From Guitar World · · 1m 20s
Page Hamilton's ESP Horizon defined Helmet's sound
The Helmet guitarist found his signature guitar at a tiny NYC ESP office and never looked back.
In brief
The Helmet guitarist found his signature guitar at a tiny NYC ESP office and never looked back. The right instrument should feel like an immediate connection, not a calculated choice. Originally reported by Guitar World.
A bold guitar in an uncool scene
Page Hamilton walked into a tiny ESP office above 48th Street Custom Guitars in NYC and found the pink/magenta Horizon that would define Helmet's sound. It was a power move in the Lower East Side indie rock world.
“It was super-cool looking and very uncool in an indie rock world”
The connection was immediate
Hamilton felt the guitar was meant for him the moment he played it. The light alder body with maple neck-through and ebony fretboard resonated beautifully with amazing sustain.
“This guitar was meant to be with me. It felt right.”
It appears on every Helmet album
The ESP Horizon has been Hamilton's weapon of choice since Helmet's 1992 debut Meantime, appearing on every studio album the band has released.
“It's on every Helmet album from Meantime.”
Custom modifications with meaning
Hamilton removed the neck pickup, toggle, and tone knob, and ESP filled the holes with wood plugs. A tech added a photo from Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti cover, a building on St. Marks Place in Manhattan.
Trust your ears, not the specs
Hamilton chose this guitar because it sounded great acoustically and felt right in his hands. He doesn't rely on gear specs or amp pairings to make decisions about instruments.
“If something sounds great, I'll feel inspired. If it sounds like crap, I'll move on.”
Here's the gist
The right instrument should feel like an immediate connection, not a calculated choice.
