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March 18, 2025
'80s Metal Buying Guide
The '80s may be well behind us, but that decade is alive and well in the guitar world. We've curated a list of some gear that will fit your rig and send you straight to "Paradise City." Plug your preferred shred machine into a screaming half stack and you'll have "Nothin' But A Good Time."
This buying guide includes some tried-and-true classics and some newer takes on the gear that gave hair metal its signature sound. Stand out on stage with a laser green axe outfitted with a Floyd Rose, plug into a half stack the size of a small car, and rock your audience like a hurricane!
This buying guide includes some tried-and-true classics and some newer takes on the gear that gave hair metal its signature sound. Stand out on stage with a laser green axe outfitted with a Floyd Rose, plug into a half stack the size of a small car, and rock your audience like a hurricane!
'80s Guitars: Find the Right Shred Machine
These axes are ready to shred with attitude. Ergonomic designs make these models easy to play, while aggressively voiced pickups are ready to set the stage on fire.
Kramer 1983 Baretta Reissue Electric Guitar (with Hard Case)
$2,199.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$183.25
- 8 x$274.88
Jackson Pro Phil Demmel Demmelition Electric Guitar
$849.99
- 12 x$70.83
- 8 x$106.25
- No Credit Check6 x$141.66
- No Credit Check4 x$212.50
ESP LTD Deluxe EC-01FT Electric Guitar
$1,099.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$91.58
- 8 x$137.38
- No Credit Check6 x$183.17
- No Credit Check4 x$274.75
EVH Eddie Van Halen Wolfgang Special Quilted Maple Electric Guitar
$1,299.99
- 12 x$108.33
- 8 x$162.50
Ibanez Nita Strauss Signature JIVA10 Electric Guitar (with Gig Bag)
$1,599.99
- 18 x
- 12 x$133.33
- 8 x$200.00
Kramer The 84 Electric Guitar
$599.00
- 12 x$49.92
- 8 x$74.88
- No Credit Check6 x$99.83
- No Credit Check4 x$149.75
Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HH 2PT CM Electric Guitar, with Maple Fingerboard
$999.99
- 12 x$83.33
- 8 x$125.00
- No Credit Check6 x$166.66
- No Credit Check4 x$250.00
High-Gain Amps: Do You Wanna Rock?
Soar through a face-melting solo with plenty of power and gain from any of these amplifiers. Just add a cab (or two) and own the stage!
Orange Dark Terror Guitar Amplifier Head (15 Watts)
$699.00
- 12 x$58.25
- 8 x$87.38
- No Credit Check6 x$116.50
- No Credit Check4 x$174.75
EVH Eddie Van Halen 5150III 50-Watt 6L6 Tube Guitar Amplifier Head
$1,349.99
- 12 x$112.50
- 8 x$168.75
Peavey 6505 MH Mini Guitar Amplifier Head (20 Watts)
$899.99
- 12 x$75.00
- 8 x$112.50
- No Credit Check6 x$150.00
- No Credit Check4 x$225.00
Make it a Combo
The '80s were all about stacks, but combo amps are a timeless choice. Pick one of these amps for true '80s tone you can fit in a Pontiac Fiero.
Marshall Studio Classic JCM 800 Guitar Combo Amplifier (20 Watts, 1x10")
$1,499.99
- 18 x
- 12 x$125.00
- 8 x$187.50
Orange Rocker 32 Guitar Combo Amplifier (30 Watts, 2x10")
$1,199.00
- 18 x
- 12 x$99.92
- 8 x$149.88
- No Credit Check6 x$199.83
- No Credit Check4 x$299.75
Boss Katana-100 Generation 3 Guitar Combo Amplifier (100 Watts, 1x12")
$399.99
- 8 x$50.00
- No Credit Check6 x$66.66
- No Credit Check4 x$100.00
EVH Eddie Van Halen 5150 Iconic Series Guitar Combo Amplifier (40 Watts, 1x12")
$949.99
- 12 x$79.17
- 8 x$118.75
- No Credit Check6 x$158.33
- No Credit Check4 x$237.50
'80s Pedals: Jump on Some Tone
From classics to newcomers, any of these drive pedals are fit for a high-gain rig -- just don't forget the noise gate! In the '80s, modulation effects like flanger and chorus saw a huge rise in popularity, as did precise, clean digital delay.
Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9 Overdrive Pedal
$99.99
- No Credit Check6 x$16.66
- No Credit Check4 x$25.00
Eventide H90 Harmonizer/Multi-Effects Pedal
$899.00
- 12 x$74.92
- 8 x$112.38
- No Credit Check6 x$149.83
- No Credit Check4 x$224.75