I've always been partial to Ibanez and Gibson.

Well the best guitar brand would also have to consider what type of music you like to make with it. Eddie Van Halen used Peavey, but he had his own rock with his "custom Wah" and all. I really love his music, and I've said it many times that Van Halen is my favorite band. So if Peavey worked for one of the best guitarists of all time, it should work for those who know how to use it with great skill I have a Wal-Mart "First Act" guitar, and a guy I know who plays in a band thinks that it would be pretty sucky, but it's actually not "that" bad. It works for me as a beginner.

it depends on what ur musical preference is...

my favs r Peavey... i myself use a Wolfgang and its very versitile and great sounding, i love it...

ESP is another great guitar for metal that i like...
u put emg's in about any guitar and ur in for a treat...

I seem to like Ibanez, Gibson (Les Pauls, Flying Vs, SGs, and Explorers only), ESP, the Washburn Dimebolt, and B.C. Rich.

ESP's are great for metal, that's why I like Ibanez RG's. My girlfriend has a bass and her old guitar (before she decided she wanted to play bass) is a first act. Sorry but I hate them!

I haven't really played enough guitars to tell the important differences in tone and playability, so I can only really go on looks (except for my ESP F200, which looks, plays, and sounds as good as I could ever expect a guitar to). Some of the guitars that I think look the coolest are made by ESP, Jackson, Gibson, and B.C. Rich.

I'd go with ESP mainly because i own one and it's kick ass for metal tone, but id go with Gibson for a more classic, blues influenced sound, and Maton for steel string.

Ibanez is great, but to have a good one you have to put a lot more cash.
ESP are great too. I like the Jacksons guitar but my favorite brand is LAG Heavy Metal. I love those, so confortable!!

The Gibson Les Paul Studio model is probably my favourite guitar. I like most Gibsons though.

Music Man makes an amazing guitar. The Luke is probably one of the nicest guitars I've ever had the chance to play.

I also like Parker Flys and NiteFlys. Nice light, fast guitar. Generally well-made.