Best Heavy Guitars for Death Metal 2026
Perfect heavy guitars for death-metal - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN w/Case
Death Metal
Metalcore
Progressive
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN*Electric...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 618602
$462
#2
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Flying V Prophecy Aged BTB
by
Epiphone
Metal
Djent
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Complex electronics in some models
Epiphone Flying V Prophecy Aged BTBElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody: MahoganyNeck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588303
$1,099
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Gibson Firebird Platypus Tobacco SB
by
Gibson
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Complex electronics in some models
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Gibson Firebird Platypus Tobacco SBElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrrapez fingerboard...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601806
$2,199
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars X1.6SVART+
Djent
Metalcore
Progressive
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Solar Guitars X1.6SVART+Electric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: CFingerboard...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576647
$1,264
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Epiphone Prophecy Extura ABTB
by
Epiphone
Progressive
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • High-output pickups for distortion
✗ CONS
- • Complex electronics in some models
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Epiphone Prophecy Extura ABTBElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody: MahoganyTop: flamed...
⭐
4.8/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 588500
$987
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN w/Bag
Djent
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Complex electronics in some models
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton EX-76 Classic GHW AN*Electric...
⭐
4.8/5
(41 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 618600
$384
#7
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
ESP Alexi Ripped Sawtooth
by
ESP
Metalcore
Progressive
Djent
Key Feature:
• Extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Complex electronics in some models
ESP Alexi Ripped SawtoothElectric GuitarBody: AlderFingerboard: EbonyNeck-thru-body: MapleNeck profile: Thin...
⭐
4.9/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 603110
$7,369
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez FRM350-BK Paul Gilbert
by
Ibanez
Hard Rock
Death Metal
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Ibanez FRM350-BK Paul GilbertElectric GuitarPaul Gilbert Signature ModelBody: OkoumeSet-in neck:...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 597485
$1,401
#9
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Gibson Firebird Platypus Vintage C
by
Gibson
Progressive
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Gibson Firebird Platypus Vintage CElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodTrapeze fingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601807
$2,474
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
ESP LTD M-1007B ET Granite Sparkle
by
ESP
Metal
Metalcore
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Complex electronics in some models
- • Requires high-gain amplification
ESP LTD M-1007B ET Granite Sparkle7-String Baritone Electric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in three-piece neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608652
$2,409
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
ESP LTD Arrow-1000 CARS Fluence
by
ESP
Metal
Hard Rock
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
ESP LTD Arrow-1000 CARS FluenceElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in three-piece neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck...
⭐
4.9/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608649
$2,045
#12
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Epiphone Jimi Hendrix "Love Drops" V
by
Epiphone
Hard Rock
Progressive
Death Metal
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Epiphone Jimi Hendrix "Love Drops" VElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson CustomJimi Hendrix Signature ModelBody:...
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 591707
$1,869
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Solar Guitars X1.6FRPN Canibalismo+
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Solar Guitars X1.6FRPN Canibalismo+Electric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonySolar logo fingerboard...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588940
$1,429
#14
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Kramer Guitars Nite-V Plus Alpine White
Metalcore
Metal
Djent
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Complex electronics in some models
Kramer Guitars Nite-V Plus Alpine WhiteElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyThron...
⭐
4.6/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606526
$549
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
ESP Edwards E-KATAKANA
by
ESP
Djent
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • Requires high-gain amplification
ESP Edwards E-KATAKANAElectric GuitarAlexi Laiho Signature modelBody: AlderNeck thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.6/5
(24 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 615510
$2,639
How to Choose the Best Heavy Guitars
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced heavy guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
