The ESP Guitar Company | 2013 USA Website

NEWS

Artist Spotlight:
Frank Bello & Rob Caggiano of Anthrax

Thereʼs no denying that Anthrax is one of the most influential metal bands in history. With the addition of Rob Caggiano and Frank Bello to the our family of artists, weʼre proud to have two essential members of Anthrax playing ESP.

Frank Bello had a couple of strong connections to Anthrax even before becoming their bass player in 1984. First, heʼd already been working with the band since day one as a roadie and guitar tech. Second, heʼs the nephew of drummer Charlie Benate. But Frankʼs contributions to the band, beginning with the seminal 1985 album Spreading the Disease and continuing almost uninterrupted through the present, makes him part of whatʼs considered the “classic” Anthrax lineup.

Frank has lent his talents to every Anthrax album from 1985 through the most recent release, 2010ʻs Worship Music. His brief departure from Anthrax in 2004 saw him joining fellow ESP player Page Hamilton to tour with the band Helmet. However, Frank was quickly back in Anthrax, and has remained in the band ever since.

Rob Caggiano joined Anthrax quite a bit later than Frank. His first stint with the band began in 2001, and after a brief departure in 2005, rejoined the band in 2007 through the present. Rob handled lead guitar duties on Anthraxʼs famous “Big 4” tour, playing on stages alongside bands including Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Additionally, Rob is a well-known producer/mixer who has worked in this capacity with Anthrax as well as Cradle of Filth and others. In addition to his main gig, Rob plays with his Anthrax bandmate Scott Ian in his side project, The Damned Things.

Frank Bello & Rob Caggiano Video Feature

Frank and Robʼs Signature Series

No stranger to ESP basses, Frank played ESP early on before switching to a different brand. However, at the 2012 NAMM Show, we were happy to reunite with Frank not only as an ESP artist, but with two great new Signature Series basses: the ESP Frank Bello and the LTD FB-4.

The ESP Frank Bello features bolt-on construction at 34” scale, with a comfortable alder body and maple neck, and ebony fingerboard with 21 XJ frets and a 42mm standard nut. Its black satin finish is complemented with an anodized aluminum pickguard. Its chrome hardware includes Gotoh tuners and a Gotoh 201B4 bridge. Active pickups in the ESP Frank Bello are EMGʼs JX (bridge) and PX (neck). The LTD FB-4 offers similar specifications, with ESP tuners. Both instruments offer master volume, balance, and master tone controls.

Rob, who has played ESP for many years, also got his well-deserved Signature Series guitars in 2012. The ESP Rob Caggiano uses bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, with an ash body and maple neck with glow in the dark side markers and 24 XJ frets. Its chrome hardware includes Sperzel locking tuners, Dunlop flushmount straploks, and Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece. Pickups in Robʼs signature ESP are Dimarzio RC Custom (bridge) and Air Norton (neck). For musicians on a tighter budget, the LTD RC-600 provides nearly the same features, using ESP locking tuners. Both models are finished in a hot See Thru Purple.

With their new signature instruments and a new album recently completed, Frank and Rob are busy touring the world with Anthrax over the next few months. Donʼt miss them!

MAY

May 28: The Halo Methodʼs Debut to Premier for Free at espguitars.com

APRIL

Bassist Marco Mendoza Joins the ESP Family

MARCH

Frank Bello Clinics at Guitar Center!

FEBRUARY '13

Artist Spotlight: Rocco Prestia - Tower of Power

Frank Bello Clinic In Australia

Artist Spotlight: Gerard DiSalvo

JANUARY '13

Our 2013 NAMM Show Diary