The Best Metal Guitars Under $500

It’s time for the best metal guitars under $500!

Finding the best metal guitars under $500 can be time-consuming and frustrating.

It’s difficult to know which models are the best ones, and which options you really need.

Plus, it’s the different designs and choices can become frustrating and take all the fun out of buying a new guitar.

But don’t worry! We’ve done all the research, weighed all the different models, and options, and chosen the best metal guitars for you.

Check it out!

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Overall

ESP LTD EC-256FM

Are you ready for a metal machine that has stunning looks and incredible tones? Then check out the ESP LTD EC-256FM.

It has a mahogany body with a flamed maple top, and comfort cutouts on the back so it’s very comfortable to play, and has a stunning, contemporary look.

The 3-piece mahogany neck is a set-in design, with a thin “U” shape and a radius of 13.7″. These features ensure high-performance stability and sustain enhancing your metal sound.

With 22 extra-jumbo frets and ESP flag inlays, the roasted jatoba fretboard sports a unique look and adds warmth to your sound.

Plus, with an ESP LH-150N humbucker at the neck and an ESP LH-150B at the bridge, you’re ready to play the heaviest of tones.

The pickups are controlled by 2 Volume knobs and 1 Tone knob wired to be a push/pull coil tap switch. As a result, you can play snappy single-coil tones and expand your range.

Lastly, the Tune-O-Matic bridge has a stop tailpiece for dynamic resonance and maximum sustain, as well as easy intonation.

All in all, the ESP LTD EC-256FM is great for playing metal and it comes in at a very affordable price.

We think you’ll agree that it has great looks and tones as well as high-performance playability.

Don’t wait any longer! Click here and get yours now.

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Budget

Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA

Are you ready for an invitingly priced Jackson guitar that has the classic metal looks, tones, and playability that Jackson is famous for? Then check out the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA.

It has an arched top body made of poplar with a bolt-on neck. As a result, it’s lightweight, resonant, and comfortable to play metal on.

The maple neck is in a “Speed” shape, with graphite reinforcement, a scarf joint, and a compound radius of 12″-16″. Consequently, these features bring high-performance stability and sophisticated playability to this guitar.

Additionally, the amaranth fretboard has 24 jumbo frets and Pearloid sharkfin inlays, so it also has metal looks and is easy to shred on.

The two Jackson High-Output ceramic humbuckers have a full, rich tone, let you play with lots of power, and are perfect for playing metal tones.

It’s all controlled by a 3-way switch with master volume and master tone controls so it’s easy to dial in your perfect tone.

Lastly, the 2-point fulcrum tremolo lets you add a bit of style to your playing while keeping your tuning stability simple and straightforward.

All in all, the Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS22 DKA is an excellent choice for the metal guitarist who’s on a budget.

We think you’ll find it has the metal looks and tones you’re after at a very wallet-friendly price.

Don’t miss this out! Click here to get yours now.

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Runner-Up

Schecter Omen Extreme-6

Are you ready for a guitar that has the looks, tones, and features of a true metal machine? Then you’re ready for the Schecter Omen Extreme-6.

It has an arched mahogany body, with a quilted maple top so it has some stunningly metal looks, as well as having comfort cutouts that make it comfortable to play.

The maple neck is in a thin “C” shape with a radius of 14″. As a result, playing metal riffs is effortless while still being comfortable to play power chords at the nut.

Additionally, the rosewood fretboard ensures easy playability that’s perfect for metal as well as a distinct, no-nonsense look. It’s all thanks to the 24 X-Jumbo frets, Abalone and Pearloid Vector inlays, and a TUSQ nut

The two Schecter Diamond Plus pickups at the neck and the bridge are controlled by a 3-way switch, with separate volume controls for each pickup, and a push/pull tone knob that lets you split-coil your pickups.

As a result, it has a wide palette of tones perfect for metal, as well as other styles of music.

Finally, the Tune-O-Matic bridge features a string-thru-body design so it ensures high-performance tuning stability as well as adding maximum resonance and sustain.

All in all, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 has the metal looks, and tones you’re been looking for.

We think you’ll find that its looks, tones, and playability make it a perfect choice for playing metal.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Click here and get yours today!

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Under $400

Schecter OMEN-6

Are you looking for an affordably priced guitar that’s built to be a metal machine? Then check out the Schecter Omen-6.

It has an arched basswood body with a bolt-on neck so it’s resonant, lightweight, and has a very metal look.

The maple neck is in a thin “C” shape with a radius of 14″ so it’s designed to play rhythm almost as comfortably as leads.

Plus, the fretboard is made of rosewood with 24 X-Jumbo frets, a Graph Tech XL TUSQ nut, and Pearloid semi-goth inlays. As a result, it has the looks, tone, and playability that metal guitarists demand.

It has a solid, clear clean tone as well as a crunchy low end that slices through distortion all thanks to the Schecter Diamond Plus pickups in the neck and bridge positions, 

Finally, the Tune-O-Matic bridge has a string through body design that ensures high-performance tuning stability, as well as enhanced sustain.

As you can see, the Schecter Omen-6 has a classic metal look, and tone with distinct fretboard inlays and an aggressive headstock shape.

We think you’ll agree that it’s a value-priced metal-machine that’s shred-ready right out of the box.

Don’t delay! Click here and get yours now.

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Under $300

Schecter C-6 Deluxe

Are you ready for a metal guitar that’s got great quality, and playability at an affordable price? Then check out the Schecter C-6 Deluxe.

It has a basswood body and a bolt-on neck, plus it’s contoured making it lightweight, resonant, and comfortable to play.

The maple neck is in a thin “C” shape with a radius of 14″. As a result, it adds a classic tone to your sound and is very easy to play leads on.

The rosewood fretboard has 24 narrow X-Jumbo frets and 4mm dot inlays so it has a full 2-octave range and a classic sound.

Additionally, the bridge and neck pickups are both Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers which have a great metal tone and cleanly cuts through distortion.

Finally, the Tune-O Matic bridge ensures rock-solid tuning stability while the string-through-body design enhances sustain, and adds resonance to your tone.

All in all, the Schecter C-6 Deluxe is designed to be a really affordable metal machine.

We think you’ll agree that it’s a simple, easy-to-play metal guitar.

Don’t hesitate! Get yours by clicking here now.

The Best Metal Guitars Under $500: FAQ

• Which guitar is best for heavy metal?
  • Definitely something with humbuckers and a fast neck. Often guitarists like active pickups, since they can cut through distortion cleanly.
• What is the best guitar under 500?
  • See our best overall pick and this post on the best electric guitars under $500.
• What is the best guitar for the money?
  • This can be very subjective since the best guitar for person A might be the wrong guitar for person B. If you don’t like the look or feel of a guitar, it won’t matter if someone tells you it’s “the best.” “Best” really only applies when you get more specific, like best metal guitar under $500.
• Is Les Paul good for metal?
  • The best Les Paul for metal is the ESP LTD EC-256FM. It’s a Les Paul-style guitar that’s specifically designed to play metal. For more ESP LTD recommendations, see this post.