Is it time to shred?
When isn't it time to shred? It's one of the most fun things you can do on a guitar!
Now, you can shred on any guitar - it's more or less true - but some guitars are more shred-friendly than others. There are a few key components to look out for when seeking a guitar that can handle the high-speed demands of your demonic licks. An entire revolution of guitar design has led to a refined set of manufacturing techniques that have given us flatter radiuses, thinner neck profiles, higher output pickups, and more stable bridges, all of which are vital ingredients in a shredder's instrument.
So what brands should you consider when looking for one of these souped-up guitars? Here are a few of my suggestions, for all budgets...
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Wo are the Best Shredders Ever?
Wo are the Best Shredders Ever?
Shredding's a subjective business, and everyone will have their favourites. Having said that, there are ten monumental players - ten ascended masters of shred - whom every self-respecting shredmeister needs to have in-depth and advances knowledge of. Today's article is about guitar brands, so I'll leave this list here and you can do your own investigating on any of the names you aren't yet minutely intimate with...
- Eddie Van Halen
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- Allan Holdsworth
- Steve Vai
- Dimebag Darrell
- Joe Satriani
- Tosin Abasi
- Al Di Meola
- Shawn Lane
- Marty Friedman
Now, onto the guitars!
Charvel
Charvel is a company that had to get featured on this list. They are still one of the most popular go to's for high-performance guitars. Charvel are, after all, the company that brought the very idea of a custom shop guitar to life. It was Wayne Charvel who first offered the public the ability to design and spec their own dream guitars.
Their lineup now covers a wide range of budgets, starting with their popular Mexican made models and running all the way up to master built custom shops. The list of artists who have wielded a Charvel in the past is long, but Guthrie Govan is a major highlight amongst them.
For this reason, my shredder's pick for Charvel goes to the Guthrie Govan USA Signature. Guthrie is one of those players that will either inspire you or make you want to set your guitar on fire. If it is good enough for him, it is good enough for anyone!
The signature model features pickups designed through a collaboration between Guthrie and Michael Frank Braun (the man who designed pickups for Eric Johnson's signature Stratocaster). With this set of killer pickups scooping up a big dollop of juicy tone and a list of spec hand-selected by one of the world's greatest players, it is safe to say that this instrument will be the perfect platform for which to shred.
Jackson
Jackson and Charvel share a bit of a bromance. Grover Jackson worked under Wayne Charvel during the early days of the custom shop, before buying him out and basically dominating the 80s 'shredstick' scene. The two brands would grow together side by side, so it is hard to mention one without the other.
Jackson's earliest collaboration with Randy Rhoads led to a steep increase in demand. The proliferation of shredders can be traced back to early guitarists such as Rhoads, and his spirit lives on in the sharkfinned guitar which shares his name.
All of Jackson's guitars are heavily shred-orientated: they have a model called the Soloist, after all! With models now being made in the USA, there are some fantastic top-end choices for players, but those on a budget will still be well-served by the ultra-affordable JS range, with includes 'shape' guitars and extended range instruments too. Bravo, Jackson!
Ibanez
Ibanez is a company deeply entrenched in the shred with a roster of artists that play so fast you could roast marshmallows on their fingerboards. Guitarists such as Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, and Joe Satriani rely on these guitars to earn their shred and butter, so it would be criminal not to include them in our lineup.
Ibanez once had a custom shop dedicated to serving the virtuosos spawning out of California in the 80s. When this shop closed, all production of high-end Ibanez guitars continued at their Japanese facilities. This exclusive range became known as the J-Custom, and it steals the show for our Ibanez shredders pick.
EVH
Eddie Van Halen's playing was a force to be reckoned with. Not only was Eddie an incredibly talented guitarist, but he was also quite an inventor with three patents to his name.
In 1974 sparks flew as Eddie brought to life the Frankenstrat. Who knew this rough and ready guitar would become iconic? Pummeling the intense energy of Eddie's playing through its pickups into the ears of thousands of aspiring guitar players across the globe, the EVH Striped Series Frankie has made the list as a humble recreation of a legendary piece of shred history.
Suhr
Suhr have offered top-tier playing experiences for decades. Based in Lake Elsinore, CA, John Suhr and his small team hand build gorgeous electric guitars, pickups, pedals and amplifiers in-house. It’s all pretty incredible stuff, too: John’s an amp-obsessive for sure, but he was also a Master Builder at Fender Custom Shop, so he’s pretty much one of the best guitar makers in the world.
Shredders will love the Suhr Modern, a future forward Superstrat design that has hints of Ibanez and a strong line in individual character. Hand voiced pickups, some of the best necks in the business and a design that’s been created for the most technically demanding parts out there: it’s all part and parcel of the amazing Suhr Modern.
Solar
Youtube pioneer Ola Englund is a touring metal guitarist in his downtime, meaning he’s somebody who knows what he’s talking about through experience, not merely copying things he’s heard other people saying. This is why I trust Solar guitars, the brand he created roughly a decade ago now.
Clearly made for extreme metal (and therefore for extreme shred), Solar guitars are not interested in being subtle. What can you expect? Sharp, almost spiky body designs which are painted black or neon (mostly), filled with special Seymour Duncan & Solar collaboration pickups. Slim necks with big frets and flat radius fingerboards. More metal attitude than you can shake a warlock at, and best of all: prices that are affordable enough to cater to moshers and shred maniacs and all levels and means. The S by Solar subbrand brings even more value to the stable, which I hugely applaud. Shredsticks for all!
Music Man
Music Man are famous as the brand that Leo Fender was involved in after selling some other guitar company that you may have heard of. Guitarists know them as builders of some of the finest necks in the business, and also for the sheer amount of talent who use them. In shred terms, I’d throw out names like John Petrucci, Tosin Abasi and a certain Edward Van Halen as proof of Music Man’s suitability.
There’s a number of great guitar models in their catalog, and I think it’s well worth noting how unusual and downright eccentric many of their instruments look! Compare a Music Man Majesty, St Vincent and Kaizen to most of the output of other brands, and you’ll see what I mean!
The Shreddin' Life
Shredding is a way of life. You either get it or you don't, and if it's too hot, then get off the stage! The art of shred guitar pushes conventional playing past its limits. Because of this, guitar guitars push design to its limits, too. Luthiers and guitarists have come together at several points in history to advance just what the guitar is capable of. The search for hotter pickups, flatter radiuses, thinner profiles, and better hardware has made new genres of extreme guitar playing possible.
It's about speed, yes, but it's about invention, surprise and fun! It's about playing for the sake of joy, and about revelling in everything that guitar playing can be. It's not a competition, but if you're not the fastest player you know, why are you wasting time? Grab one of these shred guitars and get practising like it was yesterday!
