First things first: You don’t need a metal guitar to play metal music—but it helps. You can play metal on practically any guitar. That said, a fast neck, flat fretboard, locking tremolo system, and high-output pickups will point you firmly in the right direction. And if you’re looking to go truly heavy, the metal category has many 7-string models available. Below are our picks for Best Metal Guitars 2024 in three price ranges, from the best budget metal guitars to deluxe USA-made shred machines.
What Makes A Good Metal Guitar?
Metal guitars have time-tested features that have proven to work for heavier sounds. Though once known as “hair metal guitars”, today’s models have moved with the times and are suitable for far heavier sounds than were heard in the 1980s! Here are some things to look for in the bodies, necks, and hardware of your next high gain, high sustain metal guitar.
Metal Guitar Body Woods
There is no standard for body wood for heavy metal guitars, and many body woods have been used successfully. Basswood is a very popular choice for metal guitars because it is a good match with humbucking pickups, and has an even response over the frequency spectrum. Mahogany is also used on metal guitars, and is known for its rich sound that favors lower midrange frequencies. Alder and Ash are also commonly used.
Metal Guitar Necks
Metal guitars usually have smooth, wide necks with a modern C or D shape. Modern neck shapes tend to be thinner in depth, with less shoulder (see our article on guitar neck shapes for more info). Metal guitars have flatter radius fretboards that make chunking power chords and playing metal riffs easier. Many metal players favor ebony or maple fingerboards for their fast playability and precise tone. Maple has gained popularity recently for both its slick playability and because it is a sustainable wood.
Metal Guitar Pickups
Metal music has a sound characterized by high-gain tones. Therefore, metal guitars come equipped with humbucker pickups designed to sound best with highly distorted tones. Pickups designed for metal are usually high output pickups with high ohm readings above 10 ohms. In addition to high output, pickups designed for metal often use ceramic magnets instead of alnico because of the higher output of ceramic magnets. Active pickups are another good option for metal guitars. Active pickups have a built-in preamp which allows for a high output with low noise.
Metal Guitar Bridges
Many metal guitars still come equipped with a locking tremolo bridge. The most popular is the Floyd Rose-style locking tremolo system, which was standard on many 80s metal guitars. The Floyd Rose design remains unchanged. This is because it is still the best tremolo system for metal guitar playing. The Floyd Rose bridge is a double-locking design that features fine tuners at the bridge. Floyd-Rose equipped guitars are especially good for serious whammy-bar sounds that feature deep pitch dives, because the locking design is superior at keeping the guitar in tune. Many more expensive metal guitars feature the the original Floyd Rose Locking Tremolo. Many less-expensive guitars use a licensed copy of the Floyd tremolo, and these work great as well.
Top Metal Guitar Brands
Here are some of the top metal guitar brands (in no particular order) that make the best heavy metal guitars:
- Ibanez
- Charvel
- Kramer
- EVH
- Schecter
- Ernie Ball Music Man
- ESP
- Jackson
- Kiesel/Carvin
- Gibson (Flying V or Explorer models)
There are a lot of great choices for good metal guitars. Here are some of the best guitars for metal in three different price categories. As you go up in price, you’ll find overall higher quality, especially in electronics and hardware. Don’t worry if your budget is on the lean side, either. Don’t think of them as cheap metal guitars, because all of our choices for budget metal guitars are great guitars made by manufacturers with a history of quality and performance. Read on for our picks of the best guitars for heavy metal.
Best Metal Guitars 2024 | Under $500
1. Ibanez signature JEM Jr.
What better guitar to lead off the list than an Ibanez JEM? The ultra-fast Wizard III neck will have you cycling through blazing arpeggios, and the hot but articulate Ibanez Quantum pickups will provide every sound you need for modern soloing and rhythm playing. This JEM features a double-locking tremolo system, and the classic JEM vine inlay on the fretboard.
The Wizard III neck on the JEMJR Steve Vai Signature guitar is an absolute pleasure to play. This slim and super-comfortable neck is one of Ibanez’s fastest necks to date. It enables you pull off lighting-fast runs and arpeggios with ease, but still gives you the substance you need for grabbing chords when you need to. The first time you put your hands on the JEMJR’s Wizard III neck, you’ll know you’ve got a guitar that was built with performance in mind.
3. Jackson JS Series Dinky
If you’re looking to flex the Jackson look on a budget, look no further. The JS Series features the “Dinky” body style. The Dinky body style is known for its compact and lightweight design. The JS Series nails the timeless Jackson vibe with its striking metallic blue color and sharkfin inlay, and high-output humbuckers.
2. Ibanez RGA42FM
The first thing you’ll notice about the Ibanez RGA42FM is its beautiful flamed maple top. The second thing is that it doesn’t have a locking tremolo system. The RGA42FM is for players who want the playability of the Wizard neck with its thin profile and flat fretboard radius, but don’t require a locking tremolo system. This, along with its Mahogany body and 5-way switching, makes the RGA42FM versatile enough to cover a wide variety of styles. And it looks killer, too.
4. Kramer Pacer Classic
Transport yourself back to the 80s without breaking the bank. The Pacer features an Alder body, Licensed Floyd Rose double-locking trem, and Alnico Classic 5 humbuckers. The Pacer classic nails the hot-rodded strat vibe, and is available in 80s-approved colors.
5. Epiphone SG Standard
The SG is already known as one of the best rock guitars, but don’t think that means it can’t also do heavy sounds. Equipped with a slim-taper neck and mahogany body, the SG features a Rosewood fingerboard with block inlays, and a rich vintage-cherry color.
Best Metal Guitars 2024 | Under $1000
1. Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas
The Charvel San Dimas is one of the classic 80’s metal guitars, and this Pro-Mod does that history proud. With its Floyd Rose 1000 series double-locking recessed tremolo, jumbo frets, and Alder body, Charvels cop the hot-rodded Strat vibe better than anyone. The Pro-Mod features a Seymour Duncan ’59 SH-1N (neck) and JB TB-4 (bridge) humbuckers with coil splitting for single coil tones. The neck is graphite-reinforced for stability. The Pro Mod San Dimas is available in some great colors such as Black, Platinum Pearl, Matte Blue Frost, and more. For an extra touch of luxury, a figured maple top is available.
2. ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000VB
The LTD EC-1000 combines classic looks with modern features. The body is mahogany and features set-neck construction for increased sustain. The fingerboard is ebony—a sweet upgrade—and unique fingerboard inlays with an EC-1000 at the 12th fret. One key difference with the LTD EC-100 is its 24.75″ scale neck, which is great for those who are accustomed to a shorter scale. The EMG 81/60 active humbuckers use ceramic magnets and are designed for high end cut and fluid sustain. This is simply an awesome looking guitar.
3. EVH Wolfgang Standard
The EVH Wolfgang needs no introduction: This axe is ready for rock all day every day. The basswood body and tinted maple neck and fingerboard are pure Van-Halen. And, the quilt maple top is awesome, of course. The Wolfgang has a compound-radius fingerboard and Floyd Rose bridge with locking nut, and body mounted EVH humbuckers. Poundcake!
4. Schecter Omen Elite
We have a 2-for-1 here because the Omen Elite is available in both 6 and 7 string versions. Schecters are known for their incredibly playable necks, and the Omen delivers with a 14” radius fretboard and 24 jumbo frets. The mahogany bodies are clad with quilted maple with a bound rosewood fretboard and Schecter Diamond Plus pickups.
5. Sterling By MusicMan John Petrucci Signature Guitar, MAJ100
John Petrucci has been prog-rocking for decades, and the MAJ100 is the most affordable way to get into his signature guitar. The MAJ100 features a mahogany set neck with sweet rear contours that offer access to all 24 frets. An active “Push-Push” 12dB boost switch gets you access to the tones that make Petrucci one of the most admired rock guitarists. The MAJ100 tops it off with a carbon fiber pattern under the pickups and bridge, lending a modern, classy, and serious feel to the instrument.
Best Metal Guitars 2024 | Over $1500
1. Jackson American Series Soloist SL3
If you’re looking for a true Jackson guitar experience, look no further than the American Series Soloist. This Alder-bodied beauty is made in the U.S.A., and looks like a Ferrari with its superior design, fit, and glossy finish. The neck is has rolled edges, a sculpted neck heel, compound radius ebony fretboard that tops out at 16” in the upper frets. The pickups are Seymour Duncan, with a bridge position humbucker for a hot-rodded rock sound.
2. Ibanez RG5120M Prestige
Ibanez makes a lot of great guitars that don’t cost a whole lot. The Prestige line is what you get when you go to the top of the class. So what do you get when you go Prestige? First, a Mahogany body with top-shelf hardware, including the Ibanez Lo-Pro Edge tremolo bridge. The Super Wizard HP Maple/Wenge neck is 5-piece, ultra fast, and ultra thin: First fret depth is .66-.74 inches (17-19mm)! And of course, the neck is rocking Jumbo Stainless frets. The most interesting part of this Prestige is the choice of Fishman Fluence pickups, which offer a voicing switch which can render tones from a modern, active pickup sound to fluid and articulate without being thin. As you might imagine, the RG5120M is built in Japan for ultimate attention to detail.
3. ESP LTD Snakebyte Signature
James Hetfield’s Signature Guitar comes with a unique mahogany “Snakebyte” body shape that stands out for its aggressive, offset posture. The EMG JH Het Set active pickups ensure that it delivers the punishing tones that Metallica is known for, and the locking tuners keep everything stable. The end of the headstock and the lower bout both have a slight hook shape; this, along with the custom inlay really makes this guitar pop.
4. Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci Majesty 7 Electric Guitar (7-String)
If there is an example of next-level, this is it. Similar to the MAJ100, but with 7 strings, this is kicked up quite a few notches. The Okume (African Mahogany) body is topped with a “shield” of quilted maple, which is both unique and gorgeous. The fingerboard is ebony with 24 stainless frets. HH – 1 The pickups are DiMarzio: 1 Rainmaker in the neck, and 1 DiMarzio Dreamcatcher in the bridge; The Majesty comes with Fishman Powerbridge piezo saddles for ultra-versatility. Majesty guitars are built in the Music Man factory in San Luis Obispo, California.
5. Fender American Ultra Luxe Stratocaster Floyd Rose HSS
Want to play heavy metal on a Strat? Sure you do—Yngwie did, and so can you with the Fender Ultra Luxe Floyd Rose Stratocaster. This is a Strat designed for heavy sounds, with Ultra Luxe level quality (See our article on Fender’s Ultra Luxe line). This Ultra Luxe HSS is equipped with a Floyd Rose Original Tremolo, and Fender’s noiseless pickups: 2 Ultra Noiseless Hot single-coils, and an Ultra Double Tap humbucker in the bridge position. All Luxe models come with Stainless Steel frets, a first for Fender, and a 10-14” compound-radius fingerboard.
Bonus: Charvel USA Select San Dimas Series
In some respects this is a repeat of our San Dimas Pro-Mod pick in the mid-price category—hence the “bonus” designation. However, the difference is real for those who appreciate it: The Charvel USA Select San Dimas is made in the USA goodness (Southern California, to be exact). The pickups are top-quality DeMarzio: A Super Distortion is located in the bridge position, while the neck gets a PAF Pro. The USA Select San Dimas also gains a quartersawn maple neck for extra stability.
