Some guitars tell a story. Kirk Hammett’s tell the story of metal. The ESP Alexi Laiho Signature V we have just received at Matt’s Guitar Shop is one of them. This exceptional instrument is Alexi Laiho’s ESP Signature model, created for the undisputed virtuoso of melodic metal and mastermind behind Children of Bodom. But there’s more: it was once part of Kirk Hammett’s personal collection, one of metal’s true electric guitar titans.

An ESP Signature designed for Alexi Laiho

This guitar was built for intensity. Alexi Laiho was more than just a guitarist: he was a force of nature. His playing combined speed, precision, and emotional expressiveness, and this ESP Signature V was designed to capture every nuance of his style. The black finish accented with yellow binding, the aggressive body shape, and the pickups voiced for a sharp, powerful tone perfectly embody the Finnish guitarist’s signature style. A guitar ready to scream on stage or roar in the studio, exactly as Laiho did.

A piece from Kirk Hammett’s personal collection

What makes this instrument even more special is its time in Kirk Hammett’s collection. Always passionate about unique instruments and prototypes, Hammett kept this guitar as part of his private collection.

One interesting detail is worth noting: on the underside of the headstock, a small piece of tape is marked “D#,” a reference to its half-step-down tuning. A working musician’s touch that adds even more character to this guitar hero’s instrument, offering a subtle reminder of its history on stage and in the studio.

A fragment of modern metal history

Owning this ESP means holding a living fragment of modern metal history and witnessing the genius of Kirk Hammett, whose deep appreciation for the history of metal is reflected in the very legacy of which he is a part.