For many of us who grew up with Metallica, the late ’80s and early ’90s were pure fire, a mix of raw energy, unforgettable sounds, and the unmistakable image of Kirk Hammett holding one of the most iconic guitars ever built. Those moments stayed deeply engraved within me.
This project is my artistic interpretation of that era, a one-off creation based on an original ESP KH-2 Custom.
Every detail, every glowing symbol was carefully recreated by hand, layer after layer, until the instrument began to feel alive.
I replaced the original fretboard with a custom one featuring reversed inlays, and the phosphorescent paint was applied in many thin layers to achieve a powerful glow in the dark.
It’s not just a build, it’s a tribute to passion, craftsmanship, and the music that shaped us.
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This work is purely artistic and not intended as a commercial product.
All names, trademarks, and visual elements mentioned or shown in these images remain the exclusive property of their respective owners.
Their use here is strictly descriptive, to acknowledge cultural inspiration and artistic context.
Antonio Guitars is not affiliated with, sponsored, or authorized by Hasbro, ESP, or Kirk Hammett.
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