Metallica - James Hetfield Guitar Gear Rig and Equipment

James Hetfield does more than just provide the band Metallica with growling vocals - he is also the bands rythym guitarist. Let's checkout his gear.

Let's see what guitar gear and equipment Metallica's James Hetfield's has been seen using in his guitar rig.

James Hetfield on guitar

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Guitars

James has uses a large amount of guitars. The following are some of them that have been seen:

- ESP LTD James Hetfield Snakebyte Electric Guitar

ESP LTD Iron Cross James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar

ESP LTD Vulture Signature Series James Hetfield Electric Guitar

- ESP James Hetfield Truckster Electric Guitar Distressed Satin Black

- Gibson 1973 Les Paul Custom "Iron Cross" (ESP made a James Hetfield Iron Cross Signature)

- ESP James Hetfield LTD Truckster Electric Guitar Aged Primer Gray

- ESP Explorers, including a black and chrome version.

- He also has an ESP LTD 7-string guitar (coined "The Goblin") and an ESP LTD F-300M.

- ESP JH-1 Flying V

- Ken Lawrence Explorer guitars

- 1976 Gibson Explorer called "Rusty"

- 1973 Gibson Les Paul called "Uncle Milty"

- 1959 Gibson Les Paul

James designed the graphics for his original ESP Viper baritone guitar. The graphics were hand painted by Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studios in Novato, California. Kirk Taylor also paints James' hotrods and motorcycles.

- Line 6 Variax Acoustic (Used for live performances of "The Unforgiven")

- custom Gibson Firebird guitar

- Jackson King V guitar (white, used in the 80's during Master of Puppets tour)

- BC Rich Wrath (seen using in 90's)

- EMG 81/EMG 60 pickups

- EMG James Hetfield JH pickup set

Amps and Cabinets

- Mesa Boogie Stiletto Deuces

His amp rack has a Mesa/Boogie Triaxis and a Strategy 400. He also plays two Diezel VH4 heads loaded with EL34s. a Wizard, a Marshall DSL, a Roland JC-120, and a Sears Magnatone amongst other amps.

- Marshall DSL