ESPguitar
ESP Explorer
James Hetfield's weapon of choice during Metallica's classic era. The Explorer body shape with active EMG pickups delivers a tight, aggressive tone with scooped mids and razor-sharp attack. Built for fast, percussive downpicking.
Field notes on the ESP Explorer
All field notes →Helix IR Shootout: Stock Cabs vs. Third-Party Impulse Responses
I A/B'd the Helix's built-in cab simulations against third-party IRs from five of the most-recommended sources. Here's what the data showed and when it actually matters.
Impulse Responses Explained: What IRs Are and How to Use Them on Any Modeler
Learn what impulse responses are, why the cab IR is half your guitar tone, and how to load and manage IRs on Helix, Quad Cortex, Kemper, Fractal, and Katana.
Headrush FRFR-112 MkII vs. Quilter Aviator Cub: $499 vs. $999, and Whether the Upgrade Is Worth It
Two powered FRFR cabs at very different price points. We measured the frequency response, ran the same Quad Cortex preset through both, and figured out where the extra $500 goes.