Metal is one of the most diverse and exciting genres of music, and it demands a guitar that can keep up. Metal guitars need to be able to handle high-gain distortion and low tunings, while still providing excellent sustain and clarity. They also need to be comfortable to play for extended periods of time, especially if you’re a shredder.
If you’re a metalhead looking for the best guitar to unleash your inner beast, here are a few of our top picks for 2023:
ESP LTD EC-1000
The ESP LTD EC-1000 is a versatile guitar that’s perfect for a wide range of metal subgenres. It features a mahogany body and neck, with an ebony fretboard and 24 frets. The EC-1000 is equipped with Seymour Duncan JB and ’59 humbucking pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a Floyd Rose 1500 double-locking tremolo system, which is perfect for dive bombs and other extreme whammy tricks.
Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection
The Ibanez RG550 is one of the most iconic metal guitars of all time. It’s known for its fast-playing neck, comfortable body, and versatile sound. The RG550 Genesis Collection is a faithful reissue of the original RG550, with the same specs and features. It features a basswood body, maple neck, and rosewood fretboard with 24 frets. The RG550 is equipped with DiMarzio PAF Pro and J pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a Floyd Rose Original tremolo system, which is perfect for dive bombs and other extreme whammy tricks.
PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN
The PRS SE Mark Holcomb SVN is a seven-string guitar that’s perfect for modern metal players. It features a mahogany body and neck, with an ebony fretboard and 24 frets. The SVN is equipped with Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega humbucking pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a PRS Gen III tremolo system, which is stable and easy to use.
Jackson Soloist SLAT8
The Jackson Soloist SLAT8 is an eight-string guitar that’s perfect for extended-range metal players. It features a mahogany body and neck, with an ebony fretboard and 24 frets. The SLAT8 is equipped with Fishman Fluence Modern humbucking pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a Floyd Rose Original tremolo system, which is perfect for dive bombs and other extreme whammy tricks.
Chapman ML1 Baritone
The Chapman ML1 Baritone is a baritone guitar that’s perfect for players who want a deeper, heavier sound. It features a mahogany body and neck, with an ebony fretboard and 26 frets. The ML1 Baritone is equipped with Seymour Duncan Alpha and Omega neck and bridge pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a Hipshot hardtail bridge, which is stable and provides excellent sustain.
Ibanez RGA42FM
The Ibanez RGA42FM is a great budget-friendly option for metal players. It features a mahogany body and neck, with a roasted maple fretboard and 24 frets. The RGA42FM is equipped with Quantum humbucking pickups, which provide a wide range of tones, from warm and clean to aggressive and distorted. The guitar also has a hardtail bridge, which is stable and provides excellent sustain.
No matter what your budget or playing style is, there’s a metal guitar out there that’s perfect for you. Be sure to try out a few different guitars before you buy, so you can find one that feels good in your hands and sounds the way you want it to.
Here are a few additional tips for choosing a metal guitar:
- Consider the scale length. Scale length affects the tension of the strings, which in turn affects the tone and playability of the guitar. Metal guitars typically have a scale length of 25.5 inches or more. This provides a tighter string tension, which is ideal for heavy distortion and low tunings.
- Choose the right pickups. Pickups are one of the most important factors in determining the sound of a guitar. Metal guitars typically have humbucking pickups, which produce a fuller and more powerful sound
