Start at #5. Work up to #1. The winner isn't the one that looks most like a metal guitar.
Start the countdownThe countdown
From #5 to #1. These are positions, not scores out of five.
Prices are approximate US-dollar figures for this list. The Ibanez figure is a sale price. Check the exact model and current price before buying. The Squier price isn't listed.
- The traditional pick
Number 5: Epiphone Les Paul Tribute
About $299
Epiphone Les Paul Tribute. Photo: Epiphone / Gibson. The Les Paul Tribute is the most traditional guitar in this ranking. Mahogany body and neck, a shorter 24.75-inch scale and two ceramic humbuckers. It's the classic Les Paul formula, and it's absolutely capable of metal.
It takes fifth because the other four lean harder into the features I want in an inexpensive metal guitar. The 22 frets and traditional layout make sense if you're after a Les Paul. For this list, the more focused options finish ahead of it.
- Body
- Mahogany
- Neck
- Mahogany, '60s SlimTaper Rounded C profile
- Fingerboard
- Laurel
- Scale / frets
- 24.75-inch scale, 22 frets
- Pickups
- Epiphone 650R ceramic neck humbucker and 700T ceramic bridge humbucker
- Controls
- Individual volume and tone controls
- Bridge
- LockTone Tune-O-Matic with stopbar tailpiece
- The value pick
Number 4: Cort X100
About $249.99
Cort X100. Photo: Cort. The Cort is the underdog here. About $250 gets you 24 frets, a very flat 15.75-inch fingerboard and a pair of Powersound humbuckers. That's a metal-oriented layout for very little money.
The 6-point tremolo is the main difference from the hardtails higher up this list. If you're looking at cheap metal guitars and want 24 frets without pushing right up to $300, this deserves a look.
- Body
- Meranti, Open Pore Black finish
- Neck
- Hard maple
- Fingerboard
- Jatoba, 15.75-inch radius
- Frets
- 24
- Pickups / switching
- Dual Powersound humbuckers, 3-way selector
- Bridge
- 6-point tremolo
- The neck is the reason
Number 3: Jackson JS22 DKA
About $269.99
Jackson JS22 DKA. Photo: Jackson. The Jackson earns third on its neck specifications. A graphite-reinforced maple speed neck, 24 jumbo frets and a 12–16-inch compound-radius fingerboard at about $270 is a strong combination.
That compound radius gets flatter as you move toward the higher frets. Add the two high-output ceramic humbuckers and the JS22 makes an obvious case for metal. The neck is the part of this spec sheet that makes me pay attention.
- Body
- Poplar, arched Dinky shape
- Neck
- Graphite-reinforced maple speed neck
- Fingerboard
- Amaranth, 12–16-inch compound radius
- Frets
- 24 jumbo
- Pickups / switching
- Dual Jackson high-output ceramic humbuckers, 3-way selector
- Bridge / hardware
- 2-point fulcrum tremolo, black hardware
- The obvious metal pick
Number 2: Ibanez GRGR131EX
About $286.84 on sale / $299.99 regular
Ibanez GRGR131EX. Photo: Ibanez. This is probably the most obvious dedicated metal and shred guitar on the list. Fast neck, 24 jumbo frets, two Infinity R humbuckers and a fixed F106 bridge. You can see exactly who it's aimed at.
The hardtail is a big part of why it finishes this high. I'd rather have that straightforward setup at this price. If you want the extra frets and a neck humbucker, the Ibanez is the clear alternative to my winner.
- Body
- Poplar, Flat Black finish
- Neck
- Maple
- Fingerboard
- Purpleheart
- Frets
- 24 jumbo
- Pickups / switching
- Dual Infinity R humbuckers, 5-way selector
- Bridge / hardware
- F106 hardtail, black hardware
- The surprise winner
Number 1: Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H
Price not listed
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H. Photo: Squier / Fender. Yes, the Squier takes first. It's the simplest guitar in this ranking, and that's why I put it here. One bridge humbucker, a six-saddle hardtail, volume and tone. That's the whole layout.
The Ibanez has more frets and another pickup. The Jackson has the more ambitious neck specification. I still put the Sonic HT H ahead of them because its stripped-down design gets straight to what I want from an inexpensive metal guitar. A bridge humbucker and a fixed bridge do a lot of the work.
It's lightweight, straightforward and an extremely effective cheap metal guitar. The least complicated option wins.
- Body
- Poplar, Black finish, lightweight design
- Neck
- Maple
- Fingerboard
- Laurel
- Scale / frets
- 25.5-inch scale, 21 narrow-tall frets
- Pickup
- Single bridge humbucker
- Controls
- Volume and tone
- Bridge
- Six-saddle hardtail
Manufacturer specifications for Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H
All five, side by side
Ranked best first. H means one humbucker. HH means two.
On a small screen, scroll across the table for the bridge and price.
| Rank | Guitar | Body | Frets | Pickups | Bridge | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H | Poplar | 21 | H | Hardtail | — |
| #2 | Ibanez GRGR131EX | Poplar | 24 Jumbo | HH | F106 Hardtail | ~$286.84 |
| #3 | Jackson JS22 DKA | Poplar | 24 Jumbo | HH | 2-Point Tremolo | ~$269.99 |
| #4 | Cort X100 | Meranti | 24 | HH | 6-Point Tremolo | ~$249.99 |
| #5 | Epiphone Les Paul Tribute | Mahogany | 22 | HH | Tune-O-Matic | ~$299 |
Prices are approximate US-dollar figures for this list. The Ibanez figure is a sale price. Check the exact model and current price before buying. The Squier price isn't listed.
Squier Sonic Stratocaster HT H
One bridge humbucker. A hardtail. Volume and tone. The Squier's simple layout makes it my pick here. If you want 24 frets and a neck pickup, the Ibanez is the runner-up I'd point you toward.
