IF THERE’S ANYTHING metal guitarists tend to look for in their equipment, it’s most surely power. While there will always be those who choose to rely more on the actual riffs for heaviness, it’d be fair to say a mega majority of metal players are generally in pursuit of tonal extremes — whether through a guitar with extra-hot pickups, a pedal wired to cataclysmic weight or, indeed, the sonic brutality procured by their amp of choice. As Yngwie Malmsteen, a man who embodies heavy metal to its unrelenting core, once famously said, “More is more.” The good news is that tones heavy enough to knock the earth off its axis have never been more attainable and affordable, as demonstrated by this roundup of ear-bleeding metal machinery. Enjoy!
JACKSON
X SERIES DINKY DK3XR HSS
$499, jacksonguitars.com
There’s no shortage of metal-friendly appointments on this new for-2021 X Series Dinky — from loud color schemes, a reverse headstock, inverted pearloid sharkfin inlays, a Floyd Rose-licensed bridge and a high-output bridge humbucker. Simply put, it’s the kind of instrument that will make your presence known in just about every way. It also plays like a dream, with a sculpted shredder’s cut heel for easy access to the upper frets and a 12- to 16-inch compound radius laurel fingerboard for an effortlessly smooth performance.
IBANEZ
RG SERIES RG7421PB 7-STRING
$499, ibanez.com
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2022 edition of Guitar World.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
KIM THAYIL
The mighty Soundgarden guitarist looks back on his most iconic riffs and solos, as well as the gear and tunings that guided him deep into the creative superunknown
ANDY BELL
The U.K. shoegaze pioneer discusses the recording of Ride's classic Nineties albums and his 10 years as a member of Oasis
MARC FORD
The respected SoCal guitarist explains why he chose the Black Crowes over Guns N' Roses - and how the Crowes' internal friction helped make them a compelling alternative to grunge
BRIAN VANDER ARK
Determined as he moves out of the shadow of his past, the guitarist recounts the origins of the Verve Pipe and the recording of a definitive Nineties anthem, \"The Freshmen\"
VERNON REID
From Vivid to Time's Up to Stain: How Vernon Reid's expressionist shredding juiced Living Colour through the grunge era
ART ALEXAKIS
The tenacious Everclear frontman/guitarist discusses the music, moments and \"dangerous\" amps that changed his life and maybe ours - in the Nineties and beyond
DAYS OF FUTURE PAST
The retro designs, digital innovations and misfit toys that defined guitar gear and technology in the Nineties
IT'S ALL A BLUR...
The rise and fall of Britpop, the Nineties' other massive, guitar-based movement
NEVERMIND NEVERMIND!
10 overlooked rock albums from the Nineties that are worth a second listen
A GRUNGY GUITAR GUIDE TO THE '90S
Guitar World