Best Heavy Guitars Under $5,000 2026
Affordable heavy guitars under $5,000 - great value without compromising quality
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Maybach Jetwing M Vintage White
by
Maybach
Hard Rock
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
Maybach Jetwing M Vintage WhiteElectric GuitarBody: OkoumeSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodFingerboard inlays:...
⭐
4.5/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 586386
$2,199
#2
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Jackson USA Corey Beaulieu KV6 TBB
by
Jackson
Progressive
Djent
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Jackson USA Corey Beaulieu KV6 TBBElectric GuitarCorey Beaulieu (Trivium) Signature ModelUSA SeriesBody: AlderTop:...
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581334
$4,839
#3
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
ESP E-II Arrow Nebula Black Burst
by
ESP
Progressive
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Limited clean tone versatility
ESP E-II Arrow Nebula Black BurstElectric GuitarBody: AlderTop: Burled MapleNeck: 3-Piece MapleConstruction:...
⭐
4.8/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 565358
$3,738
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Gibson 70s Explorer CW
by
Gibson
Progressive
Death Metal
Metal
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • Limited clean tone versatility
Gibson 70s Explorer CWElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFretboard: RosewoodNeck profile: Slim taper22...
⭐
4.6/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 482428
$2,395
#5
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Jackson USA Corey Beaulieu KV6
by
Jackson
Metalcore
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
- • Extended range capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Limited clean tone versatility
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Jackson USA Corey Beaulieu KV6Electric GuitarCorey Beaulieu KV6 signature seriesKing V shape bodyAlder body with flamed...
⭐
4.9/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 306870
$4,729
#6
⭐
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
#7
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez Paul Stanley PS10-BK
by
Ibanez
Progressive
Djent
Metal
Key Feature:
• Solid construction for heavy playing
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✗ CONS
- • Complex electronics in some models
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Ibanez Paul Stanley PS10-BKElectric GuitarBody: MahoganyTop: mapleNeck: Maple3-pieceFretboard: EbonyAcrylic and abalone...
⭐
4.6/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 362432
$3,544
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
ESP E-II Arrow BLK
by
ESP
Progressive
Metal
Metalcore
Key Feature:
• Great for palm muting
✓ PROS
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
- • High-output pickups for distortion
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Complex electronics in some models
ESP E-II Arrow BLKElectric GuitarBody: AlderNeck thru-body: MapleFingerboard: EbonyRadius: 305 mmScale: 648 mmFrets: 24...
⭐
4.6/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 364795
$3,299
#11
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S SBL
by
Schecter
Metal
Metalcore
Djent
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
Schecter Synyster Gates Custom-S SBLElectric GuitarSynyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold) Signature ModelBody:...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 595590
$2,529
#12
⭐
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
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gibson 70s Flying V CW
by
Gibson
Progressive
Hard Rock
Death Metal
Key Feature:
• High-output pickups for distortion
✓ PROS
- • High-output pickups for distortion
- • Great for palm muting
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Gibson '70s Explorer CWElectric GuitarBody: Mahogany (Swietenia Macrophylla)Neck: Mahogany (Swietenia...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 482426
$2,683
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Maybach Jetwing K Vintage Honey
by
Maybach
Djent
Death Metal
Hard Rock
Key Feature:
• Designed for high-gain amplifiers
✓ PROS
- • Great for palm muting
- • Solid construction for heavy playing
✗ CONS
- • Often heavier than standard guitars
- • May be too aggressive for other genres
Maybach Jetwing K Vintage HoneyElectric GuitarBody: KorinaSet-in neck: MahoganyFingerbord: RosewoodFingerboard inlays:...
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 586385
$2,309
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
ESP E-II EX NT BK
by
ESP
Djent
Hard Rock
Metal
Key Feature:
• Extended range capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Designed for high-gain amplifiers
- • High-output pickups for distortion
✗ CONS
- • Requires high-gain amplification
- • Limited clean tone versatility
ESP E-II EX NT BKElectric GuitarBody: MahoganySet-in neck: MahoganyFingerboard: EbonyNeck profile: Thin U22 X-Jumbo...
⭐
4.9/5
(17 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 511458
$2,859
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.
