Best Electric Guitar For Metal Under 800
Stop endlessly searching. We've compared the top gear matching best electric guitar for metal under 800 on specs, real-world value, and player feedback. Here are our top choices for 2026.
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Top pick: Jackson JS22 Dinky (rated 4.6/5) at $199.99 — Fastest neck in its class.
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Jackson JS22 Dinky★ 4.6/5
High-output humbuckers and a fast maple neck with a compound-radius fingerboard. Built for speed and metal.
Squier Affinity Telecaster★ 4.6/5
Classic Telecaster style and tone at an accessible price. Perfect for rock, country, and blues.
Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s★ 4.8/5
Inspired by Gibson. Features ProBucker humbuckers and a SlimTaper 60s neck for that classic vibe.
Yamaha Pacifica 112V★ 4.9/5
The reigning champion of beginner versatility. Humbucker/Single/Single configuration for any genre.
At a glance
| Product | Price | Our rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Jackson JS22 Dinky | $199.99 | ★ 4.6/5 | Fastest neck in its class |
| Squier Affinity Telecaster | $289.99 | ★ 4.6/5 | Authentic Tele 'twang' |
| Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s | $649.00 | ★ 4.8/5 | Amazing value |
| Yamaha Pacifica 112V | $329.99 | ★ 4.9/5 | Versatile pickup layout |
Ratings are ReviewsGuitar.com editorial scores (5-point scale, single expert review). Prices last checked 2026-07-30; verify current price at the retailer.
What to Look For in a Metal Guitar Under $800
Metal asks specific things of a guitar: tight high-gain clarity, a fast neck, and rock-solid tuning under aggressive playing and low tunings. Here's what separates a true metal machine from a general-purpose electric.
High-output pickups
Hot humbuckers — passive or active — give the tight, saturated attack metal needs and stay clear under heavy distortion where single-coils get fizzy and noisy. Active pickups offer an even more compressed, consistent high-gain tone favoured by many metal players.
Fast, thin neck
A flatter fretboard radius and a thin neck profile make fast runs, wide stretches, and shredding far more comfortable. This is a defining feature of 'superstrat' style metal guitars.
Bridge: fixed vs. Floyd Rose
A fixed or hardtail bridge holds tuning rock-solid and is simple to restring — ideal if you switch tunings. A Floyd Rose floating tremolo enables dramatic dive-bombs and flutter but is fussier to set up and retune. Choose based on whether you need the whammy theatrics.
Scale length for low tunings
If you drop-tune, a longer scale (25.5" or a baritone/multi-scale) keeps low strings tight and defined instead of floppy and muddy. For standard or one-step-down tuning, a normal scale is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Active or passive pickups for metal?
Both work; it's a tone choice. Active pickups (powered by a 9V battery) give a tight, compressed, consistent high-gain sound with very low noise — a metal staple. Passive high-output humbuckers sound a touch more dynamic and 'organic.' Under $800 you'll find excellent examples of each; pick by the tone you hear in your favourite bands.
Do I need a Floyd Rose tremolo for metal?
Only if you want dive-bombs and extreme whammy effects. A Floyd Rose locks tuning superbly once set up but is more complex to restring and retune. Many metal players prefer a fixed bridge for rock-solid tuning and easy tuning changes — it comes down to whether the whammy is part of your style.
What scale length is best for drop tunings?
For drop and low tunings, a longer scale length (25.5" or longer, up to baritone) keeps the thick low strings tight and articulate rather than loose and muddy. If you mostly play in standard or drop-D, a standard scale is perfectly fine; go longer the lower you tune.