Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

ESP Guitars Welcomes Slipknot's Mick Thomson to Artist Roster

ESP Guitars Welcomes Slipknot's Mick Thomson to Artist Roster

ESP Guitars announces that Mick Thomson of Slipknot has joined the ESP artist roster. The company also confirmed that a new ESP/LTD signature guitar is in development for Thomson.


ā€œWe are thrilled to welcome Mick as part of the ESP family,ā€ says Tony Rauser, ESP Director of ArtistRelations. ā€œMick is one of the most respected and influential players in the world of metal guitar. The intensity of his aggressive playing style with Slipknot fits perfectly with the energy at ESP.ā€

ā€‹ā€œCouldn’t be happier to be in the ESP family,ā€ said Thomson. ā€œSo impressed with everything I’ve been playing live, and there’s a great energy with everyone I’ve dealt with. We are currently working on specs for some customs that I know will be killer. It’s been taking longer than expected, as deciding on a model hasn’t been easy. Too many possibilities for monster guitars. Admittedly, It’s been a great problem to have."

Hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, Mick Thomson joined Slipknot in 1996, not long after its initial formation. The band has been nominated for 10 Grammy awards and has received a multitude of other honors. Slipknot has sold over 30 million albums worldwide since their self-titled debut was released in 1999. Known in Slipknot as #7, Thomson’s innovative guitar style has brought him acclaim across a wide range of metal publications and has been described as highly influential on many players who sought to capture his unique blend of down-tuned riffs and hypnotic lead lines. In addition to seven studio albums, Slipknot has released two live albums, a compilation album, and five live DVDs. Their latest album The End, So Far was released in September 2022.

For more information, please visit espguitars.com.

Brent Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ’90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, you’ve likely heard Mason’s playing.

Read MoreShow less

PRS Guitars today launched five new three-pickup, 22-fret models across the S2 and SE series. The S2 Series release includes the S2 Special Semi-Hollow and S2 Studio, while the SE Series welcomes the SE Special Semi-Hollow, SE Studio, and SE Studio Standard.

Read MoreShow less

For the first time ever, two guitar greats, John 5 and Richie Kotzen will be heading out on the road this year. The tour will launch October 16 and run through November, hitting markets across the U.S.

Read MoreShow less

AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY is set to return to the road for a series of August performances with THE JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 8-date run kicks off August 13 in Tampa, FL and wraps August 23 in Port Chester, New York, with an August 19 performance in PERRY’s Boston hometown (see the itinerary below). For the North American trek—which marks the first solo shows for PERRY this year—the legendary guitarist will be joined by his Aerosmith bandmates Brad Whitford (guitar) and Buck Johnson (keys), along with The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson (vocals), and Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).

Read MoreShow less