
About this open-box unit
| Condition | Open box - from our own stock, sold at a reduced price |
|---|---|
| Price vs new | $660 under the new unit ($5,499) |
| Includes | Original packaging and all factory accessories |
| Returns | 30-day money-back return policy |
Prefer a brand-new one? ESP KH-3 Spider Kirk Hammett 30th Anniversary Guitar is in the catalog at $5,499.
Specifications
| Body Style | Other |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 24.75" Scale |
| Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Rosewood |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Neck Construction | Neck-Thru-Body |
| Pickups | Active HH |
| Bridge | Floyd Rose Original |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2022 |
| Made In | Japan |
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Thrash Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | High-output aggression, articulate cleans, sustained clarity, tight high-gain passages |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this guitar suitable for jazz or blues?
No, the KH-3 is purpose-built for metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and drop tunings. Its aggressive pickup voicing, high-output electronics, and extreme playability features are optimized for high-gain styles; it is not recommended for jazz or blues applications.
What does open box mean?
Open box means this unit was unboxed, inspected, and set up by our techs; it is otherwise new and unplayed and ships in original packaging with all factory accessories. It is covered by our 30-day money-back return policy, including any problem on arrival, and is sold at a reduced price due to the open box status.
What neck profile does this guitar have?
The KH-3 features an extra-thin U-shaped three-piece maple neck on a 24.75 scale with scalloped frets from position 17 to 24, designed for rapid position changes and unobstructed access to upper registers during lead work.
Will this guitar hold tuning during extreme whammy bar use?
Yes, the Floyd Rose 1000 bridge with 42mm locking nut maintains tuning stability through aggressive bends and extreme whammy bar work without slip, making it reliable for touring and studio sessions.
What pickups does the KH-3 use?
The KH-3 is equipped with the EMG Bonebreaker signature pickup set (neck and bridge) powered by active electronics with independent volume controls, delivering high-output aggression and articulate clarity essential for modern metal.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $339 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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