Hunting for a new axe for doom and stoner metal? You’re in the good spot. In today’s in-depth guide, I’m going to highlight some of the best guitars that you can potentially choose for these genres.
Undoubtedly, finding a brand new axe suitable for doom and stoner metal isn’t that easy. It all can get really confusing, especially if you’re just an amateur. Most of the time, doom and stoner metal guitarists use guitars made by Gibson, but there are also a lot of other fantastic guitars out there.
That’s why I decided to create a list of 10 best guitars for doom and stoner metal! Feel free to check them all out below. Of course, the sound demos are included as well. Hopefully, this guide will help you find your next dream guitar.
ESP LTD EC-256
ESP LTD EC-256 is an affordable mid-range electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. It has pretty much everything that you need for doom and stoner metal – it has the looks, the sound and the feel.
What makes it so special? Well, the EC-256 model features an LP-style mahogany body, a comfortable mahogany neck and an easy-playing Jatoba fingerboard. The Thin U-shaped neck is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer decided to equip this model with a pair of ESP Designed LH-150 Humbuckers, which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone. What’s more, this guitar also works really well in drop tunings, so it’s a perfect choice for all kinds of metal.
It is also worth mentioning that the EC-256 isn’t as expensive as you may think. In fact, it’s pretty affordable and it certainly looks and feels like a premium guitar. That’s why I highly recommend checking it out! I’m sure that it’s one of the best electric guitars for doom and stoner metal.
Here’s the sound demo.
Epiphone SG Standard 61
For those who aren’t aware, the SG-style guitars are extremely popular among the doom and stoner metal guitar players. They usually sound really muddy, which is really important in that kind of music. That’s why I highly encourage you to check out the Epiphone SG Standard 61!
This is an affordable copy of the legendary Gibson SG Standard 61, which is a far more expensive guitar. The Epiphone model features a classic SG-style mahogany body and a comfortable mahogany neck with a smooth Indian Laurel fingerboard. There’s also a LockTone ABR Tune-O-Matic Bridge with a stopbar tailpiece which guarantees a superb tuning stability.
Epiphone decided to equip that model with a pair of ProBucker humbuckers which both sound really good. They give you access to the classic PAF-style tone, so they will work perfectly fine for everyone who’s into hard rock and metal music.
It may not be as good as the high-end Gibson SG, but the truth is that it looks and sounds surprisingly close to the original. Surely, if you decide to add it to your own collection, you won’t be disappointed at all.
Fender Jim Root Telecaster
Fender Jim Root Telecaster is an another extremely powerful electric guitar designed for all lovers of metal music. In my opinion, this is actually one of the best axes on today’s list – it exceeds all the expectations.
What makes it so good? Well, this signature Tele features a mahogany body, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing ebony fretboard which guarantees an enjoyable playing experience. It’s pretty thin, so it’s a perfect choice for anyone who loves to shred.
Additionally, Fender equipped this model with a pair of really powerful humbuckers – EMG 60 and EMG 61. Both of these pickups are fantastic for all kinds of metal music, so whether you’re into sludge, doom, stoner or heavy metal, they will make you sound fantastic.
When it comes to pricing, let’s be honest – it’s not a cheap guitar. In fact, it’s a really expensive model. But in my opinion, it’s not overpriced at all. Sometimes you just have to spend a significant amount of money if you want to get something out of this world.
Some guitarists think that Telecasters aren’t good for metal, but this model proves that it’s not true. It’s definitely one of the coolest axes mentioned on today’s list!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Gibson Les Paul Custom is one of the coolest electric guitars made by this legendary brand. Period. This is probably the holy grail of guitars. It costs a lot, but it’s definitely one of the best guitars that you can potentially choose for doom and stoner metal.
The guitar features a solid mahogany body with a maple top. Additionally, it also has a comfortable mahogany neck with an easy-playing ebony fretboard which guarantees a superb playing experience. Whether you’re a rhythm or lead guitarist, you will definitely appreciate the feel of that unique axe!
Gibson decided to equip the LP Custom with a pair of great sounding and versatile pickups: 498T and 490R humbuckers. They both sound amazing and they’re suitable for a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re looking for glassy clean tones or fat and muddy stoner and sludge metal riffs, this guitar won’t disappoint you.
Undoubtedly, Gibson Les Paul Custom is a real piece of art. If getting this model is on your bucket list, you should definitely start saving up for that axe. It may take a while, but it’s totally worth it.
Epiphone Explorer
Epiphone Explorer is an another amazing electric guitar that can be efficiently used for all kinds of rock and metal music. This is basically an affordable version of the legendary Gibson Explorer, which is one of the most iconic electric guitars of all time.
The Explorer by Epiphone features a solid mahogany body, a comfortable mahogany SlimTaper neck and easy-playing Indian Laurel fretboard. Surely, all guitarists will appreciate the smooth feel of that neck – it guarantees a fantastic playing experience.
On top of that, the manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of ProBucker Alnico II humbuckers. They both sound awesome and they’re particularly great for all lovers of high-gain. Surely, it’s one of the best mid-range electric guitars for sludge, doom and stoner metal.
It is also worth mentioning that in comparison with Gibson Explorer, Epiphone Explorer is a way more affordable guitar. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all guitar players who are looking for a good and reliable axe for metal.
Here’s the demo.
Squier Contemporary Jaguar
Squier Contemporary Jaguar is one of the most underrated guitars on today’s list. Not many guitarists are aware of how good it actually is. It sounds great, it feels very comfortable and it’s actually really affordable.
The guitar features a lightweight poplar body and a C-shaped maple neck with an easy-playing laurel fingerboard. Additionally, the manufacturer equipped this model with a pair of SQR Atomic Humbuckers which offer a lot of versatility when it comes to tone.
This is a fantastic guitar to play gigs with. It’s not that expensive, so it’s a really good axe to take on tours. If you’re in a band and you’re looking for an inexpensive and great sounding axe for rock and metal, you should definitely consider getting this Jag.
Who is it for? Well, I think that the Contemporary Jaguar will be an excellent fit for anyone who’s into alternative rock, emo, punk, hard rock and metal. Additionally, this is a fantastic electric guitar to start with, so if you’re searching for your first electric guitar, this is the way to go.
Here’s a quick sound demo.
Epiphone SG Special Worn P90s
Epiphone SG Special Worn P90s is an another amazing electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This particular model is really similar to the SG Standard 61 mentioned earlier, but it has a different set of pickups – the famous P90s.
The guitar features a solid mahogany body and a comfortable mahogany neck with an Indian Laurel fingerboard. There’s also a LockTone ABR Bridge with a stopbar tailpiece which guarantees an excellent tuning stability.
Epiphone equipped this model with a pair of Epiphone P-90 PRO single-coil pickups, which offer a lot of tonal versatility. No matter whether you’re a rhythm or lead guitarists, you will definitely appreciate the sound of that axe!
What’s important, Epiphone SG Special Worn P90s is available in two really cool color versions: Worn Cherry and Worn Inverness Green. And the truth is that both of them look equally amazing in real life!
Undoubtedly, this is one of the coolest and most affordable SG-style guitars that you can choose for doom, sludge and stoner metal. I’m sure that if you decide to add it to your own collection, you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s the demo.
Gibson Les Paul Tribute
Gibson Les Paul Tribute is one of the most affordable LP guitars that are currently manufactured by this legendary brand. It’s not as expensive as the LP Custom and it still offers a really good quality.
The guitar features a mahogany body with a maple top and a comfortable maple neck with an easy-playing rosewood fingerboard. The rounded neck is a huge advantage of that model, because it allows you to play for several hours without getting tired.
Gibson decided to equip that model with a pair of 490 humbucking pickups which sound absolutely amazing. In fact, when you compare the tone of the Tribute model with other expensive Gibson Les Pauls, the sound difference isn’t that obvious. Surely, this guitar exceeds all the expectations.
I have no hesitation in recommending the Gibson Les Paul Tribute to all guitarists who are looking for the best guitars for doom and stoner metal. Getting a Les Paul by Gibson is always a safe bet when it comes to this kind of music.
ESP LTD KH-602
ESP LTD KH-602 is a signature model of Kirk Hammett, the legendary lead guitarist of Metallica. This is not a cheap guitar, but it’s perfect for all kinds of metal music – including doom, stoner and sludge metal too.
What makes it so cool? Well, the guitar features a solid alder body, a thin U-shaped maple neck and easy-playing ebony fretboard. There’s also a Floyd Rose 1000 vibrato bridge which makes this guitar even more interesting.
Additionally, it is also worth mentioning that ESP LTD equipped this model with a pair of Active EMG Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker Humbuckers. They offer a really high quality, so all lovers of metal music will be satisfied with their tone. They’re perfect for both rhythm and lead guitarists!
Undoubtedly, this is one of the best electric guitars for doom and stoner metal that you can currently find on the market. I’m sure that you’ll be really satisfied if you decide to choose that model, even if you’re not a fan of Kirk and Metallica.
Here’s the sound demo.
Schecter C-1 Apocalypse
Schecter C-1 Apocalypse is an another fantastic electric guitar that can be efficiently used for all types of metal music. It’s a really powerful instrument which looks, sounds and feels absolutely amazing.
The guitar features a swamp ash body with a maple/Padauk neck and an easy-playing ebony fingerboard. This unique combination of woods results with an amazing playability and comfort. Surely, all lovers of shredding will appreciate the feel of the neck of that guitar!
Schecter decided to equip that model with the Schecter USA Apocalypse Humbucker (bridge) and the Sustainiac Pickup (neck). Both of these pickups offer a lot of tonal versatility and they’re perfect for doom and stoner metal.
It is also worth mentioning that the C-1 Apocalypse model looks absolutely amazing from the outside too. There’s something really special about that Red Reign color version! What’s more, it’s also available in the Purple Reign color as well.
When it comes to pricing, this is not exactly a cheap guitar. In fact, it’s one of the most expensive axes mentioned on today’s list. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth that amount of money, because it exceeds all the expectations!
Here’s the sound demo.
My Thoughts
Okay, so now you learned more about ten great guitars suitable for all kinds of metal music. Of course, there are way more models out there. If you still don’t know what to choose, here’s a few of my tips:
- Don’t choose the cheapest option. Sometimes it’s worth it to save up a bit more just to get a better guitar.
- At the same time, don’t focus on the most expensive guitars either. Sometimes mid-range priced guitars offer a similar quality to the high-end ones
- Looks matter. Choose a guitar that you enjoy looking at. You’ll spend A LOT of time with it in your hands 🙂
Apart from that, just choose one and have fun. It’s all about having fun in the end!
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of fantastic electric guitars that can be efficiently used for doom and stoner metal music. I’m positive that if you decide to stick to one of the models mentioned above, you will be really satisfied with your choice. All of these guitars are great!
Which guitar would you choose to play some stoner or doom metal music? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you found what you were hoping to find. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
