Finding a high-performance guitar for metal doesn’t have to break the bank. The best metal guitars under $500 combine aggressive tone, fast playability, and striking aesthetics to meet the demands of shredders and riff masters on a budget. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player looking for a reliable backup, they deliver powerful performance at an affordable price.
Now it’s your turn to weigh in! Cast your vote for the best metal guitars under $500 and share your thoughts in the comments. Whether you have a favorite model or tips for fellow players, your input can help others find the perfect instrument for unleashing their inner metalhead.
1. Jackson Dinky JS32 DKA
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Jackson High Output humbuckers.
Bridge: Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-locking Tremolo.
2. Schecter Omen Extreme 6
Body: Mahogany.
Top: Quilted maple.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: 2 Diamond Plus humbuckers.
Bridge: Tune-O-Matic.
3. Ibanez RG470DX
Body: Meranti.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Quantum humbuckers and 1 Quantum single coil.
Bridge: Edge-Zero II Tremolo.
4. ESP LTD M-200DX
Body: Poplar.
Top: Poplar burl.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: LTD LH-150B (bridge) and LTD LH-150N (neck).
Bridge: Tune-o-Matic.
5. ESP LTD EC-200DX
Body: Poplar.
Top: Flamed maple.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: LTD LH-150B (bridge) and LTD LH-150N (neck).
Bridge: Tune-o-Matic.
6. Jackson Rhoads JS32
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Jackson High-Output Zebra humbuckers.
Bridge: Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-locking Tremolo.
7. Schecter C-1 Standard
Body: Mahogany.
Top: Ash.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: 2 Schecter Diamond Standard Humbuckers.
Bridge: Schecter Diamond Hardtail.
8. Schecter Omen Elite 6
Body: Mahogany.
Top: Poplar burl.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard : Rosewood.
Pickups: 2 Diamond Heretic Humbuckers.
Bridge: Schecter Custom Hardtail.
9. Jackson Kelly JS32
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Jackson High Output Humbucker.
Bridge: Floyd Rose licensed Jackson double locking tremolo.
10. Jackson King V JS32
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Jackson High Output humbuckers.
Bridge: Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-locking Tremolo.
11. Harley Benton Fusion III HH FR
Body: Nyatoh.
Top: flamed maple.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Roasted maple.
Pickups: Roswell HAF-B AlNiCo-5 (bridge) and Roswell HAF-N AlNiCo-5 (neck).
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo.
12. Schecter Damien 6
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard : Rosewood.
Pickups: 2 Schecter Heretic Humbuckers.
Bridge: 6-string with Individual Saddles.
13. Ibanez RGA42FM
Body: Meranti.
Top: Flamed maple.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Quantum Ceramic Humbuckers.
Bridge: Fixed F106.
14. Ibanez Steve Vai Signature JEMJR
Body: Meranti.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Quantum humbuckers and 1 Quantum single coil.
Bridge: Standard double locking tremolo.
15. ESP LTD TE-200
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: 3-Piece Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Roasted Jatoba.
Pickups: ESP-designed LH-150N (neck) and ESP-designed LH-150B (bridge) humbuckers.
LTD fixed bridge with string-thru design.
16. Ibanez RG421 MOL
Body: Meranti.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickup: 2 Quantum humbuckers.
Bridge: Fixed F106.
17. Harley Benton EX-76 Classic
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: Mahogany (Set-in).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Roswell LAF AlNiCo-5 humbuckers.
Bridge: WSC Tune-O-Matic.
18. Ibanez S521
Body: Meranti.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: 2 Quantum Humbuckers.
Bridge: Fixed F106.
19. Ibanez S561
Body: Meranti.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: Quantum Humbucker & 2 Quantum Single Coils.
Bridge: Fixed F106.
20. Ibanez Kiko Loureiro Signature KIKOSP3
Body: Poplar.
Top: Flamed Maple Art Grain.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Infinity R humbuckers and 1 Infinity RS single coil.
Bridge: Double Locking.
21. Ibanez RGRT421
Body: Nyatoh
Neck: 5-piece Maple/Walnut (Neck-through)
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Quantum humbuckers.
Bridge: F106 Bridge with Individual Saddles.
22. ESP LTD TE-201
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: 3-Piece Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Roasted Jatoba.
Pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B.
Bridge: LTD Fixed Bridge.
23. Harley Benton CST-24T
Body: Meranti.
Top: flamed maple.
Neck: Meranti (Set-in).
Fretboard: roasted Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Roswell HAF AlNiCo-5 open coil humbuckers.
Bridge: Wilkinson WVPC tremolo.
24. Harley Benton R446
Body: Poplar
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Amaranth.
Pickups: 2 Artec ceramic humbuckers.
Bridge: Hardtail R-1001.
25. Kramer Striker
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Maple.
Pickups: 1 Kramer AlNiCo 5 HB-1 Zebra humbucker and 2 Kramer Alnico 5 SC-1 single coils.
Bridge: Floyd Rose tremolo.
26. PRS SE CE 24
Body: Mahogany.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Rosewood.
Pickups: 85/15 "S" humbuckers.
Bridge: PRS Patented Tremolo.
27. Ibanez Gio GRG121DX
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Purpleheart.
Pickups: 2 IBZ-6 Humbuckers.
Bridge: Ibanez F106 Fixed.
28. Ibanez Gio GRGR131EX
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Purpleheart.
Pickups: 2 Infinity R humbuckers.
Bridge: F106 Hardtail.
29. Ibanez Gio RG320FAT
Body: Poplar.
Top: Basswood with Art Grain in flamed maple look.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Purpleheart.
Pickups: 2 Ibanez Infinity R Humbuckers.
Bridge: Double Locking Tremolo.
30. Ibanez Gio GRG121SP
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Roasted Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Jatoba.
Pickups: 2 Classic Elite Humbuckers.
Bridge: Fixed F106.
31. Ibanez PGMM31 Paul Gilbert
Body: Poplar.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Maple.
Pickups: 2 Infinity R humbuckers.
Bridge: Fixed Bridge with Individual Saddles.
32. Ibanez Gio GRG120QASP
Body: Poplar.
Top: Quilted Maple.
Neck: Maple (Bolt-on).
Fretboard: Purpleheart.
Pickups: 2 Infinity R humbuckers.
Bridge: T102 Tremolo.
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