DSP Rig
Kirk Hammett Tone — Plugins & Amp Sims
ESP KH-2 (EMG 81/60 pickups) into a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier. The Dunlop Kirk Hammett Signature Cry Baby wah is almost always in use — Hammett uses it as a tone-shaping filter on rhythm parts and for the characteristic wah-drenched solos. Very high gain, smooth sustain from the EMGs.
Kirk Hammett's signature high-gain tone — built around Mesa/Boogie and Marshall voicings — can be replicated in the box using modern amp sim plugins and IR cab loaders. This page maps the full DSP signal chain: guitar sim → amp sim → FX → IR, so you can dial in that wah-heavy-lead, melodic-blues-influenced character without physical gear.
Full DSP Chain
Est. £2,727ESP KH-2 Ouija
£2,499
Archetype: Nolly
≈ Mesa Mark IIC+ / Metallica lead
£199
Helix: Coliseum Mini Wah
Helix: Transistor Tape Delay
York Audio V30 Mix Pack (IR)
≈ Celestion Vintage 30 4×12
£29
Hybrid Option
Est. £2,727Real guitar into a DSP amp chain — best of both worlds.
ESP KH-2 Ouija
£2,499
Archetype: Nolly
≈ Mesa + Marshall lead blend
£199
Helix: Coliseum Mini Wah
Helix: Transistor Tape Delay
York Audio V30 Mix Pack (IR)
≈ Celestion Vintage 30 4×12
£29
Tone DNA
Gain Structure
high-gain
Amp References
Mesa/Boogie, Marshall
Key FX
Wah, Delay
Tonal Character
wah-heavy-lead, melodic-blues-influenced, thrash-rhythm