Heavy Metal Guitars

5 techniques every metal guitarist should know

Metal Guitars

Looking for an aggressive, high-gain sound? Explore a wide selection of metal guitars for heavy, thrash and modern metal — built for tight riffs, powerful pickups and fast necks.

Video: tips for metal guitarists

Whether you’re just getting into metal guitar or you already play heavier styles, this video covers five essentials for tighter riffing, cleaner picking and a more modern high-gain tone.

Drop tuning guide for metal guitar

Drop D and Drop C are two of the most popular drop tunings in metal. They add heavier low end, keep riffs sounding tight and make one-finger power chords easy on the lowest strings.

Which tuning works best depends on the sound you want and how your guitar is set up. Drop D is quick and versatile; Drop C goes deeper and often benefits from heavier strings and a proper setup.

Here’s a clear comparison:

Standard tuning (reference)

• E – A – D – G – B – e (lowest to highest string)

1. Drop D tuning (DADGBe)

• Definition: Only the low E string is tuned down by a whole step from E to D. All other strings stay in standard tuning.
• Tuning:
  • D (lowest string)
  • A
  • D
  • G
  • B
  • e
• Pros:
  • Easy power chords: one-finger shapes on the lowest three strings (D-A-D) — fast, tight and riff-ready.
  • Lower range: a deeper root note (D) than standard tuning.
  • Small tension change: only one string is affected, so the feel often stays stable.
• Cons:
  • Shapes and scales on the lowest string change, so you’ll need to adjust your fretboard reference there.
• Where it’s used: common in rock and many metal subgenres (including alternative metal and early nu metal).

2. Drop C tuning (CGCFAd)

Key point: Drop C is essentially Drop D tuned one whole step lower — ideal if you want a heavier, darker modern metal sound.

• Definition: Compared to standard tuning, all strings are tuned down by a whole step, and the lowest string is then dropped a further whole step to C.
• Tuning:
  • C
  • G
  • C
  • F
  • A
  • d
• Pros:
  • Lower, heavier tone: the C root sounds thicker and more aggressive — great for modern riffs.
  • One-finger power chords: same convenience on the lowest three strings (C-G-C).
• Cons:
  • Lower string tension: can reduce clarity and affect intonation if the setup isn’t optimised.
  • Heavier strings recommended: many players use .011/.012 sets or hybrid gauges with thicker bass strings.
  • Setup often needed: neck relief, action and intonation may need adjusting to keep things tight.
• Where it’s used: popular in metalcore, nu metal, death metal and other styles that rely on deep, aggressive rhythm tones.

FAQ – Drop tunings (UK)