Best Metal Guitar?

Question

Im looking for a guitar that provides an amazing metal sound that would raise the dead! My band recently decided to change to metal, and im needing a reasonably priced axe that rocks! Can anybody help?

Answer 1

the Jackson Kelly will do the job, and nicely, I might add

Answer 2

I've noticed that some of the best metal guitars out there are ESP guitars, not only do they sound great, but they have many to choose from. Although their signature series guitars are very expensive, you can get the LTD models for only a fraction of the price. Personally I'd say get the LTD Deluxe 1000, really nice looking guitar, and the EMG 81/85 active pickups are excellent for "raising the dead." That's just one of ESP's amazing guitars, they also have some guitars that are a little bit cheaper and look a little bit more "metal." The problem with ESP is that retailers such as Guitar Center dont carry them, and there's only some retailers who sell ESP's. If you want to buy one, you're either forced to buy it online and hope you like it, or go to the nearest ESP authorized retailer and try it out. To find an ESP authorized dealer near you, go to the ESP website

Other guitars I would recommend are Jackson guitars, which are really good guitars, and they're decently priced.

good luck on finding a guitar!

Answer 3

I'm going to base my answer off of my own personal experience. I have played in 6 different Metal bands over the course of the past 5 years. I have used 9 different types of guitars in these bands. Having the right guitar is one thing, but it can also depend on what amps you use and/or what pedals you use. Experimenting with various things will ultimately give you the sound you are wanting. But to answer your question, here are the guitars I used in my bands.

Currently I use an Ibanez GAX. I have done some modification to it by taking out the stock humbuckers and replacing them with Seymore Duncan DimeBuckers. The tone out of them works really well for that rich metal sound. I also use a BC Rich Ironbird with the same modifications. I do have a rather expansive pedal board though and play everything through a Marshall 4x12 half stack with a Krank head.

In the past I have used:

Les Paul Custom - I ordered this one custom from Gibson. A great guitar all around, but in terms of heavyness, it just wasn't there.

BC Rich Warlock - This is a personal favorite. I believe BCR makes great metal guitars. Kerry King from Slayer and Mick Thompson of Slipknot each have Signature Series Warlocks.

Fender Telecaster - This was my first guitar. A hand-me-down. Stock to the core with only the single Hot Coil Pickup on the bride, but it wrote some of my best riffs on it. Jim Root from Slipknot wrote and recorded the entire Vol. 3 album with one of these, slightly tweaked though. I believe you can order it from Fender.

Fender Strat - Again, a hand-me-down like the Tele, but with the seletion on the pickups you can tweak things a little.

ESP Flying V - I wish I still had this one. It was put to rest after a show, but anyways, it has great tone, great feel, and I've never bent strings like I have on that guitar.

GIbson SG - This came from my Angus Young phase. Pedals really help here, but not much else.

Gibson Semi Hollow - Believe it or not, with the right gear and some good finger dexterity, this can make on hell of a great metal guitar. I used this the whole time I was in the Misfits cover band and the Tool cover band.

Answer 4

I'm not sure about pricing, but ESPs are suppose to be really good. I think even Kirk Hammet uses one. I believe I saw a performance of Bullet for My Valentine and he was using a Jackson. Ibanez makes some good guitars that metal guitarist use too. My friend plays metal and I usually see him use a Gibson, but they're expensive, Epiphone would be the cheap version of a Gibson. I think even MCR uses Epiphones, they're not metal, obviously, but they're influenced by Randy Rhoads a bit.

Answer 5

Ibanez guitars were built to play mostly rock and metal, along with the SR series of their basses.

If you need a metal axe I would say go with Ibanez, the electronics are tuned for high output and the neck is designed for fast action.

Answer 6

Les Pauls are great for classic rock, but NOT metal.

I'd recommend a Jackson RR3 Rhoads, about $700. The tone can freakin' PIERCE TANKS.

Or a Dean From Hell CFH at about $1000. This guitar's tone is basically the audio equivalent of being beaten to death with a cinderblock.

Answer 7

Mkay, you could drop 1 grand + on a les paul, but as versatile and delicious as they are, they playability factor for your type of music may not be what you want

You could look at any higher end Ibanez RG, the only bad thing about those puppies are the shitty trems. Also the basswood ones might not give you as much as a ballsy sound.

You could also look at Dean, but the only ones I would recommend are the CFH, FBD or razorback/razorback V.

A higher end jackson may also do you fine, such as an RR3 or a dkmg dinky.

Answer 8

I would go with a scheter s-1 or schecter s-1 elite they run around 700-900 dollars, great sound onboard already, if you want to spend less get a jackson guitar they're good and afforable, but my fav. is the Schecter s-1 elite.

Answer 9

le paul and Fender strat can be a good choise but also the pedal is very important. After buying your guitar try to chose a good pedal that would give disturtion sound or a good sound.

Answer 10

gibson les paul