Who else wants to find the best metal guitars under $600?
It’s no secret that finding the best metals guitars for under $600 can be difficult.
Finding the different models, comparing the different features, and figuring out which ones are the best for you can be a time-consuming procedure.
The last thing you want to do is buy a guitar only to find out that it’s the wrong guitar for you.
Fortunately, we’ve done the research, compared the different models, and looked at all the features, and found the best metal guitars available for you.
Check it out!
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: Best Overall
Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature San Dimas Style 2 HH
Are you after a sleek metal guitar designed to please serious players? Then check out the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature San Dimas Style 2 HH.
It has a tele-style shaped body made of mahogany with a bolt-on neck so it has plenty of resonance and a slick look. Plus, it features a specially contoured heel joint for easy access to the higher frets.
The mahogany neck is built with graphite reinforcement and has a speed neck shape with rolled fretboard edges and a compound radius of 12″-16″. As a result, it’s very stable and very comfortable to play from the first fret to the last.
With 22 jumbo frets and absolutely no inlays, the ebony fretboard adds classic warmth to your sound while having a clean and sleek look that perfectly matches the white body of the guitar.
The Seymour Duncan Designed HB-103 pickups at the neck and bridge deliver all the metal tones you’re after. Plus, the only controls are a 3-way toggle switch and a specially placed master volume control knob so you can focus on playing.
Lastly, the Charvel compound radius compensated bridge and Charvel locking tuners ensure solid tuning stability and enhanced resonance and sustain.
Pros
- Fender Telecaster Headstock
Cons
- Plastic Nut
All in all, the Charvel Joe Duplantier Signature San Dimas Style 2 HH is a metal guitar that delivers the looks and tones you’re looking for.
We think you’ll find its slick look and focus on serious tones will please any fan of Gojira.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: Best Budget
Ibanez Gio GRX70QA
Are you looking for a very affordable guitar that has metal looks, tones, and features? Then check out the Ibanez Gio GRX70QA.
It has a poplar body in Ibanez’s RG shape with a quilted maple art grain top, and a bolt-on neck. As a result, it has a dynamic look, full and resonant tones, and a body shape that is very comfortable to play.
The maple neck is in Ibanez’s GRX shape and has a radius of 12″ so it’s flat enough to easily play leads on, but still “chunky” enough for playing power chords.
With white dot inlays and 22 medium frets, the bound purpleheart fretboard adds a classic look and a warm tone to your sound while also providing an easy playing surface.
Plus, with Infinity R humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions and an Infinity RS single-coil pickup in the middle position, you’re all set to play a wide variety of tones that are perfect for playing metal.
Additionally, the 5-way pickup switch is wired for split-coil giving you even more tones to play.
Lastly, the T106 tremolo bridge makes intonation easy and straightforward while also letting you add some vibrato to your sound.
Pros
- Available in 6 Finishes
Cons
- Plastic Nut
All in all, the Ibanez Gio GRX70QA is a great choice for anyone looking for a metal guitar that’s affordable and has great features.
We think you’ll agree that it has the metal looks and tones that Ibanez is known for.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: Best Runner-Up
Jackson X Series Soloist SLX DX
Are you looking for an affordable metal guitar that’s built for speed and comfort? Then check out the Jackson X Series Soloist SLX DX.
It has a poplar body in Jackson’s Soloist body shape with a neck-through-body design so it has superior resonance, and sustain, and effortless playability.
The maple neck has graphite reinforcement and a scarf joint ensuring rock-solid stability. Plus, with a compound radius of 12″-16″, it’s as easy to play at the nut as it is at the final fret.
With 24 jumbo frets, and Pearloid Sharkfin inlays, the laurel fretboard delivers a full 2-octave playing range, classic Jackson looks, and adds warmth to your sound.
The Seymour Duncan designed HB-103 humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions are controlled by a 3-way toggle switch and master volume and tone controls. As a result, you can play some crunchy, full-bodied tones that are perfect for metal.
Lastly, the Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking tremolo is recessed ensuring playing comfort, enhanced tuning stability, and effortless intonation.
Pros
- Available in 3 Finishes
Cons
- No Split-Coil Tones
As you can see, the Jackson X Series Soloist SLX DX is designed to be a workhorse guitar for shredders.
We think you’ll agree that it delivers a sleek look, and dynamic tones.
Don’t hesitate! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: Best Under $500
ESP LTD EC-256
Are you looking for an electric guitar that delivers provocative looks, up-to-date features, and effortless playability? Then check out the ESP LTD EC-256.
It’s made out of mahogany with a set-neck design and dynamic “comfort cutouts” on the body. As a result, it has incredible resonance and sustain, a very contoured look, and is very comfortable to play.
The 3-piece mahogany neck has a thin “U” shape with a radius of 13.77″ so it delivers rock-solid stability, a comfortable shape for your hand, and is flat enough to make playing metal leads feel natural.
With 22 extra-jumbo frets and flag inlays, the roasted jatoba fretboard adds even more stability to the neck and a warm tone to your sound. Plus, the inlays and frets combine for a great look and easy playability.
With ESP-designed humbucker pickups at the neck and the bridge, you have the perfect tones for playing heavy metal, while still being able to experiment with other playing styles.
Additionally, with a 3-way toggle switch, two volume controls, and a push/pull tone knob, you can coil-split your humbuckers and achieve an even wider variety of sounds.
Finally, the Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece ensure high-performance tuning stability and enhanced sustain.
Pros
- Available in 3 Finishes
Cons
- Plastic Nut
- Feels Like ESP Could of Gone for 24 Frets
All in all, the ESP LTD EC-256 delivers the first-class looks, versatile tones, and easy playability metal guitarists are looking for.
We think you’ll agree that it’s a high-quality guitar at a very affordable price.
Why wait? Click here and get yours.
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: Best $400
Schecter Omen-6
Are you looking for a guitar that has looks, tones and, features designed for metal? Then check out the Schecter Omen-6.
It has an arched basswood body with a bolt-on neck so it’s resonant, lightweight, and comfortable to play.
The maple neck is in a thin “C” shape with a radius of 14″ so it’s designed to be versatile, flat enough to play fast leads, and comfortable for your hand.
Plus, the fretboard is made of rosewood with 24 extra-jumbo frets, a Graph Tech XL TUSQ nut, and Pearloid semi-goth inlays. As a result, it has some really solid metal looks and adds warmth and resonance to your tone.
The Schecter Diamond Plus pickups in the neck and bridge positions deliver a solid, clear clean tone, as well as crunchy low end, growls that slice through heavy distortion.
Finally, the Tune-O-Matic bridge has a string through body design that ensures high-performance tuning stability, as well as enhanced sustain.
Pros
- Available in 3 Colors
- TUSQ Nut
- Left Hand Model Available
Cons
- Left Hand Model More Expensive
As you can see, the Schecter Omen-6 has authentic metal looks and tones and is packed with features.
We think you’ll agree that the distinctive fretboard inlays and aggressive headstock shape only add to its appeal.
Don’t delay! Click here and get yours now.
The Best Metal Guitars Under $600: FAQ
- What is the best guitar for heavy metal?
- Please see our Best Overall and Best Budget recommendations. Also see this post, this post, this post, and this post for more recommendations.
- What guitar is used for metal?
- Most often, one with humbuckers and some type of Floyd Rose tremolo. Since you’re usually playing through distortion, humbuckers have an easier time being heard clearly when compared with single-coil pickups.
- For more ESP LTD recommendations, see this post.
- Is Les Paul good for metal?
- The best Les Paul for metal is the ESP LTD EC-256.
- Why is Ibanez good for metal?
- Ibanez produces a wide range of electric guitars specifically designed to please metal players, including 7 and 8 string guitars.
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.