What is your vote for the ultimate iconic hard rockin' metal axe?

I'm going to list 13 of the world's greatest axes, and all you have to do is vote for your pick of the top hard rock/metal guitar.

1. the Fender Stratocaster (Iron Maiden proved that all it takes is a humbucker and Floyd Rose tremolo to make these things really work)

2. the Ibanez RG series (with its pointy horn, this has been a metal favorite since the mid eighties)

3. the ESP M-II (constantly played by Metallica's Kirk Hammett and Slayer's Jeff Hanneman)

4. the Gibson Explorer (Metallica's James Hetfield used to be seen sporting one of these all of the time)

5. the Gibson Flying V (since Jimi Hendrix's day, this is the Hard Rock ICON)

6. the Gibson Les Paul (Jimmy Page and Slash's axe of choice)

7. the Gibson SG (Angus Young...need I say more?)

8. the BC Rich Warlock (from Lita Ford to Slayer to Slipknot, this thing is NASTY)

9. the Ibanez Iceman (from Steve Miller to Ministry, this thing is as versatile as it looks)

10. the Jackson Randy Rhoades V (perhaps the most coveted axe ever)

11. the Jackson King V (Megadeth's Dave Mustaine's choice for years, the metal world's answer to the flying V)

12. the Jackson Kelly (Jackson's answer to the Explorer, tricked out with high output humbuckers and a floating trem)

13. the Dean ML (Dimebag's axe of choice)


write-ins are welcome, but they had better be good

2008-11-14T09:00:55Z

Cliff B, I SOOOOOO want a Jackson Warrior...how could I forget that one? The USA version comes loaded with a Semour Duncan Invader and an original Floyd Rose trem!!

Anonymous2008-11-14T10:05:08Z

Favorite Answer

I'm a drummer by trade but dabble in guitar! These are tough choices bro. I've always been a little parsial to the King V. That is my final answer! Although second would be the BC Rich. Those things are so METAL!

Anonymous2008-11-15T08:30:34Z

For me, it's got to be the Gibson Flying V, closely followed by the Explorer. Unlike the Les Paul and the Strat, there aren't many non-metal bands that use these two. Also, many of today's metal axes probably wouldn't exist without them.

Supa is shredding massive metal2008-11-14T14:42:53Z

i pick #2...because it felt best when i picked it up in the store...
http://www.ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=RG420EG
i got the SBK...

i love the thing. my guitar teacher will let me do lessons in the showroom now, and we've had classes playing:

#1(meh),
#6(nice but heavy and just not what i thought it would be),
#7(i hated this guitar and think Angus Young doesn't get enough credit for actually making a living playing one)

i messed with some jackson guitars at the other shop in town for a minute but still...for the money...im more impressed, regularly, with ibanez.

as far as THE quintessential rock and roll guitar?...

for me, it is Eddide van halen's red and black and white frankenstrat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

others will argue, and they will probably be right...but that guy and that guitar, in their time, were beyond huge for me.

now playing:war machine - ac/dc

Cliff B2008-11-14T08:56:21Z

Jackson Warrior AKA Ibanez xiphos


http://www.theshredzone.com/images/guitar101/warrior_blooddrip_usa.jpg


http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc212/voodoo_child777/Ibanez%202008/XPT707FX-GCM.jpg

Anonymous2008-11-14T09:26:59Z

SG doubleneck

Show more answers (3)