25 Most Famous Guitars In Music History
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 17: Guitar player Angus Young of AC/DC performs during the AC/DC Rock or Bust Tour - Washington, DC at the Verizon Center on September 17, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for BT PR)
Some guitars are more than just instruments—they become a part of a musician’s identity. Certain players are so closely tied to their signature guitar that seeing them with anything else feels almost wrong. Imagine Brian May without his Red Special or Angus Young without his Gibson SG. These guitars don’t just shape the way they sound; they define their presence on stage and in music history.
A guitar can be an extension of its player, a piece of their personality that helps create something timeless. Whether it’s a custom-built masterpiece, a heavily modified workhorse, or a simple off-the-shelf model that found its perfect match, these instruments carry stories as legendary as the artists who wield them. Some became iconic through groundbreaking performances, while others reached mythical status through sheer visual impact.
This list isn’t just about great guitars—it’s about the moments, the riffs, and the legends they helped create. From hand-built one-offs to mass-produced models that became classics, these are the 25 most famous guitars in music history.
1. Pete Shelley’s Starway
Sometimes, the best things happen by accident, and Pete Shelley’s guitar is proof of that. The Buzzcocks frontman played a Starway, a little-known brand that wouldn’t have made history if not for a fateful mishap. One day, his guitar suffered a catastrophic break—half of the body snapped clean off. Instead of replacing it, Shelley embraced the damage, continuing to play the guitar as if nothing had happened.
This DIY attitude became a perfect metaphor for punk itself—raw, unapologetic, and unconventional. The guitar’s jagged look became instantly recognizable, and it remained a key part of Shelley’s sound for years. Decades later, Eastwood Guitars reissued the model, proving that even a broken instrument can inspire generations of musicians.
2. Kim Thayil’s Guild S-100
While many grunge guitarists favored Fender Jaguars and Gibson Les Pauls, Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil stuck with an underdog: the Guild S-100. This offset guitar, with its warm and slightly eerie tone, became a defining piece of Soundgarden’s heavy, psychedelic sound.
Thayil’s connection to the S-100 was more than just preference—it was loyalty. He played Guild guitars from the band’s earliest days until their final performances in 2017. While Guild is more known for acoustics, Thayil proved that their electric models deserved a place in rock history. Today, thanks to his influence, the S-100 is no longer overlooked—it’s a grunge legend.
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3. Tom Petersson’s 12-String Bass
Most bassists are content with four strings. Some push the boundaries with five or six. But Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson thought, “Why not twelve?” In the 1970s, he worked with Hamer Guitars to design the first-ever 12-string bass, turning the instrument into something entirely new.
By stacking octave strings alongside the standard four, Petersson’s basslines gained an orchestral, chime-like depth that no other bassist could replicate. This innovation gave Cheap Trick a massive sound, bridging the gap between guitar and bass. Decades later, the 12-string bass remains a niche instrument, but its legacy is undeniable—Petersson changed what was possible for bass players.
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4. The Edge’s Gibson Explorer
Before U2 took over the world, The Edge was just a teenager on vacation in New York when he stumbled upon a 1976 Gibson Explorer. The guitar’s futuristic, angular design looked as radical as the band’s ambitions. It didn’t take long for it to become his weapon of choice, shaping U2’s signature sound.
From the chiming intro of “I Will Follow” to the anthemic echoes of The Joshua Tree, the Explorer became a crucial part of U2’s rise. While The Edge is known for his massive guitar collection, this particular instrument stands out—because sometimes, a single guitar can define a movement.
5. Jack White’s Airline
Jack White has always had a knack for turning the unconventional into something legendary. In The White Stripes’ early days, he didn’t go for a high-end Gibson or Fender—instead, he picked up a Montgomery Ward Airline, a fiberglass guitar originally sold in department stores.
The Airline’s rough, biting tone became synonymous with The White Stripes’ stripped-down, garage rock sound. White proved that music isn’t about expensive gear—it’s about attitude, creativity, and pushing an instrument to its limits. Thanks to him, this once-overlooked oddity became one of the most famous guitars in modern rock.
6. Roger McGuinn’s Rickenbacker 360/12
Few guitars are as instantly recognizable as the shimmering chime of Roger McGuinn’s Rickenbacker 360/12. As the driving force behind The Byrds’ sound, this 12-string electric guitar added a rich, bell-like quality to their music, setting them apart from the folk and rock acts of the 1960s. McGuinn’s playing style, heavily influenced by his banjo background, gave his strumming a rhythmic, rolling feel that became a signature of the band’s biggest hits.
But the magic wasn’t just in his technique—it was in the way the Rickenbacker was recorded. Instead of running the guitar through traditional amps, McGuinn sent its signal directly into the recording console with heavy compression, creating a bright, punchy tone. The result can be heard in classics like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, where the jangle of the 360/12 became the voice of a generation. Even decades later, its influence echoes through bands like R.E.M. and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
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7. Lindsey Buckingham’s Rick Turner Model 1
By the late 1970s, Lindsey Buckingham was riding high on the success of Rumours, but he wasn’t satisfied with the traditional electric guitars he’d been using. He wanted something that combined the warm sustain of a Les Paul, the clarity of a Strat, and the responsiveness of an acoustic. So, he turned to Rick Turner, a luthier known for his innovative approach to guitar design.
Together, they created the Rick Turner Model 1, a one-of-a-kind instrument with a distinct look and a tonal range unlike anything else on the market. Its built-in preamp allowed Buckingham to shape his sound in new ways, giving his solos a unique vocal quality. Over the years, it became his guitar—so much so that it’s now almost impossible to picture him playing anything else. From “Go Your Own Way” to “Big Love”, the Model 1 was the perfect partner for Buckingham’s fiery fingerpicking style.
8. Pete Townshend’s SG
Pete Townshend may be famous for smashing guitars, but one of the few that survived his wrath was his beloved Gibson SG. Known for its light weight, smooth playability, and powerful tone, the SG was his weapon of choice during The Who’s legendary Live at Leeds era. Paired with a roaring Hiwatt amp, it produced one of the most aggressive, articulate guitar tones in rock history.
Townshend’s SG wasn’t just about power—it was about precision. Unlike the reckless abandon of some of his performances, his playing on Live at Leeds is sharp, rhythmic, and dynamic, proving that he was much more than just a guitar-smashing showman. This era cemented the SG’s place in rock history, making it one of the most sought-after guitars for those looking to capture that same raw, unapologetic energy.
9. Johnny Ramone’s Mosrite
Johnny Ramone didn’t care about boutique guitars or expensive gear—he just wanted something cheap that could handle his relentless downstroke picking. When he stumbled upon a Mosrite at Manny’s Music in New York, he had no idea he was about to change punk rock forever. Bought for just $50, the guitar’s thin neck and razor-sharp tone made it the perfect tool for The Ramones’ high-speed, no-nonsense sound.
Unlike most guitarists, Johnny didn’t rely on fancy chords or solos—his entire style revolved around barre chords played with machine-like precision. His Mosrite became as much a part of his image as his leather jacket, and as The Ramones’ influence grew, so did the legend of the guitar. The original was stolen in the late ‘70s, but Johnny remained loyal to the Mosrite brand for the rest of his career. Today, Mosrites are highly sought after—not just for their unique look, but for their connection to the birth of punk itself.
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10. Kurt Cobain’s Jagstang
Kurt Cobain was never one to play by the rules, and that extended to his choice of guitars. Obsessed with Fender’s offset models, he often switched between Jaguars and Mustangs—but in the early ‘90s, he had an idea: why not combine the two? The result was the Jag-Stang, a hybrid of both guitars with a uniquely asymmetrical design that looked like something out of a grunge fever dream.
Fender built a few prototypes for Cobain, and he played them briefly before his passing in 1994. Though he never had a chance to fully adopt the Jag-Stang as his main guitar, it became part of his legacy. In 1996, Fender put it into production with the approval of Cobain’s estate, giving fans the chance to own a piece of Nirvana history. One of the original prototypes ended up in the hands of R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, who played it in the “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” music video—further cementing its place in ‘90s rock history.
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11. Tom Petty’s Rickenbacker 12-String
Tom Petty and Rickenbacker guitars are practically inseparable in the minds of fans, but the most famous 12-string associated with him wasn’t even his—it belonged to his longtime bandmate Mike Campbell. During the recording of Damn the Torpedoes, Campbell was on the hunt for a 12-string guitar and found a Rickenbacker for sale. Hoping it was the same model used by his hero, George Harrison, he drove out to buy it—only to realize it was an entirely different model. Disappointed, he bought it anyway.
That disappointment wouldn’t last long. The guitar’s bright, chiming sound ended up being a perfect fit for The Heartbreakers’ music, becoming a key element of their biggest hits. Years later, Campbell visited the Rickenbacker factory and learned something incredible—his guitar had come off the assembly line immediately after Harrison’s famous Rickenbacker. Whether by fate or coincidence, it became a defining part of Tom Petty’s signature sound, cementing its place in rock history.
12. Keith Richards’ ‘Micawber’ Telecaster
Some guitars are born iconic, and others become legendary through the hands that play them. Keith Richards’ Micawber—a heavily modified 1950s Fender Telecaster—falls into the latter category. Originally a gift from Eric Clapton, Richards wasted no time making it his own. In 1972, he swapped out the standard single-coil neck pickup for a humbucker, giving it a thicker, dirtier tone that became the backbone of the Rolling Stones’ sound.
From “Brown Sugar” to “Honky Tonk Women”, Micawber is synonymous with Richards’ slinky, swaggering riffs. Played almost exclusively in open G tuning with the low E string removed, it helped define his unmistakable groove. Over the years, it’s been copied, dissected, and revered, but Micawber remains uniquely Richards—a guitar with as much attitude as its owner.
13. Tom Morello’s ‘Arm The Homeless’
Tom Morello’s Arm The Homeless guitar wasn’t love at first sight. In fact, it started as the worst guitar he had ever played. Before Rage Against the Machine, Morello went to a custom shop in Hollywood, checked off a list of preferences, and had a guitar built to his specs. The result? A complete disaster. It sounded terrible, played even worse, and had none of the power he wanted.
Instead of giving up, Morello slowly transformed the instrument, swapping out every component—pickups, neck, bridge—until it became a machine of sonic destruction. With its distinctive blue finish and cartoon hippos, Arm The Homeless is now an extension of Morello himself, responsible for some of the most inventive and politically charged guitar work in modern rock. Whether scratching, screaming, or launching into a full-scale sonic assault, this guitar is proof that persistence and experimentation can turn failure into revolution.
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14. Rick Nielsen’s Five-Neck
Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick has never been one to play it safe, and his five-neck guitar is proof. The idea came from an old stage trick—Nielsen would strap on multiple guitars at once, dramatically tossing them away as the set progressed. Eventually, he thought, “Why not just combine them all into one?” The result was a custom-made Hamer with five stacked necks, making it one of the most ridiculous yet awe-inspiring guitars in history.
Each neck serves a different purpose: a Les Paul-style guitar, a Strat-style model, a fretless neck, a 12-string, and a Les Paul Junior. Watching Nielsen play it is a spectacle, but despite its novelty, the guitar is no gimmick—it’s a key part of Cheap Trick’s larger-than-life sound. In a world of rock excess, Nielsen took things to the next level—literally.
15. Malcolm Young’s Gretsch
If Angus Young was the face of AC/DC, Malcolm Young was its backbone. Armed with his heavily modified Gretsch Jet, he crafted some of the most powerful and precise rhythm guitar parts in rock history. His guitar, stripped down to its bare essentials, had its pickups removed and wiring reworked, leaving empty holes where components once were. This wasn’t just for looks—it was a reflection of Malcolm’s no-frills approach to guitar playing.
Unlike flashy lead players, Malcolm’s brilliance lay in his raw, unshakable rhythm. His Gretsch Jet became a symbol of pure rock & roll, used on every AC/DC album and tour for decades. After his passing, Gretsch released a production model to honor his legacy, ensuring that future generations could tap into the same unrelenting energy that defined Back in Black, Highway to Hell, and countless other anthems.
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16. Gene Simmons’ Axe Bass
Few musicians have an instrument as outrageous as their onstage persona, but Gene Simmons of KISS managed to pull it off. His Axe bass isn’t just a bass guitar—it’s a statement. Designed to look like a literal axe, the bass became an extension of Simmons’ blood-spitting, fire-breathing stage theatrics.
More than just a visual gimmick, the Axe bass has been a staple of Simmons’ performances for decades. Always the businessman, Simmons even turned the bass into a limited-edition product, selling replicas on his website along with the opportunity to meet him in person. Love him or hate him, Simmons knows how to turn everything—including his bass—into a legend.
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17. Bo Diddley’s Rectangle Guitar
Bo Diddley was never one to follow trends, and that extended to his choice of guitar. Instead of using a standard model, he built his own—a rectangle-shaped electric guitar that looked more like a box than a traditional instrument. The design wasn’t just about looks; Diddley found that traditional guitar shapes got in the way of his stage moves, so he made something that worked for him.
His signature “Diddley Beat” rhythm and unique guitar tone became an essential part of early rock & roll, influencing countless musicians. Gretsch later made an official version of his rectangle guitar, forever linking the shape to his name. Anytime you see a rectangular guitar, you’re seeing the mark of a true innovator.
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18. Prince’s Cloud Guitar
Prince had many guitars, but none are more iconic than his custom Cloud guitar. Designed specifically for the Purple Rain film, the guitar was brought to life by Minneapolis luthier Dave Rusan. With its curvy, futuristic design and distinct cutaway, the Cloud was every bit as stylish as the man himself.
The Cloud guitar wasn’t just for show—it had the perfect blend of playability and bite that allowed Prince to tear through solos with ease. He had several versions of it throughout his career, each in a different bold color. Whether he was shredding through “Let’s Go Crazy” or performing at the Super Bowl halftime show, the Cloud guitar was as much a part of Prince’s mystique as his music.
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19. Paul McCartney’s Höfner Bass
Paul McCartney’s Höfner 500/1 Violin Bass is arguably the most recognizable bass in music history. With its symmetrical, violin-like shape and lightweight build, it became McCartney’s go-to instrument in the early Beatles years and has remained his signature bass ever since.
His original Höfner, purchased in the early ‘60s after he switched from piano to bass, was tragically stolen in the late ‘60s. However, he picked up another around the same time and has been using it ever since. Legend has it that a setlist from The Beatles’ final tour is still taped to the side of his bass—frozen in time, just like his timeless music.
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20. Angus Young’s Gibson SG
If there’s one guitarist who is inseparable from their guitar, it’s Angus Young and his Gibson SG. From the earliest days of AC/DC, the SG was his weapon of choice—lightweight, powerful, and built for blistering solos. Dressed in his signature schoolboy outfit, Young made the SG look almost cartoonish, but the sound it produced was anything but child’s play.
Young has been playing SGs since before AC/DC even started, and to this day, it’s the only model he plays live. The exact year of his original SG is debated—he believes it to be from 1969 or 1970—but whatever its origin, it’s the sound of pure, unfiltered rock & roll. From “Highway to Hell” to “Back in Black”, the SG and Angus Young are permanently etched into rock history.
21. Brian May’s Red Special
Most guitarists spend their careers searching for the perfect instrument. Brian May built his. The Red Special, one of the most instantly recognizable guitars in history, wasn’t a factory-made model—it was handcrafted by May and his father in the early 1960s. With parts sourced from whatever they could find—including wood from an old fireplace—this homemade guitar would go on to define Queen’s signature sound.
What makes the Red Special truly unique is its wiring. May designed it with individual switches for each pickup, allowing for an incredible range of tones, including an out-of-phase option that gives it a distinctive bite. Pair that with his use of a coin instead of a standard pick, and the result is a sound that no other guitarist can fully replicate. From “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “We Will Rock You”, the Red Special isn’t just a guitar—it’s an essential part of rock history.
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22. Jimmy Page’s Double Neck
Jimmy Page has played many legendary guitars, but few are as visually striking as his Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck. A monster of an instrument with both a six-string and a twelve-string neck, it became essential for performing “Stairway to Heaven” live, allowing Page to seamlessly switch between sections without swapping guitars.
While its main claim to fame is “Stairway”, the Double Neck wasn’t just for show—it was a workhorse during Led Zeppelin’s live performances, used on songs like “The Rain Song” and “The Song Remains the Same.” The image of Page slinging the massive guitar over his shoulder, effortlessly weaving through complex passages, is one of the most iconic in rock history. The instrument became so legendary that Gibson later released a signature model based on Page’s original, cementing its place as one of the most famous guitars of all time.
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23. B.B. King’s ‘Lucille’
B.B. King’s Lucille wasn’t just a guitar—it was his voice, his companion, and his legacy. But the story behind its name is as legendary as the bluesman himself. One night, early in his career, King was playing a juke joint when a fight broke out over a woman named Lucille. The scuffle tipped over a kerosene heater, setting the building on fire. In the chaos, King ran back inside to save his guitar, narrowly escaping with his life. From that moment on, he named every guitar he played Lucille—as a reminder never to do something so foolish again.
Over the years, King played many Lucilles, but the most famous was a custom Gibson ES-335, built to his exact specifications in the 1980s. With no f-holes to prevent feedback and a sleek, all-black finish, this version became synonymous with King’s smooth, expressive playing. Whether bending notes with a single touch or delivering his signature vibrato, Lucille helped B.B. King tell his stories in a way no other guitar could.
24. Eddie Van Halen’s Frankenstrat
Eddie Van Halen didn’t just play the guitar—he redefined what it could do. His Frankenstrat, a custom-built mashup of a Fender Stratocaster and Gibson-style modifications, was the ultimate example of his innovation. Van Halen wanted the best of both worlds—the brightness and playability of a Strat, combined with the sustain and power of a Les Paul. But instead of waiting for a company to build it, he took matters into his own hands.
Starting with a cheap Strat body, he carved, painted, and modified it until it became his perfect weapon. The red-and-white-striped design became instantly recognizable, but what made the Frankenstrat truly special was what it could do. It allowed Van Halen to pioneer techniques like finger tapping, dive bombs, and harmonic screams—things few had imagined before. His philosophy was simple: “If you don’t like what you have, change it until you do.” The Frankenstrat wasn’t just a guitar—it was a revolution.
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25. Jimi Hendrix’s Stratocaster
Jimi Hendrix played many guitars, but none are as legendary as his Fender Stratocaster—especially the one he burned at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Hendrix, already making waves in the music world, wanted to leave an unforgettable impression. As he closed his set with “Wild Thing”, he knelt down, doused his guitar in lighter fluid, and set it ablaze before smashing it to pieces. The moment became one of the most iconic in rock history.
But Hendrix’s love for the Strat went beyond theatrics. He favored the model for its smooth neck, versatile tone, and ability to produce the otherworldly sounds he was known for. Despite being left-handed, he played right-handed Strats flipped upside down, adding to his distinctive style. Fender eventually released a replica of his Monterey Strat, paying tribute to the man who turned a simple guitar into a piece of rock mythology.
