The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide for Metal Musicians!
The holidays are upon us! Still haven’t found the perfect gift for that special metal musician in your life? Don’t fret (pun intended) — MetalSucks has got your back!
We’ve put together a helpful collection of holiday gift ideas guaranteed to give metal musicians a merry Christmas and a happy New Year: guitars, drums, synths, accessories, fun one-of-kind offerings from celebrities… the works!
Read our handy gift guide below. All of these items can be found on Reverb, the world’s largest online gear marketplace has incredible new, used, and vintage musical instruments and accessories for every price range. In fact, since Reverb is a marketplace, prices can be negotiated!
Please keep in mind that the prices listed are average 2020 prices based on Reverb’s current online inventory and are subject to fluctuation. Remember, many sellers on Reverb accept offers below the asking price, so don’t be afraid to negotiate!
For the WOW Factor
Amy Lee (Evanescence) – Autographed sE Electronics V7 Microphone ($1,000)
Evanescence fanatics will likely pay this much for a microphone signed by the inimitable Amy Lee… but the buyer will surely take even MORE pride in their purchase knowing that the mic is being sold for Reverb’s charity initiative, The Official One Mic Reverb Shop, — so all of the proceeds will go to supporting youth music education programs that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic!
Ibanez Guitar Autographed by Dimebag Darrell, John Petrucci, Zakk Wylde, Jerry Cantrell, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Eric Johnson ($9,995)
Yes, this is extremely expensive. But holy #@*%, is it ever worth it!
PRS 513 Custom Owned by Wolf Hoffmann of Accept ($5,400)
Accept’s legendary founding guitarist actually has his own Reverb shop. As of this writing, there are two other PRS axes on sale!
Chris Adler (Firstborne, ex-Lamb of God, ex-Megadeth) Autographed 12” Remo Ambassador Drum Head ($84.99)
Chris Adler continues to be one of the most respected drummers in all of modern metal. This would make a fine addition to any fan’s memorabilia collection!
Guitars
B.C. Rich MK5-WL-BK Warlock Gloss Black (Used from $450)
If ever a guitar looked more metal than the Warlock, we ain’t seen it!
Jackson JS Series JS32 DKA Dinky Archtop with Amaranth Fretboard (New from $300)
Featuring the Stratocaster-style design favored by dudes like Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) and Phil Collen (Def Leppard), this model remains a classic.
Epiphone Zakk Wylde Les Paul Custom (Used from $750)
There isn’t a metal fan on the planet who doesn’t recognize Zakk Wylde’s iconic bullseye design. Ideal for banging out pinched harmonic guitar squeals!
ESP LTD EC-1000 (New from $999 ; Used from $650)
If the Gibson Les Paul looked more bad-ass and didn’t weigh ten tons, it would be the ESP LTD EC-1000.
Ibanez RG7421 Standard 7-String (New from $400; Used from $364)
When six strings just isn’t enough…
Amps
Positive Grid Spark (Used from $302), Boss Katana-50 (New from $230, Used from $188), and Yamaha THR10 II (New from $300, Used from $215) modeling amps
With everyone forced to stay indoors this year, it’s unsurprising that Reverb data shows a serious uptick in searches for amp models that are ideal for low-volume playing. Enter these three bad boys! While capable of 40-watts, 50-watts, and 20-watts, respectively, these amps are known to sound good at low volumes, especially when playing with lots of effects and amp and cabinet simulators.
Of course, some people don’t give a damn about their neighbors — they want everything louder than everyone else! For those players, we recommend…
Dean Costello Audio Heavy Metal Warfare 100W Blackburst DCA HMW ($2,300)
Based out of Chicago, IL, Dean Costello Audio should be your first stop for all your old school handmade amps needs!
Orange TT15H Tiny Terror 15-Watt Guitar Amp Head (New from $539, Used from $315)
This small but mighty amp is as portable and rugged as it gets!
Peavey 6505 Plus Mini Guitar Amplifier Head (20 Watts) (New from $600, Used from $404)
A tube-powered brute that packs all the tone of the standard and “Plus” model 6505 heads into a compact enclosure!
Orange TT15C12 Tiny Terror 15-Watt 1×12″ Guitar Combo (New from $632, Used from $375)
Bringing together features like a streamlined gain, tone, and volume control interface, and a versatile two-stage preamp, the Orange Tiny Terror Guitar Combo places classic British amp tone in an accessible package!
Effects
Mooer Noise Killer Noise Suppressor (New from $66 ; Used from $45) and the Fortin Amplification Zuul Noise Gate (New from $225)
As with amps, a lot of musicians have been searching for ways to reduce noise. These are just two of the best options currently available on Reverb.
Would you rather add some more METAL to your sound? Then we suggest..
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ProCo RAT 2 Distortion (New from $70 ; Used from $58)
One of the most widely used distortion pedals ever, and said to be a favorite of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain!
DOD Meatbox Reissue (Used from $140)
A subharmonic synth pedal that adds room-shaking low end to any guitar or bass!
Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal Distortion Pedal (Used from $185)
This pedal provides shredders with an insane amount of boost and tone-shaping!
Fuzzrocious Demon Overdrive (New from $155 ; Used from $131)
Capable of going from a nearly transparent boost to a searing scream with a few knob twists, the Demon is one hellishly good effect!
EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold Power Amp Distortion V2 (New from $129; Used from $102)
A dirt-simple distortion device based on the power section of a cranked vintage Sunn Model T.
Accessories
Zildjian LV468RH L80 Low Volume Quiet Pack with Remo SilentStroke Drum Heads (New from $350)
Up to 80% softer than traditional cymbals, Remo Silentstroke mesh heads reduce the volume of your acoustic kit!
Strukture 20ft XLR mic cable, 6mm rubber (SMC20), Black (New from $9)
Strukture selected the top-selling cables in the industry and eliminated as much packaging cost as possible without sacrificing quality!
Ernie Ball 3220 Power Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack (New from $14)
The perfect match for those who like chunky rhythms for rock and roll or blues!
Snark Silver Snark Clip-On Tuner (New from $20)
Now featuring a longer battery life, the nearly-indestructible Silver Snark give you a fast, flawless tuning every time.
Dunlop 418P73 Tortex Standard .73mm Guitar Picks (12-Pack) (New from $6)
Tortex Picks are highly durable with great memory and just the right amount of flexibility for a snappy, fluid attack that’s bright and crisp.
Keys/Synths/Drum Machines
Korg Minilogue 4-voice Analog Polyphonic Synthesizer (New from $500 ; Used from $380)
Perfect for current and future members of symphonic metal bands!
Behringer RD-8 Rhythm Designer (New from $359 ; Used from $303)
This drum machine has 16 Drum Sounds, 64 Step Sequencer, a Wave Designer and Dual-Mode Filter, and tons more cool features to boot.
Or, if you’re ready for something a bit more advanced…
Teenage Engineering OP-1 Portable Synthesizer & Sampler (New from $1300 ; Used from $1000)
A revolutionary portable synthesizer, sampler, and controller packed with features and sounds.
Starter Home Recording/Podcasting
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio 3rd Gen USB Recording Bundle (New from $270 ; Used from $210)
With a condenser microphone, headphones and two-input USB interface, you won’t get a better-sounding, more reliable home recording package for the beginner.
Samson C01U Pro USB Mic Podcasting Pack w/ Headphones, Stand, Cables, Case (New from $105)
Allows you to make high-quality audio recordings to your computer without the need of any additional gear or cabling!
Looking to level up? Check out…
Shure SM7B Cardioid Dynamic Microphone (New from $400 ; Used from $350)
A secret weapon of everyone from platinum producers to broadcast legends, but with a price within reach of bedroom recordists!
Obviously, all of the above is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to metal musician-friendly gear. Make sure you head over to Reverb for literally THOUSANDS of more instruments and accessories!
