The Collection: Kirk Hammett of Metallica

[viper007]

 

[AA00475Bassman]

I watched 29 minutes had to take a break after the red 58 - I will be back !

 

[neuroy]

Why does the 63´Explorer has double line. ( 6 on strip) tuners ?

 

[jb_abides]

Crotch Stinger!

 

[neuroy]

The crotch is where to put the button in....... on straps.

 

[neuroy]

The crotch is where to put the button in....... on straps.

 

[sws1]

A few things I spotted in the vid.

- On the case of the '52, it says "refinished?"
- On the case of the first '58 burst, it has a s/n well outside/before the range of bursts. Can't see the number of the guitar however.
- I know nothing about authenticating actual korina, and I wouldn't ever try to buy one (too scary). But both those guitars have things that I'd have a hard time swallowing. (No s/n on the V, and '63 shipping of a '58 guitar.)
- The cross out of the model number on the black 335 would also freak me out if I were in the market to buy one.

 

[SG Std]

I am almost certain that Richard Henry was involved with Kirk purchasing the 58/63 Explorer 10 or so years ago. Also pretty sure that the Explorers that shipped in `63 had the 'button' tuners & not the Klusons.

 

[jb_abides]

A few things I spotted in the vid.

Also, I think it was on the MSG V, the tape said [paraphrasing]: Hold For Gibson To P/U (pickup) ... So that may be next in due for a release.

So would this be a 'joint release'? Seems they would need Michael Schenker onboard... But I put nothing past them.

 

[sws1]

I am almost certain that Richard Henry was involved with Kirk purchasing the 58/63 Explorer 10 or so years ago. Also pretty sure that the Explorers that shipped in `63 had the 'button' tuners & not the Klusons.

I don't think I knew they had more explorers come out in the 60s. Thought that was only a V thing. (Maybe I did know.)

 

[goldtop0]

Half way through the video and loving it, thanks for posting viper.
The '58 cherry LP sans bigsby, what a beauty. Ronn David(had) or still has the other cherry '58 that Kirk talks about.
Finished the vid, also the cherry ES 295..........got a thing for cherry I guess.
Kirk's a cool guy and has so many gats, he loves 'em

 

[MattD1960]

I don't think I knew they had more explorers come out in the 60s. Thought that was only a V thing. (Maybe I did know.)

yes its been talked about here in some of the Explorer related threads in "the other gibson" section. i think those transition models are the coolest examples the replica i had made is kinda like if gibson made one in 1960

 

[jrgtr42]

I finally got around to watching this.
Really interesting. I do kind of wish they showed some of the others they talked about, like the Jackson V, I wish they showed the ESP Spider guitar, a couple others I've seen. (Yeah, it's a Gibson produced video, but other guests in the series have showed plenty of other brands.)
But As much as there's stuff about Kirk, he knows his guitars and he's passionate about them.
Would be cool if they talked to James as well - he's got plenty of Gibsons also, as well as the other stuff.

 

[Stone]

James' book with his guitars is certainly a joy to read and drool over (Messengers: The Guitars of James Hetfield)

 

[Frutiger]

I am almost certain that Richard Henry was involved with Kirk purchasing the 58/63 Explorer 10 or so years ago. Also pretty sure that the Explorers that shipped in `63 had the 'button' tuners & not the Klusons.

I think neuroy's point (and great spot) is that a guitar made in 1963 should have single line tuners, not double. It's not about the buttons, it's about the tuner casing being too late for a guitar purported to be from 1963.

Double lines were introduced in 65. The factory left-over explorers that shipped in the 60s received strip tuners that are differently spaced to normal strip Klusons. A set of normal six-on-a-plate tuners (as you find on 12-strings and non-reverse Firebirds) won't fit an original Explorer headstock.

And that is as far as my Explorer knowledge goes.

 

[S. Weiger]

I think neuroy's point (and great spot) is that a guitar made in 1963 should have single line tuners, not double. It's not about the buttons, it's about the tuner casing being too late for a guitar purported to be from 1963.

Double lines were introduced in 65. The factory left-over explorers that shipped in the 60s received strip tuners that are differently spaced to normal strip Klusons. A set of normal six-on-a-plate tuners (as you find on 12-strings and non-reverse Firebirds) won't fit an original Explorer headstock.

And that is as far as my Explorer knowledge goes.

Kirk was very unfortunate with 011172, an alleged 1960 Explorer, which was deemed fake & sold for fake money, & later, 2016, on Fleabay as a real 1960, offered by a gentleman(?) named Gary "Big Hern" Hernandez, Owner and CEO of Guitars West, Inc.
IIRC.
This thread Warning, long & confusing thread, but very interesting.

I sure hope Kirk was more lucky with his 58/63.

 

[neuroy]

I think neuroy's point (and great spot) is that a guitar made in 1963 should have single line tuners, not double. It's not about the buttons, it's about the tuner casing being too late for a guitar purported to be from 1963.

Double lines were introduced in 65. The factory left-over explorers that shipped in the 60s received strip tuners that are differently spaced to normal strip Klusons. A set of normal six-on-a-plate tuners (as you find on 12-strings and non-reverse Firebirds) won't fit an original Explorer headstock.

And that is as far as my Explorer knowledge goes.

Does anybody know of a Gibson guitar having 6-on-strip- tuners with the wider distance of posts ?
Never seen one !

The tale is Gibson just used cheapo parts and what was just in the factory to complete an Explorer and let this unloved bird leave the factory. No expenses to cut down 3x3 Klusons .

Does anybody know the distance of tuner holes on 1958 Explorers (first hand knowledge) ?

For me the Tuner-thing remains a mystery.....

 

[F-Hole]

The cross out of the model number on the black 335 would also freak me out if I were in the market to buy one.

The black ‘59 335 is factory stock. Came from the first rack with all the black 345’s. I also have the original ledger entry. Right as rain, including the early routing pattern.

The story, however, isn't quite accurate.

 

[Dave P]

I don't care for Kirk's playing, but the guy obviously is passionate about old guitars and has the loot to buy and enjoy them.

 

[metropolis]

He was my guitar hero when I was young, then I got into other players but always have a soft spot for Metallica and Kirk Hammett. I love the passion and nerdiness he showed for vintage guitars - something I wouldn't have believed he would have watching him earlier in his career!