A Bold Icon of Shred History - The ESP Kamikaze-1 George Lynch Signature Electric Guitar

Here it is: the original, and still one of the very coolest and most distinctive ESP Signature Series guitars ever made. Created by guitarist George Lynch in 1985 when Dokken was taking over the charts and George was being recognized as one of the world's most incendiary guitarists, the Kamikaze-1 started as George's personal custom guitar that was so outrageously unique, people began clamoring for one of their own. Once ESP began making them available for the public, it became our first Signature Series model. Still to this day, the Kamikaze-1 is a coveted guitar for good reason. Made by hand by the famous luthiers of the ESP Custom Shop in Japan, it features a maple body bolted to a maple neck with an ebony fingerboard. Its sound, as specified by George, is powered by an ESP Designed single-coil SS-120 pickup in the neck position, and a custom Seymour Duncan "The Hunter" pickup in the bridge spot. This pickup was specifically designed to George’s specification for a powerful and dynamic response, providing the harmonics, dimension, and firepower that George’s style demands. It's a high-output pickup with ceramic magnets and custom wind, with all the muscle for power chords and easy access to harmonic squeals, while remaining transparent enough for the “not quite clean but not exactly dirty” tones that George employs. The Kamikaze-1 includes a Floyd Rose Original bridge and Gotoh tuners, and comes with a high-quality hard shell case and a Certificate of Authenticity from ESP.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body

• Construction: Bolt-On
• Body: Maple

Neck

• Scale: 25.5"
• Neck: Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Fingerboard Radius: 305mm
• Finish: Black w/ Kamikaze Graphic
• Nut Width: 43mm Locking Nut (45mm Neck Width)
• Nut Type: Locking
• Neck Contour: GL Original U
• Frets/Type: 22 XJ

Hardware

• Hardware Color: Black
• Strap Button: ESP Strap Lock
• Tuners: Gotoh
• Bridge: Floyd Rose Original

Electronics

• Neck PU: ESP SS-120
• Bridge PU: Seymour Duncan Signature George Lynch “The Hunter”
• Electronics: Passive
• Electronics Layout: Volume (Push/Pull)

Miscellaneous

• Strings: Elixir Nanoweb Super Light (.009/.011/.016/.024/.032/.042)
• Case: ST-TE GUITAR FORM FIT CASE
• Case Included: Yes

Manufacturer: ESP Guitars
Model: EGLK1
SKU: I356570-N-E1631242-1-WHXE
UPC: 840248001533

We are Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center

Since 1958, Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center has been the trusted destination for musicians and audio professionals across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Family-owned and operated, our legendary music store delivers Everything in Music®—from instruments and recording gear to pro audio, rentals, and repair services.

Our team of musicians and industry experts lives and breathes gear, helping you build the perfect setup for your next performance, studio session, or installation. As an authorized dealer for top brands, we also offer our award-winning CHUCKSCLUSIVE line—exclusive, limited-edition instruments and collaborations recognized with the NAMM Top 100 Dealer Innovation Award for redefining what a music retail experience can be.

Chuck Levin’s isn’t just a store—it’s a community built by players, engineers, and creators who share a lifelong passion for sound. Stop by our legendary Wheaton, MD showroom or contact us anytime for expert advice, product questions, or the best possible deal on your next piece of gear.