Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett to release guitar coffee table book

The Collection: Kirk Hammett will be the second imprint of Gibson Publishing

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has partnered with Gibson Publishing to release The Collection: Kirk Hammett, a premium hardcover coffee-table photo book where Hammett tells the stories behind the rare and highly collectible instruments he has used on hit records and on stages worldwide in front of millions of fans. The Collection: Kirk Hammett is available now via Gibson.com and Gibson Garage locations in three premium formats: limited signed and numbered Custom and Deluxe Editions and a Standard hardcover.

“I am thrilled to announce the launch of The Collection: Kirk Hammett. I’ve worked diligently on this curated collection of vintage and modern guitars for the book. I feel the book captures the rich history and artistry behind each of these unique and rare instruments. Every picture tells a story and thanks to Ross Halfin and his exceptional photography, every picture in this book is worth a million words! This book could not be possible without the help of Gibson, so I’d like to thank them for making my passion for Greeny, and guitars a reality. I hope all of you enjoy this journey as much as I did,” Hammett shares.

The Collection: Kirk Hammett is a 400-page premium coffee table book that explores in unprecedented detail the extraordinary guitar collection and life in music of one of heavy metal’s true pioneers, Gibson signature artist Kirk Hammett. Shot on location in Hawaii and Los Angeles by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin and featuring rare imagery from Halfin’s photo archives, this latest release from Gibson Publishing features exclusive new interviews with Hammett conducted by Chris Vinnicombe (Gibson-Editor-in-Chief) and Mark Agnesi (Gibson-Director of Brand Experience). The Collection: Kirk Hammett takes the deepest-ever dive into the Metallica star’s eclectic guitar collection, documenting the instruments he has leaned on throughout his career, from his early days with Bay Area thrash trailblazers Exodus to selling over 125 million albums worldwide with Metallica and rocking out on the world’s biggest stages. Guitars under the microscope include Hammett’s storied 1979 Gibson Flying V and Greeny, the legendary 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard formerly owned by guitarists Peter Green and Gary Moore.

Written and edited by Chris Vinnicombe and designed by acclaimed graphic designer Tom Jermann, The Collection: Kirk Hammett is a must-have for fans of Kirk Hammett and Metallica and anyone with an interest in fine guitars.

The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Custom Edition is limited to just 300 numbered copies signed by Hammett and comes in a huge 19 x 14.5-inch (490 x 370 mm) presentation box featuring custom artwork and an outstanding case candy package. In addition to the large-format 17 x 12” (432 x 310mm) hardcover version of the book with a stunning lenticular cover, the boxset includes a frameable 16 x 11.6-inch (407 x 295mm) art print of a Ross Halfin portrait of Hammett signed by both Halfin and the Metallica guitarist. Other case candy includes an Axe Heaven miniature replica of Hammett’s 1979 Gibson Flying V with case and stand, an exclusive pick tin complete with six Dunlop® Kirk Hammett signature Jazz III guitar picks, and a Gibson Publishing Certificate of Authenticity.

The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Deluxe Edition is limited to just 1,500 numbered copies signed by Hammett. Presented in a slipcase adorned with exclusive photography of Greeny, the hardcover Deluxe Edition measures 13.7 x 9.8-inch (348 x 249mm) and comes complete with an exclusive 33 x 23-inch (841 x 594mm) A1 poster and a Gibson Publishing Certificate of Authenticity.

The Collection: Kirk Hammett, Standard Edition is a premium 400-page coffee table book in hardcover format measuring 13.7 x 9.8” (348 x 249mm).

The Collection: Kirk Hammett follows the first book release from Gibson Publishing, The Collection: Slash, which was released in a sold-out Deluxe version, as well as Custom and Standard editions on Gibson.com. For the latest updates on Gibson Publishing, stay tuned to www.gibson.com.

Buddy Iahn
Buddy Iahn