Hammett said in an Instagram post that the move to Gibson does not mean he's leaving ESP Guitars, with whom he has had a decades-long relationship, saying, "With these two giants, I get the monsters… and the rock!" ...

Is Kirk Hammett still with ESP?

Kirk Hammett officially joins Gibson, will get signature guitars from Gibson and Epiphone. He'll still remain an ESP endorsee.

Did Kirk Hammett use a Stratocaster?

Sometime during 1983 or 1984, Kirk got a Fernandez Stratocaster piece. These were quite popular at the time and he used it during the early Metallica days. However, it does seem that the instrument was modified since it featured a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge and a new set of pickups.