Best Metal Guitars Under $500

You may think that an expensive guitar is needed in order to play great metal music but that isn’t necessarily the case. With a maximum of $500, it’s possible to find awesome metal guitars from some of the best gear manufacturers. Here are our suggestions.

Ibanez RG450

Our first metal guitar recommendation is the Ibanez RG450. The market price is about $400 but you might be able to find cheaper options if you explore the secondhand market. The RG450 features a basswood body, Wizard III 3-piece maple neck, and Edge II tremolo bridge. The thin, super-fast necks make the Ibanez guitar one of the best choices for playing great metal music.

Schecter Omen-8

This guitar is right around the $500 limit. It absolutely needs to be considered as part of your metal guitar shortlist. It features a basswood body, a maple neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. We think this metal guitar provides one of the best values for an eight-string, and it also features great sound playability and tones.

Epiphone Les Paul SL

For beginners who may want the most budget-friendly option, the Epiphone Les Paul SL is a great guitar to consider for playing metal music. Priced at around $120, this guitar features a poplar body, a mahogany neck, and 3-way pickup selector controls. It’s really lightweight so easy to play.