Understanding the basics of heavy metal guitar
Heavy metal music is popular for its fast-paced, aggressive guitar riffs. To play heavy metal guitar, it is essential to have a guitar that is designed for heavy music. Electric guitars are the go-to choice for playing heavy metal, and there are various types of electric guitars available in the market. However, buying an electric guitar that caters to your heavy metal needs requires careful consideration.
Look for a guitar with the right tonewood
The tonewood of your guitar influences the sound and tone quality of the guitar. For heavy metal guitar, you need a guitar that has relatively strong, bright, and punchy tonewood. Mahogany, maple, basswood and alder are some of the popular tonewoods for metal guitars. Each tonewood provides a unique characteristic and tonal quality, so it is important to find the one that suits your playing style.
Choose the right pickups
The pickups on your guitar translate the vibrations produced by your strings into an electrical signal that can be amplified. Different types of pickups create different sounds. For heavy metal guitar, you should opt for high-output pickups that are designed for aggressive playing such as the Seymour Duncan Blackouts or EMG 81/85 pickups. These pickups produce high-gain, distortion, and a high sustain which is crucial for heavy metal music.
Consider the guitar’s neck profile and scale length
The neck profile and scale length greatly affect the playability of the guitar. For heavy metal guitar, you should consider a guitar that has a thin and fast neck profile, making it easier to play fast and intricate riffs. The scale length also plays a significant role in how the guitar feels and responds. A longer scale length gives greater tension on the strings, enabling you to play with heavier string gauges, and the shorter scale length can provide easier bends and vibrato.
Choose a reliable brand
When it comes to electric guitars, it is best to choose a reputable brand that is known for producing high-quality metal guitars. Brands such as Ibanez, ESP, Jackson, and Schecter are well known for their metal guitars. These brands also offer a range of guitars at different price points, so you can find one to suit your budget.
In conclusion, choosing the right electric guitar for heavy metal music requires careful consideration of various factors such as tonewood, pickups, neck profile, scale length, and brand. With some research and trying out different guitars, you can find an electric guitar that suits your heavy metal guitar needs and enables you to play with the aggression and energy that is the essence of heavy metal music.
