Gallery: James Hetfield's Coolest Guitars

Image via Complex Original

Metallica frontman James Hetfield turns 48 today, and he's been riding the lightning for over 30 of those years. Here's a breakdown of some of his signature instruments and the ones we thought stood out, check out James Hetfield's Coolest Guitars.

Electra White Flying V

Not a Gibson, but made by Electra, a Japanese company. It was eventually replaced when it broke. Twice. You may notice him rocking on a similar model these days -- he had ESP make him their own rendition of the Flying V.

ESP Eclipse "Iron Cross" 

Based on the "Eclipse" body shape, it's based on the design of Hetfield's 70s Les Paul custom. The design is a distressed black with gold hardware and details: a racing stripe and the signature Iron Cross on the body. 

ESP Explorer "Chrome Diamond Plate"

This guitar features a 4M mother of pearl logo at the first fret and diamonds at the rest. 

Jackson King V

Done in a white finish with chrome hardware, this was one of the guitars he took on the Master of Puppets tour.

ESP Explorer "Burnt Elk Skull"

This Explorer features barbed wire inlays, a rosewood fingerboard, and a rad burnt-in Elk Skull done by pyrographer Dino Muradian some time in the mid-90's.

ESP Black Double-Neck Explorer

This black double-necked ESP Explorer featured a rosewood fretboard and mahogany body with duck inlays. The top neck was a 12-string and the bottom was a 6-string. 

Zemaitis GZ Series GZV500MF-MBK.

It doesn't get more metal than this: a guitar plate made of solid duralumin, an aluminum alloy. It's also engraved with a floral pattern.

Ken Lawrence Wood Grain "ESP Explorer."

Hetfield has many custom guitars done by the great Ken Lawrence, but this wood grain guitar based on the ESP Explorer is sick.

1984 Gibson Explorer

This iconic guitar features white finish with "MORE BEER" written on white tape in the bottom left corner and a Jagermeister sticker.

ESP Explorer "PaPa-Het."

This white Explorer features drawings by Canadian artist "Dirty" Donny Gillies.

Gibson Les Paul Custom

This guitar features a natural finish with drawing on body that says "Cliff Burton RIP," a fitting homage to the departed bassist.