ESP Vulture James Hetfield Signature – Olympic White

Designed in collaboration with Metallica’s frontman and rhythm guitar legend, the ESP Vulture is James Hetfield’s most recent signature model. Handcrafted by ESP’s world-renowned Custom Shop luthiers in Japan, this guitar represents the pinnacle of metal performance and design. Its Olympic White finish and aggressively styled V-shaped body make an unmistakable visual and sonic statement on stage and in the studio.

Signature Design & Elite Craftsmanship

• Body: V-shaped Mahogany with signature hooks and bevels
• Construction: Set-Neck for seamless sustain and access
• Finish: Olympic White with black hardware for classic Hetfield contrast
• Scale Length: 24.75" – fast and familiar
• Neck: 1-piece Mahogany
• Neck Shape: Thin U

Premium Fingerboard & Fretting

• Fingerboard: Ebony for rich attack and smooth playability
• Radius: 305mm for even bends and fluid riffing
• Frets: 22 Extra-Jumbo for effortless string control
• Inlays: Dots with custom Vulture inlay at the 12th fret
• Nut: Bone, 42mm width for classic spacing

Electronics Built to Thrash

• Pickups: EMG JH Het Set (active)
  • Neck (JH-N): Ceramic poles with taller bobbins and a larger core for aggressive attack and fuller lows
  • Bridge (JH-B): Steel pole pieces for tight articulation and clean low-end response
• Controls: Dual Volume knobs + 3-way Toggle Switch for versatile tone control

Pro Hardware for Maximum Reliability

• Bridge: TonePros Locking Tune-O-Matic & Tailpiece – stays locked in no matter how hard you hit
• Tuners: Gotoh Locking – precise, fast tuning and rock-solid stability
• Strap Buttons: ESP Locking for security during the most aggressive performances
• Hardware Color: Black
• Strings: D'Addario XL110 (.010–.046)

Case Included

Ships with the ESP Vulture Form Fit Hardshell Case to protect your weapon of tone wherever you go.

Whether you’re channeling the thunder of Metallica’s rhythm assault or forging your own metal legacy, the ESP Vulture delivers iconic tone, elite craftsmanship, and unmatched presence — just like the man who inspired it.