Metal Master Kerry King V Review

If you want to be a tonal pillager just like Kerry King but you lack a B.C. Rich endorsement and find your self in a significantly lower tax bracket than Mr. King - the Metal Master Series Tribal Fire V is for you! This guitar packs aggressive looks and hot B.C. Rich tone at a price you can afford.

Features:	8
Sound:	8.5
Action:	8.5
Reliability:	9
Impression:	8.5
Overall rating:	8.5
Users rating:	7.4
Comments:	39

overall: 7.4

Featured review by: Resurrected22, on november 26, 2008

Price paid: $ 300

Purchased from: musiciansfriend.com

Features: It has a 24 fret unfinished, bolt on, maple neck, with Dot inlays. The neck is extremely thin which I loved. The finish is black with a white Kerry King tribal/flame graphic over the top. The body is basswood which makes the guitar light. The pickups are B. C. Rich BDSM dual humbuckers which are not the greatest but I have heard worse as well. all in all great guitar for beginner metal heads. // 7

Sound: I play mostly metal with bluesy stuff thrown in there from time to time. I was playing through a headphone amp at the time I purchased this guitar and later a cheap marshal stack. the pickups are pretty noisy, especially when you have the afterburner turned all the way up. not a bad axe for metal but the pickups are not the greatest. but like I said before this is a cheap (price wise) axe that is perfect for beginners so you shouldn't expect the greatest pups. // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: from the factory the set up was horrible but they usually are from musiciansfriend in my experience with dealing with them. after getting a setup it wasn't to bad. the action can be adjusted to medium at best I would say. I had it as low as I could get it without a whole lot of buzz and it was playable but I normally prefer a lot lower. pups were adjusted fine and the top was fine. kinda cheap paint job but for 300 bucks again what do you expect. one of the other reviews said that the finish was really tough and that is the truth. it's really hard to scratch or dent. no flaws other than the ones I have mentioned. // 7

Reliability & Durability: I played this for quite some time then gave it away to a family member. Everything seemed to hold up and the last time that I was hope I played it and everything worked just like when I got it. I'm not sure you would want to gig with it without a backup but imo you should always have one. the finish lasted. it's like a tank // 8

Impression: Like I said earlier this is hands down a great metal guitar for beginners. This was the first guitar that I purchased on my own and I was not let down. It plays pretty well and the looks will get you a lot of attention. metal for sure. I think I was comparing this with a few Ibanez guitars around the same price when I got it. It was a nice purchase and I learned a lot on it. memories lol... my favorite thing about it was the neck. it is one of the thinnest I have played. Easily comparable to the Wizard necks Ibanez offers. If your just starting out or even have been playing for a bit and looking for an upgrade that wont crush your account then I highly recommend this guitar. It looks great and plays pretty nice. for the money you can't go wrong. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 22, 2008

Purchased from: Music123.com

Features: This guitar is perfect for a player like myself Who can't fork out the cash to buy the full fledged Kerry King signature, but want the feel, look and playability. It sports a 24 fret unfinished, bolt on, maple neck, with Dot inlays. The neck is thin, but not so thin that it doesn't fill out the hand comfortably. The lack of a finish allows you to move your hand up and down the neck more quickly despite sweat from a long active gig, heat, or just being nervous. The finish is black with a white Kerry King tribal/flame graphic over the top. The finish is very hard, I've banged mine into random things a few times because it's so much longer in the back than my previous guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul. The body is basswood which makes the guitar light. The pickups are B. C. Rich BDSM dual humbuckers which give a very evil tone when distorted, and a melodic one while played clean. The only complaint I have about this guitar is the bridge. It's a wraparound and makes changing strings a pain in the ass. Especially if you break a string right next to the bridge. // 9

Sound: I play a wide variety of metal. Bands like Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, Pantera, Testament, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, As I Lay Dying, Cradle Of Filth, and Trivium. This guitar can pull them all off with ease. As I said earlier the distorted sound of this guitar is pure evil. I've played it through a few different amps and effects. While there was a slight difference each time, the guitar's tone stood out and is instantly recognizable to me. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: When I bought this guitar, I was afraid of not being able to fine tune the wraparound bridge as well as I could the tune o matic on my Les Paul. I didn't need to, B. C. Rich set this guitar up perfectly at the factory. In action and playablity it is second only to the Dime From Hell I played at a guitar store a few weeks ago. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It's a very durable guitar. I've banged it around a few times and the finish is still unmarred. I've only had it for about a month so I can't tell you from long time experience how durable it is, but it feels as if it will last a lifetime. It has proven to be perfect for Live playing, the hardware is all solid, and the strap buttons are very durable. I do not need a backup while onstage with this guitar. // 10

Impression: This guitar is a perfect match for the music I play. It more than outdoes my Epiphone Les Paul. At first one might see it as a beginner's guitar, but take it from a guy who's been playing for six and a half years (I know pale in comparison to some of you) this guitar will work for any level. I would definitely buy this again. Even my only complaint, the bridge, is a small one, as I rarely ever break strings. And I did compare it with the Dean Dave Mustaine Signature, Dean Razorback DB, Jackson King V, and ESP Alexi. I prefer this guitar for the price and playability to all the others. // 9

Comments

[tincho]

First!
Looks good but sounds good? absolutely. B.C Rich Rock!

[horloko]

I was really close to buying this guitar. I really wanted it too but I lost all the money. It looks like an awesome guitar.

[Multiplayerjon]

it doesn't have his signature Kalher Trem system so it can't be his xD

[BlisteringDDj]

You can't play Slayer without the trem...

[unclepeanuts14]

its called a "dean from hell" not a dime. (RIP)

[JungIe]

How much do these cost generally?

[Lasyk]

Yea I agree it can't, (more shouldn't) be Kerry's sig. unless its got a trem, cant do his soloes without one, does look sick though

[Clutch32192]

1.B.C. Rich sound, look, and r awesome
2. Slayer rocks
3. Put them together...and you get total awesomeness

[rocnroll4evr93]

sick

[saitenslayer]

im saving uo for the real deal,but im pretty sure this

[AlexAvarice]

I'm not too confident in the capability of this guitar if it just has factory pick-ups from B.C. Rich. Then again, I could always be wrong...

[King ofKumbucha]

Lasyk wrote:

Yea I agree it can't, (more shouldn't) be Kerry's sig. unless its got a trem, cant do his soloes without one, does look sick though

this

[AvernusAblaze]

its good to see more reviews of guitars that dont cost an arm and a leg

[jordy-77]

they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

[leprecon90]

jordy-77 wrote:

they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

Winner

[MegaEgga]

slayer are great and B.C rich guitars are awesome but I really don't think Kerry King is a 'tonal pillager'. In my opinion his tone is generally quite horrible

[Hyponima]

jordy-77 :
they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

r u nuts? BC rich the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard?? then you can't play guitar...

[CLiFF-BuRToN]

B.C Rich guitars are good but not that good... Their clean sound is horrible and lacks the sustain that LesPaul or King V has... the guitars that Kerry King uses are custom made so they're of course way better than ordinary B.C Rich Warlocks or so called K.K Signature Vs but these cheap so called signature models sound horrible

[markojuo]

when i think about kerry king, I think unmelodic, rapid, non rhythmic and bland music. Despite the fact of whether or not this guitar is good, I think the whole idea of having a signature guitar for one of the more ridiculously horrible riff creators in the world is a bad idea. I will give it this tho, I always thought I didnt know how to write solos properly, but boy did I laugh my ass off when I saw some of Kerry Kings solos, in a sense it brought my spirit up very high.

[Slayerdeath]

BC Rich guitars are awesome, it`s all i play really, but the metal master is nothing more then a guitar with kerry`s name on it so younger kids and guys that are just starting can play, which is good, because not everyone can afford the real Kerry King sig, which is equiped with EMG`s and the Kahler trem, i have mine on order can`t wait till it comes in. this guitar is just a bronze series V with cool a paint job, i really suggest going with the mid grade KKV you get a better body, Kerry`s tribal graphics and the most important part, the Kahler X trem for $460, it`s a steal really and a much better guitar.

Kerry F**KING King \m/

Checked.

[FNGuitarGod]

Man i agree with Jordy-77. BC Rich guitars suck balls. Slayer is awesome but if you want a real metal guitar get an ibanez. thats all i play. i have 3 of them and they are the shit.

[Hetfield713]

jordy-77 wrote:

they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

+1

[Schism1985]

Yea idk what most of you guys are talking about. BC Rich's are arguably some of the shittiest guitars out there. I haven't played this particular model yet so i can't say that this guitar is as crappy as other BC Rich's but I'm going to guess that it is.
Kerry King is an OK guitarist, but honestly if you think that this, or any other BC Rich is worth the investment, I would strongly encourage you do some more research and try out some more guitars before you decide to buy this one.

[jordy-77]

Hyponima wrote:

jordy-77 :
they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

r u nuts? BC rich the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard?? then you can't play guitar...

No I can play, they just sound horrible. I think you just have no idea what a good sounding guitar is.

[Serjem]

my mate owns a bc rich.... i played it once and i doubt i will ever again.... i hate them...

[Gifenrich]

haha you guys dont know shit about guitars,you must be an idiot to say that all bc riches suck,the handmade/usa bc rich R is one of the best guitarr brand..... Even an korean bc rich ****s an Gibson USA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI3KAkO9d8g

[Dead_End]

CLiFF-BuRToN wrote:

B.C Rich guitars are good but not that good... Their clean sound is horrible and lacks the sustain that LesPaul or King V has... the guitars that Kerry King uses are custom made so they're of course way better than ordinary B.C Rich Warlocks or so called K.K Signature Vs but these cheap so called signature models sound horrible

+1, I have a KKV guitar, It has to be the worst piece of shit I've ever owned.
It sounds horrible, especially on clean, and still sounded like shit with new pickups & bridge adjustments. Also while repainting it after it got beat up a bit I found out the body's basically compacted sawdust. A complete waste of money IMO. *_*

[Gifenrich]

Dead_End,you have the cheap one.right? Not this one http://www.bcrich.com/v_kk_signature.asp

[*metal.punk.]

fist of all, B.c. rich have good guitars for lesser money than the other manufactures. They are a good guitar though, they give that punch in the face effect when you hear it. the only thing that would help would be the tremelo arm. o and there clean sounds pretty bad, but it will do, just add a slow chorus

[oneblackened]

Gifenrich wrote:

haha you guys dont know shit about guitars,you must be an idiot to say that all bc riches suck,the handmade/usa bc rich R is one of the best guitarr brand..... Even an korean bc rich shitis an Gibson USA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI3KAkO9d8g

you havea definite point there my friend.

[rudra1234]

To sound like Kerry King use EMG 81 , EMG 85 pickups

[guitarfreak222]

rudra1234 wrote:

To sound like Kerry King use EMG 81 , EMG 85 pickups

His tone is terrible, why would anyone want to sound like him?

[ShredHead396]

Ibanez are more bluesy oriented guitars
Seriously, all these so called guitar players on here that are bagging out BC Richs, i know a guy that works in a guitar shop, and his name is steve.
Steve has been associated with bc for many years and he has assured me that my bc rich platinum pro warlock is not a cheap guitar and since its made out of agathis with a maple neck it has plenty of resonation with a great sound, and he backs BC rich 100%
so i think a proffesional like steve would know a hell of a lot more than some idiots on here.
BC Rich are quality instruments and they rock

[guitarfreak222]

ShredHead396 wrote:

Ibanez are more bluesy oriented guitars
Seriously, all these so called guitar players on here that are bagging out BC Richs, i know a guy that works in a guitar shop, and his name is steve.
Steve has been associated with bc for many years and he has assured me that my bc rich platinum pro warlock is not a cheap guitar and since its made out of agathis with a maple neck it has plenty of resonation with a great sound, and he backs BC rich 100%
so i think a proffesional like steve would know a hell of a lot more than some idiots on here.
BC Rich are quality instruments and they rock

If that was directed to me, I would like to point out that I bagged out B.C Rich. I said that Kerry King's tone is really bad.

[Groupxisthebest]

Anybody know how much it would cost to get a tremolo system installed on the guitar?

[Groupxisthebest]

Anybody know how much it would cost to get a tremolo system installed on this guitar?

[guitarfreak222]

guitarfreak222 wrote:

ShredHead396 wrote:

Ibanez are more bluesy oriented guitars
Seriously, all these so called guitar players on here that are bagging out BC Richs, i know a guy that works in a guitar shop, and his name is steve.
Steve has been associated with bc for many years and he has assured me that my bc rich platinum pro warlock is not a cheap guitar and since its made out of agathis with a maple neck it has plenty of resonation with a great sound, and he backs BC rich 100%
so i think a proffesional like steve would know a hell of a lot more than some idiots on here.
BC Rich are quality instruments and they rock

If that was directed to me, I would like to point out that I bagged out B.C Rich. I said that Kerry King's tone is really bad.

Oops, I meant that I didn't..lol

[EpiExplorer]

jordy-77 wrote:

they sound like crap, most B.C Rich's do, they are some of the worst sounding guitars I have ever heard. I'm sorry but Kerry King is good at a guitar but his tone is horrible

And you would say Death had a rubbish tone too? Chucks sig sounds amazing