Are you ready to get your face melted? Strap in tight because we’re going to cover the best guitars for shredding your heart out.

No, we’re not talking about an efficient method for destroying incriminating documents; we’re talking about the elite-axe-super-shredders wielded by the likes of Van Halen and Henson, the kind that accommodates outrageously swift riffs.

Speaking of accommodating, we’ve compiled a list of 12 guitars that suit various budgets, aesthetic tastes, and pickup types, ensuring you have a broad range of deadly sonic weaponry to choose from!

Read on if you’re ready to rock.

2. Kramer Nightswan

Key features

• Dual Seymour Duncan JB pickups for versatile, high-output sound
• Smooth and fast-playing hard maple neck with an ergonomic C-profile
• Floyd Rose 1000 Series Tremolo and R2 locking nut for stable tuning during extreme vibrato use

Pros

• Iconic late ’80s Nightswan aesthetics
• Superior playing comfort with the sleek maple neck and 24-fret ebony fingerboard
• Reliable performance and tuning stability with high-quality Floyd Rose tremolo

Cons

• That Floyd Rose can be a pain to adjust

The Kramer Nightswan is a legend reborn from the ‘80s, a heady period when shredding was in style and hair metal ruled the (radio) waves. Not only does it hark back to a golden age of shreddies, but it also combines classic aesthetics with modern performance to create an unforgettable riffing machine.

Featuring a mahogany body in a rare black with blue polka dots finish, this guitar screams “Look at me!” – because if your playing is going to be ostentatious, your look had better match! And while your audience is captivated by the fabulous finish, they’ll also be stunned by the smooth clarity that the Seymour Duncan JB pickups provide.

Finished with a Floyd Rose 1000 trem bridge for acrobatic divebombs and Kramer’s sleek “C” profile neck for speedy manoeuvring, this is the perfect guitar to make a statement.

3. G4M 529 Pro-FR Electric Guitar

Key features

• Double-locking tremolo system
• Powerful HH pickup configuration
• Ergonomic neck profile

Pros

• Exceptional sustain and tuning stability
• Wide tonal range
• Comfortable for fast-playing styles

Cons

• Limited colour options

The G4M 529 Pro-FR is a shredder’s dream, combining a sleek, ergonomic design with a versatile sound that can handle any heavy genre. The double-locking licensed Floyd Rose tremolo allows for extreme whammy bar use without losing tune, making it perfect for expressive soloists who like to divebomb with aplomb.

To keep your intonation spot-on, it’s got a super tough five-piece neck construction and an extra flat 16” fretboard radius that allows arpeggio sweeps to just roll off the pick. Complemented with a natural satin finish over an eye-catching poplar burl top, it provides a smooth-playing feel and the aesthetics of much pricier instruments.

And to power its ferocious sounds, the G4M hosts two high-output ceramic humbuckers, great for note separation and clarity when firing out a rapid cascade of notes.

4. JET Guitars JS700 Rosewood

Key features

• Roasted maple neck and rosewood fretboard
• Distinctive HS pickup configuration
• Wilkinson locking tremolo bridge

Pros

• Vintage ’80s super shredder aesthetic with a modern copper finish
• Fast and sleek modern C neck profile ideal for shredding and complex lead lines
• Versatile tonal options with the HS pickup setup and 3-way switch

Cons

• The distinctive style and colour might not appeal to players seeking a more traditional look

The JET Guitars JS700 combines vintage charm with contemporary flair, making it an unparalleled choice for shredders seeking both style and substance. Its basswood body and super S-style shape deliver a warm mid-range, while the roasted maple neck and rosewood fretboard ensure fast, effortless playability.

This copper-coloured marvel is designed for speed, with a modern C neck profile and a versatile HS pickup configuration that accommodates everything from searing solos to rich, chunky riffs.

Enhanced by the precision of the Wilkinson locking tremolo bridge, the JS700 promises stability and expressive vibrato use, ensuring that every performance is as visually striking as it is sonically compelling.

With its unique blend of aesthetics, playability, and tonal versatility, this guitar is ready to elevate your shredding to new heights.

5. Ibanez Q54 Q Series Headless Guitar

Key features

• Q58 humbucker and R1 single coil pickups
• Dyna-MIX 9 switch with nine different pickup voicings
• Gold EVO frets on a roasted birdseye maple fretboard

Pros

• Lightweight and ergonomically balanced for extended playing comfort
• Wide range of dynamic sounds suitable for various musical genres
• Fast and smooth playability with the renowned Wizard neck profile

Cons

• The headless design might not appeal to traditionalists

The Ibanez Q54 is a modern marvel, blending cutting-edge design with Ibanez’s legendary craftsmanship. This guitar is built for the technical wizards who value efficacy and ergonomics above all else, with appointments and designs shaped for top-speed playing.

Personally, I’m not a fan of headless guitars. But there’s a method in the madness of these axes that even a non-believer like me can’t deny. For one thing, the Q series is super reliable on tunings, even when pressed with aggressive pick attacks and wild string bends.

For another, the reduced neck weight adds a surprising nimbleness to the hold and really lets you dig in for fast runs up the fretboard. On top of that, its Q58 humbucker and dual R1 single coils deliver a broad spectrum of tones, from heavy, crushing rhythms to bright, sparkling leads, so you’re not restricted to just blasting out the meaner genres.

With the inclusion of the dyna-MIX 9 switch, you gain access to nine different tonal voicings, ensuring that your sound stands out in any mix. Of course, the piece de resistance for any Ibanez shredder is the Wizard profile neck, and this Q54 isn’t any different. Super thin, extra smooth and a delight to hold, it’ll give your fast playing the speed boost it needs to wow an audience.

6. ESP LTD M-200FM

Key features

• Dual ESP-designed LH-150 humbuckers
• Extra-thin “U” shaped maple neck and roasted jatoba fretboard
• LTD by Floyd Rose tremolo

Pros

• Fast and fluid playability, ideal for executing rapid riffs and solos
• Versatile sound capable of delivering both meaty rhythm tones and sharp, cutting leads
• Reliable hardware, including locking tuners and Floyd Rose tremolo, ensures performance stability

Cons

• Jatoba fingerboard and stock pickups may not suit advanced players

The ESP LTD M-200FM in See Thru Red is a speed demon crafted for aggressive, high-tempo riffing. Its mahogany body is capped with a gorgeous flame maple top, granting the kind of subtle aesthetics that usually appear on guitars way above its price bracket.

Speaking of pricing, the LTD M-200 falls squarely in the entry-level mid-range, making it accessible to a wide range of prospective shredders. And that’s good because ESP’s reputation for super-fast metal axes is well-earned and has bled through to their LTD sub-brand.

Armed with two ESP-designed LH-150 humbuckers, the M-200FM delivers a sonic assault perfect for heavy music genres, capable of voicing crunchy chords and searing solos alike. And most importantly of all, the extra-thin “U” shaped neck and roasted jatoba fretboard are engineered for lightning-fast playability.

For a shredder with pedigree that won’t break the bank, the LTD should be high on your list.

7. Sterling John Petrucci JP15 Flame Maple Top

Key features

• Flame maple top with a satin black finish
• Premium roasted maple neck and fretboard
• 12dB boost circuit on push/pull volume control

Pros

• Gorgeous flame maple top adds visual appeal to the instrument’s overall design
• The roasted maple neck ensures fast, comfortable playability for complex riffing and solos
• The modern tremolo bridge offers creative vibrato options while maintaining tuning stability

Cons

• Satin black finish might show fingerprints and smudges more readily than other finishes

As one of the undisputed kings of shredding, John Petrucci has certainly earned his stripes. The Dream Theater virtuoso is so respected that he has his own line of Music Man signature instruments. And so exceptional – and specifically designed for shredders – are his Sterling/Music Man guitars that the Sterling model was an easy choice for our list.

The Sterling JP15, inspired by its Music Man JP15 bigger brother, compromises little in terms of material quality and components, despite its significantly lower price point. This instrument delivers everything you could want from a high-performance electric guitar, particularly one capable of capturing Petrucci’s distinctive style.

It features a specially roasted maple neck with a flatter 16” fretboard radius for effortless playability. There are also signature DiMarzio pickups for dynamic tonal capabilities and an essential 12dB boost circuit linked to the tone knob, enhancing its sonic versatility. The stunning dark flame maple finish adds to its visual allure.

Incorporating the versatility of a modern tremolo bridge system, the guitar allows for creative vibrato effects while maintaining precise tuning stability. With the Sterling John Petrucci JP15, you receive an instrument capable of shredding at the highest levels, complete with whammy functionality without the daily inconvenience of a locking nut.

For fans of prog metal and traditional guitar designs (with a little extra sonic teeth!), the JP15 is the perfect fit.

8. Schecter Omen-6

Key features

• Schecter Diamond Plus pickups
• TOM bridge
• Sleek black finish with ivory binding and pearloid semi-goth inlays

Pros

• Ideal for speedsters thanks to its Thin “C” neck shape
• 24 X-jumbo fret sizes provide easy bends and a super comfortable action
• Custom Schecter pickups deliver stunning tones with clarity and sustain

Cons

• Basswood body might not provide the tonal depth compared to other higher-end materials

I hope you like black because Schecter certainly do. Their super-sleek Omen-6 barely displays a hint of hues, yet it provides a powerful platform for colourful riffing and vibrant shredding. And with Schecter’s eye-catching “semi-goth” inlays providing stylish navigation up the fretboard, it’s the perfect weapon for those with a more monochrome outlook on life.

But the Omen-6 isn’t just about looks; it has plenty of speed up its sleeve. Schecter have long been celebrated for crafting instruments that excel in technical tapping and distortion-heavy riffing, and the Omen-6 is no exception. It stands as a formidable mid-budget contender in our lineup, propelled by its swift Thin “C” neck profile that enables rapid sweep picking and effortless fretboard traversal.

But more importantly, it houses a fixed TOM bridge with a string-through body design that massively boosts sustain and makes tweaking intonation and string height a breeze. This is perfect if you’re not a big fan of whammy antics and would rather get some extra reliability and reduced weight.

9. Cort X100

Key features

• Meranti body with an open pore black finish
• High-output Powersound humbucker pickups
• Jatoba fingerboard with a 400mm radius

Pros

• Exceptionally fast playability, perfect for complex performances
• Custom Powersound pickups offer excellent quality and performance at an unbeatable value
• The vintage tremolo system provides expressive playing options without compromising tuning stability

Cons

• Cort’s humbuckers might not have the same definition as higher-end aftermarket pickups

The Cort X100 is a standout entry-level guitar for the super shredder market. Sleek and stripped back, it’s the ideal platform for developing your technique without breaking the bank thanks to its metal-friendly features.

These include a pair of high output humbuckers to drive an amp harder and get those gnarly tones, a smooth 400mm (basically 16”) fingerboard radius for lightning legato licks, and an S-style double cutaway build for a comfortable hold and easy high fret access.

The vintage-style six-screw tremolo bridge offers superior tuning stability and enhanced resonance for experimenting with vibrato and divebombing skills. Altogether, there’s little compromise on quality or performance with a Cort instrument, particularly with the X100. It’s a great choice for aspiring shredders getting their first guitar, or even simply fans of heavier music genres.

10. EVH 5150 Series Standard

Key features

• Iconic design with a reimagined Strat-style basswood body
• Modified “C” profile maple neck with a hand-rubbed satin urethane finish
• EVH-branded Floyd Rose bridge with D-Tuna

Pros

• Classic yet modern aesthetics with an explosive attitude and eye-catching EVH Yellow finish
• Custom-designed pickups provide a perfect balance of punch, articulation, and sustain
• Lower bout kill switch adds unique stutter effects for creative playing

Cons

• The distinctive colour and styling may not appeal to all players’ tastes

We can’t have a list of shredder guitars and not mention Van Halen. He must collect his due whenever the discussion of high-speed axes enters the frame. Rightly so, because his eponymous company produces purpose-built shredder guitars, specifically designed to emulate his explosive playing style. And this EVH 5150 is the perfect example…

Dressed in an almost offensively bright EVH Yellow, this guitar provides a welcome break from all the moody “I’m so edgy” hues of typical heavy metal soloist instruments. As attention-grabbing as the finish is, the appointments only make it more enticing!

A Floyd Rose-style trem with EVH’s D-tuna system allows for all kinds of tonal recreation. Direct-mount Wolfgang pickups produce super thick tones that sustain for an age. And best of all, a hand-rubbed satin neck finish is slicker than silk to move your hand across.

On top of that, a quality ebony fingerboard sports a compound radius to give you maximum comfort in any position and a super-fun kill switch to inject stuttery-style riffage. If you want something to make a bold statement on stage, and that’s been built from the ground up for virtuoso playing, the 5150 is a no-brainer.

11. Jackson X Series Soloist SLX DX

Key features

• Equipped with Duncan Designed alnico and ceramic humbuckers
• Features a smooth maple neck-through-body construction
• Includes a Floyd Rose Special tremolo system

Pros

• Neck-through-body design not only offers superior sustain but also facilitates easier access to higher frets
• Duncan Designed pickups provide the versatility to cover a broad spectrum of tones, from clean to heavily distorted
• The Floyd Rose Special tremolo allows for creative expression through reliable pitch manipulation

Cons

• The specific colour and aggressive styling might not appeal to players looking for a more traditional or understated look

The Jackson X Series Soloist is a powerhouse of metal and rock, neatly slotting into the mid-range with its iconic Jackson sharkfin inlays. It’s designed to cater to guitarists who demand nothing less than the best in speed, comfort, and sound, but don’t want to stretch to the high-end prices.

With its sleek maple neck-through-body construction, this guitar promises effortless playability and unmatched sustain, ensuring every note and bend wails with intention. The duo of Duncan Designed pickups offers a fiery tone that’s versatile enough to handle anything from crisp cleans to searing high-gain riffs.

When it comes to expressive playing, the Floyd Rose Special tremolo system stands ready to deliver precise, stable pitch shifts, making it perfect for everything from subtle vibrato to dramatic dive bombs.

12. Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 1 HH FR M

Key features

• Seymour Duncan pickups
• A sleek, oiled maple neck
• The Floyd Rose 1000 Series tremolo

Pros

• Its eye-popping finish makes a bold stage statement
• Dual Seymour Duncans provide a broad sonic range with coil-splitting
• Precision tremolo action enhances expressive play

Cons

• Floyd Rose setup can be tricky for novices

Another Fender sub-brand that’s known for high-performance playing, Charvel make some mean shred machines, and this Pro-Mod San Dimas is the perfect example. It even has a bridge pickup called the “Seymour Duncan Full Shred” – I mean, c’mon!

Aside from its name, the SD Full Shred is purpose-built for aggressive playing and rapid riffs, tuned with extended lows, clear highs, and scooped mids. This helps accentuate note definition and lets your solos slice through a mix. Equipped with Alnico 5 magnets, you can expect a warmth that balances out the harshness of playing higher up the fretboard, in addition to plenty of output to really make your distortion kick.

On top of the tones, this Pro-Mod San Dimas hosts a speed neck with rolled fingerboard edges – an essential ingredient for folks who want to go fast. It’s a slender feel that immensely enhances the comfort of your fretting hand., coupled with a compound radius fingerboard to smooth out your playing in every position.

With its classic, understated look (that chameleon finish sure is something), the Charvel is a great choice for those who want a top-performance machine with a refined aesthetic.