Hard rock legend Bruce Kulick has teamed up with Johnny DiFatta, known as “the sensei of vintage 1980s guitars” from AXN Guitars, to create boutique guitars under the new brand, Kulick Guitars.
Kulick said, “Meeting Johnny reignited my love for 1980s M-1 guitars. This collaboration will help me create boutique-quality guitars worthy of my name.”
Bruce Kulick is known for his 12-year tenure with KISS, contributing to iconic albums like Asylum and Revenge, along with his work with Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf, Billy Squier, and more. DiFatta, a luthier and expert on 1980s ESP guitars, shares his passion for recreating the look and sound of that era.
If you’ve seen the Bruce Kulick Band live recently, you might’ve noticed Kulick playing a guitar reminiscent of his Asylum-era days. This new collaboration has brought that vision to life.
Reflecting on the partnership, DiFatta explains, “Bruce and I revisited the 1980s ESP catalogs to replicate the guitars he used with KISS. We’ve worked on everything—from the guitar’s neck profile to the custom artwork, even creating a tribute model featuring Bruce’s face from the Asylum album cover.”
Kulick Guitars will feature period-correct specs: locking bridges, a single humbucker, and a non-reversed headstock with the Kulick and AXN logos. The goal? Crafting high-end instruments that celebrate Bruce’s legacy.
“This project isn’t just about the money,” DiFatta notes, “it’s about our shared passion for these guitars and the fans who love them.”
