With set-neck construction, active EMG pickups, Kahler bridges and a look that says "I don't play anything under 180 BPM," the new PXD guitars from Peavey made an impressive showing at Summer NAMM.

If you're ever challenged by a demon to a shred-off for your immortal soul, this is probably the guitar you want hanging around your neck: even if your picking-tech isn't up to hell-snuff, the lightweight, balanced body design makes the PXDs great for swinging about like a scythe or battle-ax, as Peavey's Fred Poole demonstrates.