Kirk Hammett | Metallica | Show Me Your Pick

Metallica's Kirk Hammett tells us about his guitar pick and how it's developed and enhanced his playing style. His custom Dunlop Jazz III pick has a notch cut out of the top - find out what he does with it in our very first installment of Show Me Your Pick!
Subscribe to our channel! / cbcmusic
CBC Music is your hub for coast-to-coast-to-coast Canadian music. Watch exclusive performances, candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes content featuring your favourite artists. Visit cbcmusic.ca for the full story!
Follow us on Facebook: / cbcmusic
Or Twitter: / cbcmusic
Or Instagram: / cbc_music
--------------------------------------------------
Get more music, film and arts interviews at CBC's q: / qtv
And learn a thing or two about music at: / cbcmusiclab

[@cbcmusic]

Kirk played a round of Jam or Not a Jam with us recently - check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYi9aJJrZsyDb6M

[@YMSHE]

I like the way he smiles when he says "from Metallica" it's like he's so star struck about being the lead guitarist for Metallica xD

[@alastor1052]

In Burton We Trust, Burton is love, Burton is life

[@OmegaSon]

In Burton We Trust who wouldn't be? I'd be smiling all the time

[@lauraxx655]

In Burton We Trust I LOVE YOUR USERNAME IT MADE MY DAY

[@H.E.M.]

Well he’s not a original member and was a fan before they fired Dave and hired him

[@dragenthatch3623]

Garbage Gang so it was cliff burton then dave mustaine than after that kirk hammet? How about robert Trujillo? Was he a original member? There was also a man named Jason in the band but what part did he play? Bass or solo?

[@MilitantOldLady]

And it has a wah built right into it!

[@999jbarrett]

That jokes getting real old.

[@howdoyouchangeyourname]

jbarrett987 Frig off Donna -Randy

[@futureshock7425]

I was looking for this comment

[@gagegarton6844]

@Teutone I'm the 1,001th like on your comment

[@thedefiant6244]

Teutone haha

[@lordreehaw1267]

Kirk's such a great guy. I always get the impression he's so modest about his guitar skill, he wouldn't be the one to say he's famous, despite being one hell of a guitarist.

[@greghitt1704]

Second that. Such a humble dude but frick he’s laid some wicked notes in his time...I still get goosebumps from his work

[@mounircobra]

Meanwhile Lars when he met 2nd wife : Hi, I'm a really famous and rich rockstar, can I offer you a drink ?"

[@nckhed]

@@mounircobra As arrogant as it was, some women really go for that, lol. Probably more than many are willing to admit.

[@kiillabytez]

In what dimension would that be?

[@Demiglitch]

@@mounircobra I would too.

[@bazzzzz6175]

Caught a kirk pick at a metallica gig in 91! Some scumbag nicked it off me months later. But I loved that pick!

[@lidokork]

that actually made me angry, I'm going to bed good night

[@AGRGTR09]

he picked it off u

[@tachanka697]

@@lidokork grrr

[@ronnieharrisson]

It's actually mind blowing how much a different kind of pick affects your guitar playing. I started using small thick jazz picks for electric guitar, i felt an instant improvement.

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

so true, pick changes so much your capability

[@Tommy712rus]

lol.

[@ronnieharrisson]

It's true though

[@Tommy712rus]

sure. some proves?

[@ronnieharrisson]

What

[@2LOT]

1:18 me when the solo part kicks in, when listening to Metallica

[@nc3057]

Same xD

[@urielhardy3724]

🤣

[@sal8082]

AHAHAHHAHHAHAAHA

[@jacksonsmith8860]

Lol

[@valentinazapata6760]

Me gusta todo el...

[@technewsfortechnoobs]

40 years into his career and Kirk still seems nervous when doing any kind of interview, like he is always in front of a camera for the first time. :)

[@qndreea_trp95]

so true😂😂

[@ApproachingHoofbeats]

It's a small stutter.

[@bluejay3593]

I love how Kirk is so happy at the beginning when he is introducing himself😂

[@youreallygotmenow4855]

I really appreciate the fact that he has remained so humble after all the crazy success he has had with his band. I also like the fact that he still seems to be genuinely passionate and excited about playing the instrument. Basically, in a way, he's still that teenager who used to spend countless hours sitting in his bed practicing and developing his own guitar playing style. He never lost the right spirit, that's why he is who he is now.

[@pitg1318]

HOW A GREAT MAN KIRK IS. ALWAYS SMILING AND A HUMBLE REGULAR GUY

[@jenjudas]

I got a lime green pick...from the Metallica show at the Fonda..I didnt think it was a Kirk Hammett Pick..until watching the video!

[@cbcmusic]

Cool. Great story! Happy to hear we helped in some small way :)

[@jenjudas]

no they dont...plus the one I got has his signature on it

[@briananglim481]

Jennifer Martinez I caught one of his green ones at MetLife stadium in NJ on Mothers Day

[@TheDerler]

You can actually buy them on amazon. It's a small metal box with 5 signature picks and one of them is that pick except it's green.

[@ianismajoris]

helloIamcuteashell they've been selling 6-packs of green KH picks for a few months now

[@nickkorte]

He's sober but I'm almost positive he still smokes weed.

[@aldeno100]

Nick Korte how do you know he still smokes weed?

[@huitzilopochtli6414]

Aldenis the Wenis Kirk most definitely snorts weed.

[@aldeno100]

BILLY DONUTS lol

[@LuchoCastle_11]

He didn't sound so sober last year in the show The Day Before in Feb, listen to him after the show.

[@nickkorte]

Just seen it. Maybe he is drinking again.

[@michaelprosperity3420]

Love the fact he still has a childlike curiosity about him. He's one cool dude.

[@sunnys3325]

Kirk's always humble

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

And communist

[@iranoutofnames82]

0:01 Lmao Kirk got 67,665 emails

[@zinckfte3569]

Haha

[@lasang..]

Its kirk, a famous guy

[@Rowebot15]

He's also 3 out of 5 Rogers today😁

[@j3in725]

*Slaps pick:* "this bad boy has a built in wah to it!"

[@hmmm.......f8828]

my favourite guitarist. He is the reason i have bought a guitar and starting to learn.

[@qndreea_trp95]

me too

[@ApproachingHoofbeats]

Me too!

[@Dejoblue]

Ah, the ubiquitous Dunlop Jazz III. As a guitarist I can attest that he is completely serious when he says the Jazz III changes how you play (for the better).

[@VinyLegends]

Dejoblue Kirk said "Dunlap" lolz

[@Dejoblue]

It objectively allows for more control. I have been "trendy" and used a Jazz III for over 20 years. Jame's pick is a standard Fender style with a Jazz III tip. You can't get more cliché than using a Fender style pick. I use Ultex Jazz III's, the yellow ones, and Petrucci Jazz III's (Jazz III XL) for metal/rhythm work. I can appreciate where you are coming from especially for rhythm work.

[@briann8911]

Petrucci picks are my favorite now. Something about them makes picking feel more effortless.

[@Dejoblue]

I think they are a happy medium. Jazz III's fit right on my fingertip, it is like I am using my fingertip to play. I can't do that for metal, there isn't enough grip area. The Petrucci goes right up to my first knuckle so it gives me more grip area but also lets me keep the movement and precision of a Jazz II. Fenders and others just go on up to the second knuckle and have little motion. But I understand how this can be a benefit for rhythm playing, providing rigidity. To each their own. But, yeah, the Petrucci's rock! Cheers!

[@theforsaken4489]

Dejoblue yup, makes you hit those AH's like nothing

[@Halfpastseven]

Kirk is so awesome! One of the best guitar players!

[@jonhatton6686]

Even his pick has the mid scooped...

[@chubbypapaya]

Underrated comment holy hell

[@denizekin1532]

Mid scooped sounds better tho

[@orechris21]

Yeah lol

[@hankhill5409]

Lmfaooo

[@dirtyoliver1180]

It’s no joke, switching to a Jazz III definitely improves your playing. Recently got his purple Jazz III’s off of Sweetwater and I really like them.

[@cbcmusic]

Finding the right pick really is a thing!

[@ernestoortiz8672]

I got the same ones from the same spot, they feel so stiff and sturdy I love em

[@Demiglitch]

I don't know about Jazz III's in general, but I really like his variant. Looks really cool and feels great.

[@raygodmanMX]

Best picks I've ever used, and literally all I will use now. Thanks Kirk.

[@progyandas9650]

‘ it’s harder so when I strum notes come out better’ ...... ‘ the v shape has more functionality’. Great lines

[@cbcmusic]

He has clearly given this subject a lot of thought. 😉

[@firdaus125]

Been watching Kirk vids non stop. Onto another topic though, i have been playing for 15 years but only recently bought the Jazz III .. for some reason i never got it till now. and it elevated my playing overnight.

[@moreblack]

Is Kirk hammered?

[@nimanikpoor2135]

no he's hammeted

[@cbcmusic]

lol

[@ajnemesis]

Slow it down to 0.5 speed lol

[@jamesmoore9223]

at least stoned

[@hinjurock]

He often seems buzzed or stoned in interviews.

[@SD-yv8wk]

I like kirks gray hair. Me and him as are the same age. Growing old gracefully

[@MrBX5]

Why is he being interviewed in a bathroom?

[@thequintessential5503]

@@somedude3601 Hence the inudendo in the Title

[@prefacciprian7728]

He drop lots of picks,in the bath he can spot them right away...

[@99sparks93]

They caught him masturwahting there. He begged not to tell anyone, so they blackmailed him into doing a interview.

[@Ori0987]

Robert Westwood lmaoo

[@llluuuyyyooo]

@@99sparks93 LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO XDDDDD

[@vermilionmusic8890]

Right after watching this I bought the green and purple sparkle one lmao. I've been using them for a month now and I don't think I can go back to bigger picks. They're so good.

[@cbcmusic]

Kirk Hammett - bringing the knowledge!

[@phototristan]

They caught him for this video on the way to go poo.

[@cbcmusic]

lol and ewww

[@TaylorJones-nc9go]

@@cbcmusic y’all did a interview with Kirk Hammett I love him

[@mcriddla2911]

I've always used a 2.0 mil. blue Dunlop pick with the rigid indentation around the center. Very sharp, smooth surfaced point, and obviously makes me sound hard hitting and tight. I realise it's more of a Bass pick, but I like it. After using such a thick pick, then go to a thinner pick, it's crazy how much faster you're speed picking or galloping. When using a thinner pick now, when I speed pick, it literally sounds like I'm just sustaining a single picked note. It's wild. I'm trying to remember the password to my other KZbin account with my videos of me doing Metallica Medleys from back in 2008 through 2011. I have no vids on this current account.

[@VOYAGEUR-YT]

Before I tried picks like that, I probably would have thought it was just marketing, but what he's saying is true. Took me to another level of playing and makes things so much easier.

[@dagbohsons6087]

I wish there was more of these. Also get them to show more grip and strum/pick technique.

[@cbcmusic]

Hi Dagny. Stay tuned. This was our first in the series. We'll be releasing one of these once a week. Each artist goes through what works for them. Some def focus on grip and technique. Happy to hear you're enjoying them.

[@alecschor4506]

me too

[@mark96dlv73]

That guitar pick is Wahtastic!

[@sinjei]

i found a dunlop red jazz iii pick and it completely changed my playing and actually from this im going to buy some of kirks picks

[@jwspitz35]

I got these recently, and I absolutely HATED them the very first time I used them. BUT, I absolutely love these picks now, and use them for most of my playing

[@hinjurock]

I hated them when I first started using them, so I stopped. Lol They're too small - I like having more pick edge.

[@brogoram]

they have the bigger version. Jazz 111 XL series

[@zanehuttinga1699]

Kirk Hammett can literally fly.

[@CaptainFantastik1]

Acrylic V-picks. Give them a shot. They stick to your fingers and stage lights reflect off them when dropped so they're easy to see.

[@mattyb6363]

I honestly love these picks.

[@vedsahasrabhojanee97]

As a hardcore Kirk fan I'm fortunate enough to have the same one

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

Great stuff ! Hey, the guitar said "why are people always picking on me ? " Cheers !

[@cbcmusic]

lol

[@khanites101]

I'd kill to see Metallica live. :(

[@tipusage]

The pick of wah.

[@firewolf2763]

DamageIncM wow you must be really bored. Your going through all the wah comments and thrashing them.

[@firewolf2763]

DamageIncM were

[@jakemorse8290]

"hey man show me ur pick" "wahhhhhhhhh"

[@CoIdHeat]

"This pick changed my life!"

[@raygodmanMX]

Picked up a pack of his purple ones and a pack of his green ones. Without a doubt the best picks I have ever used, and will be all I use from here. Speed and articulation is instantly better, solid grip. I understand what he means by changes your playing and one of the best things to near instantly enhance your playing. Really able to "dig in" a good deal more as well. Funny no one mentions the reduction of extra noise which means less muting needed during play. Use these for a few days and go back to a normal sized pick and you'll notice this immediately. I hated the "normal" jazz picks as the smaller size but no enhanced grip means harder to hold onto and control, these shift that to perfection in a pick.

[@bluetopia42]

Love Kirk Hammett's picks. They are great for sweep picking!

[@cbcmusic]

Do you have a favourite example of that technique you could link us to?

[@noahfrelich5733]

Kirk doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, I watched an interview with Mustaine about them “ending their feud” with Metallica but you could clearly see he envies Kirk he even calls Kirk a terrible guitar player honestly yes amazing he knows how to make the guitar speak to you, he doesn’t just pick super fucking fast

[@firemetal89]

I had the opportunity of catching his pick at the Big 4 after they played Seek and Destroy. Framed it and hung it in my bedroom. Thanks Kirk!

[@GerryBlue]

Does it prevent him from the over-use of a wah?

[@GerryBlue]

DamageIncM It seems Santa didn't bring you that sense of humor you desperately need...

[@brogoram]

lmao

[@biologicalstepdad9082]

sense of humor on a joke that has been used more than diet pills? no thanks santa.

[@mack7235]

I don’t think I’d ever heard Kirk talk before this

[@paloma6501]

Perfect! Kirk Hammett ❤❤❤

[@vanessadias9525]

What a suggestive... So a new pick shape brought about different senses

[@karic1294]

Come on guys.. Kirk is so sweet!

[@robneil6372]

Cream ,cream ,cream , oh Kirk , make me cream some more.,..................

[@kasperchristensen8416]

The Hammett Pick Design: 1% tone, 1% material, 1% shape, 97% Kirk not dropping the pick features.

[@shiijigates12010]

I'm glad that kirk has a Filipino blood,and I have his signature picks btw!!

[@karimmedfai8631]

This man is so cool!

[@cbcmusic]

Not to oversell it, but it just might be the greatest guitar pick unveiling of all time!

[@phillipsmusic3871]

Ive been a metallica fan for years, but i think this is the first time I heard kirks voice.

[@KwadSquadFPV]

I bought this pick and now i can play every metallica song

[@GunadityaTripathi]

..."because I sweat a lot." and I used to think that I'm the only guitarist who sweats THIS MUCH.

[@slipknotfan6667]

I love kirk's picks

[@MichaelD8393]

0:32 I love how Kirk says "Dun *Lap"* rather than "Dun *Lop!"*

[@MrMetallidude]

I use a jazz-pick, as well. It's called "Jazz lll" and it's a thicker pick. I gotta have that, due to how hard I play. Been playin' for 20 years now and I discovered this a few years back.

[@ladystardust7773]

Hey Kirk You are the Best Hello from France!

[@rockinroy]

kirk contributed great ideas for a good pick for us all. don't talk crap. he's legendary.

[@ozzyboy178]

He should make a glow in the dark pick

[@codedesigns9284]

Absolutely cool CBC!!

[@Emoboijeffrey]

I felt like this interview was held in a restroom haha anyone else get that vibe?

[@cbcmusic]

It was! :)

[@funeralbillii9172]

I have one of the lime green one's now I need one of these!!!!

[@roybunch4997]

thumbs up..id like to see more of these..thanks!

[@cbcmusic]

Great to hear! We are just starting them as a series. You can find them here (only 2 so far): kzbin.info/aero/PLxuaaONzLc3eR-vbjXGenLrDPB-vGmE-n

[@AlmostLakai94]

I've always been a bigger fan of Megadeth's music(not hate just personal preference 🙏🏽) but man Kirk seems like such a genuine person. Love to see it lol

[@1337LesPaul]

I use Dunlop Tortex .88s. The green ones. They're the only way to go for me.

[@sebastiancruz8270]

when kirk says cbc music my iphone recognizes like i was saying hey siri

[@noirjakey]

Seba CruZ lmao

[@davecarney8220]

I have (use) several picks I got from Kirk @ a Metallica concert.

[@cbcmusic]

That's neat. Did he hand them to you?

[@davecarney8220]

@@cbcmusic more like dropped them on us. I was in the snake pit. I did win a meet and great with all them when they filmed their movie in Vancouver.

[@Havanacuba1985]

I’ve Ben using the lime green ones for 2 or 3 years now after using red jazz III for a long while

[@zweihanderr221]

You could actually get a pack of 20 for really cheap. Apparently Matt Heafy from Trivium introduced Kirk to these Jazz 3 picks, and Kirk never looked back since. It honestly is a solid guitar pick due to the gradient of the edge, resulting in faster picking speeds.

[@defaultdefault2253]

I want that pick.

[@goldenv1]

I have the purple version of the same pick and that's very fine. Now I can't use other picks actually but this thing improved how I play.

[@destroysoloist]

my fav pick

[@MetalandHotRods]

Dunlop Tortex .60 orange is my pick

[@Unbeknownst-to-all-]

I NEED A COUPLE HUNDRED OF THEM

[@ramymahdi8746]

he can fly literally!!!!!!

[@NounourSOAD]

jazz III are cool. Love them.

[@gerardyeims]

Kirk and rob are my favorite ones

[@rafaelthiagonunes8323]

ESSE é o CARA KIRK HAMMETT. ;) MELHOR GUITARRISTA do MUNDO.

[@RivensHusband_]

I love Kirk

[@rominaramirez2101]

Ídolo! Te Amo!❤❤❤❤❤

[@captincraz1017]

This little pick thing right here

[@JacK-qn4zh]

Ya just gotta Love the guy!!!!!

[@enmanuelaponte677]

Completely changed my wah!

[@girishpatel5366]

Picks or Plectrums as I call them have changed over the years. I've been playing guitar for 30 years now and I remember getting a free plectrum with Guitar magazine when I was 16. I used it forever! It's only recently I lost it. So I had to find something similar. I popped to the music store and found all types of plectrum! Wood, plastic, metal. I only wanted one! I realised that I hold a plectrum sideways, so the tip points towards the head of the guitar. I don't know why, it just feels right that way. So maybe I need a circle plectrum as the tip is just wrong for me 🙂

[@patrickwoo6067]

Kirk I've a pick make by iron and when you throw it you could hear "ping" sound , it really for playing metal...!!!!

[@Jacobfm1]

The actual Pick of Destiny!!

[@fordrocks]

I wish i could have that pick...

[@FirstNameLastName-pg3pi]

buy it, they’re cheap

[@bartoszixon9974]

The best pick I've ever used

[@stardust5278]

What a nice sweet person he is 😊😊😊

[@manicmurph]

I like Kirk's solos on the new album. I think there better than the solos on Death Magnetic...These ones just seem like he took a little bit more time where as on Death Magnetic he just improvised the solo a couple times and took the best take.

[@manicmurph]

-T-X-M- Yeah compared to nowadays he doesn't analyze his solos and map them out like he did for the first five albums. Cause remember in the making of the black album, Bob Rock was giving him shit on "the unforgiven" solo cause he wanted it a certain way. And I remember reading in guitar world or something he said that he wasn't happy with the blackened solo cause he said the riff he was playing over was hard to solo over. Those solos are more memorable where as his solos nowadays are more off the cuff, and there not as memorable as the stuff on the first five records.

[@asshemey05]

Love this man

[@noahnielsen9744]

I only use these and they are awesome!

[@smurfinguitars]

I love these picks but was wondering if they make a full size one.

[@AlmostLakai94]

They make Jazz XLs that you could cut the V shape into but idk if they make any of his in a bigger size