Welcome to Guitardoor.com where we pay tribute to great guitarists and help promote emerging talent today we are looking at the lead guitarist of the biggest metal band in history: the one and only Kirk Hammett. As a founding member of Exodus and the long-standing lead guitarist for Metallica, Kirk’s fiery, melodic, and instantly recognizable solos have served as the electrifying counterpoint to the band’s rhythmic juggernaut for over four decades. A student of the legendary Joe Satriani, Hammett took his technical prowess and created a style that defined the role of the lead guitarist in thrash metal and inspired millions to pick up the instrument.
The Architect of Thrash Solos
Kirk Hammett’s musical style is a masterclass in controlled chaos. When he joined Metallica in 1983, he brought a crucial element to their raw, aggressive sound: a deep sense of melody and musicality rooted in classic European metal and hard rock. Influenced by players like Michael Schenker, Ritchie Blackmore, and Uli Jon Roth, Kirk’s solos were never just about speed; they were carefully composed, memorable statements that soared over the intricate riffing beneath them. He gave Metallica’s sonic onslaught a vital, melodic narrative.
At its core, much of Kirk’s playing is built upon the framework of the pentatonic and minor scales, the bedrock of blues and rock. His genius was in taking this familiar language and supercharging it with thrash-metal velocity, aggression, and a dark, sinister atmosphere. He frequently employs modes like the Phrygian and Aeolian to conjure a sound that is both exotic and menacing. The most defining element of his style, however, is his masterful use of the wah pedal. For Kirk, the wah is not merely a textural effect; it is an extension of his musical voice. He uses the Dunlop Cry Baby to make his notes scream, cry, and sweep, transforming his solos into expressive, vocal-like torrents of sound that are as integral to his identity as the notes themselves.
The Arsenal of a Metal Titan: Guitars, Gear, and Tone
Kirk Hammett’s tone is one of the most recognizable in all of rock music, and it’s the result of a carefully honed combination of iconic gear. His name is synonymous with ESP Guitars, a relationship that has spanned decades and produced a vast lineage of signature models. From his earliest custom models featuring horror movie graphics like “The Mummy” and “Ouija,” to his modern KH series guitars, the DNA is consistent: high-performance instruments built for speed and aggression. These guitars are almost always loaded with EMG active pickups—typically a combination of the EMG 81 in the bridge for its tight, articulate aggression, and an EMG 60 or another 81 in the neck for warmer, fluid lead tones. Many of his guitars also feature a Floyd Rose locking tremolo system, essential for his signature dive bombs and vibrato effects. In recent years, his most prized instrument has become “Greeny,” the legendary 1959 Gibson Les Paul once owned by Peter Green and Gary Moore.
For amplification, Kirk’s sound has been built upon a foundation of legendary amps. His classic lead tone, heard on seminal albums like Master of Puppets and …And Justice for All, was forged with a Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+ head, prized for its searing, focused gain. This was often blended with modified Marshall heads for a full-bodied rhythm and lead sound. In later years, he collaborated with Randall on his own signature amplifiers and has now largely transitioned to using Fractal Audio’s Axe-Fx systems for live performances, allowing him to perfectly replicate his classic tube tones with modern consistency.
Of course, no discussion of his gear is complete without his pedalboard. The undisputed king is the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah, of which he has several signature models. He often uses an Ibanez Tube Screamer not as a primary distortion, but as a boost to tighten up the front end of his amplifier, a classic metal trick for achieving a more defined, percussive tone. These core components, combined with his lightning-fast alternate picking and fluid legato, are the building blocks of one of metal’s most enduring sounds.
Essential Hammett: The Solos That Defined a Genre
Kirk Hammett’s solos are iconic moments etched into the history of rock. To fully grasp his impact and his ability to craft the perfect solo for any song, these three masterworks are essential listening.
“Master of Puppets”
“One”
“Enter Sandman”
For over forty years, Kirk Hammett has been the quintessential metal lead guitarist. His ability to blend virtuosic technique with unforgettable melodies provided the perfect gateway for millions of fans and aspiring players. He crafted the solos that became the soundtrack for a generation, cementing his legacy as a true and enduring guitar hero.
Cover Photo Credit “Kirk Hammett ( Metallica @ Foro Sol – Mexico 2009 )” by Esparta is licensed under CC BY 2.0
