Are you looking to find some good metal guitars under $500?
It’s no secret that finding a good metal guitar for under $500 can be a bit confusing.
With all of the different models and features, it’s hard to know which is the right one for you.
Plus, the worse thing would be to buy a guitar only to find that it’s not the one for you.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work and found some really good metal guitars under $500.
Check it out!
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Overall
Schecter Omen Extreme-6
Are you interested in a guitar that has heavy metal looks, thundering tones, and comes in at under $500? Then check out the Schecter Omen Extreme-6.
It has an arched body made of mahogany with a quilted maple top and a bolt-on neck, so it has a full and resonant sound, an alluring look, and is easy to play.
The maple neck is a thin “C” shape and has a radius of 14″ so it provides an easy and versatile playing surface, adds a classic tone to your sound, and feels natural in your hand.
Plus, with 24 extra-jumbo frets, abalone and Pearloid Vector inlays, and a TUSQ nut, the rosewood fretboard delivers a dynamic look, adds a fuller tone to your sound, and provides a full 2-octave playing range, as well as easy playability and increased resonance.
With two Schecter Diamond Plus humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions, you’re ready to play a wide range of sounds, from crisp, clean tones, to punishing distortion you’re all set.
Plus, the pickups 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, allowing you to play an even wider range of tones.
Finally, the Tune-O-Matic bridge features a string-thru-body design to deliver high-performance tuning stability and ensure maximum resonance and enhanced sustain.
Pros
- Also Available with a Floyd Rose Tremolo
- Available in 3 Finishes
- Graph Tech XL Black Tusq Nut
Cons
- Old-School Neck Joint Means Playing the Higher Frets Isn’t as Effortless as it Could be
As you can see, the Schecter Omen Extreme-6 has the heavy metal looks, tones, and features you’re looking for, all at an affordable price.
We think you’ll find it’s an outstanding metal guitar that won’t break the bank.
Don’t miss out! Click here and get yours now.
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Budget
Ibanez Gio GRG121DX
Are you interested in a good metal guitar that delivers metal tones, easy playability, and is friendly to your budget? Then check out the Ibanez GIO GRG121DX.
It has a poplar body in Ibanez’s time-tested RG shape and a bolt-on neck so it’s comfortable to play, has some powerful and resonant sounds,
The GRG-shaped maple neck is fast-playing with a radius of 15.74″ making it perfect for effortlessly playing metal leads.
Plus, with 24 jumbo frets and white Sharktooth inlays, the bound purpleheart fretboard adds a rich tonal character to your sound, has an aggressive metal look, and features frets designed to make it easier to play lightning-fast leads.
The Ibanez IBZ-6 ceramic humbuckers at the neck and the bridge positions are high-output pickups that’ll keep your metal tones crisp and clear while still delivering plenty of low-end.
Plus, the 5-way selector switch is wired for split-coil which means you have a wide range of tones to pick from.
Finally, the F106 hardtail bridge features a string-through-body design that makes intonation straightforward while also enhancing resonance and increasing sustain.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
- Versatile Switching Setup
Cons
- Plastic Nut
You can see for yourself that the Ibanez GIO GRG121DX is a good metal guitar that delivers great looks, full tones, and comes in at well under $500.
We think you’ll find its versatile pickup setup, and fast-playing neck makes it an excellent guitar for playing fast, heavy metal leads and chunky chords.
Why wait another day? Click here and get yours now.
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Runner-Up
ESP LTD EC-256
Are you curious about a good metal guitar that has classic looks, enhanced playability, and potent features? Then check out the ESP LTD EC-256.
It has a mahogany body in a Les Paul-inspired shape with dynamic comfort cutouts and a set-neck design. As a result, it delivers enhanced resonance and sustain, has a contoured and comfortable body, and has a very metal look.
The neck is composed of 3 pieces of mahogany, is in a thin “U” shape, and has a radius of 13.77″ so it ensures rock-solid stability, and is in a shape that’s designed to make playing fast leads virtually effortless.
The 3-piece mahogany neck is a thin “U” shape with a radius of 13.77″ so it ensures rock-solid stability, has a shape that feels natural in your hand, and is flat enough to make playing fast leads as easy as playing chords.
With 22 extra-jumbo frets and flag inlays, the roasted jatoba fretboard is fast and easy to play, adds even more stability to the neck, and a warmer tone to your sound. Plus, the inlays and frets combine for a great look and easier playability.
The ESP-designed humbucker pickups at the neck and the bridge deliver powerful tones that are perfect for playing metal.
Plus, with a 3-way toggle switch, two volume controls, and a push/pull tone knob, you can coil-split your humbuckers and unlock an even wider variety of sounds.
Finally, the Tune-o-Matic bridge and tailpiece ensure high-performance tuning stability, superior resonance, and enhanced sustain.
Pros
- Easy Access to the Higher Frets
- Available in Multiple Finishes
Cons
- Molded Plastic Nut
- Feels Like ESP Could Have Gone for a Full 24 Frets
As you can see, the ESP LTD EC-256 combines heavy metal looks, versatile metal tones, and enhanced playability for an unrivaled playing experience.
In short, we think you’ll find it’s a good metal guitar available at a very affordable price.
Why wait? Click here and get yours.
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Under $400
Ibanez RG450DX
Are you intrigued by a good metal guitar that has potent looks, metal tones, and enhanced playability? Then check out the Ibanez RG Standard RG450DX.
It has an RG-shaped body made of meranti with a bolt-on neck so it’s very comfortable to play, has warm tones, and a snappier sustain.
The Wizard III-shaped neck is made of maple and has a very flat radius of 15.74″ so it’s very thin and fast, has dependable stability, and is perfect for playing furious metal-inspired leads.
Plus, with Sharktooth inlays and 24 jumbo frets, the bound jatoba fretboard adds a rich mid-range and crisp high end to your tone, as well as adding a serious look and an easy to play 2-octave playing range.
At the neck and bridge positions are Quantum humbucker pickups while the middle pickup is a Quantum single-coil pickup. As a result, it has a wide range of tones that are not only great for playing metal but a lot of other styles of music too.
Best of all, the 5-way switch is wired for split-coil tones giving you even more options for your sound.
Lastly, the double locking tremolo features a locking nut and ensures high-performance tuning stability no matter how many times you dive bomb.
Pros
- Great Looks and Features
Cons
- Metal Players Might Benefit from Higher Output Pickups
All in all, the Ibanez RG Standard RG450DX has the features, playability, and looks that make it a good metal guitar.
In short, we think you’ll find it has versatile tones and is a joy to play.
Don’t delay! Click here and get yours now.
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: Best Under $300
Ibanez Gio GRG131DX
Are you interested in a good metal guitar that offers great quality, savage looks, and high-powered performance at an affordable price? Then check out the Ibanez Gio GRG131DX.
It has an RG-shaped body made of poplar with a bolt-on neck so it’s lightweight, resonant, and very comfortable to play whether you’re sitting down or standing up.
The maple neck is shaped in Ibanez’s GRG neck shape with a radius of 15.75″ so it’s very sturdy, comfortable in your hand, and very easy to play fast runs on.
With 24 jumbo frets and red Sharktooth inlays, the bound purpleheart fretboard has a heavy metal look, a full 2-octave playing range, and makes bending notes easier. Plus, when paired with the red pickguard, it delivers an aggressive, heavy metal look.
The Ibanez Infinity humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions deliver full, warm tones and are wired to deliver a wide variety of sounds including split-coil tones.
Plus, it’s all easily controlled by a master volume control, a master tone control, and a 5-way switch.
Lastly, the fixed bridge features a string-through-body design that ensures rock-solid tuning stability and effortless intonation.
Pros
- Available in 2 Colors
- Cool Inlays
Cons
- Plastic Nut
As you can see, the Ibanez Gio GRG131DX delivers quality features, dynamic looks, and versatile tones that make it a really good metal guitar.
We think you’ll agree that its looks, playability, and low price make it a no-brainer.
Why wait? Click here and get yours now.
Good Metal Guitars Under $500: FAQ
- What is the cheapest metal guitar?
- Ibanez and Jackson both make inexpensive electric guitars that are perfect for playing metal. Please see our Best Budget recommendation.
- What is the best guitar for playing metal?
- It should be comfortable, with an easy to play neck and humbuckers to cut through distortion. Please see our Best Overall and our Best Budget recommendations.
- What guitar is used for metal?
- What are the best guitars for shredding?
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.
