The 30 best metal guitars brands
Ibanez, Cort and Danelectro lead our ranking of 30 metal guitars brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Metal Guitars brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Ibanez
Ibanez is a Japanese company known for its quality guitars that come in various types. Their products are famous in countries like China and the US and also well known in Indonesia. Electric and Acoustic are a few from their catalog, and they also sell other items like Tuners and Amps. The brand guarantees sound quality, and musical professionals use its guitars. They also sell electronic items like Speakers that are also of professional quality.
Website: ibanez.com |Brands like Ibanez
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Cort
CORT is a leading nationwide furniture rental, staging, and apartment relocation service. Customers rely on them for furniture rental for home, business, and short-term projects. For all of your furniture needs, they provide both short and long-term rentals with various lease durations. With over 45 years of expertise in the furniture rental market, they strive to provide their customers with excellent customer service and competitive leasing choices.
Website: cort.com |Brands like Cort
Popularity 8.7/10
-
3
Danelectro
Danelectro was established long ago to provide all guitars to musical learners and artists. The company also provides guitar accessories to the customers. If you are looking for a retro guitar or even a modern one, then the chances are that you will find it at Danelectro. They understand the musicians' passion for the common love for guitars, and they do their best to provide quality products to the music makers. Danelectro is a combination of dedication and style.
Website: danelectro.com |Brands like Danelectro
Popularity 8.3/10
-
4
Haze
An untuned guitar is as good as listening to a tone-deaf person sing; you can't tolerate it. Haze Guitars take care of everything wrong with a guitar or, most importantly, the person playing it. Haze Guitars provide various books to get you started or get better at pulling some strings, talking about guitar. Products like books, guitars, and their tools are some of the bestsellers. The website also highlights directions to the shop for visiting customers. The company aims to build guitars for all types of people and make a better experience for guitar enthusiasts.
Website: hazeguitars.com |Brands like Haze
Popularity 7.5/10
-
5
Epiphone
Since Epiphone has been manufacturing instruments for almost 140 years, each is produced to the best possible standards. Whatever kind of instrument you're searching for, from the storied Les Paul and SG models to banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, and more, you can find it here. They produce everything, including ukuleles, electric and acoustic guitars. They work hard to retain the feel of their instruments close to their original equivalents while producing reasonably priced instruments.
Website: epiphone.com |Brands like Epiphone
Popularity 7.1/10
-
6
Jackson
Jacksons Fencing is a British fencing manufacturer with headquarters in Stowting Common, Kent, near Ashford. Jacksons Fencing has an online store with over 1,300 items that enable clients to determine the quantity of fencing, decking, gates, and accessories they would require. Both business and direct consumers may also order products. The company has successfully adapted to ISO 9001:2015, the most recent worldwide quality management standard.
Website: jacksons-fencing.co.uk |Brands like Jackson
Popularity 6.1/10
-
7
Washburn
Washburn is a well-known American musical instrument manufacturer. Its mission has been to deliver the most excellent quality instruments and service to musicians worldwide for over 135 years. All Washburn instruments are still handcrafted by professional craftsmen in their state-of-the-art factories, carrying on the legacy. Their company has a long history of creating tools that inspire and unite guitarists worldwide. When you play a Washburn, your next musical thought is just a minute away, from bluegrass to jazz and everything in between.
Website: washburn.com |Brands like Washburn
Popularity 5.0/10
-
8
Encore Electronics
Encore Electronics is a world-class manufacturing and engineering firm that draws on its mechanical design, electrical design, and software development strengths. Encore provides a comprehensive range of value-added services at reasonable prices, including electronics design and development, PCB assembly, mechanical design, product procurement, and manufacturing. They also offer contract engineering services that cover the entire product development process, from prototyping to mass production. Encore Electronics is the ideal design and manufacturing partner, with years of experience, a competent team, and great facilities. Automotive, Renewable Energy, Power Generation, Aerospace, Gas & Oil, and Defense are just a few of the applications covered by their professionals.
Website: encore-elec.com |Brands like Encore Electronics
Popularity 4.3/10
-
9
Aria
Aria was founded in 1956. Aria manufactures guitars with love and attention so that it is reflected in the music produced through the instruments. They are true music enthusiasts making guitars for music producers but above all for music lovers....
Website: ariaguitarsglobal.com |Brands like Aria
Popularity 4.3/10
-
10
Zemaitis
Zemaitis Guitar Company was founded in the United Kingdom to provide musicians and guitarists with top-notch instruments to help create their art in the best possible way. Their products are made with premium materials and high-quality strings to ensure crystal...
Website: zemaitisguitarcompany.com |Brands like Zemaitis
Popularity 4.3/10
-
11
Dean
Dean is Cleveland's top restaurant supply store. They have a large assortment of commercial kitchen equipment for professionals and home chefs. They also provide a wide selection of perfect culinary materials, such as spices, dinnerware, and even food products like...
Website: shopatdean.com |Brands like Dean
Popularity 3.5/10
-
12
Chapman
Music reaches the death of a person’s soul, especially when it is being played on quality instrucmwnt such as those manufactured by Chapman. Started in 1973, Chapman is a guitar manufacturing brand that provides high-quality guitars made from acoustic wood....
Website: chapmanfisherguitars.com |Brands like Chapman
Popularity 3.5/10
-
13
Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball is the world's most well-known manufacturer of premium-quality electric guitar strings, bassline strings, and guitar gear. Ernie Ball has been a leader in string manufacture and design for almost 50 years. Ernie Ball continues to manufacture lines that...
Website: ernieball.com |Brands like Ernie Ball
Popularity 3.5/10
-
14
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is a guitar manufacturer founded in 1989 and produces high-quality guitars. The firm makes guitars for all levels of guitarists, from beginners to professionals. Tanglewood Guitars are handcrafted in England with the finest materials and unique artistry handed down...
Website: tanglewoodguitars.com |Brands like Tanglewood
Popularity 3.5/10
-
15
Sterling by Music Man
Sterling by Music Man opens up a world of incredible instruments that bring your creative aspirations' look, feel, and sound. A proud leader in inexpensive, innovative guitars. All Sterling by Music Man instruments is produced with passion and integrity at...
Website: sterlingbymusicman.com |Brands like Sterling by Music Man
Popularity 3.5/10
-
16
Suhr
Suhr is a guitar and amplifier manufacturer where one should look for high-quality music gadgets. Guitar wires and pedalboards can be tested before purchase through their website; they are also known for creating hardware with various pickups. They also specialize...
Website: suhr.com |Brands like Suhr
Popularity 3.5/10
-
17
ESP
ESP is a boutique guitar manufacturer with a rich history and experience. They give their clients access to the most excellent guitars worldwide - all under one roof. They have everything you need, from top-of-the-line custom shop guitars to cheap,...
Website: espguitars.com |Brands like ESP
Popularity 2.5/10
-
18
Charvel
Charvel is the place for you if you enjoy music and guitars! Their guitars have unique and fun designs and are used to play a variety of genres such as pop, rock, jazz, and so on. They only use the...
Website: charvel.com |Brands like Charvel
Popularity 2.5/10
-
19
kramer
Epiphone Kramer guitars retain the spirit of the historic brand founded by iconic rockstar and inventor Keith Richards. These instruments reintroduce the vintage Kramer style with an even better look, sound, and feel than the original. They are pleased to...
Website: kramerguitars.com |Brands like kramer
Popularity 2.5/10
-
20
EVH
EVH, a brand created revolving around the musician named Eddie Van Halen and producing musical instruments and gears for musicians all over the USA. The brand name under EVH, Wolfgang EVH, has a vast collection of guitars like Wolfgang Standard,...
Website: evhgear.com |Brands like EVH
Popularity 2.5/10
-
21
Chord
Chord is a range of excellent quality digital to analog converters (DACs), amplifiers, and more from award-winning British HiFi experts. Chord DACs are used in studios, music venues, and homes worldwide to create superior sound quality. The company prides itself...
Website: chordelectronics.co.uk |Brands like Chord
Popularity 2.5/10
-
22
AXL
SlidesJS is a simple slideshow plugin for jQuery. Packed with a useful set of features to help novice and advanced developers alike create elegant and user-friendly slideshows.
Website: axlusa.com |Brands like AXL
Popularity 2.5/10
-
23
B.C. Rich
For guitar lovers, there is no better shop than a guitar shop, and there is no better guitar shop than B.C.Rich. B.C. Rich deals in guitars, basses, apparel, cases, and bags. Their guitars are divided into legacy, extreme, prophecy, prophecy...
Website: bcrich.com |Brands like B.C. Rich
Popularity 2.5/10
-
24
Gretsch
It's the story of a firm that started making drums in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York. Gretsch has grown into one of the world's most well-known producers of expert drums and percussion instruments. Artists of many genres and generations have...
Website: gretschguitars.com |Brands like Gretsch
Popularity 2.5/10
-
25
PRS
PRS is dedicated to the guitar's rich history while also embracing emerging technology to enhance its instruments' tone, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. They make guitars and basses with a genuine feel and unrivaled sound quality by embracing these key features....
Website: prsguitarseurope.com |Brands like PRS
Popularity 2.5/10
-
26
Greco
株式会社 神田商会 - Kanda Shokai Corporation 神田商会は老舗ブランドの「Zemaitis」「Greco」をはじめ「D'Angelico」「Rotosound」「Grover」といった世界の有名ブランドの楽器を取扱います。
Website: greco.jp |Brands like Greco
Popularity 2.5/10
-
27
Hamer
Hamer Guitars is the go-to brand for all aspiring and professional musicians and guitarists. The brand strives to deliver top-notch guitars, bringing an edge to the world of music and encouraging musicians to explore their world of music in its...
Website: hamerguitars.com |Brands like Hamer
Popularity 2.5/10
-
28
Jay Turser
Jay Turser has produced various models of different string instruments. Since its production facilities are in China, the company relies on Asian materials and suppliers and imported woods like rosewood, maple, and mahogany. The company is known for its guitars...
Website: jayturser.com |Brands like Jay Turser
Popularity 2.5/10
-
29
Gear4music
Founded in 2003, Gear4music is considered to be the leading retailer when it comes to musical instruments. They source products from the best brands and sell them only after ensuring that the products are in perfect condition. They are a...
Website: gear4music.com |Brands like Gear4music
Popularity 2.5/10
-
30
Fender Japan
Fender offers high-quality guitars for every musical genre. With an experience of over seventy-five years, Fender is known for transforming music through chords and strings of its guitars. The company provides electric, acoustic, and other guitars per the musicians' needs...
Website: shop.fender.com |Brands like Fender Japan
Popularity 2.5/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibanez | ibanez.com | – | – | – | – |
| Cort | cort.com | – | – | – | – |
| Danelectro | danelectro.com | /danelectro.official | danelectro_official | @Danelectrousa | Danelectro Official |
| Haze | hazeguitars.com | – | hazeguitars | – | HazeGuitars |
| Epiphone | epiphone.com | /Epiphone | epiphone | @epiphone | OfficialEpiphone |
| Jackson | jacksons-fencing.co.uk | /JacksonsFencing | – | @Jacksonsfencing | jacksonsfencing |
| Washburn | washburn.com | /washburnguitars | washburn.authentic | @washburnguitar | – |
| Encore Electronics | encore-elec.com | – | – | – | – |
| Aria | ariaguitarsglobal.com | /ariaguitars | ariaguitars | @ARIA_Guitars | ariaguitarsworld |
| Zemaitis | zemaitisguitarcompany.com | /zemaitisguitarcompany | zemaitisguitars | @zemaitisguitars | – |
Metal Guitars Buying Guide
There are many types of guitars out there, each with its own unique style and sound. If you're a metalhead, you're probably looking for a guitar that can handle the heavy, fast-paced riffs of the genre. That's where metal guitars come in! In this article, we'll be giving you a comprehensive guide to buying the perfect metal guitar for your needs.
Body Type
The body of a guitar can greatly affect its tone and playability. When it comes to metal guitars, there are a few popular body shapes you'll come across:
- Stratocaster: The Stratocaster is a classic guitar shape that has been used in many genres, including metal. Its double-cutaway design allows for easy access to the higher frets, and its alder or ash body produces bright, clear tones.
- Les Paul: The Les Paul is another iconic guitar shape that's popular among metal players. Its mahogany body and thick maple top produce warm, rich tones.
- Explorer: The Explorer is a more modern guitar shape that's known for its edgy, aggressive look. Its mahogany body and sharp, angular lines give it a distinctive sound and feel.
- RG: The RG series from Ibanez is a popular choice among metal guitarists. Its thin, flat neck and lightweight body make it easy to play fast and technical music.
Pickups
The pickups on a guitar are responsible for converting the string vibrations into an electrical signal that can be amplified. There are two main types of pickups: single-coil and humbucker.
- Single-coil: Single-coil pickups are made up of one magnet with six individual coils wrapped around it. They produce a bright, clear tone that's great for genres like blues and rock. However, they can be prone to picking up interference from other electronic devices.
- Humbucker: Humbucker pickups are made up of two magnets with two coils each. They produce a warmer, thicker sound that's great for heavy genres like metal. They also have the added benefit of canceling out interference, making them a popular choice for high-gain music.
Bridge
The bridge of a guitar is what holds the strings in place and determines their length and tension. There are several types of bridges you'll come across when shopping for a metal guitar:
- Tremolo: Tremolo bridges allow for the player to change the pitch of the strings by pushing down or pulling up on a lever. However, they can be somewhat difficult to keep in tune.
- Fixed: Fixed bridges, as the name suggests, do not allow for pitch changes. However, they are much easier to keep in tune and are great for players who don't use whammy bar-style techniques.
- Floyd Rose: The Floyd Rose bridge is a popular choice among metal guitarists due to its ability to stay in tune even with heavy whammy bar usage. However, it can be somewhat difficult to set up and requires more maintenance than other types of bridges.
Neck and Fretboard
The neck and fretboard of a guitar can greatly affect how comfortable it is to play, especially for fast and technical music. When shopping for a metal guitar, you'll want to look for a few key features:
- Neck Shape: Metal guitars typically have thinner necks than other types of guitars, as this allows for easier and faster playing. Look for neck shapes like "wizard" or "thin U."
- Fretboard Material: The material of the fretboard can also affect the feel of the guitar. Rosewood and ebony are popular choices for metal guitars due to their smooth, fast-playing surfaces.
- Fret Size: Metal guitarists often prefer larger frets, as they allow for more precise playing and better intonation. Look for jumbo or extra-jumbo frets.
Brand and Price
Finally, you'll want to consider the brand and price of the guitar you're interested in. Some popular brands for metal guitars include Ibanez, Jackson, and ESP. These brands are known for producing high-quality instruments that can stand up to heavy playing.
When it comes to price, you'll find that metal guitars can range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. While it's tempting to go for the most expensive option, keep in mind that there are plenty of great guitars available at lower price points. Ultimately, it's important to find a guitar that feels comfortable and sounds great, regardless of the price tag.
Conclusion
When it comes to buying a metal guitar, there are many factors to consider, from body type to pickups to brand and price. By taking the time to do your research and try out different options, you can find a guitar that not only looks and feels great but also produces the heavy, intense sound that's synonymous with the metal genre.
