This is why James Hetfield loves Explorer guitars…

Yes that fullness in the sound and very fast attack makes them one of the most aggressive sounding guitars.

I was jamming with a Rectifier model from the Axe Fx 3 without any boosts and the IR of a vintage Recto cab mic’ed up with an sm57 (no high pass filter applied). This tone in particular reminds me Hetfield’s sound in the mid 2000’s.

Thanks for watching !
#espguitars #fractalaudiosystems #metallica #jameshetfield #mx250

[gallettiguitartones]

Guys after seeing some of the comments I went back to check and realized that I played “battery” main riff wrong. I just felt like shooting a quick video of me enjoying this special guitar and didn’t even think much what I was playing. I promise I’ll get it right for the next one 🤘🤘

[greevar]

The explorer is an awesome guitar, but the "fullness and fast attack" are more to do with the pickups, which could be swapped into any guitar, than with the guitar itself. The majority of the sound you get from any guitar has to do with the filters in your signal chain (pickups, pedals, amp EQ, speakers, and mic).

[Niktendious]

Sounds like the effect that was used in the Guitar Center interview with James Hetfield

[murfdog]

The Explorer is one of the most well balanced solid body guitars.

[MetalKillsRap]

I used to have an ESP Explorer just like that back in 2000. I sold it for other gear at the time cause I was young and stupid. I regret selling it as I’ll never be able to get another one with their ridiculous prices. If I could have the one I had back I’d keep it for life. No matter how much I was offered for it.

[oneminutefixed]

as a strat guy i never thought i'd love this shape so much, it's quite confy and the wrist sits just in the right place for those fast galops and palm mute, love the explorer!

[drumfeck]

The explorer shape is so nice to play standing up! Everything is where you want to it to be, plus it looks cool as hell

[AntonLouko]

leaving out that one note before the second gallop is actually pretty sick

[mikelilly]

I ordered a cheap Chinese explorer kit a couple years ago made of "engineered zebrawood" LMAO. And you know what? That SOB is one of the best playing guitars I have! Freaking love the feel of the neck and body.

[metriffs]

He likes it because it fits his body type, he mentions it in a interview

[kekekek]

This is why Het loves EMG pickups.. We could put EMG's on a tele and it would sound almost identical. Different story with passive pickups tho.

[imienazvvisko]

They are very comfortable to play which is more important than sound or build which now can be achieved on every configuration, if not by hardware than by simulations

[suspect]

That may be why James loves them, I love them because of James

[profound]

Any guitar could have the same pickups and sound the same I'm not sure how this pertains specifically to the explorer

[Lea-qwx]

That shape allows the right hand to lay very close to the strings. Great for sick riffs like Hetfield’s

[kennethmeeker]

I’ve got an old Hamer from 86 custom black lacquer with metal flake silver checkerboard pattern finish. Needs a neck reset at the moment. Still plays great

[johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

The Explorer is a big classic for metal!

[comment.highlighted]

I get it. It’s the Overall Feel, Sound, and Attitude of it ❤

[zzzhuh]

Love my explorer. It's a shame that when I go into a guitar store that the walls cover a fender and Gibson shape, yet no one carries these.

[MrCarlitosway]

And that's why I have that exact same ESP Explorer in black. Long live ESP Explorer from the 80s and 90s before the Gibson lawsuit. They are worth thousands of dollars now, very rare. Long live the 80s and 90s barking and long haired James Hetfield and METALLICA. Only the big 5 are legendary.