Joe Duplantier’s first ESP signature guitar, the JD-1, makes it debut ahead of NAMM 2026
ESP has unveiled Joe Duplantier’s first signature guitar, more than a year after announcing the Gojira frontman as a signature artist.
Dubbed the JD-1, the single-pickup LTD offset follows the mysterious custom guitar Duplantier wielded during the band’s performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony. The model also marks the guitarist’s first official signature release with ESP, following years as a Charvel signature artist.
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Described as a “uniquely modified take on the offset XJ shape”, the JD-1 is built with speed, comfort and precision firmly in mind.
It features a mahogany body paired with a thin U-shaped three-piece roasted maple neck, topped with a Macassar ebony fingerboard with pearloid block inlays and 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets. The offset body boasts deeply ergonomic contours, reinforced by bolt-on construction at a 25.5” scale for a clean, unobtrusive heel and a lightning-quick response.
Credit: ESP
Electronics are noticeably stripped back as well. The guitar is powered by a single DiMarzio JD Fortitude passive humbucker (Duplantier’s signature pickup) and is equipped with a Hipshot Tone-a-Matic bridge and tailpiece, a GraphTech TUSQ nut, and LTD locking tuners.
The JD-1’s minimalistic layout extends to its controls, which are kept minimal with just a single volume knob.
Visually, the JD-1 makes a strong statement with its aggressive all-black hardware and scratchplate, coupled with a head-turning Silver Sunburst finish. Each guitar also ships with a deluxe ESP hardshell case.
The ESP LTD JD-1 will be available later this year, priced at $1,799.
Learn more at ESP Guitars.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
