ESP Kirk Hammet "Grass Roots"

the.godfather · #1 05-17-2003, 02:30 PM

Hi there guys,

Just wondered if anyone had any information on the ESP Kirk Hammet "Grass Roots" guitar ???

I know someone who is selling one and wondered if you could fill me in with some information.

To me it seems to be almost exactly the same as the KH-2.

Thanks.

This is needed pretty urgent.
The.godfather

mecca777 · #2 05-17-2003, 05:35 PM

Grass Roots is ESP's lowest-priced budget line, no longer exported outside of Asia. The guitar will be most likely be of Chinese or Indonesian manufacture, with low-cost generic pickups and licensed Floyd copy. If I remember correctly from seeing a GR Hammett copy in a UK mag some years ago, the "skull" inlays sit in a massive chunk of filler, and overall I would be highly tempted to avoid Grass Roots instruments like the plague. No way is it "almost exactly the same as the KH-2", any more than a JEM333 is like a JEM7V or a Squier Affinity Strat is like a Fender Custom Shop Relic.

Akhenaten · #3 05-18-2003, 01:55 AM

I agree with Mecca...stay away man. The guy that I bought my 2nd Ouija from had one and it was a real nightmare. Had a neck that was kinda twisted to the bass side, real uneven... Much better off saving for at least the LTD KH's. At least they come out fairly easy to set up and usually set up pretty well. Obviously, if you can do it, the real KH-2 is probably what you'd like, but the LTD's do nicely if you can't save for it.

the.godfather · #4 05-18-2003, 05:06 AM

OK

Thanks guys, you have saved me an embarresment!
I will stay clear of it.

the.godfather.

poet · #5 06-01-2003, 09:14 AM

Grass Roots guitars are MADE IN KOREA, not China...I'm pretty sure on that. (I read heaps of Japanese magazines etc.) Yeah it's the lowest line of ESP, for Japanese domestic sales only.
Probably not as bad as it sounds, but just be careful.

mpugli · #6 06-23-2003, 12:24 PM

Hey guys, not to change the subject but is the LTD KH602 model a worthwhile purchase? I have been considering a neck-thru model for sometime and an ESP model is one I don't have. I believe the 2003 version of the 602 has the EMG 81's in it and original Floyd Rose. Has anyone played it? Would you recommend an LTD KH602? I have heard a mix of reviews on other ESP/LTD models so any info is welcome.

Guitarlos2 · #7 06-24-2003, 02:46 PM

I dont recall which exact model it was that I played, but there was one Hammet guitar that I thought kicked ass. It wasnt the goofy les paul looking one, and it was the true ESP model with the standard strat style body. The one with the skull and crossbones inlay, plain black, with 2 EMG 81 pickups, and an original floyd rose.

That was one kick ass guitar. The neck was fairly thin, and felt great. Blaze baby

mpugli · #8 06-25-2003, 01:12 PM

I tried a KH-2 yesterday. I like it. I played it using only the clean channel on a smaller fender amp and it sounded really good tone-wise. The neck is high-quality and very smooth. I don't think I could swing $1500 for one but if anyone can, consider trying one.

Can anyone tell me which is a better choice, in terms of quality, electronics and tone: The KH-2 or a Kamikaze model? Kamikaze's are hard to come by so it may be hard for me to actually play one in the near future.

darren wilson · #9 06-25-2003, 01:18 PM

The KH and Kamikaze are pretty different guitars.

Basswood vs. Maple body

EMG vs. Duncan pickups

Black vs. Camouflage

If you're looking at the ESP versions (not the LTD ones), they will be comparable to each other in terms of build quality. ESP makes some really good guitars.

mpugli · #10 06-25-2003, 01:22 PM

Kamikaze's are basswood? I have a 2003 catalog that states they are all maple bodies. could it be a typo in the catalog? In any case, for overall tone variety and craftsmanship, which would be the preferred choice?

darren wilson · #11 06-25-2003, 01:43 PM

No, the KH-2 is basswood.

Slow down. Read my post again.

As i said, craftsmanship will be comparable. Neither is "better"... they're simply different in many ways.

Tone is a matter of taste. Do you prefer basswood or maple? EMGs or Duncans? H-H or H-S pickup config? Three-way toggle or push/pull pickup selection?

We can't tell you which one you would prefer.

mpugli · #12 06-25-2003, 01:46 PM

I understand. It is pretty much up to my tastes and my ears to determine which is better. Its just that Kamikaze's are hard to come by. I really can't play one unless I order one. If I don't like it after ordering it, well, I'm screwed!

Well, how about the KH-2 vs. the LTD KH-602? Pretty much the main differences are the KH-602 is a neck-thru and has a maple body. KH-2 is an alder body and a bolt on.

vaijem777 · #13 06-25-2003, 01:52 PM

LOL You really don't get it, do you? Asking other peoples opinions on two different guitars is pointless. The only thing that you're succeeding in is taking up space in this thread.

How is asking for the difference between the KH-2 and the KH-602 any different than asking for the difference between the KH-2 and the Kamikaze?

Either play both models for yourself, of hop on over to the ESP forum...I'm sure you'll find plenty of comparisons there.

dex · #14 06-26-2003, 09:17 AM

First of all the KH2 was never made of basswood. Ever.
They're all made off alder just like the MII (which was the base for the KH2) were allways made of alder.
Second thing to consider is that a set of EMG81's will sound the same in any guitar - regardless if it's made of basswood, alder, maple or mahogany.

Which Kamikaze are you thinking of getting?
If you planing on playing clean a lot, then the Kamikaze will be a lot more responsive and snappy, and the tone will have that woody sound to it.
If on the other hand all you want to do is turn the gain on your Boss MT2 all the way up, then the KH2 would be a better choice.
ESP are very good instruments and I love them but I'll never drop coin on a LTD mainly because for $1000 you can probably get a mint KH2 on evilbay.

ilia

mpugli · #15 06-26-2003, 12:14 PM

One thing that struck my attention when I tried a KH-2 last week was that smooth, satin neck. I'm usually more prone to play fatter necks like those on my PRS models and my LP Custom. This neck is unique for me because it is relatively thin, wide, and is comfortable for me. I have a hard time with some of the thinner necks on some models because I can't "dig in" to the neck and really feel what I'm playing at times, if that makes any sense. I found a used one that is up for sale so hopefully that will go through. $1500+ for a KH-2 is just too much

Actually, when I tried the KH-2, I played it clean only. I played it using all 3 of the toggle positions to really feel what it can do as far as open chord passages, single-note lines using legato and staccato phrasings and doing some jazzy/blues passages with a few bends to hear if any of the tone would die out early. It was pretty solid with all of these. I use a Mesa Boogie cabinet so I will get the distorted tone I need. No need to blow anybody away at the store.

So, the Kamikaze is good for clean tones? I remember some of George Lynch's solos vaguely in my mind and I think he prefers a thin, trebly tone for most of his solos/distorted passages.