Since 1972, the mentalists over at BC Rich have supplied the artillery to everyone from Kerry King to Slash.

You'll pay big bucks for a US model, but Chinese equivalents like the VG1 won't scare anyone's wallet.

The Virgin might not be the most famous shape, but metallers will recognise BC Rich as a big player. That gave the VG1 a psychological advantage, and it's backed up with tangible spec highlights that include a meaty agathis body, bolted maple neck and the same BDSM humbuckers that we've found on models at twice the price.

Our reason for loving the VG1 is not just because it looks so cool (although that is a factor). No, we're dishing out the accolade for the simple reason that when you strap on this beast, it doesn't feel like a compromise.

Physically, it's an absolute belter, with the neck playing as fast as you can right up to the 24th fret - there's only the low bout's habit of skewering your thigh to detract from this.

Tonally, it scored again - the 'buckers supply a versatile tone that gobbles up detuned chugging, relays every nuance of a flashy solo, and scrubs up nicely on the clean channel.