James Hetfield Gibson Explorer – Is a New Era of Metallica-Gibson Collaborations Dawning?
Metallica fans have been eagerly anticipating a James Hetfield signature guitar for years. Recent hints from Gibson CEO Cesar Gueikian suggest that this long-awaited dream might soon become a reality.
UPDATE 17 December
It turns out that this Gibson Explorer was a 16th Birthday gift for Jason Momoa’s son, who, like his father, is a massive Metallica fan.
“HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, MY LIL WILD ANIMAL. PAPA LOVES YOU. Now start shredding and melting faces. Forever thankful. Love you, CESAR. ALL MY ALOHA,
J.”
The Clues Point to Gibson Hetfield
Gueikian has been known to tease upcoming releases on his Instagram, and his latest post has sparked intense speculation. A photo showcasing a custom Explorer, strikingly similar to Hetfield’s iconic 1984 model, has sent ripples through the guitar community.
The all-white, pickguard-less Explorer, dubbed “CEO2,” features a distinctive “Do Epic Shit” inscription, reminiscent of the “So What” scribble on Hetfield’s original. Gueikian’s comments and interactions on the post further fuel the speculation, with many fans pointing out the strong resemblance to Hetfield’s legendary guitar.
A Potential New Partnership
Given Hetfield’s long-standing relationship with Gibson and impressive vintage guitar collection, a signature model seems like a natural next step. The recent revival of the Mesa/Boogie Mark IIC+, a crucial part of Metallica’s sound, further solidifies the band’s and Gibson’s strong bond.
While there’s no official confirmation yet, the evidence points towards a potential James Hetfield signature Explorer. As fans eagerly await an official announcement, we can’t help but wonder what other surprises Gibson and Metallica have in store.
We have seen the Gibson 80s Explorer models recently reissued, so it makes sense to get Hetfield to have a signature version.
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development!
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