ESP LTD KH-202 Kirk Hammett Black Electric guitar

ESP LTD KH-202 BLK — Kirk Hammett Signature Superstrat

The ESP LTD KH-202 BLK brings Kirk Hammett's lead sound into an affordable Superstrat built for working players. As the most affordable model in the LTD Kirk Hammett Signature Series, it ships with the same bolt-on construction, contoured basswood body, and high-output passive humbucker set that defines Kirk's stage guitars. The KH-202 is the right choice for metal and hard-rock guitarists who want Kirk Hammett's signature look without paying custom-shop prices.

Signature Hardware at an Accessible Price

What sets the KH-202 apart is the pairing of a Floyd Rose Special double-locking tremolo with ESP Designed LH-301 passive humbuckers — uncommon at this price point. The reverse-style headstock, all-black hardware, and skull-and-crossbones inlays make the KH-202 visually unmistakable on stage.

Basswood Body Built for Long Sets

The contoured basswood body keeps the KH-202 light enough for two-hour sets while delivering the focused midrange that cuts through a dense metal mix. Bolt-on construction adds attack and clarity to each note, essential for palm-muted chugs and picked lead lines.

• Body Material: Basswood — lightweight with focused mids
• Construction: Bolt-On — bright attack and articulate note definition
• Finish: Polished Black — stage-ready aesthetic

Speed-Optimized Neck for Shredders

The extra-thin U-shaped maple neck gives lead players a flat, fast surface that doesn't fight the hand during sweep picking. A roasted Jatoba fingerboard with a 350 mm radius feels almost flat under the fingers, supporting low-action setups and aggressive bending.

• Neck Material: Maple — bright, snappy response
• Fingerboard Material: Roasted Jatoba — dense and humidity-stable
• Fingerboard Radius: 350 mm — nearly flat for low-action playing
• Neck Contour: Extra Thin U — slim profile for fast lead work
• Frets: 24 XJ — extra-jumbo wire for confident bends

Passive Humbuckers and Locking Tremolo

A pair of ESP Designed LH-301 humbuckers in the bridge and neck positions delivers the passive, high-output voice that suits modern metal. The 3-way blade switch, dual volume controls, and master tone let players dial in everything from thick rhythm to cutting lead. A Floyd Rose Special keeps tuning stable through deep dive-bombs.

• Pickup Configuration: HH (LH-301B / LH-301N) — passive high-output humbuckers
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Special — double-locking tremolo
• Scale Length: 648 mm — tight low end and clear note separation
• Nut Width: 42 mm — locking nut with comfortable spacing

Built for Metal and Hard-Rock Players

The KH-202 is the right choice for intermediate and advanced guitarists who want a road-ready signature instrument without crossing into custom-shop pricing. Metal players in drop tunings will appreciate the Floyd Rose Special's tuning stability, while lead guitarists benefit from the extra-thin U neck and 24 extra-jumbo frets. Players who want to swap pickups later will find the passive LH-301 layout easy to upgrade.

ESP and the Kirk Hammett Signature Series

ESP began in 1975 as Electric Sound Products, a small Tokyo shop making replacement parts for guitars. By the mid-1980s the company was building custom instruments for rock's biggest names, and Kirk Hammett has relied on ESP for more than two decades. The KH-202 is the entry point into that signature lineage.