Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett is giving fans an unprecedented dive into his storied music career and his remarkable assembly of rare and iconic instruments with the worldwide release of his new premium coffee table book, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett.” Published by Gibson Publishing, the book is being celebrated with a series of intimate live discussion events.
The 400-page hardcover, “The Collection: Kirk Hammett,” meticulously details the extraordinary guitars Hammett has used to craft hit records and perform on global stages for millions. Shot on location in Hawaii and Los Angeles by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin, and featuring rare imagery from Halfin‘s archives, the book also includes exclusive new interviews with Hammett conducted by Chris Vinnicombe (Gibson editor-in-chief) and Mark Agnesi (Gibson director of brand experience). It explores Hammett‘s journey from his early days with Bay Area thrash pioneers Exodus through over four decades and 125 million albums sold worldwide with the nine-time-Grammy Award-winning Metallica.
Among the treasures under the microscope are Hammett‘s famed 1979 Gibson Flying V and “Greeny,” the legendary 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard once owned by guitar icons Peter Green and Gary Moore. The book aims to be a must-have for fans and anyone with an interest in fine guitars, telling the stories behind these significant instruments. “The Collection: Kirk Hammett” is available globally via Gibson.com and Gibson Garage locations in three premium formats: limited signed and numbered Custom and Deluxe Editions, and a Standard hardcover.
To coincide with the book’s launch, Hammett is participating in a series of live events titled “Kirk Hammett The Collection: Live.” These sessions feature conversations between Hammett and Mark Agnesi of Gibson, delving into his career and the stories within the book. The first event took place on May 10, 2025, at the Columbus Metropolitan Library in Columbus, Ohio.
Upcoming “Kirk Hammett The Collection: Live” dates include:
- May 24 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – The Fillmore
- June 7 – Tampa, Florida
- June 28 – Denver, Colorado
This new book and live discussion series offer a unique opportunity for fans to connect with Kirk Hammett and explore the instruments that have shaped some of heavy metal’s most enduring music.
