Kirk Hammett debuts new custom Fender, Gibson and ESP guitars at Metallica’s Helping Hands Concert

Kirk Hammett of Metallica performs onstage during Metallica Presents: "The Helping Hands Concert" at Microsoft Theater on December 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Image credit: Jeff Kravitz/Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

On Friday (December 16), Metallica played their third annual Helping Hands charity concert in support of the band’s All Within My Hands Foundation nonprofit. The metal titans used the occasion as an excuse to experiment – the night saw them perform both acoustic and electric sets, cover Thin Lizzy and UFO, tackle new single Lux Æterna for the first time, and invite St. Vincent onto LA’s Microsoft Theater stage for Nothing Else Matters.

But it wasn’t just the setlist getting a do-over: Kirk Hammett’s guitar choices showcased a wealth of new designs for the long-serving lead guitarist, and they came from a trio of companies.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.