Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
(opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab) (opens in new tab)
  • Guitars
  • Amps
  • Pedals
  • Drums
  • Synths
  • Software
  • Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Recording
  • Buyer’s guides
  • Live
  • DJ
  • Advice
  • Acoustic
  • Bass
  • About us
  • More
    • Reviews
Magazines
  • Computer Music
  • Electronic Musician
  • Future Music
  • Keyboard Magazine
  • Guitarist (opens in new tab)
  • Guitar Techniques (opens in new tab)
  • Total Guitar (opens in new tab)
  • Bass Player (opens in new tab)
More
  • Best free lo-fi plugins
  • Top EQ plugins
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Free music samples
  • Best free music-making software

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  1. Home
  2. News

Summer NAMM 2014: ESP introduces new Metallica and Jeff Hanneman models

By Michael Brown
published 18 July 2014

New tribute guitars for metal titans announced

  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
LTD 'Ride The Lightning'

LTD 'Ride The Lightning'

For summer NAMM 2014, ESP Guitars has lifted the lid on two new tribute guitars for metal legends Metallica and Slayer axeman Jeff Hanneman, both of which will be available in the UK later this year.

The limited-edition LTD 'Ride The Lightning' model has been created to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of Metallica's second album, and features an appropriately lightning-heavy finish that pays tribute to that iconic album.

Spec-wise, the guitar features an alder body with bolt-on maple neck, ebony fingerboard, as well as EMG 60/81 humbuckers and a tune-o-matic bridge. There's also a rather eye-catching Metallica logo at the 12th fret, and each guitar includes an ESP case with Metallica logo and a certificate of authenticity.

If you fancy riding – or indeed playing – the lightning, you'd better act fast, though: ESP plans to produce a mere 300 of these models worldwide. Check out the ESP Guitars website for more info.

Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2
LTD JH Tribute 2014 Urban Camo

LTD JH Tribute 2014 Urban Camo

Released in conjunction with the estate of Jeff Hanneman, the limited-edition LTD JH Tribute 2014 Urban Camo is based on Hanneman's iconic 'urban camo' ESP.

This is the first time Hanneman's 'urban camouflage' finish has appeared on an LTD guitar, and features a number of the guitarist's other preferences, too, including a Kahler Hybrid vibrato and EMG 85/81 pickups.

Elsewhere, the Tribute 2014 features a neck-through body design with a 648mm (25.5-inch) scale, plus an alder body, maple neck and ebony fretboard. Other unique features include fingerboard inlays with 'H Dagger' fret markers and a '1964-2013' 12th-fret inlay, as well as a certificate of authenticity.

Some of the proceeds from sales of the new model will go to the Wounded Warrior Project, a charity Hanneman strongly supported.Hanneman was an ESP endorsee since 2000, before his untimely passing on May 2, 2013 at age 49. Check out the ESP Guitars website for more info.

Page 2 of 2
Page 2 of 2
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
  • (opens in new tab)
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com (opens in new tab), in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe (opens in new tab).

  1. Ry Cooder performing
    1
    Ry Cooder's top 3 tips for slide guitar success: "Get you some control"
  2. 2
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  3. 3
    Classic interview: Lemmy talks rockabilly and picks his 10 essential songs playlist
  4. 4
    6 drum processing techniques to help you program state-of-the-art beats
  5. 5
    Gary Moore’s DigiTech Bad Monkey listed on Reverb for a cool £10,000
  1. “Magical, tape music instrument” also features effects and a looper
    1
    Chompi is a super-cute sampler that was inspired by the Casio SK-1 and looks like a kid-friendly OP-1
  2. 2
    Ry Cooder's top 3 tips for slide guitar success: "Get you some control"
  3. 3
    Classic interview: Lemmy talks rockabilly and picks his 10 essential songs playlist
  4. 4
    "With this record, I hope that people can feel my soul and my spirit because, in those solos, that’s what I’m really giving you" – Malina Moye on her new album and the 10 that changed her life
  5. 5
    Max Martin on his approach to songwriting and production: “I’m trying to make every part good… I think every second needs to be awesome”

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab).

  • About Us (opens in new tab)
  • Terms and conditions (opens in new tab)
  • Privacy policy (opens in new tab)
  • Cookies policy (opens in new tab)
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers (opens in new tab)

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.