ESP LTD KH-V Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar Black Sparkle 0576
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- SKU
- LKHVBLKSP-B0576
- Color
- Black
. Description
Sound & Tone
Sound & Tone: The EMG BoneBreaker actives drive a high-output, tightly focused voice — the ceramic bridge humbucker cuts with pronounced midrange and aggressive attack for rhythm chugging and searing leads, while the alnico 5 neck unit rounds things out with a thicker, more vocal sustain for solos. Neck-thru construction with a three-piece maple neck and korina body adds long, even sustain and a dense low end, and the 25.5" scale keeps string tension firm and pitch definition clear under heavy gain. With a macassar ebony fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo frets on an extra-thin neck, it's built for hard rock and metal players working fast lead lines and upper-register runs.
ESP LTD KH-V Kirk Hammett Signature Guitar Black Sparkle
The KH-V captures aggressive, articulate tones in the studio with its extra-thin U-shaped neck profile and 24 extra-jumbo frets enabling rapid note definition and seamless upper-register tracking. The Black Sparkle finish with wave inlays and black hardware presents a visually distinctive platform that photographs and films distinctly.
Playability & Recording Feel
The extra-thin U-shaped maple neck and macassar ebony fingerboard with pearloid wave inlays provide a responsive platform for tracking intricate lead passages and complex fingerings with consistent velocity and timing. Graphite nut and LTD locking tuners maintain session stability across multiple takes and overdub passes, while the 25.5" scale preserves traditional pitch response and string tension that integrates predictably into mixed arrangements.
Tone & Recording Electronics
EMG BoneBreaker active humbuckers—ceramic in the bridge position and alnico 5 at the neck—deliver high-output clarity with pronounced midrange presence and natural sustain that sits well in dense mix contexts. The active electronics configuration with volume, tone, and three-way toggle selector provides straightforward control suited to achieving consistent tonal character across session layers and production edits.
Key Features
- Neck-thru-body construction with three-piece maple neck and korina body
- 25.5" scale length
- Extra-thin U-shaped maple neck profile
- Macassar ebony fingerboard with pearloid wave inlays
- 24 extra-jumbo frets
- EMG BoneBreaker BB-B ceramic bridge humbucker
- EMG BoneBreaker BB-N alnico 5 neck humbucker
- Active electronics with volume, tone, and three-way toggle controls
- Locking TOM-style bridge with string-thru design
- LTD locking tuners and graphite nut
- Black Sparkle finish with black hardware and black pickguard
This Kirk Hammett signature model combines meticulous ESP craftsmanship with components specifically voiced for high-gain recording applications, making it a serious instrument for engineers and producers demanding professional-grade capture fidelity and tonal definition.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|---|
| Dexterity | Right handed |
| Country of Manufacture | South Korea |
Reviews
Specifications
| Body Style | Explorer |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 25.5" Scale |
| Frets | 24 Frets |
| Fretboard | Ebony |
| Neck Wood | Maple |
| Bridge | Fixed |
| Strings | 6 |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Made In | South Korea |
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Thrash Metal, Extended Range |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | High-output, pronounced midrange, sustain-focused, aggressive clarity, ceramic bridge bite |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Folk, Country (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to play this guitar effectively?
The KH-V is designed for intermediate to advanced players and professionals. The extra-thin U-shaped neck profile and 24 extra-jumbo frets favor fast lead work, complex fingerings, and upper-register access typical of metal and hard-rock players; beginner players may find the thin neck and high action less forgiving.
What genres and playing styles is this guitar built for?
The KH-V is optimized for metal, hard rock, thrash metal, and extended-range playing. The EMG BoneBreaker active humbuckers and high-output ceramic bridge pickup deliver aggressive clarity and sustain that suit high-gain applications; it is not designed for jazz, folk, or country styles.
How does the tone compare to other metal signatures like the Schecter Synyster Gates or Ibanez RG550?
The KH-V's EMG BoneBreaker ceramic bridge humbucker delivers pronounced midrange and sustain-focused aggression; the active electronics offer straightforward, consistent control ideal for high-gain tracking. Comparables like the Synyster Gates and RG550 offer passive alternatives and different tonal characters, so your choice depends on whether you prefer active or passive electronics and your preferred midrange voicing.
What is included and what are the key hardware specs?
The KH-V includes a neck-thru-body three-piece maple neck, korina body, macassar ebony fingerboard with pearloid wave inlays, EMG BoneBreaker active humbuckers (ceramic bridge, alnico 5 neck), locking TOM-style bridge with string-thru design, LTD locking tuners, graphite nut, and a Black Sparkle finish with black hardware and pickguard. Scale length is 25.5 inches.
How stable is the tuning and what hardware ensures reliability under demanding live conditions?
The KH-V features LTD locking tuners, a graphite nut, and a locking TOM-style bridge designed to maintain stable tuning during intense playing and high-gain applications. The neck-thru-body construction adds structural rigidity for consistent pitch stability across dynamic performance.
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 $101 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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