Kirk Hammett, guitarist with multi-platinum-selling and nine-tine Grammy Award-winning band Metallica, has partnered with Gibson Publishing to release The Collection: Kirk Hammett, a premium hardcover coffee-table photo book telling the stories behind the rare and highly collectible instruments he has used on recordings and on stages worldwide in front of millions of fans.
Written and edited by Gibson Editor-in-Chief Chris Vinnicombe, and designed by graphic designer Tom Jermann.
‘For someone whose early adventures in heavy music in the late 1980s involved listening to Metallica albums until the cassette tapes wore out, working closely with Kirk and the team on this project was a mind-blowing experience. Kirk’s energy and passion comes through on every page and there is no doubt he has one of the coolest guitar collections on the planet,’ says Vinnicombe.
The Collection: Kirk Hammett is a 400-page premium coffee table book that explores the guitar collection and life in music of one of heavy metal’s pioneer players.
Shot on location in Hawaii and Los Angeles by rock photographer Ross Halfin and featuring rare imagery from Halfin’s photo archives, this latest release from Gibson Publishing features exclusive new interviews with Hammett conducted by Vinnicombe and Gibson Director of Brand Experience, Mark Agnesi.
The book takes a deep dive into the Metallica star’s eclectic guitar collection, documenting the instruments from throughout his career, from his early days with Bay Area thrash trailblazers Exodus to selling more than 125m albums worldwide with Metallica. Guitars under the microscope include Hammett’s storied 1979 Gibson Flying V and Greeny, the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard formerly owned by guitarists Peter Green and Gary Moore.
‘I’ve worked diligently on this curated collection of vintage and modern guitars for the book,’ Hammett says. ‘I feel the book captures the rich history and artistry behind each of these unique and rare instruments.
‘Every picture tells a story and thanks to Ross Halfin and his exceptional photography, every picture in this book is worth a million words. This book could not be possible without the help of Gibson, so I’d like to thank them for making my passion for Greeny, and guitars a reality. I hope all of you enjoy this journey as much as I did.’
The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Custom Edition is limited to 300 numbered copies signed by Hammett, and is offered in a presentation box featuring custom artwork and a ‘case candy’ package. In addition to the large-format hardcover version of the book with lenticular cover, the boxset includes a frameable art print of a Ross Halfin portrait of Hammett signed by both Halfin and the Metallica guitarist. Other case candy includes an Axe Heaven miniature replica of Hammett’s 1979 Gibson Flying V with case and stand, and a pick tin with six Dunlop Kirk Hammett signature Jazz III guitar picks.
‘We have been working on this project with Kirk for years now, and I had the opportunity to work closely with Kirk on the composition of the collection for the book,’ says Gibson President and CEO, Cesar Gueikian. ‘It was a thrill to put this together and it took a village to get it done! I hope everyone appreciates the work that went into this book and enjoys every story behind the guitars.’
Separately, Gibson has secured a further legal victory in its ongoing commitment to protecting its iconic guitar designs. In the retrial of Gibson vs Armadillo Enterprises (Dean Guitars), a Texas federal jury recently upheld Gibson’s exclusive rights to its guitar shapes and trademarks. The decision confirms that Gibson’s guitar shapes – including the Flying V, Explorer and SG – remain protected trademarks.
The Collection: Kirk Hammett is available now via Gibson.com and Gibson Garage locations in three premium formats: limited signed and numbered Custom and Deluxe Editions and a Standard hardcover.
