ESP Welcomes Glenn Tipton of Judas Priest

A metal legend joins the ESP family with a great new LTD Signature Series guitar

With longevity that goes back to the late 1960s, Judas Priest is commonly referred to as one of the greatest and most influential metal bands of all time, and for good reason: they’ve sold over 45 million albums to date, and were the forerunners of an entire sub-genre of music — the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. From their razor-edged musical style to their leather-bound fashion sense, Judas Priest made an impact that few bands could hope to equal, and a huge part of their sound came straight from the hands of guitarist Glenn Tipton.

Glenn is most well known as one of the players who helped popularize the two-guitar tandem in metal music. Currently rocking along with the newest member of Judas Priest Richie Faulkner, Glenn was attached to former bandmate K.K. Downing from 1974 to 2011, and their interwoven and sometimes alternating lead/rhythm playing was a signature aspect of Judas Priest. Glenn has also been a major contributor to the band as a songwriter, with co-writing credits for such classic tunes as "Breaking the Law”, "Living After Midnight”, "Electric Eye”, "You've Got Another Thing Comin’”, and many more. His melodic, legato playing style has been influential to thousands of players over the past 40 years.

LTD GT-600 Glenn Tipton Signature Series

With the LTD GT-600, Glenn’s first signature guitar for ESP, it was Glenn’s goal to combine the vibe of one of his favorite classic guitars with the feel and performance that only ESP can offer. Based on the ESP Viper body shape, the GT-600 offers set-thru construction for smooth and easy access to the higher frets. Built at 24.75” scale, the GT-600 features a mahogany body and a three-piece thin U-shaped maple neck with an ebony fingerboard and 24 extra-jumbo frets.

As you would expect, this guitar is powered by Glenn’s own EMG Glenn Tipton Signature 81 active pickups, and also includes Glenn’s preferred tremolo, the Kahler Hybrid, as well as locking tuners. The looks of the GT-600 are also screaming for vengeance, with an aluminum pickguard and truss cover, and matching chrome hardware.

We welcome Glenn Tipton to the ESP family of artists, and we’re very proud that like so many other great guitarists and bassists of the world, this metal legend has joined the ranks of ESP.