This guitar model, known as the KH-3, was first used on tour in 1992 in support of the Black Album. The name of this specific one derives from the custom decals on the body: a graphic of a spider and the number 13, both designed by the hardcore punk/metal artist Pushead.
Visuals
This particular guitar’s visual identity is defined by the “Spider 13” decals on the lower bass bout. It also features a unique inlay pattern: – spiders on the lower frets (1-9) and skull & crossbones on the upper frets (12-24). The headstock features the rounded ESP logo decal typical of the early ’90s.
Specs
This guitar serves as a mechanical hybrid, designed to bridge the gap between Gibson and ESP. It features an alder body and maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard, a 24.75″ scale length (Gibson standard). This shorter scale reduces string tension, making the wide bends of the Black Album solos easier to execute than on his longer-scale strat-style guitars – although it’s debatable whether this was all that important to Kirk.
As far as electronics, it is powered by an active EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG 60 (neck), controlled by a 3-way switch and dual volume knobs.
Usage
This guitar saw significant use starting in 1992 and remained a staple for live performances throughout the decade. It offered Kirk the aesthetic of a classic single-cut rock guitar with the locking stability of a Floyd Rose and the high-gain output of active electronics.
As of writing this, it seems to have been retired at least temporarily, because it’s on loan to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
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