As the singer and guitarist of the legendary band Metallica, James Hetfield has been shredding ESP guitars for years – now, with the ESP Snakebyte Camo James Hetfield, a guitar has been built that corresponds exactly to his vision of an instrument he can trust both in the studio and on stage. Japanese precision craftsmanship from the ESP Custom Shop is combined here with a fierce design and a cutting, powerful sound – the kind of tone that makes Metallica's music so intense. The driving force behind this aggressive sound is a set of EMG pickups that have been developed in collaboration with Hetfield himself and don't just shine in high-gain settings – they dominate, delivering tight, muscular riffs across the board. The ESP Snakebyte Camo James Hetfield ships in a rugged case and includes a certificate of authenticity.
The ESP Snakebyte Camo James Hetfield, with its all-mahogany construction and KUIU Camo satin finish, delivers a powerful core tone packed with sustain and an immediate response – essential for tight, high-gain riffing with sharp articulation. Its ebony fingerboard features 22 extra-jumbo frets and a 305mm (12") radius, making it easy to play in every position on the neck, while a custom snake inlay marks the octave and adds a signature touch. The EMG JH pickups, developed as mentioned above in collaboration with Hetfield himself, can be selected and combined using the three-way switch, and each one has a dedicated volume control, giving players full command over their sound. Top-tier hardware rounds out the Snakebyte Camo: From the TonePros bridge and tailpiece combo to the Sperzel locking tuners on the futuristic headstock, ESP and Hetfield have teamed up with trusted names to ensure this guitar performs at the highest level.
Fans of James Hetfield's signature sound will not be the only ones to appreciate this Metal machine. With its active EMGs and outstanding playability, the ESP Snakebyte Camo James Hetfield is sure to be a versatile weapon for heavier musical styles of all kinds. Whether it's powerful riffing or smooth, soaring lead tones, this guitar has it all and more in its locker. And even using clean settings, the Snakebyte will impress even the most discerning guitarists with its balanced sound, avoiding overly pronounced mids while offering a bright high-end spectrum. Add to that the high-quality hardware, and this is another instrument that fully lives up to the standards of the ESP Custom Shop – built to serve its new owner faithfully for years to come.
Since the mid-1970s, Japanese guitar and bass manufacturer The ESP Guitar Company has been successfully holding its own against the competition in this highly competitive market. ESP Guitars is divided into three divisions: the LTD division which caters for beginners and more advanced players, and its products are manufactured at various Asian locations. The E-II division produces higher quality models manufactured in Japan, while the top end and custom built models under the ESP name come from the USA. A growing number of well-known musicians rely on ESP products. James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, Richie Sambora or George Lynch, to mention only a few, have been using ESP instruments for years.
It doesn't take much to unleash a full-blown lightning storm with the Snakebyte Camo. Just plug into a high-gain amp, and the EMG JH pickups will handle the rest – delivering high output, tight, punchy lows, and a rich midrange with serious power to cut through the mix. Despite its solid mahogany body, the Snakebyte also handles beautifully with perfect strap balance, making it an ideal tool for live Metal gigs. Combined with the smooth playability of the thin-U neck profile, it's built for performance - just ask James Hetfield.