NAMM 2017: Korn's Brian 'Head' Welch signs with ESP Guitars

NAMM 2017: Now, here's an artist gear move we didn't see coming. As we reported earlier today, ESP's product preview for 2017 lists a signature model for Korn's Brian 'Head' Welch, a guitarist who has famously played Ibanez as far back as the band's 1994 debut.

Further digging has revealed recent video footage of the guitarist playing an ESP/LTD model with reverse headstock, which you can view below.

There are no images of the final look for Head's ESP model, but the seven-string will feature an EverTune bridge and the aforementioned Fishman Fluence pickups, as well as a neck-through-body design with flamed maple top over basswood body, three-piece maple neck with ebony fingerboard and a See Thru Purple finish.

Korn's Brian 'Head' Welch and James 'Munky' Shaffer were early adopters of the seven-string guitar, utilising Steve Vai's Ibanez Universe on their 1994 debut before securing a range of signature models over the years, including the K7 and, more recently, the KOMRAD20RS.

Head is still playing several Ibanez models on tour, so the jury's out. Keep an eye on MusicRadar for more details on Head's new ESP/LTD model as soon as they land.

Michael Astley-Brown

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.