Guide to Choosing Guitars for Metal Music and Top 10 Models
Regardless of the player or budget, the guitar you choose to play says a lot about you and your style. While it's true that you can play the same notes on any instrument and whether or not the final sound is up to the player, it's also true that certain guitars are suited to certain styles. than other harps. If you want to play country music on Jackson or punk rock on PRS, feel free. There are no hard and fast rules. But if you're looking for the right guitar for playing metal, read on to find out what makes a great metal guitar and take a look at a few of our favorites.
Before You Choose Guitar:
When choosing the right guitar for your metal genre, the first thing to consider is budget. Modern manufacturing techniques have brought a whole new range of low cost guitars to the market. While these guitars may lack some of the luxurious aesthetics and sophisticated electronics found in more expensive models, they're still as capable of "sounding mayhem" as you want them to be. for metal. Of course, if your budget and musical goals are a little more serious, there are countless options from semi-pro to high-end guitars that are capable of enduring the battle against even the most demanding players. most brutal".
overview
In general, there are some specifications and designs that are more suitable for playing metal than others. Popular preference is for humbucker pickups. Sure, single coils have their place in metal, but most metal players want a thick, powerful sound, which is best achieved with a humbucker. The Humbucker also eliminates most of the loud humming associated with single coils.
Key specs to consider guitar for metal:
Here is a brief overview of the most important factors that come into play when choosing a guitar for metal:
• Pickup. Humbucker for hotter output and thicker, stronger sound. The active pickup offers even higher gain options and more overall control. The passive (passive) pickup works without batteries and can still deliver a wide variety of fiery metal tones.
• Wood tones. Mahogany is a great wood for metal, with a deep, rich and resonant tone. Basswood is a better cost-friendly option, delivering great depth and well-balanced reverberation.
• Scale length. 24.75 inch scale for easier playability and deeper fundamentals. 25.5 inches for tight and shimmering, resonant response. Extended range guitars have a longer scale—making it harder for players with small hands to play.
• Ability to play. The thinner rod and flatter rod radius give some players more precision when playing technique.
• Electronic. Options are endless. More pickups and more knobs give you more control over your sound. In addition to Tone and Volume, options include EQ, phase switching, coil tapping and kill switch.
• Hardware Horse and Tuning. The two main differences here are the fixed horse and the tremolo. A fixed horse offers more tuning stability and less confusion for the beginner player. Horses equipped with Tremolo (vibrating rods) are fixed to the body by springs to adjust the tension of the strings. This allows the player to raise and lower the pitch of all the strings at once with the tremolo (whammy stick). This allows for extreme flex, often referred to as "bombing," which is loved by hard-rock guitarists.Some tremolo horse systems include a buckle set for increased tuning stability. .
• Aesthetics. The form of your guitar will not affect its sound or playability. However, some shapes are more closely associated with metal guitars. Some sharp examples like Dean VMNT Dave Mustaine V and Gibson Explorer. Great options can also be found in more standard body shapes. Those with single or double cleavage allow for easier access to higher notes—important when playing a lead.
• Other factors. Many modern metal guitarists play 7-string and 8-string guitars that offer more notes than is commonly found in more extreme metal guitar styles. Baritone guitars are also very popular and can be played in lower tones on a six-string guitar. Remember that more strings and extended note ranges mean wider necks and/or longer scale lengths.
Top brands and models for Metal guitars:
Next, we will take a look at the metal guitar model that has been loved and used by many guitarists:
Ibanez
Ibanez has a long history of making guitars specifically for metal and chunky. Thin, flat rod helps players have higher accuracy in technical manipulations. Pickups are selected and voiced to produce a powerful and clear timbre – perfect for metal. In addition, some models offer a fixed or floating horse option.
RGD7UC Prestige
The RGD7 Prestige Uppercut offers premium playability and extended range to cover more sonic territory.
This 7-string "beast" has a 26.5-inch scale – perfect for precise tuning of heavier sized strings that have been tuned down. A matching pair of Bare Knuckle Aftermath pickups deliver big rhythm chunks and crisp bass response. The easy-to-play ebony keyboard on the two-octave Wizard 7 neck is a player's delight.
GRX20
The Ibanez GRX20 is a great, budget-friendly option for beginner rock and metal players.
For metal novices looking for an affordable first "ax", the GRX20 offers excellent bending on a tight budget. Featuring a slim, fast neck and Humbucker Ibanez Powersound, the GRX20 features a FAT6 tremolo bridge that brings bending joy.
Schecter
Rock and metal players like Robin Zander (Cheap Trick), Nikki Sixx and The Cure's Robert Smith played Schecter. Its powerful lineup of 6, 7 and 8 string guitars is available at a variety of price points to suit everyone, from beginners to professionals.
Omen Extreme 6-FR
The Omen Extreme FR combines traditional looks with easy playability and high volume.
Beneath the eye-catching carved maple top, the Omen Extreme 6-FR features dual pickups for a wide color palette. The Floyd Rose lock set provides stability when adjusting — even when you're in constant "bombing".
Banshee Elite-8
The Schecter Banshee Elite-8 features an extended range of eight strings and the versatility of pickups that can go from strong to stinging with the flip of a switch.
The Banshee Elite-8 provides the precision and performance of metal's renowned djentlemen. Its 8-string, 28-inch scale serves an extended tonal range, while an upgraded custom Floyd Rose pony delivers precise and stable sound. A pair of American Humbucker SuperCharger. Everything about the Banshee Elite speaks for itself, from the maple/walnut neck with carbon fiber to the friendly ebony keyboard and black chrome hardware.
ESP
Like Schecter, ESP started out as a manufacturer of premium guitar parts and equipment in Japan. Their reputation for quality was widespread and soon they were producing guitars for the likes of Paige Hamilton of Helmet and James Hetfield of Metallica. Today, ESP is known for producing high-quality guitars built for speed and sound attack play. In addition, ESP has a dense roster of metal guitarists currently using its guitars in the studio and on stage.
KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature
The ESP KH2 Kirk Hammett Signature is built for extreme metal output.
The ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature guitar will delight fans of Classical-era Metallica. Equipped with an EMG 81/60 active pickup, a Floyd Rose clef with Gotoh tuner, and a thin and flat maple neck, the K-2 is particularly responsive to encouraging any shredding tendencies of Friend. The inlay of skulls and crossbones on the neck is an appropriate highlight. This guitar is built to Kirk Hammett's exact specifications.
Brian Baggett performed KH-2 by creating crunchy "beat licks" and big leads.
Jackson
The origins of Jackson guitars go back to Charvel's Guitar Repair, a Southern California store that became the heart of the SoCal hard-rock community that then dominated the music scene in the late 1970s. Owner Wayne Charvel then sold the burgeoning brand to Grover Jackson, whose name has since become synonymous with some of the hottest guitars in metal and hard rock. Every success follows Randy Rhoads teaming up with Jackson's designers to create an amazingly innovative instrument that can keep up with his extraordinary music. Many other signature models followed. The clean design and pointed, skewed headstocks continue to be the hallmarks of the brand.
Scott Ian Signature T10000 Soloist
The Jackson Scott Ian T1000 Soloist can handle the harshest physical and tonal demands of thrash metal.
Built to the specifications of an Anthrax thrash-metal conductor, the Jackson Scott Ian Signature Soloist draws its heat from the Seymour Duncan Scott Ian El Diablo on-horse pickup and the Seymour Duncan '59 Humbucker on the boom. All accessories and aesthetic looks are worthy of a demanding professional. Shepard Fairey designed the custom fretboard High Boltage inlay work while Ian specified an oil-painted maple neck over an ebony fretboard. This is one of the top shredding "machines".
JS22 Dinky DKA
The Jackson JS22 Dinky has the fast action of more expensive Jacksons and the crisp sound to get those intense metal tones.
An affordable Jackson in its popular Dinky series, the JS22 will give you plenty of sound and scream for a very modest price. High-power pickups and a fast, mixed-radius boom give you the sound and speed you need to make those nu-metal riffs.
Jackson's JS22 Dinky is second to none when it comes to fiery tone and fluid playability.
Gibson and Epiphone
Gibson has been making string instruments since the late 19th century and was a major player in the development of the electric guitar. You'll find Gibsons in the hands of everyone, from blues and folk musicians to punk guitar "heroes". Some of their electric guitars have become particularly associated with metal players.
Gibson 2019 SG Standard
The Gibson SG has a powerful sound and smooth playability—two essentials for playing metal.
Rumor has it that when Gibson changed the design of the Les Paul singlecut to the SG doublecut, Les himself wasn't too concerned with the modern batwing style and asked for his name to be removed from the guitar. Since then, the SG has become a favorite among hard rock and classic metal guitarists. Players like Angus Young and Tony Iommi have enjoyed its "threat" tone and smooth playability. Over the years, Gibson has continued to tweak the SG design to enhance playability.
Epiphone Goth 1958 Explorer
Epiphone Goth 1958 Explorer became the first choice of metal players on a tight budget.
Epiphone, the maker of Gibson's line of budget-friendly guitars, combines many attributes and makes them appealing items to metal and hard rock guitarists. Epiphone Goth 1958 Explorer is a prime example. Hot alnico humbuckers and fast rosewood keyboards combine to create key rawk tones and soft riffage. A great choice.
Fender/Squier
While Fender guitars may not be the name that comes to mind when considering an ax for metal, they shouldn't be ruled out. Fender's guitars are incredibly versatile and well built. Many metal players deliver the sound of chaos night after night with the Fender in hand. The next guitar is a great case.
Squier Jim Root Telecaster
A pair of humbuckers turned the Squier Jim Root Telecaster from a classic twanger into a serious metal tool.
Telecaster is the country guitar? Say it to Slipknot's Jim Root or Marilyn Manson/Rob Zombie's John 5. As versatile working horses, it's no surprise to see Telecasters doing their thing in the metal field. The Squier Jim Root Tele was designed in consultation with guitarist Slipknot as a minimalist rockin' machine capable of producing overblown sounds with memorable monotones.
If you still have questions or need help choosing the best guitar for your needs and budget, give us a call at 1900.3262. We'll help you find the weapon that dominates your sound.
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