The world of rock music and Hollywood royalty has collided in a stunning tribute to heavy metal history. Jason Momoa, known for his powerful on-screen presence and passionate love for music, has commissioned a hyper-realistic replica of one of the most iconic guitars of all time: James Hetfield’s legendary Elektra OGV. The painstaking task was given to Polish master luthier, Krupi Guitars, who recreated every last scratch, dent, and detail of the instrument that helped forge the sound of Metallica’s debut album, Kill ‘Em All.
“Recreating this piece of metal history wasn’t just a challenge, it was a privilege,” Krupi Guitars shared on Instagram. The company, which specializes in high-end custom electric guitars, meticulously replicated the OGV down to its smallest imperfections. This includes the infamous headstock break that, in a twist of fate, led Hetfield to discover the Gibson Explorer.
From Copycat to Cornerstone: The Legend of the OGV
The original white Elektra Flying Wedge was, in fact, a Japanese copy of a Gibson Flying V. Despite its humble origins, it became the foundation of Metallica’s early sound and a central piece of their visual identity.
Hetfield himself recalled how the guitar felt like a turning point for the band. In his book, Messengers: The Guitars of James Hetfield, he noted, “It felt like the beginning of all the ‘coolness’ that we were trying to achieve… We had arrived.”
Unaware that his beloved V-shape was a copy, a young Hetfield simply cared that it was white, looked like Michael Schenker’s, and, most importantly, was cheap. “I did not care that it was a copy of a Gibson,” Hetfield said. “It played great, it sounded great, and it had the look that I wanted.”
A Deep Dive into the Details
Krupi Guitars left no stone unturned in its quest for perfection. The replica features period-accurate details from the finish wear and tear to the hardware, including the Sperzel locking tuners. Even the middle finger graphic on the back of the guitar was faithfully recreated.
But the tribute doesn’t stop with the instrument itself. The custom guitar case is a work of art, emblazoned with Momoa’s name in the iconic Metallica typeface and decorated with Zorlac stickers featuring the classic art of Pushead, who designed some of Metallica’s most legendary merchandise.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DMvNgzPolpB/?utm_source=ig_embed
A Legacy That Endures
The OGV remains a special part of Hetfield’s collection, still in regular rotation decades later. He described it as his “shield,” a guitar that gave him the confidence to front the band that would define a genre. “It’s one of the fastest guitars I have to this day,” Hetfield stated, “with very, very good mids. It’s very clear but crunchy, too.”
Jason Momoa OGV
This commission is more than just a purchase; it’s a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll and the profound connection between artists and their gear. By commissioning this replica, Jason Momoa is not just adding a new guitar to his collection—he’s honoring a legacy and celebrating the instrument that shaped a generation of metal music.
How do you think the luthier did on this replica? Would you want a copy of your favorite artist’s guitar?
More Information
#Krupi Guitars #Metallica #James Hetfield #Jason Momoa
This article may contain affiliate links to Andertons, DeathCloud, Fender, Gear4Music, Sweetwater, and Thomann that help finance the running costs of GuitarBomb. We will receive a small commission if you buy something through these links. Don’t worry; you pay the same price, and it costs you no extra to use these affiliate links for your purchases.
