24 alternative electric guitars under £1000

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Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT1 £799

Solid mahogany body, set mahogany neck; Mustaine profile; ebony fingerboard with pearl shark tooth inlays; 25.5" scale; 2 x Mustaine Duncan LiveWire pickups; 2 x volume, tone, 3-way pickup selector; black hardware; classic black or silver finish

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At £799, the VMNT1 is less ridiculous than the £3439 US model but more aspirational than the £269 entry-level axe. The spec is meaty, with lashings of mahogany embellished with twin active LiveWire humbuckers.

We question whether the VMNT1 is a wild departure from existing V electrics, with the only visual whimsy coming via the cool notches on the mahogany body. It’s hard to stay mad at this guitar for long though.

Featuring the slim neck profile specified by Mustaine himself, this model copes equally well with both sides of the Megadeth man’s style, supporting you when you thrash out complex rhythm parts and putting a rocket under your fingers when you solo.

Verdict

The physical performance is reason enough to take the VMNT1 off the shelf, but it’s the raw power of those active humbuckers that will have you reaching for your wallet. These bad boys crank out some of the darkest and dirtiest sounds we’ve heard in ages, with the neck turning in a menacing grind that demands powerchords and the bridge coming on like a banshee gargling nails.

4 Stars

Pros: Humbucker tone, adaptability.
Cons: Design a bit conservative?

BUY: Dean Dave Mustaine VMNT1 currently available from Thomann and PMT Online

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