If you’re a Metallica fan and a Jazz III player, the Kirk Hammett Signature Jazz III is probably already on your radar. It’s a bright green, artist-branded take on one of the most popular shred picks ever made—so it definitely catches the eye.
But how does it actually feel and play, and is it worth swapping out your usual Jazz III or Max Grip for this one? You can grab one here on Amazon if you’re interested. Let’s dig in.
Overview / First Impressions
This pick is Dunlop’s Kirk Hammett Signature Jazz III: a compact, sharp-tipped plectrum based on the classic Jazz III shape, finished in a striking neon green with a distinctive cutout in the middle that’s meant to improve grip.
First impressions:
- It looks great—very “Kirk,” very metal, and easy to spot in a pile of black picks.
- It feels familiar if you’re used to Jazz IIIs: same basic size and pointy tip.
- The cutout is clearly the main “special feature,” advertised as a grip aid.
For everyday playing, it does the job just fine. It’s a solid Jazz III variant with a bit of flair.
Build Quality & Design
From a guitarist’s perspective, the build is what you’d expect from Dunlop:
- Material: Typical Jazz III-style plastic (nylon-style feel), firm enough for articulate picking.
- Size & Shape: Standard Jazz III footprint—small, precise, and pointy for fast alternate picking and tight riffs.
- Color: Bright green. It looks like it should glow in the dark, but it doesn’t.
- Cutout: A circular cutout in the middle, intended to help your fingers lock in.
The pick feels durable and consistent, with no rough edges or molding issues. If you’re already at home with Jazz IIIs, the transition is seamless.
Features & Functions
Here’s what sets the Kirk Hammett Jazz III apart:
- Jazz III Profile
- Sharp point for fast, articulate picking
- Small footprint for control and precision
- Signature Aesthetic
- Neon green color
- Kirk Hammett branding for the Metallica faithful
- Center Cutout (Grip Concept)
- The cutout is meant to give your fingers a place to “hook” into
- In practice, it offers a bit of tactile reference, but not a dramatic grip improvement
Compared to the Max Grip Jazz III
If you’re familiar with the Max Grip Jazz III (which is my personal favorite pick), the differences are clear:
- Max Grip has an aggressive, textured surface that really locks your fingers in.
- The Kirk Hammett Jazz III relies mostly on the cutout and the base material for grip, with no textured surface.
From a functional standpoint, the Max Grip is still far superior if you prioritize a non-slip pick for sweaty hands or aggressive playing.
How It Sounds / Use Cases
Tone-wise, this is very much in standard Jazz III territory:
- Attack:
- Bright, immediate attack thanks to the sharp tip
- Great for fast alternate picking, thrash riffs, and tight palm-muted chugs
- Control:
- Small size gives you excellent control over pick angle and depth
- Ideal for lead playing, solos, and intricate lines
- Genres & Styles:
- Perfect for metal, shred, prog, and any style where precision matters
- Works well for rhythm too, especially tight, high-gain riffing
If you like the way a regular Jazz III feels and sounds, you’ll feel right at home here. The main difference is aesthetic and grip design, not tone.
Limitations / Things to Know
This is a good pick, but there are two big missed opportunities that stand out:
1. Grip Could Be Better
- The cutout alone doesn’t provide the same level of security as the Max Grip texture.
- For players who sweat a lot or dig in hard, this pick can feel a bit less locked-in than it looks on paper.
- Adding the Max Grip-style texture to this design would have made it a near-perfect functional upgrade.
2. It Doesn’t Glow in the Dark
- The neon green color looks exactly like a glow-in-the-dark pick.
- It does not glow in the dark (yes, tested in a dark bathroom).
- This feels like a huge missed opportunity:
- Easier to find on a dark stage
- Fits the aesthetic perfectly
- Would make it stand out from other Jazz III variants in a meaningful way
If this pick had Max Grip texture plus glow-in-the-dark material, it would be an absolute no-brainer for many players.
Final Thoughts
From a guitarist’s perspective, the Kirk Hammett Signature Jazz III is:
- A solid, reliable Jazz III variant with a cool look and a unique cutout.
- Great to play: articulate, precise, and comfortable for both rhythm and lead.
- Slightly underwhelming in the grip department compared to the Max Grip Jazz III.
- Visually begging to be glow-in-the-dark, but unfortunately isn’t.
If you’re:
- A Metallica/Kirk Hammett fan
- Already into Jazz III-style picks
- Looking for a cool, collectible pick that still performs well
…then this is absolutely worth having in your pick tin. I own multiple and I’m glad I do.
If you’re obsessed with maximum grip and functionality, the Max Grip Jazz III still wins. The Kirk Hammett version is good—but with just a couple of small design tweaks, it could have been truly great.
Resources & Further Study
If you’re looking for something practical to work on while you’re testing new picks, check out:
Fretboard Memorization Cheat Sheet – TravelingGuitarist.com
A downloadable guide that lays out major and minor triads in every key, using octave mapping and other techniques.
It’s useful for:
- Memorizing the notes on the fretboard
- Understanding the harmonic foundation of chords
- Learning to improvise in multiple keys using triads as your roadmap
Traveling Guitarist Forum – forum.travelingguitarist.com
A place to talk with other players about guitar, music theory, gear, and more. Great if you want to dig deeper into technique, harmony, or just geek out about picks and pedals.