Are you looking for the Best Guitar For Metalcore? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Guitar For Metalcore can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Glarry, Fender, Ibanez, Epiphone, Jackson, Dean, ESP, PRS, Schecter Guitar Research. We have done a lot of research to find the top 20 Best Guitar For Metalcore available.
The average cost is $590.75. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $179.99 to a high of $1599.00.
Based on the research we did, we think Ibanez AF55 Artcore Hollowbody Electric Guitar, Transparent Black Flat is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Guitar For Metalcore (20 Sellers)
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Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Artcore af mahogany set-in neck(20 frets)
- Linden top/back/sides
- Bound indian laurel fretboard with white dot inlay
$999.00
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Visual appeal
Features:
- Plays great, sounds great
- Action is low, smooth, and fluid
- Any questions please ask
$1099.00
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Craftsmanship . Durability . Visual appeal
Features:
- Bridge is a gotoh 1996 tremolo.
- Tuners are gotoh locking sg-381.
- Killswitch is the tesi gold momentary with green/red lights.
$1149.99
4.7
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Weight
Features:
- Fingerboard radius: 12"-16" compound radius (304.8 mm to 406.4 mm)
- Pickup: seymour duncan distortion tb-6 (bridge), seymour duncan distortion sh-6n (neck)
- Bridge: jackson ht6 string-through-body hardtail
$299.99
5.0
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality
Features:
- Roasted maple fretboard
- Jatoba fret board
- Medium frets
$637.50
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Durability . Visual appeal . Sound quality . Craftsmanship
Features:
- Weight according to our scale is 7 lbs and 14 oz.
- The neck profile is thin and wide, perfect for shredding!
- Frets show no wear and this guitar sits nice and balanced with a strap attached!
$1049.00
5.0
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Durable . Lightweight . Well made
Features:
- Specialty traders is an authorized esp dealer!
- Esp ltd ex black metal guitar & bag lexbkmblks demo #1265.
- 7.00 lbs, 13.44 oz.
$849.95
4.9
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Durability . Visual appeal . Weight
Features:
- Proteus humbuckers
- Gus g.
- Neck-through construction
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Lightweight . Well made . Durable
Features:
- Get that classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank
- Powered by jackson high-output humbucking pickups
- Floyd rose licensed jackson double-locking tremolo provides excellent stability
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Lightweight . Durable
Features:
- Jatoba has a reddish brown color and produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end.
- Jumbo frets contribute to smooth playability, especially for single-note playing.
- The meranti body provides a scooped mid-range with a sweet tone.
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Lacks durability . Well made . Lightweight
Features:
- Ernie ball strings, no scratch, played just indoor, in my house, occasionally.
- I bought it new, never played in concerts.
- H-s-h configuration.
$449.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durable . Weight
Features:
- Nyatoh neck
- Walnut fretboard
- Medium frets
$279.99
4.6
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Lightweight . Well made . Durable
Features:
- All mahogany, rhoads-style body with oiled finish
- Dual jackson high-out humbucking pickups
- Gold hardware includes tune-o-matic bridge and die-cast tuners
$449.99
4.8
Reviewers Noted:
Good sound quality . Attractive . Well made . Durability . Lightweight
Features:
- The classic elite pickups offer rich, nuanced tone with fat low-end.
- The art-1 bridge provides improved sustain and tuning stability.
- The sure grip iii knobs are designed for precise control with nonslip functionality, along with smooth and classic looks.
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Attractive . Durable . Well made . Heavy
Features:
- High-performance design puts you in touch with your music
- For playability, you can’t beat the superstrat recipe
- Optimized electronics give you a staggering range of tone – with no noise
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Sound quality . Craftsmanship . Durability . Weight
Features:
- High-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets deliver a powerful tone
- Gives you that classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank
- Amaranth fingerboard creates the ideal playing surface for fat riffs
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Attractive . Durable . Well made
Features:
- Designed by gary holt of slayer and exodus to handle the most aggressive, fast, and powerful playing possible
- Driven by an emg 89r neck pickup, with a coil splitter controlled by a volume knob pull switch, and an emg 81 bridge pickup
- Offers a set-thru neck design for terrific stability and smooth, unhampered access to the highest frets
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Lightweight . Attractive . Well made . Durability
Features:
- 100% designed by fender
- Dual humbucking pickups
- Thin and lightweight body
Reviewers Noted:
Attractive . Good sound quality . Well made . Durable . Weight
Features:
- Legendary gibson les paul & sg shapes
- Ideal learning guitar
- Perfect youth size, easy to play
Reviewers Noted:
Sound quality . Well made . Attractive . Durable . Lightweight
Features:
- Poplar body
- Dual jackson high-output humbucking
- Floyd rose licensed jackson double-locking tremolo
1. Ibanez Af55 Artcore Hollowbody Electric Guitar, Transparent Black Flat
Product Details:
The ibanez af55 tkf electric guitar – tobacco flat, is part of the new 2019 range of artcore models that ibanez has released. with vintage guitars as popular as they've become, their cost has skyrocketed in recent years. even relic'd new guitars are often outrageously over-priced. now, ibanez proudly offers artcore vintage – the alternative to pricey vintage instruments. the artcore vintage "aging" process applies to hardware and other appointments, as well as the body, giving each guitar a convincingly real, worn appearance. the parallel histories of jazz music and hollow-body electric guitars have been manifested in the artstar. the influences of these legendary instruments are immediately apparent with bone nut, ebony fretboard, and ibanez's signature super 58 custom pickups. the critical eye will appreciate the details like the smoothness of the fretboard and a skilled crimping technique generally found on instruments costing twice as much. the artstar is a pure jazz-box that embodies the continual innovation that is jazz. built with an artcore af mahogany set-in neck(20 frets) and linden top/back/sideswith bound indian laurel fretboard with white dot inlay and equiped with infinity r (h) and infinity r (h) pickups, and 1 volume, 1 tone, 3-way toggle switch.
Specifications:
| Length | 18 in |
| Height | 45 in |
| Width | 8.5 in |
Reviews:
Sound: The stock pickups sound great especially with high gain. Nice crunch and break up. Features: For me the reason that I bought this model is that it is the least expensive way to get a real Edge tremolo. I can do subtle things with the Edge that I can’t do on an Original Floyd Rose. The bar is easier to position and it stays where ever you put it. As long as the torsion bushings on the bar aren’t worn out, the pop in bar is neither too tight or too sloppy. Value: This guitar is worth every penny. Manufacturer Support: I did not use Ibanez customer service and I did order half a dozen sets of torsion bushings, but had to order them from different places. The Wow Factor: I love the color of this one, Desert Sun Yellow. Overall: In the last 2 months I’ve bought 5 different Ibanez guitars, both lower and higher price. I must say that this guitar is the most bang for the buck out of any of my 21 guitars that I own.Got more than 200 bucks off on mine as it was sold as a slight blemish. When the guitar arrived, I noticed it did have a hairline crack in the paint on the bass side at the neck pocket. That was the only flaw I could find and it probably would have happened anyway if I would have got a “new” one.This is the shreddiest guitar that I have. The only thing that I had to address is that the 6th fret was a little proud. Other than that the fret job was good. All the frets were shiny and smooth and no fret sprout.This is the guitar that is at the price point where if you spend more money, you aren’t going to get much better. And the fit and finish were top notch.Scott
Overall: This guitar was a total impulse buy and I’m so glad I bought it! It’s easily worth twice the price of it. Can’t get too many mid tier guitars that are neck thru with decent pickups and a 5-way switch that has a fast and slim neck at this price. I mostly play baritone 6 strings and 7 strings but I needed a 25.5” scale for drop C and this is perfect for it with 10-54 strings. I did upgrade the nut with a Graphtech tusq nut and Hipshot locking tuners with knurled tuner buttons and looks even more badass while staying in perfect tune! I have an Ibanez rgib6 Iron Label 28” baritone and this is up there with that as far as quality and playability. The stock pickups aren’t bad at all and definitely surprised me cuz that’s usually the first thing I’ll change in an inexpensive guitar. As you can see by the other reviews people say it’s a great guitar and they’re not lying so if you’re on the fence about getting it then go for it! You won’t be disappointed at all and if for some reason you are then zZounds has a return policy within like 30-45 days so you won’t be stuck with a guitar you don’t love.Josh
Overall: I have been playing the epiphone les paul std for two and half years now,and started looking at semi hollows around five months ago! I did some research looked at reviews and then bought the am93 ays almost four months ago,and just love it! The body is bigger and its lighter then the les paul ,it rests real nice on the lap no strap is neaded.Pickups and tunners excellent !! I would say the neck shape is a (c ) standard! Not thin like a jackson or wizard 3 neck! With the string action low feels and plays very nice!! Flawless machine ! No sharp frets,no freting out, all notes are clear, fret boards nice and dark no gaps around the block inlays ! All smooth sealed and even. Amazing finish. Thanks to everyone at zZounds ! With the payment plan i was able to get this! im very happy and very much enjoy it
2. Esp Ltd Ec Black Metal Electric Guitar Black Satin
Product Details:
Esp's eclipse model, one of hard rock and metal's favourite guitar choices, gets some added darkness and extremity in this special ltd black metal edition! esp have long since proven their dominance of the modern metal world. more top name metal players use their guitars than any other brand. for this limited edition range, esp visit the cold extremities of scandinavia's black metal scene to provide stylistic inspiration. the results are beautiful and brutal.the ltd eclipse black metal is simple and devastatingly effective. this is made with mahogany and features set neck construction with an ebony fingerboard(no fingerboard inlays either, naturally). the finish and hardware are all black: this guitar is darker than a norwegian winter's night! the single pickup is an extremely powerful seymour duncan blackened black winter humbucker. this is a bright, extremely high output, overwound pickup which is chock full of aggression and sustain. this blackened' version of the pickup is actually not available to buy. it's highly heavy sounding and more than lives up to both it's name and the guitar's modus operandi.one pickup, a single volume and a hard tail bridge is all you need to make the hugest, sickest riffs known to man or beast.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Satin |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Thin U |
| Neck wood | 3-piece Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-through |
| Scale length | 24.75 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | 13.78 in. (350mm) |
| Fret size | Extra-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Glow-in-the-dark side dots |
| Nut width | 1.65 in. (42 mm) Molded |
| Configuration | H |
| Bridge | Blackened Black Winter |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | TonePros locking tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | LTD locking |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
Reviews:
Overall: Where to even start with this beautiful top quality instrument? Right out of the box, it's worth noting just how black it really is. It almost reminds me of the old grey monotone Les Paul just, black. The macassar ebony isn't true ebony but it's still pretty in its own way. My fretboard is dark enough though so don't worry about it not being traditional ebony. The neck shape is not a thin U shape. The EC1000 is a thin U. While the build quality certainly is the same as the EC1000, the Black Metal's neck is more of a D shape. Trust me, I don't hate it, it's actually a good different, nice and comfortable. The tuning I play in is A# F A# D# G C with 13-56 gauge strings and this guitar took that extremely well without much adjustment. The Black Winter Duncan is very hot. Handles high gain death metal very well. Sounds nice and wet, perfect pickup for this guitar. If even for a second you've contemplated getting a this guitar but didnt, just do it. I too was on the fence about it since it was teased like a year ago but I'm definitely glad I got it. The I only thing I'm still trying to get used to is not having the pickup ring to anchor onto when I'm picking. Other than that, buy it. Also, the clean tones are a bit cleaner than I had expected. Really let's you dig in to your tubes for some crunch when you want it.Max
Fell in love with this guitar 5 minutes in. Perhaps the most comfortable guitar I've ever played. Neck is slim and fast, action came pretty low on the guitar with almost zero feet buzz. Weighty enough but not super light. The Black Winter pickup is pretty brutal but also super clear at high gain. However, I replaced mine with a Dimarzio X2N and now I have a pseudo-Chuck Schuldiner guitar.El Mariachi
I just got my ESP/LTD Black Metal and I've been waiting for this guitar since NAMM 2018! I'd been wanting a simple guitar with non EMG pickups. This fits the bill one knob volume only, and a Seymour Duncan Black Winter pickup! Super sleek look and different than anything else I have in my collection. If you're thinking about this one GO FOR IT!
3. Esp Ltd Arrow Black Metal Black Satin Electric Guitar
Product Details:
Make it heavy. with an esp ltd arrow black metal guitar in your hands, you'll be able to create a sound which could come from the depths of the earth. built for nothing but the heaviest, most saturated music imaginable, it will have no trouble handling even the highest of gain settings. a single, yet extremely powerful, emg 81 pickup occupies the bridge position, ready to unleash its high output, crunchy, articulate tone whenever the strings vibrate. the sharpest sound. the sleek, slender, and incredibly menacing image of this guitar gives it plenty of character, and helps complement its powerful, imposing sound. with an ebony fretboard, you can be sure that your fingers will have all the comfort they need to shred for hours on end. a whammy bar and floyd rose locking system give you the ability to introduce vibrato to your notes, whether heavy and violent or soft and sinister. with glow-in-the-dark side dots guiding the way when you're playing on dark stages, you can be confident that this guitar will always be easy to play. if you're ready to unleash your inner metal demon, then this could be the perfect guitar for you.
Specifications:
| Body shape | V |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Satin |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Thin U |
| Neck wood | 3-piece Maple |
| Joint | Neck-through |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | 13.75 in. |
| Fret size | Extra-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Glow-in-the-dark side dots |
| Nut width | 1.65 in. (42 mm) |
| Configuration | H |
| Bridge | EMG 81 |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Control layout | Master volume, EMG TKO Kill Switch |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Bridge design | Floyd Rose 1000 |
| Tuning machines | Grover |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
I had been hunting for a V for a few months and I stumbled on to the Black Metal Arrow. I have a Gary Holt LTD and I love how it plays and sounds. I did comparisons between the two and the Arrow is almost exact specs of the GH-600. There are a couple small differences but I love how the ESP plays and knew that I could buy this Arrow without playing it first I would be happy, and I was extremely happy. The single pickup is perfect for me I usually only use the bridge pickup anyhow. One thing I really like about this guitar is the angle of the body. The front has been beveled so that my arm lays perfectly on the body. Just like my other ESP this thing screams. You can rip a violent harmonic and dive down or pull back on the whammy and it just screams. The kill switch is pretty cool. Right now it is more just for fun, I don't think I will incorporate it into any songs or anything. This was a great investment.ChupaCabra
This guitar has it all! A sleek look, the simplicity of a single pickup/volume knob and tons of attitude to spare. This guitar is sweet! It plays so nicely with the macassar ebony fretboard, and the stainless steel frets make shredding and bending the stings a breeze. It’s definitely a showstopper as well. I get so many compliments on not just the looks, but the crushing tone it produces through the single EMG 81 pickup. If you’re a shredder and want to add some menacing Black Metal savagery to your arsenal, look no further than this guitar. You’ll be glad that you did! ????Riff Ross
I recently started getting into playing guitar. I didn't know know much about guitars between what they're made of or what's good or bad and american musical helped me a great deal! I had some cheap guitar when I started and when it was time for me to upgrade and get a guitar that makes people say WOW they were right by side to help me. I ended up getting this bad a** guitar and for an amazing price!!! I couldn't be happier with product and the service! I would HIGHLY recommend this website to anyone trying to get their dream guitar.
4. Jackson Pro Series Sl2a Mah Ht Soloist Unicorn White
Product Details:
Unlock your full potential as a player with the innovative jackson pro series soloist sl2a mah ht, the final word in high-tech guitar design. a high-performance evolution of the electric guitar, this ergonomic instrument opens up new horizon sof playability, resetting the bar of what's possible in guitar design. the pro sl2a mah ht's premium features include a mahogany body with ash top and a through-body maple neck with scarf joint for reduced playing fatigue, graphite reinforcement rods for stability and oiled back finish for smooth playability. its 12"-16" compound radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets is designed for highly technical lightspeed playing-more curved by the nut for comfortable chording, it flattens out as you move up the neck for increasingly fast playing speed and wide bends without fretting out. designed for aggressive playing styles, modern seymour duncan distortion bridge and neck humbucking pickups combine for highly balanced, flexible tone, with plenty of high output while retaining clarity. think pristine cleans, crunchy rhythms, snarling distortion and searing leads. explore this instrument's versatile voice with three-way pickup toggle switching and single volume and tone controls, and enjoy sustain for days from the jackson ht6 string-through-body hardtail bridge. jackson has a history of adding striking style to its high performance instruments, and this axe is no exception. its mystical unicorn white finish features a matching jackson pointed 6-in-line headstock, 2-ply black and celluloid pearl binding, pearloid piranha tooth inlays and black nickel hardware.
Specifications:
| Body Type | Double Cutaway Solid Body |
| Top wood | Ash |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Neck-through |
| Scale length | 25.5" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Oil |
| Radius | Compound |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Pearloid piranha tooth |
| Nut width/material | 1.687"/Plastic |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Seymour Duncan Humbucker |
| Bridge | Seymour Duncan Humbucker |
| Control layout | Master volume, Master tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-Way |
| Bridge type | Fixed Bridge |
| Tailpiece | String thru body |
| Tuning machines | Sealed Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6 String |
| Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
I had played one of these in a store and liked the feel. After having one for a few weeks, I like it even more. I'm slightly taller than the average guy. Hence my fingers are a bit longer than the average guy. Maybe it is just because the neck seems to get thinner as you get up to the higher notes, but it seems like the neck is a little wider than the rest of my guitars up around the 15th to 24th frets. ("rest of my guitars" include Les Paul, Strat, Ibanez RG550, EVH Wolfgang, and others for reference). Aside from how great the paint job LOOKS, it does not have a gloss coat on it. This is a good thing since the paint job extends up the back of the neck allowing your hand to slide quite freely on the back of the neck. The bridge humbucker is fantastic. It screams the notes clearly with ZERO noise or hum when not playing. I'm not that impressed with the neck humbucker, but that's comparing it to the neck hum on my Les Paul, Carvin, and PRS Custom. AND, for about 90% of the 80s hair band songs you are never using that pickup anyway. The Floyd Rose is great! I got tired of waiting for it to need minor tuning adjustments naturally, so I'm to the point of TRYING to make it go out of tune even slightly and it STILL stays locked in tune. Overall, this guitar is now my GO TO for anything 80s (the biggest chunk of my playing preference).Steve
Having tried playing MANY of these in my hands, it seems that the quality control out of the Jackson Indonesia factory is hit-or-miss. If you get a good unit without problems, it is a great guitar with a great sound for a great price! And the looks are so nice as well. The neck thru body construction is so smooth and sweet. However, you might get a dud that sounds horrible. Or it might have severe defects in the neck or locking nut. In my experience, about 50% are of poor quality.
I was keen to find a 6 string that had a fixed bridge that I could use for covers and so I can retune to alternate tunings easily without having to get the screwdrivers and spending a lot of time retuning like a Locking Tremolo guitar. Thankfully the guitar already had Seymour Duncan pick ups in which are essential to having a aggressive tone but as well allow good expression so this meant it would be a case of getting the guitar out the box and playing rather than buying separate pick ups having to fit them in and so on. As I wanted a guitar that wasn't black or brightly colored the desert sand finish on the guitar really stood out and attracted me. Most of the SLP2's have a great selection of finish's. As for the neck and wood finish it is very smoothly and allows you to get quick access from from end of the neck to the other. Behind each the tuners on the headstock, there is this interesting circular turning device to help lock in the strings. This may help keep it in tune more but I also just attribute it staying in tune due to the general quality of the guitar. I bend the strings a lot for my lead playing and I play very aggressively with thick picks and rhythmically so once I put some heavier strings on (my preference) and configured the bridge saddles with a very small L shaped Allen/hex key the guitar stayed in tune.Tom H.
5. Ibanez Grg121sp Gio Electric Guitar, Blue Metal Chameleon
Product Details:
Classic elite pickups offer rich, nuanced tone with fat low-end. mono-unit output jack the mono-unit output jack is made of solid, durable material and is a single piece to avoid unwanted movement and loosening of the jack, which leads to contact failure or disconnection. this innovation allows for long term playing enjoyment and minimal maintenance. f106 bridge the f106 bridge enriches sustain. string height adjustment can be done easily and independently. jatoba fretboard jatoba has a reddish brown color which produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end.
Specifications:
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Neck Type | GRG |
| Neck Joint | Bolt-on |
| Neck Material | Roasted Maple |
| Neck finish | Satin Polyurethane |
| Neck thickness (1st fret) | 19.5mm |
| Neck thickness (12th fret) | 21.5mm |
| Scale | 25.5" |
| Nut width | 43mm |
| Number of fret | 24 |
| Fretboard | Bound Jatoba |
| Fretboard Radius | 400 |
| Fret Type | Medium |
| Inlay | White dot |
| Body finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Bridge | F106 |
| String spacing | 10.5mm |
| Nut | Plastic |
| Machine Head | Ibanez machine heads |
| Hardware color | Chrome |
| Neck Pickup | Classic Elite (H) |
| Bridge Pickup | Classic Elite (H) |
| Controls, Pickup selector | 1 Volume, 1 Tone, 5-way lever switch |
| String Gauges (from top to bottom) | .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046 |
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Strings | 6 String |
Reviews:
Overall: Awesome feeling neck, good bridge and decent pickups. The finish is amazing I’m person and it plays like really well. I’ve never played a guitar in this price range that plays this well. The only weak point would be the pickups , the bridge sounds decent , the neck pickup leaves a lot to be desired . If you looking for a mod platform or just started out , you could easily swap the pickups and this would be a great guitar for years .
I bought this guitar a few months ago, didn't want to spend a lot. The finish is beautiful, and I can't find a problem with any part of this instrument. Needed a light neck for my aging fingers and this cuts it without costing an arm and a leg. Ibanez has made it good at this level and I can only imagine that it gets better as the money goes up. If you are hesitating, don't! You will be happy you did this!
6. Ibanez Iron Label Rgix6fdlb Electric Guitar Northern Lights Burst
Product Details:
Ibanez builds guitars for all levels of players—from beginners to the most demanding masters of the instrument. regardless of price, ibanez always strives to offer the absolute best sound, style, and playability in its class. as the legion of converts to the “made-for-metal” iron label series continues to grow, ibanez continues to tap the seismic underworld for inspiration. working their famous rg from the “chassis” up, ibanez speaks to the flash and fury of the frantic shredder with the rgix6fdlb. the rgix6fdlb features a laurel burl top in a stunning new northern lights burst finish with a black stained ash body, giving the model an exotic appearance and an almost otherworldly color scheme. a reverse headstock adds another element of visual distinction. the neck is constructed using a combination of maple and purpleheart topped off with an ebony fingerboard. luminescent side dots are provided on the neck for increased visibility in darker playing environments. the guitar comes with dimarzio fusion edge pickups, which were the result of a direct collaboration between dimarzio and ibanez. they provide great clarity and a very smooth response, satisfying the current demands of players in today’s progressive metal scene. the pickups also include a coil tap option for an expanded array of sounds. the gibraltar standard ii bridge provides the optimal transfer of each string’s vibration to the body. gotoh locking machine heads help provide superior tuning stability and expedite string changes. the rg iron label is a perfect choice for the metal player looking for a more modern guitar that features the ultimate in both sound and playability.
Specifications:
| Finish | Northern Lights Burst |
| Year | 2018 – 2019 |
| Made In | Indonesia |
| Body Shape | S-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Ebony |
| Frets | Medium Jumbo |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Number of Frets | 24 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | No |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
Reviews:
I have owned may high end guitars and many high end ibanez's. Prestige's, Js's and even a Jem. This guitar holds its own. It has quality wood and electronics. I just got it today but it is my new go to, my Ibanez genisis 550, will now be my back up. Don't judge it by the pictures, it looks way better in person. The DiMarzio's sound like magic.Scott
A little flaw in the finish on the back, a tiny dink in the back of the neck and a grubby headstock tip which I didn't expect from a brand new guitar. I still like it and I'm keeping it but they are definitely skipping out on some quality control at Ibanez and/or Andertons. Otherwise guitar looks and play brilliantly.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
So the first one that arrived did not look at all like the picture. the colours didn't pop, I really was not happy with it…plus there where a few marks on the back of the neck where it joins the body. So I got in touch with Andertons and they replaced the guitar with a new one that looks amazing! plays very well, love the pickups and the neck is outta this world!!Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.
7. Esp Ltd Ex Black Metal Electric Guitar – Black Satin
Product Details:
Frightening, fierce, fearless. the esp ltd ex black metal is monstrous in shape and truly decimating in sound. showcasing a mahogany body and maple neck, the design is sleek enough for sumptuous playability and strong enough to handle any aggressive performance. fret effortlessly on a thin neck with 'u' contour and soar seamlessly across an exquisite ebony fingerboard. a tonepros locking tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece then provide incredible sturdiness and tuning stability. the ltd ex black metal is loaded with an emg 81 pickup for a tone that encompasses incredible crunch and gloriously crisp highs. it is the ultimate pickup for a powerful, wall-trembling tone. but this guitar is not just menacing in sound, it also has a striking aesthetic to match. high-quality components such as stainless steel frets, glow-in-the-dark side markers, and a black metal ltd logo on the headstock make the guitar both endearing and dramatic.
Specifications:
| Body Type | Offset Solid Body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Satin |
| Neck shape | Thin U |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Fret size | Extra-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Nut width | 1.65" |
| Configuration | H |
| Bridge | EMG Humbucker |
| Control layout | Master volume |
| Bridge type | Fixed Bridge |
| Bridge design | TonePros Locking TOM |
| Tuning machines | Locking |
| Number of strings | 6 String |
| Orientation | Right-Handed |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
Overall: I was feeling totally Corona bummed out. Uninspired, depressed, just a big pile of blahhhh. I had been wanting an esp for a minute and popped on zZounds and ended up checking this ltd out. So stoked I did! Had to do a couple adjustments, trem spring tension adjustment (slight) and then tune up , with grover, radical (non locking tuners!! These just are rock solid tuners.. with this setup, after your strings are broken in of course– it will stay in tune Fer dayyyyzzz) so I plugged into my hot Rodded 6505+ with biased jj tubes,,, and this is just a beast of a guitar . Finish is flawless, cannot tell the difference between this and my buddies Japanese ESP. Knobs are rad and solid, push/pull pot on one–which adds a killer flavor. Then there's the emgs, just pure metal and I can get killer, rich, warm tones on the cleans too. Basically, I'm a changed man. I was jamming with my door open and a hot chicken walked by and smiled. Yep. Music is the universal language and I am happy. All kidding aside, this is a great guitar and has my full approval. I'm an esp fan big time now!! Thank you zZounds for trusting me again !! I have soo many rad guitars and amps from you guys!!
this is the best guitar I've ever had. I thought my best guitar had been Japanise Jackson with two hot rails and a humbucker in the bridge. The second one was LTD EC-1000 I bought in Music Store as well. But I must admit that my new ESP LTD Black Metal Satin is far better in my opinion than both my guitars with SD and EMG pickups. I think the name of the guitar "Black metal" is just a kind of a stereotype and may put someone off buying it if you are not a Black metal head. I do like various metal genres , however, I'm not a fan of death and black metal, but I had been 100 per cent sure that this guitar would satisfy my metal taste anyway. I It looks agressive and it is definitely prone to metal but not only for "Black" or "Death". If you like Steel Panther or Gus G, you would be pleased with this monstrous axe! The sound provided by SD Blackened winter pickup is just what you really need to get the best metal sound ever. String separation in every chord you play is both clean and powerful simultaneously. If you want to shred, you won't regret it as well. This metal masterpice will be my favourite guitar for years! And yes, I 've immediately taken to one H pickup and a Floyd rose-no more you need for creating a great sound. Thank you Music Store and ESP for letting me have such a great instrument!
Sound: The 'Blackened' Black Winter pickup is very bright. Not shrill, but definitely will cut through a mix. It's incredibly clear, and touch sensitive. Very high output, which is appropriate for a guitar called the Black Metal! Features: This guitar has an alder body, which is amazing for almost all tonal aims. The raised LTD logo on the headstock is an incredibly nice touch! The Grovers are smooth, and stable, and the OFR is also stable and reliable. Ease of Use: This is where this, and just about every other LTD I've purchased shines. The fretwork is immaculate. I have the action at .75mm, and it doesn't buzz, for those who aren't familiarwith action measurements, this is incredibly low. The pickup height was perfect right out of the box. The only thing I needed to adjust was the truss rod, it had a bit too much relief. But once that was done, it plays like butter and sounds brutal! Quality: This guitar has absolutely no quality control issues, and feels extremely well made. As stated above, it has all high end appointments, such as a Seymour Duncan pickup, OFR, and grover tuners. It functions amazingly. Value: Absolutely. I'm a Jackson fanboy 90% of the time, but I can say (and zZounds can verify) I've had to return multiple Jackson products and never a single LTD. The Jacksons cost more, and have less. Manufacturer Support: I haven't needed to deal with ESP, as I've never had an issue with their products. The Wow Factor: When you're playing this guitar, if feels metal. The guitar is so easy to play, and sounds so brutal. I can't recommend it enough if you like to play extreme genres of music. Overall: LTD never disappoints. This guitar is metal as it gets, and plays fantastically.Matheau
8. Jackson Pro Series Gus G. Signature Star – Ivory Guitar
Product Details:
Greek metal god gus g. is one of metals reigning guitar virtuosos. he served as prince of darkness ozzy osbournes lead guitarist through from 2009-2017, while also establishing himself as an acclaimed solo artist with albums like i am the fire and fearless. gus g. has also managed to find time to perform worldwide with acts as diverse as arch enemy, dream evil and his own band, firewind. jackson pays homage to the prodigious guitarist with his very own pro series signature gus g. star, which offers a fresh new take on one of jacksons original avant-garde body shapes. his signature star model features a resonant mahogany body with through-neck construction to ensure ergonomic comfort during long sets along with monstrous sustain. the rock-solid maple neck has a satin finish on the back for smooth fret-hand playability, and a 12 radius bound pau ferro fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets and pearloid big block inlays. designed to meet his exacting playing-style needs, the all-new active gus. g proteus humbucker pickup set provides powerful, rich tone and nuanced expression. built with a high-output, low-noise preamp, these signature pickups deliver ample kick and distortion with well-balanced eq and rich harmonics that respond perfectly to picking attach and dynamics. harness its tonal power with three-way toggle pickup switching and a single volume control, and enjoy accurate intonation and enhanced sustain from the jackson tom-style adjustable bridge with anchored tailpiece. a formidable and stunning creation, the pro series signature gus g. star is available in ivory with a pointed 6-in-line matching headstock, white binding and stylish chrome hardware, including the pickup covers.
Specifications:
| Body Type | Other, Solid Body |
| Top wood | Mahogany |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck shape | Slim |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Neck-through |
| Scale length | 25.5" |
| Truss rod | Dual-action |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | 12" |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Pearloid Block |
| Nut width/material | 1.687 in. (42.8 mm), Plastic |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Bridge | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Control layout | Master volume |
| Pickup switch | 3-Way |
| Special electronics | Active pickups |
| Bridge type | Fixed Bridge |
| Bridge design | Individual saddle |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | Sealed Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Country of Origin | China |
Reviews:
Guitar has an incredible finish that feels amazing the guitar is lightweight so it is great for shows, the neck through design along with the solid bridge makes it sustain for days even on high notes the dynamics really come through with the pickups on this guitar my pinch harmonics sound better than ever. It feels like this guitar is a higher priced piece but it comes in at an affordable price. 9/10 because the volume knob is a bit easy to turn and really close to the strumming area i tend to hit it more than i should.Cookie
This is a great guitar for a good price sounds good rocks out good very happytimab56oe
9. Jackson Js Series Rhoads Js32t Electric Guitar, Amaranth, Satin Black
Product Details:
Swift, deadly and affordable, jackson js series guitars take an epic leap forward, making it easier than ever to get classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank. the js series rhoads js32t has a poplar body and a bolt-on maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint for rock-solid stability. hosting 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, the 12”-16” compound radius fully bound amaranth fingerboard creates the ideal playing surface for fat riffs and easy chording near the black plastic nut while gradually flattening in the upper registers for lightning-quick solos and wide bends without fear of fretting out. a pair of jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets cranks out clear tone with plenty of girth. the neck position delivers bright highs while the bridge adds plenty of crunchy distortion that can be shaped with a three-way toggle switch and single volume and tone controls. enjoy accurate string action and spacing and improved sustain, courtesy the jackson compound radius compensated tom-style bridge, which perfectly matches the fingerboard’s radius. this angular battle-tested axe is available in satin black or white with black bevels, and is finished off with a black pickguard and black hardware. see manufacturer's website for specs.
Specifications:
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Nato |
| Body finish | OIl |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Speed neck |
| Neck wood | 1-piece Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Graphite reinforced |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | Compound 12–16" |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Sharkfin |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Bridge | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | String Thru Body |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
I bought this guitar because I wanted a new toy and because of the price – I figured I didn't have much to lose. I have three other guitars, two of them Jackson, that I play frequently, and I always wanted a guitar of this style. The natural finish is attractive and unusual. I like that. The pickups are ok, but the electronics leave a lot to be desired. The fingerboard craftsmanship is lacking attention, at least on the one I received. There are unfinished areas and one of the inlays is missing a small section. I don't know what strings they send over to China to put on this thing, but they are complete garbage. Putting some new strings on improved things a lot. This also suffers from some fret buzz. The guitar comes setup pretty well. The intonation seems to be spot on and the truss rod is adjusted properly. Action is set surprisingly well, considering the price of the guitar. However, as I mentioned above, this results in some fret buzz. I'll work with that a bit later. The neck has the same feel and playability as my higher-end Jacksons, so that's a plus. Overall, I don't think you could go wrong with this in the low price range. I'd recommend inspecting the guitar closely upon receipt to double check quality control. I wouldn't recommend this as a first guitar, unless an experienced guitarist is available to inspect. It's also not a guitar that's easy to sit and play, which is something to consider. If you get a good one and it's setup properly, this is an excellent guitar for ripping out some metal riffs or just having fun. Just don't take it too seriously.Matt
I received my guitar about three days ago, and overall I am very happy with my purchase. The guitar looks awesome – I love the wood finish with gold hardware, and have received many compliments on the instrument's overall appearance. It is incredibly light, weighing in at just about 7 pounds, making it the lightest guitar I have ever owned. I love the feel of Jackson necks, and this guitar is no exception. It has a fast action that makes speedy riffs a breeze to play. Access to the higher portion of the fret board is incredible, thanks to the V body shape. This is my first Flying V guitar, and I will definitely need to get used to handling the unique body shape as I play. Now for a couple cons that made me drop my rating from 5 to 4 stars: this guitar is top heavy. I have never owned a top-heavy guitar before, and it is super inconvenient to play standing up. You have to put in a constant effort to keep the guitar level as you play. I personally like to play with my guitar at a 45-degree upwards angle, which is much more difficult to do on this guitar then on any of my other well-balanced instruments. While the natural wood body looks awesome, it feels as if it would be easy to damage. But as long as you're careful you shouldn't run into any issues. I ordered this guitar online, and was not happy with the experience Guitar Center delivered. It said that the instrument was in stock and ready to ship, but after three days I still hadn't received a shipping confirmation in my email. I reached out to customer support and found out that the guitar was actually not in stock and I would have to wait three additional weeks before my guitar would ship. That was a bummer. All in all I would recommend this guitar, and am happy I added it to my collection!Darin
My fiance purchased this guitar for me as a early Christmas gift around october 2019. After the usual string change adjustments and tuning it sounded great and played great. Only real issue is neck dive but with this body shape you expect it and can be corrected by moving the strap button placement to the back plate or near by depending on your choice i left it and rest the top horn inside my leg like you see dimebag with his ml and many others with the v shape and non traditional shapes like the warriors king Vs and so on. I personally love the Rhoads shape and the natural finish. Other than some minor changes and upgrades knobs Tusq Nut Locking tuners and a Seymour Duncan bridge pickup upgrade and a good setup this guitar is my daily player out of the 6 i own its become my favorite im looking to buy another honestlychuck thomas
10. Ibanez Standard Rg421ex Electric Guitar – Transparent Crimson Fade Matte
Product Details:
Three decades of metal have forged the rg421ex electric guitar into a high-performance machine, honing it for both speed and strength. a hardtail (fixed) bridge, the rg is a precision instrument. the rg is the most recognizable and distinctive guitar in the ibanez line. wizard iii maple neck ibanez's thin, flat and fast wizard neck is strong and sturdy and offers unlimited playability and features a two-octave 24-fret fretboard for a wide tonal range. jatoba fretboard jatoba has a reddish brown color and produces a rich mid range with a crisp high end. jumbo frets jumbo frets contribute to smooth playability, especially for single-note playing. meranti body the meranti body provides a scooped mid-range with a sweet tone. quantum h-h pickups the quantum pickups provide accelerated bass response for exceptionally fast tracking of high-speed staccato riffing with crushing mid range and precise high-end articulation. f106 bridge the f106 bridge enriches sustain. string height adjustment can be done easily and independently.
Specifications:
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Neck Construction | Bolt-On |
| Hardware Color | Black |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Neck | Wizard III / Maple neck |
| Top/Back/Body | Meranti body |
| Fretboard | Bound Jatoba fretboard / White dot inlay |
| Fret | Jumbo frets |
| Numbers Of Fret | 24 |
| Bridge | F106 bridge |
| Neck Pickup | Quantum (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Bridge Pickup | Quantum (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| String Gauge | .010/.013/.017/.026/.036/.046 |
| String Space | 0.41" (10.5mm) |
| Body finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Neck finish | Satin Polyurethane |
| Neck Scale | 25.5" (648mm) |
| Neck Width | 43mm at NUT 58mm at 24F |
| Neck Thickness | 19mm at 1F 21mm at 12F |
| Neck Radius | 400mmR |
Reviews:
. Now let me set the scene… I am a guitar lover (I can even play a little too) and a quality professional so My expectations are somewhat higher than most looking at this product. An absolutely beautiful instrument, this is my second SA360 and although they are no longer. Made in Japan, be assured they have not lost any of the build quality or attention to detail. The guitar was really well set up, is great to play, feels good in the hand and sounds the bee’s knee’s. If you are looking to start out in guitar playing get yourself an Ibanez Gio to start as a first upgrade from that, then the SA series is where you want to be at.Timbo
Overall: For 100 bucks less than a Japanese made RG550 I'll say the quality of this Indonesian assembled guitar is sub-par albeit correctable. All hardware was loose. Blase switch wast rubbing against finish. Tone and volume pots were pushed down into contact with body. Gold playing on bridge pick-up shows nickel plating already. Action was set so low that it was unplayable. Some frets are razor sharp at the edge of the fretboard. Neck and fretboard are dry as a bone, and need to be sanded and sealed. The grain was raised when I unboxed. Which basically tells me that there was very little if any polyurethane applied to the neck or fretboard. As with all Indonesian guitars ai take this as an opportunity to fix these little things on my own, but you are better off getting an RG550 Genesis. The quality is far superior. Also the paint is awful, and the plating on all gold plated surfaces are sure to deteriorate quickly. One note: Sounds has nothing to do with these inadequacies or defects. Ibanez should just seize operations in Indonesia, as should all other guitar manufactures. Indonesian guitars are ok enough to correct, but even at the 800 dollar mark you should get a 100% gigable axe. This is not at that level.
I've owned this guitar for a year. I own more than a few Ibanez, with about half of them being Prestige and the others being 80's/90's Fujigen Ibby's, 2010's Iron Labels and Premium. I love this RGA and it's remarkably well spec'ed for most anything a diverse player will want. What it isn't: it isn't a prestige and it doesn't feel like it. That's not a bad thing; the roasted maple neck is amazing, feels comfortable, but the fingerboard does feel a little different (given the wood type). The only real negative I find is that the finish (the actual finish) feels like it's very delicate. I can see this finish cracking easily with an everyday bump. I hang my guitars and pull them just to record, so not a n issue for me, but it definitely feels very delicate. The only other reasonable complaint is that for the pricepoint, it should include at least a gig bag. This is basically a 1,000 dollar guitar.
11. Ibanez Grx20z Electric Guitar – Black Night
Product Details:
The ibanez grx20z is a shining example of value. even though the price tag is very modest, this beast is made to rock. a basswood body houses a pair of high-output humbuckers, making this a great axe for the burgeoning rocker who seeks to rock the rafters. a standard tremolo handles dive-bombing and other whammy bar acrobatics. all in all, the ibanez grx20z gives you a whole lotta guitar for the money. start your favorite guitarist down the path to rock stardom with the grx20z. ibanez grx20z solidbody electric guitar. features: black night finish. 2 powersound humbucking pickups. basswood body. rosewood fingerboard. fat 6 bridge. 22 medium frets. standard tremolo. solidbody guitars.
Specifications:
| Weight | 13 lb |
Reviews:
There is plenty to like about this guitar, and I got it for the features I was looking for: locking tremelo, 24 frets, fast neck, 5 way pickup selector, and nice looks. My first impressions of the guitar was slight disappointment with how sloppy Ibanez was. The tops and bottoms of the frets needed to be beveled as they were pretty sharp, there was a noticeable nick on the fretboard, and there was a black smudge on the back of the neck. None of those was a huge deal. The main two issues I have with the guitar are that the middle pickup, the single coil, has such low output that the middle three positions are much quieter than the neck or bridge pickups alone. I do like the tone of the single coil in conjunction with the humbuckers, but those positions are somewhat useless considering how quiet they are, and I have ordered a humbucker to replace it. The single coil alone (middle position) has too much noise AND is too quiet. Not a big deal to replace a pickup, but why they are selling it this way, I'm not sure. The second issue is the volume control. Instead of a gradual swell, there is a sharp dropoff in volume at one point in the rotation of the dial, making it pretty much useless other than having it full on or all the way off. I am not sure if that is fixable, but if it is, I'll need to have that done as well. All that said, if the guitar had not arrived in such sloppy condition and the two problems were resolved, I'd give this guitar 5 stars.hickory spork
The Ibanez RG 450 or any of the RG's are with the exception of the factory p/u and electronic. capable of becoming one of the best performance guitars to own. The base Ibanez Floyd Rose system is fiddley but, after learning how to adjust/tune quickly becomes appreciated for holding tune no matter the severity of attacks you use with the tremolo. The Wizard(ll or lll ?) You would need to go to custom built to exceed the easy play and comfortable frets you will find on and RG. This recent RG450 I upgraded to equal the higher priced models by adding the De Marzio Tone Zone (B), Air Norton (N). And instead of going with the True Velvet. Added the Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack for the middle position and added better electrics to even out the upgrades.. End result; This guitar plays and sound equal to guitars costing over $1,000.00!! Good bones! Yes this can be played well and many will find happiness with this as stock., and, will perform well against the competition dollar for dollar!ikeus
I used to own an '89 Ibanez VBK JEM that I regrettably sold to buy a gaming pc. I wanted to get a newer entry level RG so I could have a floyd,HSH superstrat in E standard. I've had this RG for long enough to know it's a keeper. This thing has the same feel and vibe of my old JEM! Minus the monkey grip and other features obviously. The neck feels fantastic and I only had to do very minor setup adjustments to my liking. I would have liked a rosewood or ebony fingerboard but of course this is the lower end model. The Jatoba feels good under the fingers, similar to rosewood but with a slightly lighter shade to it. Like most guitars you buy online mine came desperately needing some good oil and cleaning. The Jatoba fingerboard seems to require a bit more lubrication than rosewood. The neck binding is done well, not perfect but to a good standard. I do wish the trem was an Edge lo-pro… But again, this is the lower priced model. There is nothing wrong with the Edge tremolo, it stays in tune well with whammy bar abuse but it is one of the bulkier Original Floyd Rose style bridges. The stock Quantum pickups are among the best stock Ibanez pickups I've tried. They are hot but versatile. However I did swap them out with the classic Dimarzio Air Norton/Steves Special combo and a True Velvet middle. I do believe a higher end Ibanez will obviously sound better than this but for the price it really is hard to beat! Well done Ibanez and AMS!Nevin
12. Ibanez As73 Artcore Hollow Body Electric Guitar (Olive Metallic)
Product Details:
Introduced by ibanez in 2002, artcore has been the hollow-body guitar of choice for musicians for the last 10 years. artcore’s combination of quality workmanship and affordability has created legions of fans from diverse genres, such as blues, country, rock, and jazz. musicians can find the purity of an old-school jazz box to a hybrid semi-hollow rocker. artcore is highly respected for its tone, sustain, and the way it holds its tuning. the series continues to push the boundaries of guitar building. the ibanez as73 is the standard of as models. its maple body and sustain block offer acoustic resonance and a naturally bright tone. the ibanez-original quick change iii tailpiece enables fast and easy string changing. the classic elite pickups offer a rich, nuanced tone with a fat low end. the as73 is a versatile semi-acoustic electric guitar, perfect for a wide range of musical styles and playing techniques.
Specifications:
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Body Type | Hollow Body |
| Neck Construction | Set |
| Strings | 6 String |
| Neck type | Artcore AS Mahogany set-in neck |
| Fretboard | Bound Rosewood fretboard with Acrylic block inlay |
| Fret | Medium frets |
| Bridge | ART-1 bridge |
| Tailpiece | Quik Change III tailpiece |
| Neck pickup | Classic Elite (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Bridge pickup | Classic Elite (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| String gauge | .010/.013/.017/.030/.042/.052 |
| Hardware color | Chrome |
| Scale Length | 24.7" (62.74cm) |
| Neck Width at NUT | 43mm (1.69") |
| Neck Width at 22F | 57mm (2.24") |
| Neck Thickness at 1F | 21mm (0.83") |
| Neck Thickness at 9F | 24mm (0.94") |
| Radius | 305mmR |
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 19.25 x 15.75 x 2.62" (48.90 x 40.01 x 6.65cm) |
Reviews:
It's an Ibanez. I am a long time Ibanez fan. Even when they started the Artcore series. I own for PRS CU24's; American Fender Strat Deluxe and Tele; Les Paul elegant and Explorer. Except when I'm playing with our group I'm usually on one of my Ibanez. If they are lower end units like this I expect to change the electronics, nut and tuners. I did the tuners and had planned on installing Seth Lovers. Mean while I put some A4 magnets in the pickups and… NO SETH LOVERS! I love the tone, the responsiveness/sensitivity. See can be smooth as silk with the volume back or nice and crunchy @ 10. Pinch harmonics reach out and grab you in a nice way. Other than the tuning pegs, nut and strap locks she'll stay this way for at least a while. I got her for the color (I'm not into green guitars or fade finishes but she caught my eye for some reason) and what a friend "the Pickle" has become.Mondron
If you want a good looking semi-hollow body guitar that plays and sounds OK, this is probably the best value for money guitar out there. You still get what you pay for, but i think Ibanez has found a good balance in that regard. Craftsmanship : It looks amazing and sounds great for such a cheap guitar. Of course there are some features that could be better, but none of these really affect the looks, playability or sound of the guitar. Sound : the pickups are a little hot and punchy for me, but for a pair of cheap pickups they sound pretty good. They give plenty of output for a good fuzzy sound but also sound reasonably good clean. This guitar can handle a solid rock sound and a decent clean sound as well. A little bright maybe, but you have the individual tone controls to remedy that if you wanted to. Plenty of sustain too. Neck : If you're coming from a Fender electric guitar it could take a little getting used to the smaller scale length, the bigger radius of the fretboard and the smaller string spacing. But nothing dramatic. I would think this is the perfect beginner guitar for those reasons. The neck profile feels good to me. All in all a great guitar for the money.
This is an extremely nice guitar, especially for the price. Great action, set-up, and play-ability straight out the box. Humbucker pickups are nice and warm, giving a nice "dark" tone to the guitar (strong bass and mid-tones) to my ears. Good variation of range of tone from the bridge and neck pickups and so is quite versatile. Lovely overtones/ harmonics going through a Blues Driver into an Orange Micro Terror — you can rock with this! — and the guitar combined well with a Roland Jazz Chorus 22 cancelling out some of the brightness of this amp. Quality of components and finish is very good. It's also a light guitar in terms of weight, so it's a practical instrument to play on stage, especially if you have a long gig — and are starting to get on a bit, like me. Of course, it's green, which might put people off, I guess… Then again, it's very eye catching and people won't miss it on stage! In summary, a great guitar at a great price that provides a different blues or jazz tone in addition to your other instruments.Damian F.
13. Jackson Rhoads Js32t Fsr Electric Guitar Natural Oil
Product Details:
Jackson js series guitars take an epic leap forward, making it easier than ever to get classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank. the js series rhoads js32t has a mahogany body and a bolt-on maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement and scarf joint for rock-solid stability. hosting 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, the 12"-16" compound radius fully bound amaranth fingerboard creates the ideal playing surface for fat riffs and easy chording near the black plastic nut while gradually flattening in the upper registers for lightning-quick solos and wide bends without fear of fretting out. other great features include dual jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets power, single volume and tone controls, three-way toggle switch, an adjustable string-through compensated bridge and die-cast tuners. this angular battle-tested axe is available in natural oil, and is finished off with a black pickguard and gold hardware. case sold separately.
Specifications:
| Body shape | V |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Oiled |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Signature |
| Neck wood | 1-piece Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | Compound |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Pearloid sharkfin |
| Nut width | 1.68 in. (42.67 mm) |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | High-Output Humbucking |
| Bridge | High-Output Humbucking |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | String thru body |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
I bought this guitar because I wanted a new toy and because of the price – I figured I didn't have much to lose. I have three other guitars, two of them Jackson, that I play frequently, and I always wanted a guitar of this style. The natural finish is attractive and unusual. I like that. The pickups are ok, but the electronics leave a lot to be desired. The fingerboard craftsmanship is lacking attention, at least on the one I received. There are unfinished areas and one of the inlays is missing a small section. I don't know what strings they send over to China to put on this thing, but they are complete garbage. Putting some new strings on improved things a lot. This also suffers from some fret buzz. The guitar comes setup pretty well. The intonation seems to be spot on and the truss rod is adjusted properly. Action is set surprisingly well, considering the price of the guitar. However, as I mentioned above, this results in some fret buzz. I'll work with that a bit later. The neck has the same feel and playability as my higher-end Jacksons, so that's a plus. Overall, I don't think you could go wrong with this in the low price range. I'd recommend inspecting the guitar closely upon receipt to double check quality control. I wouldn't recommend this as a first guitar, unless an experienced guitarist is available to inspect. It's also not a guitar that's easy to sit and play, which is something to consider. If you get a good one and it's setup properly, this is an excellent guitar for ripping out some metal riffs or just having fun. Just don't take it too seriously.Matt
I received my guitar about three days ago, and overall I am very happy with my purchase. The guitar looks awesome – I love the wood finish with gold hardware, and have received many compliments on the instrument's overall appearance. It is incredibly light, weighing in at just about 7 pounds, making it the lightest guitar I have ever owned. I love the feel of Jackson necks, and this guitar is no exception. It has a fast action that makes speedy riffs a breeze to play. Access to the higher portion of the fret board is incredible, thanks to the V body shape. This is my first Flying V guitar, and I will definitely need to get used to handling the unique body shape as I play. Now for a couple cons that made me drop my rating from 5 to 4 stars: this guitar is top heavy. I have never owned a top-heavy guitar before, and it is super inconvenient to play standing up. You have to put in a constant effort to keep the guitar level as you play. I personally like to play with my guitar at a 45-degree upwards angle, which is much more difficult to do on this guitar then on any of my other well-balanced instruments. While the natural wood body looks awesome, it feels as if it would be easy to damage. But as long as you're careful you shouldn't run into any issues. I ordered this guitar online, and was not happy with the experience Guitar Center delivered. It said that the instrument was in stock and ready to ship, but after three days I still hadn't received a shipping confirmation in my email. I reached out to customer support and found out that the guitar was actually not in stock and I would have to wait three additional weeks before my guitar would ship. That was a bummer. All in all I would recommend this guitar, and am happy I added it to my collection!Darin
My fiance purchased this guitar for me as a early Christmas gift around october 2019. After the usual string change adjustments and tuning it sounded great and played great. Only real issue is neck dive but with this body shape you expect it and can be corrected by moving the strap button placement to the back plate or near by depending on your choice i left it and rest the top horn inside my leg like you see dimebag with his ml and many others with the v shape and non traditional shapes like the warriors king Vs and so on. I personally love the Rhoads shape and the natural finish. Other than some minor changes and upgrades knobs Tusq Nut Locking tuners and a Seymour Duncan bridge pickup upgrade and a good setup this guitar is my daily player out of the 6 i own its become my favorite im looking to buy another honestlychuck thomas
14. Ibanez Af75 Artcore Hollowbody Electric Guitar Olive Metallic
Product Details:
Introduced by ibanez in 2002, artcore models have become the hollow-body guitar of choice for practicing and professional musicians. artcores combination of quality workmanship and affordability has created legions of fans from diverse genres such as blues, country, rock and jazz. artcore offers musicians the purity of an old-school jazz box as well as a hybrid semi-hollow rocker. artcore guitars are highly respected for their tone, sustain and the way the instruments hold their tuning. the series continues to push the boundaries of guitar building. the hollow body electric guitar af75 boasts a stunning "olive metallic" finish. this guitar is also equipped with classic elite pickups that offer a rich, nuanced tone with a fat low end.
Specifications:
| Neck type | Artcore AF Mahogany set-in neck |
| Fretboard | Bound Rosewood fretboard with Acrylic block inlay |
| Fret | Medium frets |
| Number of frets | 20 |
| Bridge | ART-1 bridge |
| Tailpiece | VT06 tailpiece |
| Neck pickup | Classic Elite (H) neck pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Bridge pickup | Classic Elite (H) bridge pickup (Passive/Ceramic) |
| Factory tuning | 1E, 2B, 3G, 4D, 5A, 6E |
| String gauge | .010/.013/.017/.030/.042/.052 |
| Hardware color | Chrome |
| Scale Length | 24.7" (62.74cm) |
| Neck Width at NUT | 43mm (1.69") |
| Neck Width at 20F | 56mm (2.20") |
| Neck Thickness at 1F | 21mm (0.83") |
| Neck Thickness at 9F | 24mm (0.94") |
| Radius | 305mmR |
Reviews:
I sat down with the Ibanez AF75 at Guitar Center for over 3hrs. I had traded in a guitar and wanted a jazz/blues machine. I had come in with the Ibanez in mind, but also I had my eye on the Epiphone Wildkat, and the Epiphone Dot. I liked the tone of each, but I kept coming back to the Ibanez. Overall, the build on the Wildkat was poor; it couldn't stay in tune even without using the tremolo. I have owned several Dots over the years and had the same problem with each, the necks broke when adjusted, not by myself, but by 3 different luthiers. The Ibanez just has this warmth to it. Unplugged it sounds like every other semi hollow, maybe a bit tinnier, but plugged in, it just sings. This is perfect for blues/jazz/rock/ or in my case, being in the worship band at church. Do yourself a favor, go to Guitar Center, tune one up, and sit with it for 15min on your favorite amp, just a little overdrive and some reverb, and you will see exactly what I mean. Fantastic instrument. Unbelievable price for this quality. Mine stays in tune like a champ. Minor adjustments every few days. Can't believe it.Davetheworshipguy
Overall: I just got this 3/27/2018, after my Gretsch Streamliner was stolen by a FedEx driver a week earlier and marked it as it was delivered and it was not. but when I followed up a couple days later. I was told by a zZounds customer service rep, that the driver told them he had lost it? So I bought this Ibanez and it is indeed blemished at the neck pocket, just a hair line crack in the finish not the support foundation. the guitar has a very nice acoustic tone and the pickups sound good as well. I recommend prepping the neck nut and the intonation bridge or your strings will not slide smoothly and will hang up and you will be out of tune. the electronics meaning the volume/tone, Input jack and 3way toggle are very cheap but work with a little noise when turning the controls. being in the wholesale / retail business zZounds is paying less than half what it is being sold for in most cases. buy it blemished and save a few dollars…it is a good instrument, plays well and sounds good and I will take it to my next Jazz gig.Chuck
I bought a used (maybe five years old) model of this guitar. Changed the strings and that was that. Can a used Chinese made guitar become a favorite? Yes it can. Yes it has. The construction and finish details on this guitar are at a level of the best American Fenders I have played. Vastly superior to the recent Gibson's, which are, in my view, a disgrace. Set up properly this guitar is very comfortable with no issues such as bridge, nut or tailpiece problems. I am truly amazed. The pickups are not great but with proper amp EQ it will make some very warm music for you.jazznotes
15. Jackson X Series Signature Adrian Smith Sdxm – Snow White
Product Details:
It's a real trooper. the jackson adrian smith sdx guitar represents everything the man himself embodies – supreme playing, awesome licks, and incredible musicianship. it has a wide ranging, dynamic sound, with a humbucker and two single coils forming the foundations of its sound. with these, you'll be able to write your own powerful riffs, be they blues inspired or straight up classic metal. it demands the best features. the guitar of such a legendary musician requires exceptional playability to be worthy of his name. luckily, the sleek maple neck and fingerboard live up to this, giving you the ability to improvise and play to your heart's content. whether you're bashing out some iron maiden or forging your own licks from scratch – this guitar ticks every box for the modern musician.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double Cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck shape | C |
| Neck wood | Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | Compound |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width/material | 1.675" (42.5 mm) Locking |
| Configuration | HSS |
| Neck | Proprietary Single Coil |
| Middle | Proprietary Single Coil |
| Bridge | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Control layout | Master volume, Master tone |
| Pickup switch | 5-Way |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Bridge design | Individual saddle |
| Tailpiece | Floating Vibrato |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6 String |
| Performance Level | Intermediate |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
Reviews:
Overall: First the guitar is very nice for the price. The neck is fantastic feels unfinished (sealed) but is actually a satin sealer on neck and unsealed board, which should age nicely. The frets are finished nicely and it's just smooth to play. The size of the neck is somewhere between an Ibanez (wizard II & III) and a Fender Strat. I think it feels better than an LTD EC 1001, probably due to no paint and compound radius.The guitar is heavier than expected but still a light guitar, it's not a thin body as some strat style guitars are. The guard is simple black but fitted nicely. The pickups aren't bad at all, personally the single coils sound mid and bass heavy, while the humbucker is more mid to bright. All in all compared to a Fender, the guitar is darker sounding, it's not bad but something I noticed.The single coils are definitely weaker (quieter) than the humbucker and not as crisp as ones in a strat. The humbucker is hot but not extremely so, I actually like it better than the ones in a comparable strat (MIM or older AM special).There are flaws though or at least in mine. First minor sanding flaw with 17th marker, smeared on board some. There's a chip in the paint on the top side of the pocket, looks like a small line about a 1/4" long. I also have some feathered pieces on the guard, where it was cut from the sheet of plastic it was made from. These are all minor things and you really have to go over the guitar to notice. It is something I expect at this price on an import guitar, just small QC stuff.Now to the major problems. The action was way high at the bridge when I received it, just under a 1/2" from top of body to bottom of the tremelo. Looking to figure out how low I could go, I noticed the neck was sitting at an angle and there was a gap in the neck pock.I removed the neck to find a shim had been placed in it. Now if this guitar wasn't heel adjust I would have just sent it back and never known but since you have to remove the neck for adjustment, figured why not. After removing shim I was able to get the bridge down to 1/8" off the body, you'll never be able to fully deck it. I also had to adjust string tension at the head to keep the lockers from turning strings sharp, not a huge deal, that's what it's there for.The newer models also don't match the picture. there is no longer a bullet plug on the head stock (where rod usually is on a strat). There is also no longer a skunk stripe on the back of the neck either. I am assuming these are cost cutting measures.The QC is an issue on these guitars I imagine, that's the biggest flaw. They are on par with most any $500 guitar, except the neck. The neck is leaps and bounds above others in my opinion. I put the guitar on the same level as a MIM strat.In the end I think it's a keeper and a decent guitar. I'd just suggest really looking over it when buying and be ready to do a little work or pay a good tech to set it up, which is common in this price range. Don't let it having a shim scare you off, it's probably rare anyways. I figure it was done as a fast way to set it up with a low board action to give people the ability to have a push pull trem, I prefer dive only or just enough for flutter. Just remember at $500, they aren't spending hours to set up a guitar, they'd never get enough out the door. I listed manufacturer support at 2 1/2 stars as I haven't used it but even if they are great I shouldn't have to need them (if they did what they should in the first place) so half way seems fair.Waylon
I have been playing guitar for over 50 years and have enjoyed the work of Adrian Smith in Iron Maiden and especially the work he did on the Bruce Dickenson solo albums. I was in the market for a high quality bolt on guitar with a Floyd Rose and ebony fingerboard and this guitar comes with a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup which I used to have on one of my old Jacksons, I feel this is an great high gain pickup. This guitar has an excellent build quality that you would expect from a USA made Jackson. The guitar has a nice feel but the tone is so satisfying especially for high gain solos, the notes seem to have a fuller sound compared to some of my other high end guitars (Ibanez J. Custom, ESP E-II and Kiesel JB24), it's a very satisfying guitar to play. Please note that there are two similar models here, evidently this is the new model and the only difference in the description is that this is the snow white model and it's a few hundred dollars more than the other Adrian Smith San Dimas USA model. I had bought the other model first because I couldn't see any difference in the description but when I got it I needed to adjust the truss rod and that's when I found out that in order to adjust the truss rod on the cheaper model you have to remove the neck, I mean seriously? After I called Guitar Center and their tech confirmed that information I called Guitar Center and they gladly processed the return and got me the proper model in couple days no problem. Just be sure that you are getting the model that is snow white and look closely at the picture to see it has the spoke wheel adjustment for the truss rod but yeah the Adrian Smith San Dimas USA Snow White guitar sounds awesome!Mark G
This guitar is a very good value for it's cost. I really like the neck, as it's finish is really good for a guitar in this price range. Frets are smooth and the ends were done nicely, no snags on the fingers. The Floyd Rose Special holds tune nicely. I made some minor adjustments in string action and trem height to get really low action. The pick ups sound great coming through my Marshall DSL 20 Head and Cab.I really like the Fender style headstock with the black hardware. Overall it's an amazing guitar for the price. I am a musician of 35+ years and have owned many, many guitars over the years. I purchased this for my 15 year old son as it was an upgrade from his first guitar, a Squire HSS Strat. He loves the instrument. There are reviews where there's mention of the 1st E coming off the fretboard during play, I or my Son have had no issues with this. Maybe it's a technique thing.. Best of wishes to all you shredders!!Old Guy In The Midwest.
16. Jackson Js32t King V Electric Guitar (Gloss Black)
Product Details:
Explosive sound. effortless playability. and a price tag that you'll scarcely believe. the jackson js32t king v brings a wealth of premium features into an affordable model that's destined for the stage. top of that list of features is a pair of high-output humbuckers. these are designed to perform superbly at even the highest volume levels, meaning you can crank up your output without fear of feedback.not only do you get immense power in the js32t, you also get a guitar that's perfect for shredding. 24 jumbo frets give you two full octaves to explore, and a satin urethane neck finish will help your hand to fly up and down the scale at high speed. add in a distinctive, sharp ''flying v'' body shape, and you've got the perfect metal guitar to take to the stage.
Specifications:
| Body shape | V |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Speed neck |
| Neck wood | 1-piece Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Graphite reinforced |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | Compound 12–16" |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Sharkfin |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Bridge | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | String-through-body |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
I was amazed at the quality for the price on this guitar . I own over 20 guitars and actually purchased this one for my sons birthday. All my guitars will be my boys one day but wanted to ad one to his current collection and this was a great choice. I have been a AMS customer for over a decade and love their prices, selection and payment plans. I always recommend AMS to my musician friends, they are the best!!!!Mike
I expected better from Jackson. Pickups are iffy,tuners are junk will not stay in tune. Pickup selector switch is scratchy and works sometimes. Action is ok after a good setup and string change. Had it for about 5 months now and thinking about trading it in for something a little better. It does look great hanging on the wall though.Keith C.
17. Esp Ltd Gh-600 Gary Holt Signature Electric Guitar (Black)
Product Details:
Get crushing tone and lightning fast playability with the esp ltd gh-600 gary holt signature solidbody electric guitar. while gary holt is the newest guitar player to join slayer he spent over 30 years in the iconic thrash band exodus. his signature guitar has all the aggression and smooth playability you would expect from a metal machine. you get dual emg pickups a floyd rose bridge a thin-profile mahogany neck with an ebony fretboard and more.
Specifications:
| CONSTRUCTION | Set-Thru |
| SCALE | 24.75" |
| NECK | 3Pc Mahogany |
| FINGERBOARD | Macassar Ebony |
| FINGERBOARD RADIUS | 350mm |
| FINISH | BLACK |
| NUT WIDTH | 42mm |
| NUT TYPE | Locking |
| NECK CONTOUR | Thin U |
| FRETS/TYPE | 22 XJ |
| HARDWARE COLOR | Black |
| STRAP BUTTON | Standard |
| TUNERS | Grover |
| BRIDGE | Floyd Rose 1000 |
| NECK PU | EMG 89R RED |
| BRIDGE PU | EMG 81 RED |
| ELECTRONICS | Active |
| ELECTRONICS LAYOUT | Volume/Volume(Push/Pull)/Toggle Switch |
Reviews:
I'm personally not a huge fan of Any guitar with a Floyd Rose bridge.I play in C# / B and always struggled with the floyd rose holding up ….UNTIL NOW. THIS GUITAR PACKS EVERYTHING !! TONE, SUSTAINE , TREMELO, INCREDIBLE ACTION, AND MUCH MUCH MORE. THERE IS NO REASON TO STAY IN THE FENCE WITH THIS GUITAR. I don't tend to write many reviews…but couldnt pass this one up. Shed on my friendsRyan
I’ve seen this guitar in photos and ads for some time and didn’t pay much attention. Another LP copy with a players name on it. Big deal I thought. Then I saw one in person and was taken aback at how jaw dropping it was. I’ve got 3 eclipses with the expensive letters on the headstock, I’ve got one off custom shop guitars again with the same three expensive letters on the headstock, but this black and red guitar was seriously sexy . I immediately brokered a deal and took this thing home. In the six months I’ve owned it it’s been my go to. For the money you can’t beat it, it’s a bad a** guitar.Kev
I absolutely love this guitar! Everything about it from the EMG pick ups with the split coil on the neck,the glow in the dark side fret markers,and the feel of the neck and the ebony fretboard.And a real Floyd Rose,not some cheap bridge which you find on so many guitars.I got the white one,the red neck binding and red EMG's look really cool with it. And it was set up perfectly right out of the case.If your looking for an awesome metal or rock guitar,look no further, you won't be disappointed with Esp LTD-GH600.
18. Squier Bullet Mustang Hh Electric Guitar (Black)
Product Details:
Get the guitar that's designed for students with the squier bullet mustang hh, black & yamaha ga-15ii bundle. the squier mustang's short scale and light weight makes it a perfect companion for both students and beginners. chords are easy to performant and notes can be bent with ease. its set of humbuckers makes it ideal for all musical styles – even high-gain genres like rock and metal. its basswood body, maple neck, and laurel fingerboard provide you with a comfortable play, while the high-quality hardware keeps your performance stable. the yamaha ga-15ii features two channels to experiment with, while its 3-band eq lets you personalise your tone and discover new sounds. deliver classic fender tones with the squier affinity mustang and produce powerful soundscapes with the yamaha ga-15ii amp.
Specifications:
| Body shape | Double cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | C |
| Neck wood | 1-piece Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 24 in. |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | 12 in. |
| Fret size | Medium jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Dot |
| Nut width | 1.656 in. (42 mm) |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Standard humbucking |
| Bridge | Standard humbucking |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Series |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | 6-saddle |
| Tailpiece | String thru body |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
Reviews:
I picked up the Surf Green Ltd Ed. Bullet Mustang a few days ago off the rack. They had two. One had rusty strings and sharp frets but the one I picked was almost perfect. These Mustangs are great for smaller learners and older guitarists that may enjoy the lighter string tension due to the short scale. I love the sound of both humbuckers. The bridge one gives you a nice grungy Nirvana like tone while the neck is smoother but both love to be driven. I picked up the Imperial Blue Mustang HH a few weeks ago. They both use the same humbuckers, The only difference I believe is the wood type, Basswood vs Poplar. Both guitars are quite light with the Basswood Surf Green one being somewhat lighter.These Mustangs are ideal for modding but for now I've only changed the cheap pickguard on this Surf Green one, putting a Tortoise Shell on it. So far I'm loving both of them and my Fender P90 Mustang is getting quite lonely.Tingman
First of all, this is a ton of value for the price. I got it on sale which made it even a bigger steal. Now, this guitar needs a lot of setup out of the box. You should polish the frets since they are as coarse as beach sand. Otherwise, string bends will be impossible and will most likely damage the cheap supplied strings (which should be changed immediately as with most new guitars). Expect some fret buzz, so be ready to adjust the saddles and the truss rod (I like my action quite low so this was a minor tweak for me). The intonation was actually quite close to perfect, it only needed a bit of tweaking on the A string. The nut and string trees are the ones you typically get on Squiers, which are good enough but won't do wonders for your tuning and should be replaced unless you are patient enough to tune your guitar every so often. Be sure to change these first before changing the tuners/bridge if you have tuning problems, I haven't changed the tuners or bridge on mine and don't plan to – they just work. Finally, the pickups are surprisingly good for the price, not too mellow and you can get some nice tones from the bridge pickup. You might soon outgrow them, though, and might opt for better humbuckers or P90s. For all these reasons, this guitar is not the best as a first guitar or for beginners unless it gets a proper setup first or if you're really planning to learn how to setup or change electronics/other parts in a guitar. However, those are the same reasons (plus the low price and simple design) that make this a really fun modding platform, and if you don't feel like modding it, with the right amount of work it's still amazing. It's light as a feather and the neck is very fast; you can probably muscle through hours of playing with barely any effort at all. The stock tones are reasonable enough, and in my opinion it looks awesome. You can't get a better deal for the money once you're aware of the above.Carlos, M
I like this guitar because of the 24" scale length. Everything else was pretty bad out of the box. The strings were a 1/4" off the fretboard. The fretboard was super dry. There was fret sprout. The frets felt like sandpaper on bends. The E strings are too close to the edge of the fretboard. When you play you're constantly hitting the pickup selector switch. The finish on the neck is supposed to be satin but it looks unfinished to me and there are light and dark areas on the neck which look bad. It is the worst finish on a neck I've ever seen on a guitar and I'm going to have to put some kind of finish on it. Trying to load strings is tricky and not as easy as on most other guitars you have to bend the end of the strings to get them to load. So that is the bad. The good? The tuners are your typical Chinese tuners that come on all cheap guitars these days, and they are fine. The pickups sound good. The 24" scale is great and really fun to play bends on!Steve
19. Epiphone – Power Players Les Paul – Electric Guitar – Lava Red
Product Details:
The power player les paul is a trimmed-down version of the legendary les paul with a 22.73" scale length and slightly smaller mahogany body, making it an excellent choice for younger players. but make no mistake – this is no toy. the power player les paul is a great travel guitar choice for more experienced players, too. the bolt-on mahogany neck has a sculpted heel for improved upper fret access and it's powered by a pair of epiphone 650r and 700t ceramic humbuckers for rich, full les paul tone. the power player les paul comes well accessorized with a gig bag, strap, picks, and a guitar cable.
Specifications:
| Body Type | Single Cutaway Solid Body |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Neck shape | SlimTaper D |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 22.73" |
| Truss rod | Standard |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Trapezoid |
| Nut width/material | 1.614"/Plastic |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Bridge | Proprietary Humbucker |
| Bridge type | Fixed Bridge |
| Bridge design | Wraparound |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast |
| Number of strings | 6 string |
| Orientation | Right handed |
Reviews:
Overall: This is my umpteenth Epiphone custom sg guitar ive bought since the last guitar i had which was the more lower end 61 standard i bought here used last year. The caps pots and Gibson USA burstbuckers are definitely a step up in the right direction and are true to the original reissue Sg standards back in the beginning of the Gibson sg. It sounds like a 2000 dollar Gibson reissue sg but at Epiphone import prices. I intend on keeping this guitar for a lifetime and is a good backup guitar to my similarly pricef esp ltd viper 1000 deluxe i bought a year ago from a competitor in the now disconnected tiger eye finish from zZounds. Lastly i also intend on getting a real Gibson sg custom 63 version used for a discounted price. One more thing i might buy a backup les Paul sg standard by Epiphone just in case this one gets stolen or lost. Thank you Epiphone custom for stepping up your game and making better sg custom shop guitars than in the past. The black Epiphone sg custom with gold hardware is no joke either and i might another one when i get done paying for this Les Paul sg standard first fron here.Isaac
I got this guitar in sparkling burgundy and the finish is beautiful. The workmanship on this guitar is great; it feels very high quality. The fretwork is also really good, with no fret ends sticking out to cut my hands. That being said, the pickups are not very good. I initially debated purchasing the guitar since it sounded very ice-picky and thin when I played it in the store. But I decided to take a chance, knowing the return policy that GC has. I brought it home and the first thing I did was go over it completely. The fretboard was very dry. Even my wife, who doesn't play guitar, looked at it and commented on that. So removed the strings and polished the frets and cleaned/conditioned the fretboard. Then I swapped out the Alnico Classic Pro pickups, which are rather bad, and put in a set of Probucker 2/3 pickups that I had sitting around. Better strings, polished frets, and some nicer alnico 2 pickups made a huge difference. It sounds full and thick and warm, and it plays like an angel. I highly recommend it, as long as you can swap out the pickups.Robert
I've had the guitar for almost a month now & decided to do the review after I had it for a while. Quality control on this guitar was not very good. There was a chip by the 22nd fret near the upper horn that was overlooked because it has the final coating sprayed over it. There is also a scratch on the headstock at the G string tuner, it looks like someone overtightened the nut & scrated the headstock with a nut driver. Plus there is some black paint that ran into the binding on the top part of the headstock. Also there is a nick/scratch on the pickguard right below the neck pickup. The guitar plays well, and it looks good except for the imperfections I expalined earlier. I took pictures of what I complained in case someone at AMS would like to see them. I'm not sure of the return policy for guitars or if this could be returned for another guitar of the same kind I have. In the end the playability has met expectations but the quality control was far below expectations. If a representative has any questions about my review or if they want to see the pics I took, please let me know.
20. Jackson Js Series Warrior Js32 Electric Guitar, Satin Black
Product Details:
Swift, deadly and affordable, jackson js series guitars take an epic leap forward, making it easier than ever to get classic jackson tone, looks and playability without breaking the bank. the formidable jackson warrior js32 has a poplar body and a bolt-on maple speed neck with graphite reinforcement for rock-solid stability. hosting 24 jumbo frets and pearloid sharkfin inlays, the 12"-16" compound radius fully bound amaranth fingerboard creates the ideal playing surface for fat riffs and easy chording near the nut while gradually flattening in the upper registers for lightning-quick solos and wide bends without fear of fretting out. a pair of jackson high-output humbucking pickups with ceramic magnets cranks out clear tone with plenty of girth, and can be shaped with a three-way toggle switch and single volume and tone controls. the warrior js32 also features a jackson-branded floyd rose double-locking tremolo bridge and die-cast tuners. this angular and battle-tested axe is offered in black with white bevels, satin black or snow white with black hardware.
Specifications:
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body wood | Poplar |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Orientation | Right handed |
| Neck shape | Speed neck |
| Neck wood | 1-piece Maple |
| Joint | Bolt-on |
| Scale length | 25.5 in. |
| Truss rod | Graphite reinforced |
| Neck finish | Satin |
| Radius | Compound 12–16" |
| Fret size | Jumbo |
| Number of frets | 24 |
| Inlays | Sharkfin |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Bridge | High output humbucker Ceramic |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Parallel |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Control layout | Master volume, tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | No |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Tremolo/Vibrato |
| Bridge design | Floyd Rose Licensed |
| Tuning machines | Die-cast sealed |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | China |
Reviews:
Out of the box it is a very attractive piece but getting it to tune is impossible. The neck bends, the springs flex, the upper point shape digs into your arm, the machine heads don't fine-tune and wont hold. The volume knob is too close to the playing area causing sudden volume changes when it's bumped while playing, the frets are too high causing the strings to bend when making even the simplest of chords causing a de-tuned sound, the Floyd Rose mechanism is made of too light and flimsy springs and machine parts to be stable. Thirty seconds of hearing this thing play would make anybody switch the station. Otherwise it is very attractive and has a nice gloss finish. The intonation is a joke. I tried everything – relocating the neck, locking the Floyd solid, hours of work . It did improve slightly but the neck bends while tuning making it impossible to get anything other than a noise maker and something you could hang on your wall for show. Since I made so many modifications in an attempt to make the thing even usable I now am unable to return it. I might be able to use the pots for another project but the rest of it is junk. I would try and get the seller to buy it back but even I wouldn't want it back so I'm sure they wont accept it. After I re-work a guitar it usually worth several thousand dollars. I spent the equivalent of $5,000.00 worth of labor on this thing and it is still worthless.
The Mahogany body and maple neck through construction is enough for the price alone. On top of that you get Duncan Designed HB 103's which are some of the best passive pickups on the market. Next you get gold floyd rose hardware on a beautifully finished guitar. The binding and craftsmanship were excellent. All I had to do was ser the intonation. The tuners are fine except a little tight on a couple of them. Other than that, it is a flawless instrument. The only thing I might upgrade are the zinc alloy string blocks on the fr bridge but I like the way they sound for now. Just not sure if they will strip later on as zinc is a softer metal. The feel, tone and sustain is exceptional. This guitar produces the most brutal tones and I would put it up against a USA made model any day. Being made in Indonesia did not hurt the quality one bit. This guitar is a monster and my favorite 6 string.ZerovoreZ
This is a great guitar, overall, especially for the price. I replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncans, as I am partial to them…but the stock pickups are really pretty good. I will say that I was very disappointed, when I changed the pickups, to find that I had to replace the locking nut, as one of the bolt holes was stripped and I could not lock the E & A strings down. Thanks be to God, I have several extra ones on hand…but most people don't… But, having replaced the nut, and given the frets a light sanding and polish, and oiled the neck…this guitar looks and plays great! As well as any high end guitar… I also love the Jackson Floyd Rose bridges. They are great quality, and they do everything that an expensive tremolo bridge does. The bar fits tightly, it always floats right back in tune, no matter how hard you abuse it…you can do flutters, dive bombs, etc…a very good bridge in my opinion. I highly recommend this guitar for anyone who is looking for a versatile guitar (but mostly metal), and doesn't want to spend $800 on a pro series. This baby will do the job every bit as well, with a bit of TLC and the gift from God to play. Seriously.disciple7777
