Who else wants to find the best metal guitar under $2000?
Confused about which metal guitar to buy?
Comparing the different models, and different brands can be a time confusing and frustrating experience.
It’s hard to know which one is the right one for you, and which one has the best features.
Plus, the worst thing would be to buy a metal guitar only to find out that it’s the wrong one for you.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you!
We’ve looked at the different brands, compared the various models, and found the best metal guitars available for you.
Check it out!
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: Best Overall
ESP E-II Horizon-III
Are you looking for a metal guitar that’s got looks, features, and playability? Then check out the ESP E-II Horizon III.
It has an alder body in ESP’s Horizon shape with a flamed maple top, a reindeer blue finish, and a bolt-on neck. As a result, it delivers massive sustain, an opulent look, and an articulate sound.
The neck is composed of 3 pieces of maple with a radius of 12″ so it’s very stable, has easy playability, and adds a classic tone to your sound.
With 24 extra-jumbo frets, Pearloid offset block inlays, and a bone nut, the ebony fretboard has a deep warmth, a sleek look, and a full 2-octave playing range.
The Seymour Duncan Jazz Model SH-2 humbucker at the neck and Seymour Duncan Custom 5 TB-14 at the bridge deliver superior tones that are perfect for shredding. Plus, the volume control allows you to coil-tap your humbuckers adding to your choice of tones.
Lastly, the Gotoh locking tuners are paired with a Gotoh Tune-O-Matic bridge to deliver high-performance sustain, superior tuning stability, and enhanced resonance.
Pros
- Also Available with a Floyd Rose
- Includes Case
Cons
- Passive Pickups Won’t Please Everyone
As you can see, the ESP E-II Horizon III has a sleek, futuristic look with modern features and easy playability.
We think you’ll agree that it’s a metal machine that delivers an amazing playing experience.
You’ve waited long enough. Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: Best Budget
Schecter Omen Extreme-6 FR

Are you ready for a metal guitar that’s a shred machine with a natty look, and contemporary features? Then check out the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 FR.
It has an arched mahogany body with a quilted maple top and a bolt-on neck so it has a mesmerizing look, a legendary tone, and feels very natural to play.
The maple neck is in a thin “C” shape with a radius of 14″ so it has a comfy feel in your hand, adds a classic tone, and is very easy to shred on.
With 24 extra-jumbo frets and abalone and Pearloid Vector inlays, the rosewood fretboard has a dynamic look, is very easy to play, and adds tightness to your sound.
The Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions deliver full, versatile, and flexible tones and are controlled by a 3-way switch, with separate volume knobs for each pickup, and a push/pull tone knob that split coils your pickups. As a result, you have a wide range of sounds to choose from.
Lastly, the Floyd Rose Special and locking nut combine to deliver high-performance tuning stability during all your dive bombs.
Pros
- Available in 3 Finishes
- Black Chrome Hardware
Cons
- Old-School Bolt-On Neck Design
As you can see, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 FR is a heavy-weight metal guitar that embodies a high-impact look, tone, and design.
We think you’ll find it’s an excellent shred machine and is available at a very affordable price.
Act Now! Click here and get yours today.
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: Best Runner-Up
Ibanez Prestige RG5320

Are you ready for a high-quality metal guitar that has a stunning look, unmatched performance, and is made in Japan? Then check out the Ibanez Prestige RG5320.
It has an RG-shaped body made of African Mahogany with a Cosmic Shadow finish and a bolt-on neck so it’s comfortable and easy to play with a rich and warm tone, and a stunning look.
The neck is composed of 5 pieces of maple and wenge and is in Ibanez’s Super Wizard HP shape with a radius of 16.92″. As a result, it’s flat, super-fast, and extremely stable with a resonant sound.
With 24 jumbo stainless steel frets, off-set Mother of pearl dot inlays, and Ibanez’s Prestige fret edge treatment, the bound Macassar ebony fretboard adds a very classic tone to your sound, is easy and comfortable to play and has a dynamic look.
The DiMarzio Fusion Edge humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions produce a powerful and distinctive tone that includes a crisp, clear high end and a tight low end with clear mids. Plus, the addition of a coil tap switch as well as a master volume control, master tone control, and a 3-way switch, allows you to expand your tonal variety.
Lastly, the Lo-Pro Edge tremolo is paired with a locking nut for superior tuning stability no matter how much vibrato you add to your sound.
Pros
- Includes Hardshell Case
- Luminlay Side Dots
- Gotoh Tuners
Cons
- Only Comes in One Finish
As you can see, the Ibanez Prestige RG5320 is a serious metal machine that’s built for performance.
We think you’ll agree that it delivers the looks, playability, and tones that you’re after.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: Best Under $1500
ESP LTD MH-1001NT

Are you looking for a metal guitar that has a sharp look, a metal design, and high-performance features? Then check out the ESP LTD MH-1001NT.
It has a mahogany body with a quilted maple top, a set-thru neck design, and comfort cutouts so it has a stunning look, a very warm and resonant tone, and is comfortable to play.
The neck has a thin “U” shape and is composed of 3 pieces of maple with a radius of 13.77″. As a result, it’s very shred-friendly with rock-solid stability.
With 24 extra-jumbo frets and small offset blocks, the Macassar ebony fretboard adds a very classic tone to your sound, provides a full 2-octave playing range, and adds a dynamic look.
With 2 EMG Metalworks active pickups at the neck and bridge positions, you’re ready to tackle the hardest of metal tones. The straightforward setup of a master volume control, master tone control, and a 3-way switch lets you focus on what’s important to you.
Lastly, the LTD Locking tuners are paired with a Tonepros Locking Tune-O-Matic bridge to deliver high-performance tuning stability and superior sustain.
Pros
- Designed from the Ground Up to Please Heavy Metal Players
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the ESP LTD MH-1001NT delivers the looks, features, and playing experience of an excellent metal guitar.
We think you’ll find its quality design and dynamic looks will please you for years.
Now is the best time! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: Best Under $1000
ESP LTD EC-1000

Are you ready for a high-quality guitar that has heavy metal looks and tones? Then check out the ESP LTD EC-1000.
It has a mahogany body in a Les Paul-type shape with comfort cutouts and a set-thru neck design. As a result, it has high-performance resonance and sustain as well as being very comfortable to play.
The neck has a thin “U” shape with a radius of 13.75″ and is composed of 3 pieces of mahogany, so it feels great in your hand, is flat enough for effortless leads, and has high-performance stability.
With 24 extra-jumbo frets and flag inlays, the Macassar ebony fretboard adds a warm, full tone to your sound while giving you an easy to play fretboard that has a full 2-octave playing range.
The EMG humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions are both active pickups, so they have a clear tone, easily cut through the heaviest of distortion, and are an excellent choice for playing metal.
Finally, the headstock has LTD locking tuners while the bridge is a Tonepros Locking Tune-O-Matic so it has rock-solid tuning stability and dynamic sustain.
Pros
- Available in Multiple Finishes
Cons
- Plastic Nut
- Weird Battery Compartment
As you can see, the ESP LTD EC-1000 delivers a sleek look, high-quality features, and high-performance playability.
We think you’ll agree that its build quality, affordability, and looks make it the perfect guitar for playing metal.
Don’t hesitate! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitar under $2000: FAQ
- What is the best guitar for heavy metal?
- Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations as well as this post on Metal Guitars Under $600, this one on Ibanez Metal Guitars, and this one on Metal Guitars for Beginners.
- For more ESP LTD recommendations, see this post.
- Which is the best guitar under 2000?
- Can you play heavy metal with any guitar?
- In theory, yes, but for the full metal playing experience you want a guitar that has a fast neck, and humbuckers so you can cut through heavy distortion and more effortlessly play leads.
- Is Les Paul good for metal?
- It can be, but if you like the looks of a Les Paul, you’ll probably be happier with an ESP EC if you’re playing metal. Please see this post on Les Paul-type guitars for some recommendations.
JT currently resides in Southern California and has been playing the guitar since he was 13. He enjoys baking French pastries, drinking loose-leaf tea, and running Slackware Linux.