Few modern metal guitarists embody the idea of “less is more” quite like Joe Duplantier. As the creative backbone of Gojira since the band’s formation in the late 1990s, Duplantier has built a legacy on muscular riffage, hypnotic rhythms, and an unmistakable sense of dynamics.
The ESP LTD Joe Duplantier JD-1 distills that philosophy into a no-nonsense signature instrument built for technical death metal troubadours and progressive riff lords alike.
At its core, the JD-1 is a purpose-built machine. Its Mahogany, XJ-shaped body pairs an aggressive offset silhouette with deeply ergonomic, body-hugging contours. Bolt-on construction ensures a pronounced high-end attack and a snappy, immediate response, while also allowing for a super-unobtrusive heel that encourages unrestricted access across the neck.
The neck is a major part of the JD-1’s performance edge. A 3-Piece Roasted Maple neck provides exceptional strength and long-term stability, even under the rigors of touring and aggressive playing. Shaped to ESP’s Thin U profile, it strikes a balance between comfort and authority, making it easy to unleash raw, untamed rhythm work with confidence.
Topping it off is a flat-radius Macassar Ebony fingerboard loaded with 22 Stainless Steel frets, offering a slick, durable playing surface designed to withstand tour after tour of heavy-handed punishment.
True to Joe’s stripped-down approach, the JD-1 features a single DiMarzio JD Fortitude bridge pickup. Voiced in the spirit of a classic PAF-style humbucker, the Fortitude offers far more than vintage warmth. Its sound is precise, sharp, and dynamically responsive, with a distinctive percussive edge that cuts through dense mixes and rewards articulate picking.
Anchoring the guitar is a rock-solid hardware lineup, including a Hipshot Tone-a-matic bridge and LTD Locking Tuning Machines for maximum tuning stability and sustain. Aggressive-looking Black hardware and a head-turning Gloss Finish complete the JD-1’s stark, battle-ready aesthetic.
Get the ESP LTD Joe Duplantier JD-1 here for $1,799 and keep up with all our ESP LTD news right here!
