Brutally Honest Gear Reviews! #4: KIRK HAMMETT White Zombie LTD Guitar
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
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"I was a little disappointed that it had active pickups."
If you are a Metallica fan and buy a Metallica signature model, it's going to come with EMG active pickups. They've been playing them since 1987.
Exactly what I was saying as I was watching. And Mike is a pretty big fan of theirs, so I was shocking when he busted that out. But whatever….it’s all good. 👍🏻
Agreed. Anyone who plays guitar and knows guitar and music knows Metallica and metal in general needs EMG’s. Was definitely disappointed that someone with his knowledge didn’t know that before picking up the guitar.
I a couple of years after the Kirk Hammett Gibson / Epiphone signatures with more classic specs come out somebody’s gonna reply “uUuHh Well actually several of the Epiphone and Gibson Kirk models have PAF’S” to this comment
@@Metalladeth Metallica, sure... Metal in general, naw.
I believe they've been using EMGs since '85 since the Master of Puppets sessions.
The active pickups is something you’re disappointed about from a Metallica guitar? lol
Mlahhh just pressed over a youtube video
I had an ESP KH-2 back in 1998. I sold it in 2008. I really loved the active pickups. But as I've gotten older, I've gone back to passive pickups. The preamp booster in the actives makes them less expressive than passives.
I agree with him. I don’t like the Kirk Hammett bone breakers on my kh602. The passives on my Jackson sounds way better
@@joeblow6050But everybody knows you’re getting EMGs with these guitars. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 years. So you shouldn’t be disappointed. It should be expected
4:15 News flash!, Kirk Hammett uses Active EMG pickups in all his signature guitars! 😂
Yeah and as long as you remember to unplug your guitar after you’re done playing it. Batteries using EMGs will last months
Not really. The KH-202 has passive pickups
man, LTDs in general are just great, sometimes their lower end models may look cheap but they always felt so solid to me
I might need to get me one then.
@@harrisontownsend910also take a look at Schecter, they're made at the same place
@@harrisontownsend910 i just got an ltd ec 1000 and i love it...the newer ones have fishman fluence pickups but i wanted an older one with emg 81and 60 for the neck..it sounds and plays great
Kirk's touring version of this guitar is amazing. The pickups are custom painted along with the body so that the poster of the White Zombie movie covers the pickups also. It's also a neck through construction as opposed to the bolt on from LTD and it is a gorgeous guitar
Agreed! I paid a pretty penny for the VIP experience a few years ago and got to hold and play a few of their real guitars, including that one and the ESP Snakebyte you can see in my pic (my absolute fav)
No
My LTD Jeff Hanneman is made of fuckin plywood so I painted over the camo and treat it like garbage.
That’s because he’s is a custom ESP these are LTD.
I think the tombstone graphic is cool. Great review 👏 🤘🤘
When I die I may save some money with this thing as my headstone. ;)
@@TheArtofGuitar LMAO ! Now I gotta get me one of those !
Hahah cringe level was high when he turned it over, great review man!
@@TheArtofGuitar Heavy Metal!!!
I saw one used for $800ish on MF, but…… I just couldn’t spring for it. I really love the Ouija guitar more, but of course we are talking a big price difference if you find one of those. After watching this review I’m kinda regretting not getting it lol…. Especially when you said it feels and plays like a 3K guitar.
Mike creates his content in the middle of the night. He's a true musician. I love his channel!
If I could play as well as he does.....I would do the same thing. Because I'm just so sick of working a day job. I'm 55. I've been working my job for a loooonng time!!! I'm so tired. I can't wait to retire so I could just play and play and play! Practice makes perfect.
THE ART OF GUITAR RULES
I’m still rebelling against having to wake up early for school all those years. 🤔😓🤣👍
@@TheArtofGuitar : I understand that Mike. I really do. Screaming for Vengeance!
Start your own business. I wake up @ 4pm and it is the greatest thing ever.
I have 2 jobs... I can't afford a guitar like that, I live in a third world country, I am a bilingual dentist (so I work at a corporate office for a global company and then go to my dental office on my free time) and it is either house payments or high end guitars, someday I shall pay off my house and play all day long
this guy is the pickiest guy ever
Every real guitar player is like that
I bought my first signature series Mick Thomson Jackson last year, sounds great but playing standing up is a bit challenging. A flying V shape is easier for my wrist to hold the neck.
I love that you played To Live Is To Die.. of course, Hetfield has written many beautiful clean riffs over the years, but that particular one is my personal favourite - very nice to play as well!
To Live Is to Die*
This Riff was Cliff's, not James'
Fade to black man is so beautiful 😭
Love The Series Mike.
Keep em Coming.
No offense, but you really should have known it had EMGs in them. Both James and Kirk have their own signature sets that are always pre-installed in their signature guitars.
What he didn't know that? Missed that EMGs are a massive part of Metallicas sound
played this at Guitar Center, it's beautiful, SUPER comfortable to play and i loved the EMGs! Floyd Rose as well, 24 frets, i LOVE IT
1:39 My friend has the same impression as you and I had to explain to him that the LTD is basically the "affordable" version of ESP. If you want the ESP version, you need to sell your kidneys. :P
Yarp. I was confused that he wasn’t aware that LTD was an imprint like Epiphone or Squire
LTD is ESP's affordable line. It's their equivalent to Squire or Epiphone. I have 2 Frank Bello Signature basses that are LTD.
I'll take the case off your hands. Haha
For an affordable version, LTD's are some of the best guitars out there (in my opinion)
This guitar sounds freakin amazing! Love the zombie graphic, I also would prefer a darker wood for it, I just think it looks better and I totally agree with the spider fret markers.
I do like the pointy headstock, not particularly fussed which way they face but I think downwards looks pretty cool. That case haha, yeah the back design all over would have been better.
There's always a good reason to get a new guitar haha. I think I'd like to have either a Ltd, ESP, Charvel or an Ibanez next.
At least you played a little of fade to black.....finally.
Username checks out 🤘
Personaly I think the 12th fret is very obvious. It’s the middle of the batt. Not very confusing. It’s a Kirk Hammett guitar it’s supposed to have active pickups. The fret board is dark. At least mine is darker than your in the video. Maybe it’s your light in the video. The face between the pickups is not distracting. I think your just WAY TO PICKY. The case is awesome man. It’s supposed to be over the top look what it represents 😂. Active pickup batteries have an average of 1500 hours of play time. You won’t run that dead in a performance. Maybe like 50 performances. Lol. Give fair reviews on stuff dude. I playe over 2 hours a day the battery has not been replaced yet in a year because it’s not dead yet. This guitar is awesome in every aspect. And why on earth would you want a Allen key attached to the guitar. Your guitar should be ready from your workstation before attempting a performance. Plus they ruin the look of a guitar. Come on tools on a guitar that’s crazy.
nah you're tripping i love that case
First off, thanks for your review, Mike! So glad you got it!...As for my review, remember this: IT'S A KIRK HAMMET SIGNATURE GUITAR!...I have this axe and it's incredible! Don't let the 'LTD' fool you. Craftsmanship is flawless! The neck is a bolt-on neck and its fast, slim-tapered. It has a volute so the headstock is re-enforced. I have no issues with the 12th fret bat-it's so kool. The pearloid spider inlays are a great idea. The only adjustment issue I had is getting use to the upside down keys and the 24 fret neck. 2 additional frets make a difference but still NO neck dive. The 1 thing I'd change is the battery access. It should be a clip-install where the battery is attached to the lid and you just place it inside instead of messing with screws. The case is designed as a headstone so I love the graphics. It has a large storage compartment. This axe comes with 3 different allen wrenches-1 for the truss rod & 2 for the Floyd Rose. Also, the trem arm can be tightened down quickly where it joins the trem so no allen screws to adjust like on a normal Floyd Rose...Bottom line: If you want this but a little hesitant GET IT! It's going up slowly in price. I paid $999 in 2017 and now it's $1599. IMO, use Energizer batteries-no leaking, corroding and they last. Also, don't let the Floyd Rose scare you. YOU CAN DO IT!
I'm amazed at those pickups, actually. Active pups always turned me off, but those sound excellent even through my tablet speakers.
Had a few chances, years ago, to play a friend's cheaper import Hammett LTD. It was honestly one of the most playable guitars I'd ever tried, even with the cheaper appointments and fit/finish issues like somewhat ragged fret ends.
That active pickup comment disqualifies you for any future gear review lol. That is a KH guitar. Of course it has active EMGs lol
Great review! I feel that the "Brutally honest" bit is a bit... I don't think your target audience are the people screaming that you are a paid shrill etc. They seem more adult and educated.
Cool guitar!
Was expecting a much higher price I must admit.
Perhaps, but you'd be surprised how many people think I'm getting paid to do these. In fact the next one I do (an amp) the company offered to pay me but I turned the pay down so I could be completely free to say what I really think.
@@TheArtofGuitar Fair point!
I do expect that if you did get paid to review, you would disclose it, unlike certain irresponsible tubers.
But you do tell the story of how you got the guitar, and what you paid, which is nice. Keep it up!
how do u complain ab the case, i love it
6:37 Wow that sounds just like the album.
What’s the song called?
@@edis_and_oscar no remorse
I love those monster movie Kirk graphics :) Kirk is one of my favourite guitarists and I'd love to own one of his signatures.
I'm still only around a year into playing guitar but I REALLY need a Floyd Rose in my life, currently have the 2020 Epiphone SG 61 Standard which I love but I need some squeals :D
I’m an old guy now and I have never played a guitar at this price range that played and felt this good. Never would’ve thought.
I kinda like the ergonomics of reverse headstocks, looking just at it.
The high E string deals with less tension meaning it's less likely to snap.
The E string won't rumble as much due to the longer distance.
It's kinda similar to how multiscale guitars handle bigger string gauges
Wrong, the strings are clamped just before the first fret. So your comment makes no sence
The tension does not change tho, it does not matter where the tuner is. All that matters is the distance from the bridge to the nut. (Aka. Scale)
@@MetalMathiasTPyou are the one who is wrong
@@gabejo7366obviously you don't completely understand what affects string tension.
@Mattormus hes right, the tension is going to be the same regardless on a properly intonated guitar
Since I turned 62, I've been subconsciously/accidentally pronouncing his name Kurt Hammock. 😔
He is good friends with Jumes Hotfield
I have the LTD KH Demonology which is like 95% the same guitar. It doesn't matter where the tuners are. You setup it up once and the thing never goes out of tune. This thing is awesome. Once in a while I use one or two of the fine tuners. Mine came with the same case and it's great.
I would buy that just for the guitar case hahaha
Over the top is quite the mouthful.
That's awesome hahaha
That's a KH 600 series. All LTDs 600 series are pretty fucking amazing
I plan on getting the purple sparkle KH when they come back in stock. This video just makes me sure I’m getting a great guitar
The guitar sounds amazing. The one thing I noticed is how the neck pickup sounds kinda like what most middle pickups do and the middle pickup sounds like a more soupy bridge
When comes to guitars, I find myself struggling to find fault in what Hetfield and Hammet play. The only guitar I took issue with was the "Truckster" mini-LP that Hetfield played right after St. Anger came out. It was just too small, kind of neck-heavy, didn't sit well. I actually went back to an Explorer after that just because of the weight and control.
I will say, even though the LTD I own is one of the cheapest guitars I own (and that they sell EC-10) I still love how it sounds, the frets were nice, the black satin finish was good, I did have to adjust the action (it was fine, but I prefer the strings closer to the fretboard) I did go to my local GC and play the more expensive EC-256 and I fell in love with it.
I have this guitar and I love it too! Personnally I like the reverse headstock, it is kind of a reminder for not tuning it there while there is the locking nut, I find it helpfull
Lugosi is pronounced with a 'sh' sound.
Own 2 ESP models. The ESP dv8 but swapped out the Duncan’s for emgs and a v-401 and love both. Although the ESP is alittle heavier then my Ltd. a look ways liked how they play and sound
For the fretboard, use Monty's guitar relic wax. It's perfect for darkening fretboards and it only costs a few bucks
Deftones guitar techniques pls
Great review!!Love your channel brother!! I have the kh602 .Love it!!Have the Ltd snakebyte which is my absolute favorite guitar. The "hetset" sound so much better than Kirk's but I still love them both. Thinking of puttinga hetset in the 602.or Fishman. .I love those pickup so much. Always look forward to new vidz from you. You are an awesome player 🤘
Reverse headstock isn't much of an issue with a locking nut, that being said I find the reverse headstock easy to tune.
That 'To Live is to Die' clean riff is one of my favorites. Nice review!
Those cleans with the To Live Is To Die part sound great.
i have the solo at 7:35 stuck in my head and i can’t figure out what song it’s from. someone help
Sanatarium
Waking up to see a new The Art of Guitar video: Today is gonna be a good day :)
Would love to see a "Solar Guitar" review at some point!
I actually like the case! I'd hang it up for wall art along with the guitar.
It says LTD because it's not the ESP version. The ESP version would have pickup covers that match the paint job, and neck through body. Basically the same but the LTD is cheaper.
Ive had the LTD kh-202 for over 20 years I think. Love the weight and toughness of this guitar.
FYI it will only say ESP if made in the Custom shop, thats why your pickups aren't painted to match and no neckthru body, but cool guitar can't go wrong with ESP LTD 🤘
Why would Kirk have a white zombie guitar???
Kirk has a "Monster" series of guitars, the Mummy, Dracula etc. This one is based off the 1932 Bela Lugosi film called, "White Zombie"
Honestly your love for that Jackson X series soloists you've had got me to buy one, well a X series dinky with active pickups and a hard tail but my first Jackson. It's really a fantastic instrument, going to probably throw a set of EMG's in there and put a graphtech tusq nut on there since the factory one is plastic. But it's currently the guitar I play the most. I also am really in love with those ESP/LTD MH-1000 deluxe guitars that had the abalone inlays and binding, can't get it out of my mind haha, will end up caving and finding one to buy.
I own this guitar. It’s my favorite guitar. I bought it on sale for $700 about 20 months ago. The neck is my favorite part. To each their own.
So for a regular KH2 with skulls&bones inlays you'd expect to see a human being transforming from an egg to a baby, man, old man and a dead body and bones? What the hell is this comment?
1:49 unfortunately because of all those trademarked graphics on the guitar they kinda have to put the legal garb somewhere :(
About the active pickups... if you actually take care about it (like buying long life battery and don't accidentally leave it plugged in when you decide to go to bed) the instrument may give a sound during live shows just like my 6 string cort bass which i have barely did any change on it and did two shows with it and it worked perfectly.
I always wondered if Kirk Hammett needed a guitar on the road, would he pick one of these up to gig with. Maybe?
Absolutely not.
he takes the greeny to wherever he goes
Hey Mike, would you do another “levels” video please, I’m addicted. Walk by pantera or fade to black or something. Whatever you take to 100% authenticity.
is this the first ever ESP you've ever owned!
Is this even a question!
Yes
@@loco_nr1622 it is obviously 🙄
I knew it was because he was surprised that it didn't say ESP on the front of the headstock. Lol you need to grease their palms alot more that $1,500 to get that logo!
Just ordered those pickups for a guitar almost like that one and I don’t know what the guitar is exactly but it looks exactly like that but black and the inlays almost looks like lightning bolts
I have a ESP Mustaine DV8 model and his LTD DV8SE and surprisingly, it's not too bad of a difference besides the cost. I really don't mind the LTD ESP compared to lower models from other manufacturers.
I’m glad you’re really breaking down everything about feel and sound but is it just my mechanical mind. I order new guitars and I don’t even plug in. I tear them completely down and set up to me. Take an hour if I am watching a movie. What in the world could be broken on a strat Charvel to take over a week. I am noticing people have to pay all kinds of money to have brand new guitar adjusted. I would think with the many thousands I’ve spent they should do free! I’m disabled now from brain injury 2 severe wrist injury and because my TBI I’m on 8th amp head trying to get my sound. But my thinking is I could start setting up and working on guitars for less than half! And I know you were rushing the video but FADE TO BLACK is my life song! I hated seeing you disrespect it. Remember it’s not what you play. It’s how you inside yourself play it. I’m just saying next time do MegaDeath or something that you can only make it better no matter how you play it
I've got this axe. It's incredible. I did a review on Guitar Center's web site...Got an Allen wrench holder on my SG with a FRX Floyd Rose.
Don't forget it's a 24-fret neck!..The case is supposed to resemble a tombstone. The tombstone case is exclusive with the White Zombie.
LTD is kinda the Epiphone of ESP. Generally the same guitar, but usually made in Korea instead of Japan
Not really, they're the same company.
@@manicdoom I think that’s what he meant. Like Epiphone is the cheaper Gibson. Same company, cheaper build.
as long as its not china.
I respectfully disagree. You know you're playing a cheap guitar when you feel an Epiphone. Ltd on the other hand feels 99% like the high end Esp that costs thousands more!
The label LTD is applied when ESP hires a contract builder to make guitars for them. That company is usually World Music Instrument Co. which makes guitars for tons of brands out there, including but not limited to PRS, Solar, Chapman etc...
ESP provides the specifications but none of their company builds them.
The only guitars ESP puts the ESP name on is custom shop. Their E-II brand is made in Japan by ESP by luthiers going through their luthiers school and the best of the best move on to Custom Shop.
On the back of the headstock you will see "Designed by ESP" on contract built guitars and "Designed and Built by ESP" on anything built in Japan.
Might be wrong but as far as I know, the only White Zombie that says "ESP" on the neck is the OG one owned by Kirk himself. I think the serial production of this guitar has always been LTD. Not sure if ESP themself made White Zombie guitar beside those made for Kirk.
for that price you get a KH602 with a neck through constuction and a 3 piece body!
I personally LOVE the tombstone case
I'm thinking he's explaining this guitar to those that aren't super guitar enthusiasts.. I hope anyway. Cause saying he was bummed this Kirk signature came w/ EMG's is kinda weird, and that it says LTD instead of ESP.. well, you can get one that says ESP but it'll cost about 3-4 grand more. And as for me the reverse headstock I've always been a fan of, to me it always looked more "metal" especially w/ the Jacksons, Ibanez and ESP/LTD's. and I find it's actually easier to tune, your fretting had is already holding the neck from underneath, you just slide your hand down to the tuners, no letting go of the neck and reaching over to tune. And a 9 Volt will last a long time as long as you unplug after you're done playing. And yeah ESP and LTD's back of the headstock does have a lot on it, which is different but not a deal breaker since no one see's it. and you can always put a allen wrech on the back of the headstock. And the case being "over the top"? Buys guitar with a graphic paint job but thinks the case is over the top.. that's funny.. I think that case is awesome. I mean for the price it's the same as the Jem floral. But this actually comes with a real case w/ graphics where as the jem floral comes w/ a cheap Ibanez gig bag... So good job to LTD for including a cool case w/ these.
Cool design. I always loved the all black ESP that has the “hot” sticker, and loved the Egypt themed mummy guitar he had. This one is cool too. The case is also cool, but agree a little over the top for that guitar. If it were a ESP custom shop guitar that Hammett actually played then it would fit.
Kirk hammet. Signatire guitar but named after band white zombie ? Very weird
Those Allen keys mounted to the headstock are a bad idea because they vibrate at their own frequency and when your playing and hit their frequency they will vibrate and make weird sounds. Just like strap locks do the same thing.
the reg M1000 dlx is superior to the KH models that are missing the Stainless frets and compound radius.... its absolutly shameful that guitars with nickel frets are still being produced in the 2020s
You can get a James Hetfeild Snakebyte from guitar center for 1500
Kirks actual white Zombie guitar is an actual ESP guitar, not an LTD which is a cheaper alternative. His true ESP model isn't actually offered for sale, i don't think. No ESP is going to cost $1400 so the materials used for the body, fretboard tuners, etc are not like on his original. Watch them playing "One" on Howard Stern and you'll see that his guitar actually says ESP on the headstock and not LTD. You can see the fretboard is darker in color too and the inlays are not plastic on his lol.
2:39 That’s not an ebony fretboard. A few years ago they started using par ferro when Ebony was apparently hard to get. But they’ve gone back to using Ebony but there’s still lot of models out there with par ferro .
The active pickups are one of those do you like flavor A or flavor B. What REALLY gets the X is when there isn't a quick change battery door. When I playing gigs with an active guitar I will at least test the battery before every gig when playing a string of shows or when the shows are intermittent I just change it before the show every time.
Having to take screws out is bad enough but also knowing they are going to loosen up over time is worse...and there is always dropping them and...basically there needs to be a tool less way of doing it or I am gonna break out the router and add one!
I guess I'm shocked why you were disappointed on why there wasn't an ESP logo on the headstock....? I'm sure you know the difference of an Esp and Ltd guitar . And the Ltd version aren't as good as an Esp . And bolt on's Suck
I love your vids and this channel but man... you're surprised that Hammets signature has active EMGs? Bro.... 😅
I love Reverse heads! Lol.....it's confusing at first, but Much faster and Ergonomic, since you're just running your hand Straight left, instead of UP and over.....which always annoyed me. But then again, you Rarely touch the tuners on Floyds......you just use the "Fine tuners" on the Trem for adjustments.
100%
Ok if you were buying? Ltd white zombie kirk hammitt or a ibanez 550 genesis?
you need to have graphic serial number information on the headstock
that
differentiate from
illegal copies
this is the case buying and selling instruments
Squier and Fender Stratocasters for example look the same
but they are not the same size dimensions
the serial number and
factory information should be correct
otherwise the value of a
real USA or MIM
Fender Strat Neck
or , a Squier Strat Neck
drops significantly
this is true about most guitars and guitar necks
if original material is changed , swapped out
refinished
the value drops and decreases .
😎
I'm between this and the arrow 1000. Which one do you thing I should get?
Still loving this series so much!
Killer guitar stop picking it apart that's what my luthier told me, PLAY THE SHIT OUT OF IT
You got a case with a 1500 dollar guitar? Was this video made in 1990? My 1200 dollar Ibanez didn't even come with a dang gig bag.
i have the
White
KH -202 LTD
1984 Floyd Rose
Grover Tuners
it's about 8.2 pounds
The negatives seem like a lot of nitpicking
That's called, doing a gear review. haha.
That Guitar case is worth the price alone!
Talk about first world problems for a youtube video. I have friends donating guitars to kids in countries where music instruments are too expensive at entry level but you dont like that it doesnt have an allen key holder. Grow a sack, be humble, be grateful.
Why dont you just get a custom guitar with your specs?
i never ever trust custom guitars, Kirk, Kerry King... it doesnt matter, you should pursue your sound. Buying one of those to NOt sound like Metallica would be silly, almost as silly as buying one to sound like them. Good review btw
The bottom line its Kurt's designs Kurt's signature not the art of guitars signature... that x noise was way to much on the ears
LTD is ESP's "Squier" or "Epiphone". However, ESP do put the effort into their LTD Guitars.
What's a bummer is that you sold the PRS guitar. Prs cant go wrong with them.
I was listening to this video and not watching and kept wondering what that weird computer fart noise was……I though my iPad was cutting out or something then I though I was getting pop ups with those bell noises..……those are crazy annoying man…..you don’t need to add fluff like that to a video where people just want to hear about the guitar.
Haha, the only thing I would like about this guitar is the light brown fretbroard ; )
I probably wouldn’t have bothered to purchase the guitar if I found that many things I didn’t like about it. I also like to my research before I go to the store to look for a guitar. Guess I’m confused as to why you bought it if you don’t like half of the things going on with this guitar.
You should have played some Thunderkiss '65. Oh well, missed opportunity.