The ESP Guitar Company

That's awesome! My mate is "barryswanson" in this reply, I will get onto him to see if there is more info about this.

That’s exactly what Bill said when he left Gibson for ESP

Amazing how Gibson let this opportunity slide and ESP jumped on it. Signature Kirk/James guitars and Metallica affiliation are huge money makers for ESP!  

Yes! Speciallynthe LTDs among the young ones 

FlameToBlack Yeah but in the grand scheme of things....they Metallica are not huge money makers compared to their current market. Either older people with a lot of cash to spend on a custom shop Les Paul.... or so many people buy good, solid and well made USA Gibbys. Not amazing but still really good.

But I think their Epiphone must do really well as at NAMM 202 they really were pushing it hard.

But on the Gibson side....no innovation what so ever. Same shit.  I wish they would update the Explorers and V's already and make some cool modern looking ones or metal style ones. QC in 2019 was amazing supposedly for Gibson products.

What I am trying to say is that if they made a Gibson IC limited run....then a USA run of it OR started making Hetfield USA explorers....would they make a killing? who knows. I doubt it compared to who they really cater to.

Holy shit! Pictures of the prototype! I checked out this guys profile and he's legit. Even has a real MX-220 in his collection:

Wow...that's pretty cool.

That would have been cool.  

Look what just so happened to pop up on Instagram in the middle of this topic.

Looks like an earlt Artist proof model maybe?

Lukie Luke hey can you change the image size to XL dude?

Pushead always the one to come in and do it. how do you do that may I ask? meaning they post a low res image and you can maximize?

I wish we had a huge sign that said "SELECT XL WHEN POSTING PICTURES!"  

Would have been great to see Gibson honour one of the greatest musicians of all time with what would have been such an awesome guitar signature model, what a shame!

On my last trip to Japan, I saw a more faithful recreation of the Iron Cross by the Navigator arm of the ESP brand. Appeared to be an exact replica of the Gibson version. Wish I had the cash then to purchase it 

Holy shit that looks cool! alebtart When did you last see this?

Mesa Sean That photo was on the 2nd of Feb 2018. 

Looking back at photos from my 2016 Japan trip, I also saw another Iron Cross replica. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the headstock as I must have missed it amongst all the amazing guitars they have Hahaha.

(Taken on 19th of Feb 2016)

The Japanese guitar market honestly has such great variety and exclusivity, it's a shame what is on offer or available down here in Australia 

A custom JH-1 - might fetch $300k with the current going prices around here