Jackson Demmelition King V

This demonic beast, the signature model for Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel, takes the already brutal Jackson King V and adds even deadlier edges.

The Demmelition King V has a sharp alder body, witha through-body quartersawn maple neck capped with a bound compound-radius ebony fingerboard (12” to 16”) and 24 jumbo frets. Shark fin inlays are one of the most metalworthy accoutrements a guitar can have, so of course they make an appearance on the Demmelistion, in mother-of-pearl form, and the Jackson logo is also inlayed in mother-of-pearl for extra metallic bling factor.

Pickups are an EMG 81 in the bridge and an EMG 60 in the neck position, each with its own CTS volume control. Other brutal features include a Floyd Rose Original double-locking two-point tremolo bridge, black hardware and die-cast tuners. Available in red with black bevels, black with silver bevels and white with black bevels. Grrr.

CLICK HERE to buy the Jackson Phil Demmel Signature King V

Ibanez Xiphos

The Ibanez Xiphos was first released as a 6-string version with an Ibanez Edge III Floyd Rose-style bridge. The Xiphos gets its evil from looking like some kind of medieval weapon, but it also has a touch of glam with its eye-catching colour-change paint. Pictured is the extra-deadly 7-string version, which features Dimarzio D Activator 7 pickups, (designed to sound like actives, D Activators are also on the 6-string Xiphos), and a very heavy, sturdy Ibanez Gibraltar Custom 7 bridge.

Some players are a little anti-Xiphos because the shape is similar to the Jackson Warrior. Being an Ibanez fanboy, it doesn’t bother me one bit, and I hope some day they release a Japanese version with an Edge Zero bridge and prestige finishing.

CLICK HERE to buy the Ibanez XPT700 Xiphos Blue Chameleon

Dean VMNT

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine has had more than his fair share of signature guitars – various Jackson models, the ESP DV8 and Axxion, and now the Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT. One thing Dave’s guitars have in common is their aggressive styling – this is not a dude that you’ll see strapping on a Les Paul. The DV8 is not drastically different from the King V-based Jackson Dave Mustaine model of the 90s, and it has a few design refinements including through-body stringing and a tune-o-matic bridge (his Jackson had a fixed Kahler bridge).

Most VMNT variants also have Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Livewire active pickups. Voiced to sound like a Seymour Duncan JB and Jazz set but with twice as much output, these 9-volt active pickups run on low noise, discrete class A circuitry, and can be operated at up to 25 volts for extremely high headroom.

My favourite version of the VMNT is the ‘Angel of Deth’ model, but check out the double neck version of the VMNT too. I guess this one is more of a Flying W than a Flying V.

CLICK HERE to buy the Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT Angel of Deth Electric Guitar

ESP Custom Shop Shinigami

Got $20,000? Then perhaps this ESP Custom Shop Shinigami is for you. Specs are pretty hard to come by but does that even matter, with a guitar as demonic as this? That’s no printed graphic either – this sucker is carved and painted. The workmanship looks to be as awe-inspiring as the licks that are sure to fly off this metal machine.

This pic is from Australian store Bmusic’s website, which is well worth bookmarking for their huge selection of ESPs, a lot of which aren’t available in America, like this, this, this, this, and this. I’ve never shopped with Bmusic but their forums are a great source of information and I sometimes hit up Shane from Bmusic for ESP info.

Also, while googling for more info about the Shinigami, I found that Guitar Noise reported on this puppy back in January 2008 so check out that story too!

ESP George Lynch Skulls & Snakes

Here’s another one that goes back to my very first guitar magazine, the March 1991 issue of Guitar World with ZZ Top on the cover. George Lynch appeared in a Seymour Duncan ad for his Screamin’ Demon pickup, posing with this guitar. Naturally it was the coolest f***ing thing in the world to my 13-year-old self, and I’ve never stopped lusting after this guitar.

Features include a blot-on maple neck on an alder body, rosewood fretboard, 45mm neck width, George’s custom neck conour, 22 extra jumbo frets, Gotoh tuners, Floyd Rose bridge, George’s Screamin’ Demon bridge pickup, and an ESP SH-100 Rail pickup in the neck position.

CLICK HERE to buy George Lynch’s 1993 solo album ‘Sacred Groove’

CLICK HERE to buy the ESP George Lynch M-1 Tiger electric guitar, since I couldn’t find a link for the Skulls & Snakes guitar