For recording heavy guitar parts, the LTD Viper brings humbucking pickups to a double-cutaway, SG-style body. Humbuckers help keep noise down and deliver the dense midrange that high-gain rhythm tracks need to sit in a mix, while the 24-fret neck covers lead lines and high-register layering without compromise.

Set-neck and bolt-on constructions give producers some tonal choice, since each tends to respond a little differently under the pick. At Studio Gears, the current selection includes the Viper-1001 with EverTune, which is handy in long tracking sessions where tuning drift costs takes, along with the VIPER-256 in Olympic White and the VOLSUNG-200 in Black Satin.

Pricing spans about $599 to $1,399, so a home studio can find a dedicated metal and hard-rock guitar without overspending. Browse the live grid below for what is available now.