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ESP LTD Kirk Hammett EKH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary Edition Electric Guitar - Black

Solidbody Electric Guitar with Alder Body, Maple Thru Neck, Macassar Ebony Fingerboard, Floyd Rose Tremolo, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Black
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ESP LTD Kirk Hammett EKH-3 Spider 30th Anniversary Edition Electric Guitar - Black
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A Signature Classic from ESP Returns!

ESP is proud to reissue the Kirk Hammett LTD KH-3 Spider Electric Guitar for 2021. This captivating solidbody is modeled after the infamous “Spider 13” guitar Hammett used during Metallica’s legendary 1992 tour in support of Metallica (The Black Album). The LTD KH-3 features a solid alder body in all black with a gloss finish, making this stunning axe ready to take the stage and captivate your audience. A beautiful 3-piece maple neck with smooth Macassar ebony fingerboard offers incredible playability for shredding killer riffs and hard-hitting power chords. For extra flexibility, the fingerboard is scalloped on frets 17 through 24. True to Hammett’s specs, the Spider comes with a pair of EMG KH Bone Breakers that deliver all the searing humbucking tone you desire. The LTD KH-3 also comes equipped with a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, supporting all the dives, bends, and sustain you bring to your unique playing style.

Bone Breaker humbuckers really deliver

Kirk Hammett will forever be known as a sonic stylist willing to push the boundaries of attack and tone in his playing. With his signature Bone Breaker active humbuckers, you will now tap into that boundary-bending territory. These searing humbuckers benefit from a tweaked preamp, as well as a powerful combination of Alnico V and ceramic magnets. These moderate-output humbuckers aren’t limited to only paint-peeling high-gain tone, they are also capable of both crushing grind and bell-like clarity without sacrificing gain for clean or vice versa. Whether you’re aiming for crisp leads or smooth rhythm sounds, EMG's Bone Breakers place Kirk’s trademark tone right in your hands.

Extra-thin profile for comfort

Your fingers will fall in love with the 3-piece maple neck, cut to an extra-thin “U” profile on the Spider. Given how comfortably it sits in the hand and makes hours of shredding effortless, the extra-thin “U” profile is a favorite among guitarists here at Sweetwater. The ebony fingerboard is outfitted with 24 nickel-silver extra-jumbo frets that make chording and lead playing easy on the fingers as well, and it’s scalloped from frets 17 to 24. Get this neck in your hand, and you will feel why Kirk Hammett brought the Spider 13 around the world with him on Metallica’s legendary Black Album tour!

ESP Kirk Hammett LTD KH-3 Spider Electric Guitar Features:

  • Signature solidbody offers incredible feel, tone, and playability
  • Solid alder body in all black with a gloss finish
  • Beautiful 3-piece maple neck with smooth Macassar ebony fingerboard offers incredible playability for shredding killer riffs and hard-hitting power chords
  • Fingerboard is scalloped from frets 17-24
  • 2 EMG KH Bone Breakers deliver the searing humbucking tone you desire
  • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo supports all the dives, bends, and sustain you bring to your unique playing style
  • Searing humbuckers benefit from a tweaked preamp, as well as a powerful combination of Alnico V and ceramic magnets

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • General
  • Number of Strings 6
  • Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
  • Body
  • Body Type Solidbody
  • Body Shape LTD Kirk Hammett EKH-3 Singlecut
  • Body Material Alder
  • Body Finish Gloss
  • Color Black with Spider Graphic
  • Neck
  • Neck Material 3-Piece Maple
  • Neck Shape Extra Thin U
  • Neck Joint Neck-through
  • Radius 13.7"
  • Fingerboard Material Macassar Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay White Spiders/Skulls
  • Number of Frets 24, Extra Jumbo
  • Scale Length 24.75"
  • Nut Width 1.653"
  • Nut Material Locking
  • Hardware
  • Bridge/Tailpiece Floyd Rose 1000 Locking Tremolo
  • Tuners Grover
  • Electronics
  • Neck Pickup EMG BoneBreaker Humbucker
  • Bridge Pickup EMG BoneBreaker Humbucker
  • Controls 2 x volume, 1 x master tone
  • Switching 3-way toggle pickup switch
  • Miscellaneous
  • Strings D'Addario, .009-.042
  • Case/Gig Bag Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LKH3

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

OMG!

This thing is a beast! The pickups scream and the neck is insanely smooth. If you're looking for sweet thrash metal sound, this baby delivers!!
Music background: Still learning…
Rated 5/5

Spider guitar

I bought for my daughter for birthday. She picked it was ok and then it came. Not perfect guitar but close the pickups and trem get you close to Metallica. He did use one like it on the black album tour makes it cool see on screen. Real Metallica for me Emg 81 85 and les Paul standard dead on.
Music background: 30 years playing
Rated 5/5

Amazing guitar. The one I reach for the most.

I've owned quite a few guitars over the years. Fenders, Gibsons, ESP/LTDs, and other brands. I've bought, traded, and sold off many guitars. That being said, the LTD EKH-3 is definitely one of the best guitars I've ever handled, right up there with the Gibson SG I regret selling. Action is low and smooth, neck is straight, no fret buzz, the Floyd Rose works smoothly, the finish and graphics are immaculate, and the EMG Bonebreakers sound beastly. Not to mention, I've had to tune this baby up only once since receiving it back in the spring.

Huge shoutout to my sale engineer Dave Snow. Dave and the team @ Sweetwater have treated me great since day 1 of me becoming a customer. I wouldn't buy gear online from anywhere else but Sweetwater.
Music background: hoobyist.
Rated 5/5

Outrageous!

I can't even describe how excellent this guitar is! The craftsmanship, the playability, and the sounds that come from this shred beast are simply exquisite. Not to mention the outstanding service provide by Mitch D. and the entire Sweetwater team. I have never been dissatisfied with any service they provide. They are simply the best in the business! No wonder so many YouTubers gush over them. ESP and Sweetwater is a win win!
Rated 5/5

Awesome guitar!!

This guitar is so awesome!! I've been playing since 1992. I've been so impressed with James and Kirks signature guitars, pickups, and picks. Sweetwater Awesome!
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