Punk rock music has been around for decades, but it’s only recently that it has become widely popular.
The genre was originally inspired by early punk bands like Ramones, and the fast, melodic sound of pop punk bands like Green Day, Blink 182, and the Offspring. It’s become a huge hit and has had a major influence on many popular musicians.
Punk rock is one of the most popular genres of rock music. The guitar is the main instrument in most punk rock songs.
There’s a great variety of guitars for this genre, and each has its own character and strengths. To help you find the best guitar for punk rock, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular guitars and some of their main features.
Our Top Picks:
- Fender Player Telecaster
- Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS
- Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang HH
- Squier by Fender Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
- Fender Duo Sonic – HS
- Fender Player Lead II
- Danelectro 59XT
- Epiphone Les Paul Special VE
- Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body
Best Guitars for Punk Rock Reviews
1. Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar
The Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar was introduced in 1965, and has since been used by countless musicians of all genres, including some of the biggest names in punk rock. It’s not surprising that so many artists use this model, given its unique combination of classic vintage looks and modern performance capabilities. However, while it has been around for over 50 years, the guitar is still a popular option for guitarists looking for the best punk rock guitar.
The Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar includes a single coil Telecaster pickup in the bridge position and a single coil in the neck position. This gives the player plenty of versatility when choosing which sounds to play. The guitar also includes a modern C”-shaped neck profile with a 9. 5″ radius, a string-through-body bridge, and a hardtail bridge system.
To top off the package, the guitar features a tremolo bar and volume and tone controls on the upper horn. So, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned musician, you’ll find that the Fender Player Telecaster is an excellent choice for your next guitar purchase.
The Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar is ideal for punk rock. It’s a great entry level instrument that will suit any player who wants a quality instrument without breaking the bank.
Featuring a sleek modern look and classic sounds, the Fender Player Telecaster Electric Guitar is a high-quality instrument that will allow players to express themselves while staying within budget. If you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this is a great option.
2. Squier by Fender Affinity Series Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar
The tonal quality of this guitar is great. You get a mix of humbucking and single-coil pickups, which allows for more tonal variety than you would find in a typical single-coil Strat. If you’re looking for a guitar that’s easy to play, this is definitely one of the best electric guitars you could buy.
It features a very comfortable C-shaped neck profile. With a solid body and mahogany neck, this is a great instrument to play. The guitar comes with a set of Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a vintage style tremolo bridge, which gives you a ton of flexibility when it comes to string bending. The neck also features a very nice satin finish that helps give it a nice feel in your hand.
It’s similar to a Gibson Les Paul but has an extremely slim profile. The body looks like it’s made of balsa wood, and it has a unique look that’s different from the standard Stratocaster.
If you want a versatile guitar that will give you tons of tonal variety, this is a great choice. It’s also perfect for those who want to learn how to play the punks.
The Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster is an excellent choice for all types of players. It has an amazing feel in your hand and a great look. You’ll find yourself using this instrument on a daily basis once you’ve played it for a while. This is one of the best electric guitars for punk rock on the market.
3. Squier by Fender Bullet Mustang HH
The Squier Bullet Mustang is the result of a collaboration between the Fender Custom Shop and Squier Guitars. What started as a one-off concept ended up being one of the most popular models ever produced. As the name implies, this guitar is designed for musicians who are looking for a budget-friendly alternative to a more expensive instrument. If you’re in that category, this is a solid choice.
Its compact size and attractive appearance are sure to turn heads, and its quality is no doubt second to none. While there are many reasons to choose the Squier Bullet Mustang, the top two include its light weight and comfortable design. The body is made from a thin, die-cast aluminium alloy, which makes it much lighter than a standard steel body guitar. It also has a slim neck profile and a C-shaped neck, making it extremely comfortable to play.
The Squier Bullet Mustang is a great entry-level electric guitar for musicians of all skill levels. It has a lightweight and comfortable design that makes it easy to play, yet it is sturdy enough to withstand years of abuse. While its compact size might limit its versatility, the design is such that it can be easily modified to suit a player’s needs. Finally, the guitar is built by the Fender Custom Shop, so you know it will sound great. All in all, this is one of the best guitars for punk rock out there!
4. Squier by Fender Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Electric Guitar
This is an excellent Jazzmaster guitar in every aspect. It is well balanced, has great action, and a sleek design that will look good on any stage or practice area. The single cutaway design allows for easier access to the lower frets, and the slim neck is comfortable for most players. The neck is also very easy to play, allowing you to perform in a relaxed manner, without worrying about fretting out of tune.
As far as the tone goes, it is a versatile tonal machine. It has a clean, bright, and very versatile sound that can be easily modified with the use of effects pedals. The Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH also features an onboard preamp with 3-band EQ and gain control for fine-tuning your sound.
The preamp controls are easy to find and manipulate, and it is very easy to dial in your preferred sound. As far as the tone goes, it is a versatile tonal machine. It has a clean, bright, and very versatile sound that can be easily modified with the use of effects pedals.
The Squier Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH also features an onboard preamp with 3-band EQ and gain control for fine-tuning your sound. The preamp controls are easy to find and manipulate, and it is very easy to dial in your preferred sound.
5. Fender Duo Sonic – HS Electric Guitar
The Fender Duo Sonic electric guitar is a great choice for all types of rock guitarists who enjoy using a combination pickup configuration. The sound of this guitar is great for punk rock music
The body of the guitar is made of maple and is a bit heavier than your typical guitar, so it does not feel like a toy. The neck is also made of maple, and is very comfortable to play.
The Duo Sonic comes equipped with a six-saddle hardtail bridge, making it ideal for players who play their guitar on the floor and don’t want to constantly bend down to adjust their guitar’s strings.
You also get a “C”-shaped maple neck, which adds a nice touch of visual appeal to the guitar. It sports a 22-fret fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets.
The guitar features a combination pickup configuration that includes a single coil pickup on the neck and a humbucking bridge pickup with coil-split capability.
The guitar also includes a three-band pickup selector switch, a master volume knob, and a three-way toggle. When selecting any of the three pickup tones, you’ll be able to hear the guitar’s sound as well as its effects.
6. Fender Player Lead II
The Fender Player lead II electric guitar is designed to deliver a professional-quality sound with an affordable price tag. With its versatile sound and quality components, the Player series guitar is the perfect choice for aspiring guitarists. If you’re looking for a versatile guitar that will fit into your budget and offer you the ability to play like a pro, the Fender Player is a great option.
The Player series is equipped with two single-coil pickups that can be switched between active and passive modes. The humbucking bridge pickup offers a richer tone than the neck pickup, while the neck pickup gives you a more traditional sound.
Both pickups work in tandem with a 2-way phase toggle switch, which allows you to switch from one mode to another depending on the style of music you’re playing.
It also features an easy-access bridge pickup and two modern “C” neck profile. In addition, the player has a comfortable lead body shape, which is great for beginners who are just starting out on their musical journey. The “F” logo tuners will allow you to play like a pro.
7. Danelectro 59XT Electric Guitar
The 59XT has a very simple design, but this doesn’t take away from its performance. The guitar is built extremely well and the body feels like it will last forever. The only downside to the 59XT is that it doesn’t come with a hardshell case, which makes it more susceptible to damage. However, this doesn’t stop it from being one of the best electric guitars for beginners or seasoned pros alike.
It’s semi-hollow, so you can still use it for playing along to your favorite songs without straining your voice. Its maple neck is comfortable to hold, and its maple fretboard is easy to finger for most chord shapes. It comes equipped with a single humbucking pickup that offers a warm tone and a tight bass sound.
The 59XT electric guitar is a great choice for anyone who wants a solid body electric guitar that offers a ton of versatility. With its single-coil pick-up, you can play along to your favorite punk rock songs without straining your voice.
8. Epiphone Les Paul Special VE
The Epiphone Les Paul Special VE features a Okoume wood neck with a rosewood fingerboard, the body is made of Poplar.
It features an open coil humbucker in the neck position and a classic single coil in the bridge position, giving you a nice mix of the classic single coil tone and humbucker tone. The overall feel is very smooth, making it easy to play.
This guitar would be ideal for any musician who loves playing Les Paul style guitars. Whether you’re looking to make a statement or are simply in need of a good starter guitar, the Epiphone Les Paul Special VE Electric Guitar is a great choice.
9. Ibanez 6 String Solid-Body Electric Guitar
If you’re looking for a quality six string punk rock guitar that will provide you with a ton of value, this Ibanez guitar may be just what you’re looking for. The solid body maple neck, poplar body, and quilted art grain top will give you plenty of support as you play. The rosewood fingerboard will provide you with a comfortable playing experience and the pearl dot inlays will really shine during your practice sessions.
The sound produced by the guitar is also unique in that it is not as bright as many other types of guitars, which can be a turn off for some. However, if you enjoy playing in a more mellow, laid back style, the six string solid body guitar will help you get there without sacrificing your signature sound.
Buyer’s Guide
If you’re a punk rock fan, you might want to consider a guitar made for the genre.
Punk rock is an artistic movement that grew out of the 1960s counterculture movement. It’s defined by its rebellious nature, and it’s associated with the use of guitars as instruments of protest. This has led to the development of several unique styles and sub-genres of the genre.
Electric guitars are often preferred over acoustic guitars for playing punk rock because they’re easier to play fast, and most importantly, they produce much better volume. They also tend to be more powerful than acoustic guitars, which is an important feature when playing punk rock.
Some electric guitars are equipped with built-in pickups that allow them to be plugged directly into an amplifier. Others require a separate pickup device, such as a guitar amp or effects pedal.
Here’s a quick rundown of the most important things to look for best guitars for punk rock:
String Gauge
This refers to the thickness of the strings on the guitar. The thicker the gauge, the harder it is to play. Softer gauges tend to be easier to play. However, if you have a more experienced player in your band, you may want to go with a slightly stiffer gauge.
Body Shape
You may be able to get away with a less-than-perfect body shape if you’re just starting out as a musician. But as you develop your skills, you may want to try out different shapes. A slim necked guitar may feel much better for your playing style than a wider bodied model.
Pickups
Picking up a guitar requires that you learn how to hold it properly, but having the right pickups can make all the difference in the world when it comes to how well you can play.
There are three types of pickups that are commonly found on electric guitars: single coil, humbucker, and split coil.
Single coil pickups are usually found on bass guitars, while humbucker pickups are usually found on electric guitars. Split coil pickups are usually found on acoustic guitars. They feature two coils, which give them a fuller sound that’s often used for classical music. If you’re looking for a more unique sound, you might consider getting a guitar with a unique pickup.
Tuning
Most guitars have two sets of strings – standard tuning and alternate tuning. Standard tuning is what most people are familiar with, but there are benefits to alternate tuning. For example, if you want to play in the key of E, you can tune your guitar down an octave (to D), and then your first string will be tuned to the note G.
Neck
This refers to the length of the neck, or where the strings sit on the guitar. The longer the neck, the easier it is to reach higher notes. If you have a very small-fingered guitarist in your band, you may want to go with a shorter neck.
FAQs
Do you need humbuckers for punk?
Yes. But in most cases, the tone will not be loud enough. Hence, if you want your guitar to be more aggressive, you’ll have to use a different instrument like a bass. Also, most punk players will prefer a guitar with a pickup instead of a solid body, as it’s more comfortable for their hands.
Are single coils good for punk rock?
Single coils are great for many musical genres – especially heavy metal, and some pop and jazz bands. The single coil guitar allows you to shape your own sound and play chords in different ways. It also has a very clear and distinct tone, which makes it great for recording. But single coils can be difficult to play on an electric guitar, so they’re better suited for acoustic guitars.
What is the best pop-punk guitar?
Pop-punk guitars are a different genre altogether from regular metal and rock guitars. These are characterized by a fast pace, high volume, heavy distortion and a variety of other effects. So in order to play a pop-punk guitar well, you need to have a good sense of rhythm and timing, a fast-paced picking technique, and the ability to maintain your tempo even under extreme pressure.
The best pop-punk guitar, by our recommendation, is the Fender Stratocaster. This guitar can handle any genre of music, and can also be easily modified with effects pedals for different sounds. But if you have a budget constraint, then a standard guitar with a tremolo bridge can also work.
Conclusion
The best guitar for punk rock would be Fender Stratocaster, or Fender Telecaster, depending on what kind of music you play. For any other type of music, you can get a good guitar without spending too much money.
