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Jonathan Horsley

“He wanted all that at an undoable selling price”: Mesa/Boogie founder Randall Smith confirms rumours that it built James Hetfield a signature model – and it combined three iconic amps in one

James Hetfield Randall Smith Metallica Kirk Hammett John Marshall MesaBoogie Tallica JH JM
James Hetfield of Metallica plays his iconic white V-style live onstage, wearing his trademark black T-shirt, and black leather vest.

The internet has long been awash with rumours that Mesa/Boogie built James Hetfield a signature guitar amp but it never saw a release – and the high-end amp brand's founder, Randall Smith, has confirmed that it was indeed true.

Speculation reemerged recently when the Metallica frontman joined lead guitarist Kirk Hammett in a video greeting wishing ESP a happy 50th anniversary.

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