Call The Guinness World Record book because we’ve done it.
This is (As of September 19th, 2018) The largest list of guitars with EMGs.
Eventually, I want to make this a comprehensive list of every guitar with EMGs out there, but for now this will do. (Feel free to comment ones I’ve missed so I can add them)
This article is simply a list of guitars that have EMG pickups, nothing more.
I will include some information at the end about guitars with EMG’s if you aren’t to familiar with them and what type you might be interested in.
Note: I’m trying to update this list to make it as comprehensive AND HELPFUL as possible, if you know of any new guitars with EMGs or brands that I did not know about please leave a comment so I can add them to this list. Thanks for reading! Also, if it would be helpful to list the specs underneath each option or any other details let me know as well. Seriously, please comment. I need your help to make this list awesome!
ESP
Esp Guitars have the most models by far with ESP pickups, and have quite a few signatures that tote them as well. This includes Alexi Laiho’s signature, which was a major influence for me personally playing guitar.
You can’t go wrong if you’re looking for a great metal guitar when buying an ESP, especially not one with EMGS. These were models I found all off of their website, and I didn’t look for any discontinued models for ESP because it looked like they had a pretty comprehensive list on their website. All of these models range pretty far in price, and are each worth checking out.
E-II Eclipse DB
E-II BB Eclipse
E-II Eclipse
E-II FRX
E-II Horizon FR-7
E-II Horizon NT-7
E-II Horizon NT-7b hipshot
E-II Horizon NT-11
E-II HRF NT-8 Baritone
E-II M-II Neck Thru
E-II M-II
E-II M-I Thru NT
E-II T-B7 Baritone
E-II V-II STD
E-II VIPER Baritone
ESP Arrow
ESP FRX
ESP Eclipse
ESP M-II FR
M-II FR-DLX
M-II Hardtail
M-II NTD FR
M-II NTB NT
M-III FR
M-III GT
M-7 FR
M-7 Hardtail
TE-II FR
TE-II Hardtail
V-II FR
V-II NT
VIPER
ARROW – 401
EC-1008 Evertone
EC-1007 Evertone
EC-1001 FR
EC-1000s Fluence
EC-1000
EC-1000 LH
EC-1000t/CTM
EC-407
EC-401 FR
EC-401
EX-401
FRX-407
FRX-400
M-1001
M-1000
M-400
MH-1007 Evertune
MH-1000 Evertune
MH-1001 NT
MH-417
MH-401 FR
MH-401 NT
MH-400B
TE-417
TE-401 FM
TE-401
EC-1
Alan Ashby
Alexi Laiho
Gary Holt EC
GH-600
GH-600 NT
GH-200
Glenn Tipton GT-600
James Hetfield Iron Cross
James Hetfield Snakebite
James Hetfield Vulture
Jeff Hanneman Urban Camo
Jeff Hanneman JH-600
Jeff Ling (JL-600)
Kirk Hammett Demonology
Kirk Hammett II
Kirk Hammett II Vintage
Kirk Hammett 602
Kirk Hammett WZ
Kirk Hammett 202
Ibanez
Ibanez aren’t necessarily the best guitars for metal, but they’re a great contender and tons of musicians have one as their model of choice. I personally love these guitars and how they feel to play. Not to many current models have EMGs as the standard pickup in the guitar.
RGIb6
RGIM7MH
RGIM8MH
FRIX6FEAH
FRIX7FEAH
Epiphone
There’s only a couple of these that are still in production, and by the looks of it they probably won’t be by the time you’ll be reading this. Epiphone has made tons of models that have had EMGs and almost all have been discontinued. It was extremely hard to hunt down some of these models and a couple are super weird and I can tell why they didn’t sell well. (Look up the Graveyard Disciple)
If you really want an epiphone with an Emg, you’re best bet is to look online at used stores. Looking for a new one won’t give you almost any options.
Prophecy Les Paul EX
Prophecy SGEX
Prophecy Futura EX
Prophecy Futura FX
Prophecy EM-II EX
Prophecy EM-II FX
“1984” Explorer EX
Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom
Matt Heafy Les Paul Custom 7
Zakk Wylde Graveyard Disciple
Marcus Henderson Apparition
Zakk Wylde Les Paul Custom Plus Camo
Epiphone Les Paul Nightfall
KRAMER
Not much of a selection, but these are great guitars. They’re made by Gibson, and are fantastic for metal. The sleek simple design is nice as well.
What’s weird is I didn’t find any other models than these that had EMGs, but I’m almost 100% certain that I’ve seen other models of theirs with EMGs when I was looking for a new guitar years ago. So maybe there are other discontinued models.
Kramer Assault 220
Kramer SM-1
Jackson
Underrated, Underrated, Underrated. Jackson is an incredible line of guitars owned by Fender and have been around since the 70s. There are tons of legendary models of these guitars and were a huge part of shaping metal today. These were originally actually Charvels and when the company was bought out by Grover Jackson the name was eventually changed. Of course nowadays, you can find Jackson and Charvels everywhere.
X series King V KUXT
X Series Signature KVXMG King V
X Series Warrior WRXMG
X Series Soloist SLATXMGXQ3-6
X Series Soloist SLATXMG3-6
X Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition King V PDX-2
X Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition King V PDXT
Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition King V
X Series Marty Friedman MF-1
X Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition King V PDX-Z
X Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition King V PDXT
USA Select Dinky DK1
Fender
I absolutely love the feel of a Fender, and so being able to find one fitted with EMGs is nice. The only one I could find were the Jim Root signatures, which look great.
Jim Root Stratocaster
Jim Root Telecaster
Jim Root Jazzmaster
Dean
Not much to say about these, there are quite a few to choose from. They’re Flying Vs are very slick compared to other guitar brands. For how many models they offer, very few have EMG pickups which did surprise me. Most of the ones that did were signature models. Look up Michael Angelo Batio’s guitar btw, the designs are pretty wild.
Icon Baritone Black Satin
V Stealth
Thoroughbred Stealth
Custom 450 FM Series
Custom 450 FM Series Floyd
Rusty Cooley 7 String Flame top TBK w/c
Rusty Cooley 7 String Flame top TBC w/c
Michael Batio MAB1
Eric Peterson Old Skull V Limited
Eric Peterson Old Skull V
Shecter
My favorite brand for many years, Shecter has tons of sick metal guitars with EMGs that you’ll love and tons and tons of new age metal guitarists use. You absolutely will not go wrong with these. It was a really big pain figuring out every model they had with EMGs however, and I don’t think I got them all so if you know any I missed please leave a comment. Thank you.
DJ Ashby USA Signature
RavenDark V FR Abbath Signature
Chris Howorth V-7
Jake Pitts C-1 FR
Jake Pitts E-1 FR S
Jinxx Recluse FR
Sin Quirin V-1
Tommy Victor Devil FR
Damien Platinum 6
Damien Platinum 6 FR
Damien Platinum 6 FR S
Damien Platinum 7
Damien Platinum 8
Damien Platinum 9
Danshee – 7 Active
C-1 Platinum
C-1 Platinum FR S
Hellraiser Hybrid Solo II
Chris Howorth V-7
Hellraiser C-7
Hellraiser C-7 FR
Hellraiser C-7 FR S
Hellraiser C-8
Hellraiser C- 8 FR
Hellraiser C-9
Hellraiser C-6
Hellraiser Hybrid C-7
Hellraiser Hybrid C-8
Hellraiser Hybrid PT-7
Omen – 8
Hellraiser C-1
Hellraiser C-1 FR
Hellraiser C-1 FR S
Hellraiser C-6
Hellraiser Solo II
Hellraiser Hybrid Solo II
Hellraiser Hybrid PT
Hellraiser Hybrid PT-7
Hellraiser Hybrid Tempest
Hellraiser Hybrid C-1
Hellraiser Hybrid C-7
Hellraiser Hybrid C-8
V-1 Platinum
C-1 Platinum
S-II Platinum
Wylde Audio
I haven’t played one of these before, Wylde Audio is a brand made by Zakk Wylde. They look pretty nice, however I’m not sure what’s going on with the brand currently considering that if you go to their website it’s currently down.
Odin
Odin Grail
Barbarian
Viking
Viking FR
War Hammer
War Hammer FR
Legators
If you’re prepared to drop at least a grand these guys are worth it 100%. Their whole business model is about making the absolute best guitars and cutting absolute no corners, that does come with a price.
Warning: visiting their site might make you drool. These are works of art.
Joshua Travis Signature Ninja 300-PRO 8 String
Joshua Travis Signature Ninja 300-Pro 9 String
Marc Gortz Signature Ninja Multi Scale 300 – PRO 7-String
Warning About EMG pickups:
These guys pack a punch, and I wanted to add this section just because I’m sure if you typed in “Guitars with EMGs” you might be the typical guy thinking that these are the only way to get a great metal sound from your guitar.
At least when I was younger, that’s what the craze was. You had to have these, you just had to. It honestly made no sense, because EMGs are only a piece of the puzzle to create the tone you’re looking forever.
This is basically my warning to you, EMGs will not suddenly make your guitar sound absolutely sick.
I know if you’re reading this and you know this, you’re probably thinking how dumb this sounds…..and yes it sounds dumb because you already know this, and people who’ve been playing a long while should know this. I just really wanted to add this section so that way no one ends up like my ex-rhythm guitarist from what seems like a lifetime ago.
Anyways, EMG pickups are like I said only a part of the puzzle. Your tone is a mixture of your amp and pedals and electronics plus or minus some other things combined.
Conclusion:
Hey, thanks for reading my list here. It took me a long time, so if you could comment how I can improve it I will be forever in your favor (Really). Thank you.