Best Heavy Guitars Under $2,000 2026
Affordable heavy guitars under $2,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars EFR1.6KW
Hard Rock
Progressive
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Solar Guitars EFR1.6KWElectric GuitarDesigned in collaboration with Kirk WindsteinBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed maple...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605366
$1,429
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Kramer Guitars Dave Mustaine Vanguard R.I.P.
Hard Rock
Progressive
Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Kramer Guitars Dave Mustaine Vanguard R.I.P.Electric GuitarDave Mustaine (Megadeth) signature modellBody:...
⭐
4.5/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606518
$1,352
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Solar Guitars X2.6ROP+
Metal
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Solar Guitars X2.6ROP+Electric GuitarBody: SungkaiSet neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck Shape: C ShapeFingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 563757
$1,044
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Solar Guitars A1.6SVART+
Death Metal
Metal
Djent
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Solar Guitars A1.6SVART+Electric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyFluorescent Luminlay side markers...
⭐
4.9/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592542
$1,429
#6
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars E1.6SVART+
Metal
Progressive
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Solar Guitars E1.6SVART+Electric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: CFingerboard...
⭐
5.0/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 576642
$1,429
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Solar Guitars V1.6MP Wolfmaster
Metalcore
Hard Rock
Death Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Complex electronics in some models
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Solar Guitars V1.6MP WolfmasterElectric GuitarJonas Wolf Signature modelBody: AlderSet-in neck: roasted...
⭐
4.7/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 576424
$1,649
#8
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Solar Guitars V1.6FRLB
Djent
Metal
Death Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Solar Guitars V1.6FRLBV-Style Electric GuitarBody: MahoganyFigured maple veneerNeck: MapleFretboard: EbonyNeck...
⭐
4.8/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 504543
$1,319
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars X1.6Coroner
Progressive
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Solar Guitars X1.6CoronerElectric GuitarCreated in collaboration with Tommy Vetterli (Coroner)Body:...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605359
$1,759
#10
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Kramer Guitars Dave Mustaine Vanguard Ebony
Death Metal
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • High-output pickups for distortion
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Kramer Guitars Dave Mustaine Vanguard EbonyElectric GuitarDave Mustaine (Megadeth) Signature ModelBody: MahoganySet-in...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606497
$1,242
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Solar Guitars V1.6FR SVART+ Carbon Black
Metalcore
Progressive
Djent
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Complex electronics in some models
Solar Guitars V1.6FR SVART+ Carbon BlackElectric GuitarBody: AlderSet-in neck: MapleFingerboard: RosewoodSolar logo...
⭐
5.0/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595547
$1,429
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Jackson ProPlus Series Rhoads Deep BK
by
Jackson
Metal
Djent
Death Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Extended range capabilities
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Jackson ProPlus Series Rhoads Deep BKElectric GuitarBody: Okoume3-Pieceneck-through-body:...
⭐
4.7/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 584134
$1,517
#14
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Solar Guitars A1.6Silas Canibalismo
Death Metal
Metal
Progressive
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • Complex electronics in some models
Solar Guitars A1.6Silas CanibalismoElectric GuitarBody: AlderSet neck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyFluorescent Luminlay Dot...
⭐
4.8/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 616759
$1,649
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Solar Guitars V1.6 Canibalismo
Metal
Djent
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Requires high-gain amplification
Solar Guitars V1.6 CanibalismoElectric GuitarBody: Swamp ashNeck: MapleFretboard: EbonyNeck profile: CScale: 648 mmNut...
⭐
4.5/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 498706
$1,429
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.
