"Joe Duplantier, Gojira's frontman, reveals the connection he had with ESP guitars in the past, and discusses his continued preference for Charvel instruments - without ANY hint of infidelity involved in the acquisition process."
Gojira Frontman Joe Duplantier Switches to ESP for 2024 Olympic Games Performance
Joe Duplantier, the charismatic frontman of the renowned metal band Gojira, made a surprising switch for their performance at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games opening ceremony. Instead of his usual Charvel Tele-style San Dimas models, Duplantier opted for an ESP XJ-1 electric guitar.
Duplantier's decision to experiment with a new instrument was driven by his desire to have fun and diversify his musical expression. According to reports, this change was not due to any issues with Charvel, but rather a desire to explore what ESP has to offer. Duplantier's relationship with ESP dates back to a recommendation from Metallica's James Hetfield, who personally introduced him to the brand[2][3][4].
For the historic Olympic Games performance, Duplantier used a custom ESP XJ-1 guitar. This model, featuring an all-chrome finish, EverTune bridge, and DiMarzio Fortitude bridge humbucker, stood out significantly from his usual Charvel guitars, highlighting his intent to make a unique statement for this global event[2][4].
Despite this change, Duplantier's loyalty to Charvel remains strong. He continues to use his signature Charvel guitar and has several signature models, including the Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Mahogany. Furthermore, ESP has officially signed Duplantier as a signature artist, marking a new chapter in his musical journey[1].
This move showcases Duplantier's open-mindedness about guitar brands and his passion for exploring varied sounds and styles. It also underscores his commitment to his music, as he continues to push boundaries and evolve as an artist[2][3][4][1].
In other news, Bill Kelliher from Mastodon also uses ESP guitars, and Duplantier has had a long-standing relationship with the brand. Additionally, Duplantier is embracing a more visible role as a frontman, which is evident in his energetic performances and engaging stage presence[5].
Stay tuned for a full interview with Joe Duplantier, which will be published on our website in the coming weeks[6].
|Aspect|Details| |-|-| |Reason for switching|Desire to try new things and have fun with different guitars; no issues with Charvel; influenced by James Hetfield's recommendation of ESP| |ESP model used at 2024 Olympics|Custom ESP XJ-1 with all-chrome finish, EverTune bridge, DiMarzio Fortitude bridge humbucker| |Previous main guitars|Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas series, Tele-style models used for over 10 years|
[1] ESP Guitars [2] Loudwire [3] Guitar World [4] Ultimate Guitar [5] Blabbermouth [6] Our Website (coming soon)
- Joe Duplantier, known for his performances with Charvel guitars, opted for an ESP XJ-1 electric guitar for Gojira's 2024 Olympic Games performance, a decision driven by his desire to experiment and diversify his musical expression.
- Duplantier's used guitar at the Olympic Games, a custom ESP XJ-1 with an all-chrome finish, EverTune bridge, and DiMarzio Fortitude bridge humbucker, distinctly differed from his previous Charvel guitars, underscoring his intent to make a unique statement.
- Despite his new choice of ESP guitar for the Olympic Games, Duplantier's loyalty to Charvel remains strong, as he continues to use his signature Charvel guitar and has multiple signature models, including the Joe Duplantier Signature Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 HH Mahogany.
- ESP has officially signed Duplantier as a signature artist, marking a new chapter in his musical journey, which highlights his open-mindedness about guitar brands and his passion for varied sounds and styles.
- Coincidentally, Bill Kelliher from Mastodon also uses ESP guitars, and Duplantier's relationship with the brand dates back to a recommendation from Metallica's James Hetfield, who introduced him to the brand.
