Best Heavy Guitars for Professional 2026
Perfect heavy guitars for professional - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Epiphone Flying V Prophecy Aged JBM
by
Epiphone
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Epiphone Flying V Prophecy Aged JBMElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody: MahoganyNeck:...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588298
$1,093
#5
⭐
4.6/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Evh Shark Burgundy/Silver
by
Evh
Hard Rock
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • High-output pickups for distortion
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Complex electronics in some models
Evh Shark Burgundy/SilverElectric GuitarStriped SeriesBody: AshGlued-in neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau FerroWhite dot...
⭐
4.6/5
(21 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 583967
$1,704
#6
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal WR1A
by
Jackson
Progressive
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal WR1AElectric GuitarBody: Poplar3-piece neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyPearloid shark fin...
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 620243
$1,682
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Epiphone Prophecy Extura AJBM
by
Epiphone
Hard Rock
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Epiphone Prophecy Extura AJBMElectric GuitarInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionBody: MahoganyTop: flamed...
⭐
4.5/5
(33 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 588502
$1,264
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
ESP Edwards E-ARROWHEAD
by
ESP
Metal
Death Metal
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
ESP Edwards E-ARROWHEADElectric GuitarAlexi Laiho Signature modelBody: AlderNeck-thru-body: MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615506
$2,639
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
ESP PHOENIX-201 BK
by
ESP
Hard Rock
Metalcore
Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Complex electronics in some models
ESP PHOENIX-201 BKElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: Set-in 3-ply mahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Thin...
⭐
4.5/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 608840
$747
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
ESP FRX Glitterstorm Purple
by
ESP
Metal
Metalcore
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
ESP FRX Glitterstorm PurpleElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck-thru-body neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyOffset Mother-of-Pearl...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 614949
$6,599
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.
