Best Gear for Punk Rock Guitarists

It was a sound of unbridled rage, but simultaneously uplifting and joyful.

In a mall record shop in the San Francisco suburbs, I was hearing Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols for the very first time. That guitar sound changed everything.

It gave me the courage to play guitar for real, write original songs, start a band and buy my first Marshall half stack (Don Wehr’s Music City) and Gibson Les Paul (Guitar Center). The tone trigger of that guitar also “infected” me with a deeper curiosity regarding gear and sound. I’d haunt the aisles of Guitar Center and Don Wehr’s, where my next purchases included a Roland AP-2 Phase II, BOSS CE-2 Chorus and a ProCo RAT.

Soon, I was performing at San Francisco’s punk palace—the Mabuhay Gardens—hanging with a community of local musicians, meeting punk icons in the alleyway (Iggy Pop, Johnny Ramone, Poison Ivy, the Damned, Devo and other bands), and, at times, getting chased through the side streets of the Broadway area by anti-punk toughs wearing polyester shirts and platform shoes.

Ultimately, that guitar sound led me to a fulfilling music career, a job at Guitar Player and a position at Guitar Center. Thank you, Steve Jones.

Of course, my story of tone questing is just one of countless others, and punk guitar sounds still inspire players to this day. After all, many first-gen punk artists continue to tour, much of the ’90s class keeps on thrilling audiences and more recent punk and pop-punk sensations, such as YUNGBLUD and Otoboke Beaver, are scoring millions of streams, YouTube views and downloads.

You can join the club as a full-on devotee or at least add some punk rock textures to your guitar style. Whatever your passion, we’ve compiled some of the best punk guitar gear—from guitars to amps and pedals—to help you dive gleefully into the mosh pit and get the sounds you want.

Left to Right: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi, Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom Headstock, BOSS DS-1 Distortion

Table of Contents

Top Guitars for Punk Rock
Best Amps for Punk Rock
Essential Pedals for Punk Rock
Punk Rock Pedals Under $40
What Is Punk Rock?
Punk Rock Postures
People Also Ask ...

Top Guitars for Punk Rock

The best punk gear is the stuff that inspires your individual and unique creativity. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to survey some of the guitars played by punk rock legends, or the models that drove the roar on iconic tracks. Here are some options we selected to provoke and energize your own punk paradigms.

Punk Pointer: For those who wish to pay homage to the budget vibe of early punk guitarists, we’ve included nicely priced “Parsimonious Punk” options.

Pictured: Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Alpine White

Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS

Why It’s Punk: Armed with a bridge-position humbucker for brutish power, and neck and middle single-coils for slash-and-burn histrionics.

Things to Consider

• Refreshed extension to Player II Series guitars
• Player II Noiseless pickups
• Push-pull switches and treble bleed

 

Shop Now: Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS with Rosewood Fingerboard in Olympic Pearl

Punk rock heroes such as Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), East Bay Ray (Dead Kennedys), Violet Mayugba (Destroy Boys) and Tom DeLonge (Blink-182) have used Strats to power their missives. The Fender Player II Modified Stratocaster HSS features Player II Noiseless pickups, rosewood (or maple) fretboards with rolled edges, upgraded bridges, locking tuners and enhanced electronics.

Parsimonious Punk: Launch your musical manifesto with the Squier Sonic Stratocaster HSS.

Be sure to check out more punk-leaning Strats in our Guide to the Fender Stratocaster.

Fender Player II Modified Telecaster

Why It’s Punk: Sleek, sonically versatile and enough snarl to tear into convention like a ravenous werewolf.

Things to Consider

• Charged-up extension to Player II Series guitars
• Player II Noiseless pickups
• Push-pull switches and treble bleed

Shop Now: Fender Player II Modified Telecaster with Maple Fingerboard in Sunshine Yellow

From the stab-and-dance punctuations of punk influencer Wilko Johnson to the propulsive rhythms of Chrissie Hynde (The Pretenders) and the downstroked fury of Joe Strummer (The Clash), the Fender Telecaster is a guitar designed for revolution—and it was revolutionary itself when it debuted in 1951. The Fender Player II Modified Telecaster brings the sonic onslaught with savvy enhancements, such as Player II Noiseless pickups, rosewood (or maple) fretboards with rolled edges, locking tuners, elevated electronics and more. 

Parsimonious Punk: Say your piece with the more affordable Squier Sonic Telecaster.

Telecasters and punk rock go hand-in-hand. Find your perfect fit in our Guide to the Fender Telecaster.

Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS

Why It’s Punk: Kurt Cobain. ’Nuff said!

Things to Consider

• Magnificent replica of Cobain’s left-handed 1965 Jaguar
• Equipped with DiMarzio DP103 PAF 36th Anniversary (neck) and DiMarzio DP100 Super Distortion (bridge) humbuckers
• Alder body with maple neck

Shop Now: Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS in 3-Color Sunburst

The Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar NOS is a recreation of the modified Jag that Cobain gravitated to during Nirvana’s Nevermind era. Though the guitar started life as a stock 1965 Jaguar, it was significantly modded by a previous owner before Cobain acquired it in 1991. For example, the original single-coils were replaced with DiMarzio humbuckers, a volume control was added and the stock pickup selector switches were swapped for a single toggle—all of these changes are represented on the Fender Kurt Cobain Jaguar.

Parsimonious Punk: Go back to stock pickups and save a few dollars with the Squier Classic Vibe ’70s Jaguar.

Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom

Why It’s Punk: Steve Jones’ 1974 Les Paul Custom was the guitar used on most of Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols—one of the most important and influential punk albums of all time.

Things to Consider

• Weight-relieved mahogany body with two-piece maple top
• Matched set of 490R/490T humbuckers
• Exquisitely crafted by the Gibson Custom Shop

Shop Now: Gibson Custom Les Paul Custom in Alpine White

Admittedly, the gorgeous Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Custom is a fair bit removed price- and sophistication-wise from the typical punk rock machine. It’s a new and pristine Les Paul that bears an unsoiled Alpine White finish with radiant gold hardware. It’s much like the original—if Jones’ guitar had existed in an alternate universe where the New York Dolls’ Sylvain Sylvain hadn’t played it first, nor had the fabled pinup stickers been applied by Jones (allegedly to cover the screw holes of a Bigby that had been removed). The punk pedigree in this Les Paul is mighty—The Clash’s Mick Jones played a Custom as well.

Parsimonious Punk: Get the look without concerns about jumping into mosh pits with a pricey guitar with the Epiphone Les Paul Custom.

Check out Gibson's current Les Paul offerings in our Guide to the Gibson Les Paul.

Gibson Les Paul Junior

Why It’s Punk: Bold, stripped-down aesthetic. Can take punishment. The spirit of New York Dolls icon Johnny Thunders and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong are all over it.

Things to Consider

• Evokes the battered ’50s mystique embraced by early punk players
• Gibson P-90 pickup
• Mahogany body

Shop Now: Gibson Les Paul Junior in Vintage Tobacco

Like punk music itself, the Gibson Les Paul Junior is an uncluttered “blunt instrument” (as M tells James Bond in Casino Royale) that gets the job done with brutal efficiency. This single-cut version—Johnny Thunders had the double-cut model—is armed with one P-90 pickup, one master volume knob, one master tone control and a comfortably rounded neck made to ’50s spec. Sling it low on your guitar strap and dive into the breach.

Parsimonious Punk: Go all in with the Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior Player Pack that includes an amp and other accessories.

Gibson SG Standard

Why It’s Punk: It’s light. It looks mean. It wails like a riled-up demon.

Things to Consider

• Outfitted with 490R/490T humbuckers
• Rounded mahogany neck and rosewood fretboard
• Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece

Shop Now: Gibson SG Standard in Heritage Cherry

The Gibson SG Standard is a righteous choice if you are looking to spew some dual-humbucker wrath, but want to reserve the heavy lifting for asserting your cultural stance. After all, some Les Paul Customs can tip the scale at nearly 9 or 10 lb., while the svelte and wiry SG weighs around 6 lbs. The SG earned its punk stripes with players such as the Damned’s Brian Jones (“That guitar was part of me.”), Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney and YUNGBLUD (who has a signature-model Epiphone SG). The Gibson SG Standard features a mahogany body, ’60s SlimTaper mahogany neck, rosewood fretboard with a flat 12" radius and 490R/490T humbuckers.

Parsimonious Punk: Rock this demon on a budget with the Epiphone SG Standard.

Check out How to Choose the Best SG Guitar to get more info on Gibson and Epiphone's current SG offerings.

Gretsch G5237TG Electromatic Jet

Why It’s Punk: A blissfully ruthless blend of rockabilly bluster and punk rock ferocity.

Things to Consider

• Chambered mahogany body and maple top
• Filter’Tron pickups
• Bigsby B50 vibrato

Shop Now: Gretsch Limited-Edition G5237TG Electromatic Jet FT with Bigsby in Black Pearl Metallic

Although Gretsch guitars have been played by Poison Ivy (The Cramps), Dennis Casey (Flogging Molly) and Tim Armstrong (Rancid), perhaps the most iconic punk rock Gretsch is the 6129 Silver Jet used by Billy Zoom of X. The G5237TG Electromatic Jet doesn’t have the eye-catching silver sparkle finish of Zoom’s 1955 model, but it rocks the iconic look, and its Filter’Tron pickups deliver an aggressive midrange punch—without the noise and hum of original ’50s-era DynaSonic single-coils. Crank it up and get the sound of X classics, such as “Los Angeles,” “Hungry Wolf” and “Nausea.”

Parsimonious Punk: Jet super savers are hard to come by, but knock off a few bucks with the Gretsch G5210T P90 Electromatic Jet.

Best Amps for Punk Rock

As with guitars, a significant number of different amp brands have powered punk rock music. It’s not all about Marshalls and bizarre pawnshop prizes discovered in dusty, almost forgotten storerooms. And while you’ll find the usual saturation suspects for screaming into the abyss, amps known for cleaner sounds have also answered the call. Let’s look at a magnificent seven of punk rock tone.

Pictured: Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb Combo Amp

Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb

Why It’s Punk: Two indispensable punk pioneers—Steve Jones and Joe Strummer—used Twin Reverbs. Somewhat similarly, psychobilly architect Poison Ivy plugged into a more-prone-to-breakup Pro Reverb.

Things to Consider

• Two-channel digital amplifier modeling the all-tube original
• Five output levels (85W, 40W, 22W, 12W, 5W, 1W)
• Loaded with two 12" Jensen N-12K neodymium speakers

Shop Now: Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb 200W 2x12 Guitar Combo Amp

Steve Jones’ guitar tone on Never Mind the Bollocks (Sex Pistols) was a groundbreaking pinnacle of sound that inspired scores of punk guitarists, from Billy Duffy (The Cult) to Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day) to vast legions of lesser knowns. The Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb meticulously duplicates the tone of the tube OG in a more portable package (at 33 lb., it’s approximately half the weight of a tube Twin) and with variable power for accommodating home studio sessions and small club gigs.

Parsimonious Punk: Get a bounty of Fender classics—and other amp types—with the Fender Mustang GTX.

Itching to learn more about Fender's vast array of amps? Peruse How to Choose the Best Fender Guitar Amplifier and find the Fender amp that suits your needs.

Marshall Studio Classic

Why It’s Punk: One-two-three-four. Johnny Ramone used Marshall amps to go to war. (Musical war, that is.)

Things to Consider

• Single-channel, 20W head with power switching (20W to 5W)
• 3-band EQ with Presence, Volume and Master controls
• D.I. output

Shop Now: Marshall Studio Classic 20W Tube Guitar Amp Head

The Marshall Studio Classic takes the DNA of one of punk rock’s most iconic guitar amps—the JCM800 2203—and shrinks it into a smaller format with the versatility of power switching (20W to 5W). Get a Ramones-style rumble at any volume—home studio, tiny rehearsal space or small music venue—and save your energy for those ferocious punk downstrokes with a head that weighs around 20 lb. (as compared to a 45-lb. JCM800 head).

Parsimonious Punk: Grab a punk legend for less with the Marshall Origin20H.

Marshall Studio JTM

Why It’s Punk: It’s a compact version of the Marshall Bluesbreaker circuit used by Adam Warrington, guitarist, producer and cowriter for pop-punk wunderkind YUNGBLUD.

Things to Consider

• Variable 20W/5W, 1x12 combo
• Features two ECC83 preamp tubes, one ECC83 phase splitter and two 5881 power tubes
• Speaker is Celestion G12M-65 Creamback

Shop Now: Marshall Studio JTM Tube Guitar Combo Amp

On initial impression, it doesn’t appear a Marshall Bluesbreaker combo would have much to do with punk rock. But Warrington thinks enough of the model’s soaring crunch to include a Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker reissue in his rig. Like its sibling, the Studio Classic, the Marshall Studio JTM translates the JTM45 Bluesbreaker sound to a more compact package (39 lb. vs. the reissue’s 66 lb.) with power switching (20W to 5W).

Parsimonious Punk: Get the Bluesbreaker sound at a bargain—along with 13 other amp models—with the solid-state Marshall CODE50.

MESA/Boogie Mark V: 35

Why It’s Punk: Noodles (The Offspring), Dr. Know (Bad Brains) and Mick Jones have used Boogies to drive their musical statements.

Things to Consider

• Two-channel, 35W amp with variable power options
• Six style modes from clean to saturated
• Selectable 5-band graphic EQ

Shop Now: MESA/Boogie Mark V: 35 35/25/10W Tube Guitar Combo Amp

Since the mid 1990s, the punchy, rippling and unstoppable crunch of Offspring songs has been manifest, for the most part, by Noodles and his Boogies. The MESA/Boogie Mark V: 35 not only carries a punk rock lineage, but it’s also so versatile that it can be deployed for metal, prog or any other style in need of near-limitless sonic opportunities. At 35W, the Mark V: 35 is loud enough for sizable stages. However, you can also knock down the power to 25W or 10W to save the ears of bandmates cramped into a tiny rehearsal room, or capture raging guitar tracks in your home studio without risking angry cellphone calls from neighbors. It’s built like a tank, as well, so if pogoing maniacs get too close to it, the Mark V: 35 will likely brush off any assaults by wayward Dr. Martens.

Parsimonious Punk: Sorry, punks. There is no budget option for new Boogies, but peruse our used and vintage collection for potential “previously owned” deals.

Bonus: Watch the Offspring perform “Self Esteem” on Guitar Center Sessions.

Dig into MESA/Boogie's amp offerings in our guide on How to Choose the Best MESA/Boogie Guitar Amplifier.

Orange OR30

Why It’s Punk: Brian Baker (Bad Religion) and Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem) are true believers in this funky, vibey British icon.

Things to Consider

• Switchable output power 30W to 2W
• Bright switch
• Footswitchable volume boost

Shop Now: Orange Amplifiers OR30 30W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Since its beginnings in a psychedelic music shop in 1968 during the “Swinging London” era, Orange has always marched to its own and very loud muse. The Orange OR30 retains all of the attitude and uniqueness of its groovy ancestors—the main control panel is still labeled with pictures rather than words—and the brand’s maverick demeanor continues to attract individualists, such as, well, punk rock guitarists. Although the OR30 front end handles pedals splendidly, it’s also a “plug right in” type of amp that should delight punk minimalists. As Baker has said, turning down his guitar volume control is his “clean” channel when using the OR30, and cranking up his guitar’s volume knob is his “dirty” channel.

Parsimonious Punk: Unleash low-cost Orange tone with the Orange O Tone 40.

Bonus: See Bad Religion play “Generator” on Guitar Center Sessions.

Roland JC-120

Why It’s Punk: It’s kind of punk, because it’s not. But, then again, Yoyoyoshie of Japan’s Otoboke Beaver makes a gloriously feral noise using a JC-120.

Things to Consider

• Two separate 60W power amps produce true stereo chorus effect
• Two channels, each with dedicated 3-band EQ
• Onboard reverb, distortion, vibrato and chorus

Shop Now: Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus Combo Amp

Otoboke Beaver is one of the most intense—and outrageously hilarious—punk bands on the current scene. It’s exhausting just watching their frenetic performances on videos. Guitarist Yoyoyoshie uses the Roland JC-120 for her clean sounds, and adds distortion pedals to detonate the jubilantly vicious dynamic structures of the band’s songs. The solid-state JC-120 isn’t widely known for blistering grind, but Yoyoyoshie’s use of the amp aligns with a punk rock ethic of shaping gear to produce the sounds you want.

Parsimonious Punk: Get cut-rate cleans—as well as other amp voices and effects—with the BOSS Katana Gen 3.

VOX Custom AC30C2

Why It’s Punk: Users include punk pioneers Paul Weller (The Jam) and Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers), as well as contemporary artists, such as Laura Jane Grace (Against Me) and Alex Rosamilia (Gaslight Anthem).

Things to Consider

• 30W 2x12 tube combo amp
• Normal and Top Boost channels
• Loaded with two Celestion G12M Greenback speakers

Shop Now: VOX Custom AC30C2 30W Tube Combo Amp

The VOX Custom AC30C2—as with all AC30 variants—is revered for its glimmering, clean chime. But this amp is also great at delivering tight, lively crunch and scorching distortion. Purveyors of uncluttered sound can plug in directly and use their guitar’s volume controls to produce chime, crunch and blistering yowls, while engineers of expansive timbres can route their effects into a front end that loves pedals. At 71 lb., wrestling an AC30 to rehearsals and gigs will test your workout regimen, but all will be forgiven when you plug in, turn up and bask in waves of sound that can embellish myriad guitar and musical styles.

Parsimonious Punk: Experience economical chime with the VOX Valvetronix VT40X.

Essential Pedals for Punk Rock

If you’re enamored with the Johnny Ramone approach—a Mosrite Ventures II guitar direct into a Marshall—there’s no need to add pedals to your rig. In fact, Ramone’s technique was so rigid, he told me during a Guitar Player interview that unless a song was powered 100-percent by downstrokes, he didn’t play on it. “Those kinds of tracks were done by Joey Ramone’s buddies,” he explained with a sneer. “It wasn’t me.”

But for more open and experimental guitarists, pedals often play a big part in punk rock arrangements. From modulation, reverb and delay to fuzz and/or multiple distortion pedals linked together, effects can add cinematic atmospheres and textures to even the most aggressive punk opus.

Please note we’ve dropped the “Parsimonious Punk” selections, because the pedals we’ve chosen are already attainable—they’re not high-ticket, boutique stompboxes. However, if you’re always on the lookout for outlet store bargains, please check out our assortment of Punk Rock Pedals Under $40.

Pictured: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi

Behringer Super Fuzz

Why It’s Punk: Feral, fractured buzz tone, reminiscent of the ’70s Univox Super Fuzz used by Poison Ivy.

Things to Consider

• Three fuzz modes (classic, grunge, gain boost)
• 2-band EQ
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz Effects Pedal

The Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz delivers not just a budget-friendly reimagining of the vintage Super Fuzz, but it can also produce some other classic ’60s and ’70s fuzz tones.

Check out The Best Fuzz Pedals of 2025 for more gritty, punk-inducing fuzz pedal options.

BOSS DS-1 Distortion

Why It’s Punk: Kurt Cobain depended on the DS-1 to craft his guitar sound.

Things to Consider

• Classic, organic distortion
• Three knobs: Tone, Distortion, Level
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: BOSS DS-1 Distortion Effects Pedal

At some point in their sonic journeys, many guitarists of all styles and skill levels added a BOSS DS-1 to their pedalboards. After all, the DS-1 is an easy and organic way to get just about any distorted rock tone you can imagine. But if you want more, go for the BOSS DS-1W Waza Craft version, which provides two modes—Standard for conventional DS-1 sounds and Custom for beefier lows, more articulate mids and improved touch sensitivity.

Check out The Best Distortion Pedals of 2025 for even more inspiration.

BOSS RE-2 Space Echo

Why It’s Punk: It’s the sound Mick Jones used for “Train in Vain” by the Clash, as well as a close cousin to East Bay Ray’s Echoplex ricochets on “Holiday in Cambodia” by The Dead Kennedys.

Things to Consider

• Authentic emulation of original ’70s Roland RE-201 Space Echo
• 11 echo modes for dialing in various virtual tape heads
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: BOSS RE-2 Space Echo Effects Pedal

The Roland RE-101 and RE-201 debuted in 1974, with a “cassette-like” tape transport, which made them more portable and reliable than previous units with fragile tape reel delays. The BOSS RE-2 Space Echo recreates the warm, musical tape delays of the original in a handy compact pedal format. If your pedalboard has the room, and you want enhanced controls and three footswitches, consider the larger BOSS RE-202 Space Echo.

Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi

Why It’s Punk: Yoyoyoshie stomps on a Big Muff for splintered and belligerent rhythm tones and buzzsaw-like solos and riffs.

Things to Consider

• Produces classic rock distortion to blistering wails of sonic madness
• Three controls: Volume, Tone, Sustain
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi Effects Pedal

The Electro-Harmonix Classics USA Big Muff Pi reminds me of that classic Tina Turner introduction to “Proud Mary,” where she says the beginning of the song will be nice and easy, but they’ll finish it rough. Similarly, the Big Muff can lull players into a somewhat sedate classic rock grind. However, if the Tone and Sustain controls are cranked up, there’s a chance every demon in hell will torment your tone with searing intensity. You can’t get much more punk rock than that.

For a complete historical walkthrough of the Electro-Harmonix, and to check out all of its variations, be sure to read our Guide to the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff.

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Why It’s Punk: The Offspring’s Noodles has used a Robert Keeley modified version of the Tube Screamer.

Things to Consider

• Omnipresent. “A must-have for legions of guitarists."—Guitar Player 
• Three controls: Drive, Tone, Level
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Overdrive Effects Pedal

To this day, the “little green overdrive” that fell to earth in 1979 is still visible on countless pedalboards. The widespread popularity of the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is likely due to its authentic, amp-like distortion—a benefit for punk rock guitarists seeking a natural, yet bolder and more forceful big amp sound. If you want to explore the sound of the Keeley mod favored by Noodles, try finding one in our used and vintage collections.

Looking for a different flavor of overdrive to add to your board? Check out our guide to The Best Overdrive Pedals of 2025.

Maxon 9-Series AD-9 Analog Delay

Why It’s Punk: Poison Ivy used a Maxon AD-80 for slapback effects while in The Cramps.

Things to Consider

• Delay time from 20ms to 450ms
• Wet/Dry mix control
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: Maxon 9-Series AD-9 Analog Delay Effects Pedal

With digital delays starting to become all the rage in the ’80s, the analog AD-80 seemed to be marching to the wrong drum corps. But the AD-80’s balmy warmth let its delays sneak gracefully behind notes to add dimension and atmosphere without the possibility of interference from more sharp-toned and articulate digital delays. It comes at a bit of a price, but the Maxon 9-Series AD-9 Analog Delay carries all of the glorious vintage snuggle of the original.

Browse The Best Delay Pedals of 2025 to find the delay that best suits your sound.

MXR DD30 Dookie Drive

Why It’s Punk: Replicates the guitar sound of one of the most popular and influential punk albums of the 1990s, Dookie by Green Day.

Things to Consider

• 30th Anniversary homage to Billie Joe Armstrong’s dual-amp tone on Dookie
• Four knobs—Output, Gain, Blend, Tone—and scoop switch
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: MXR DD30 30th Anniversary Dookie Drive Overdrive Effects Pedal

Any pedal with a dog graphic is a winner for me, but the whimsical look of the MXR DD30 Dookie Drive kind of contradicts its pulsating, barbarously massive distortion. Billie Joe Armstrong and Dookie producer Rob Cavallo famously combined two modded Marshall Plexi amps—“Pete” and “Meat”—to craft the guitar onslaught for songs such as “Basket Case,” “Longview” and “When I Come Around.” The MXR DD30 accomplishes the studio magic by using high-gain and crunch circuits you can blend together to taste. Want to save a few bucks off the 30th Anniversary Dookie? Pivot to the less celebratory but no less feral MXR FOD Deep Drive. It will get you close to the same tonal place.

MXR M101 Phase 90

Why It’s Punk: It’s not just about Eddie Van Halen. Punk icons such as Dr. Know, Steve Jones and Mick Jones are also MXR Phase fans.

Things to Consider

• Vintage one-knob control (Speed)
• Basically the same circuitry and design as the 1974 original
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: MXR M101 Phase 90 Effects Pedal

Looking pretty much exactly like the model I purchased from Guitar Center in the late 1970s, the MXR M101 Phase 90 is evidence you don’t need to change if you totally nail it the first time. With just one knob, the Phase 90 can produce subtle undulations to mildly animate chords or unleash rapidly twisting wave surges—think Aquaman in full attack mode—to mutate riffs and solos.

You can't go wrong with the Phase 90. Should you be searching for a phaser with a few more parameters, check out our guide to The Best Phaser Pedals of 2025.

ProCo RAT2

Why It’s Punk: Lots of non-punk artists used RATs, but there’s a direct line to Kurt Cobain from punk influencer—and friend—Buzz Osbourne (The Melvins). It’s also capable of launching dangerously sharp sonic scalpels of piercing midrange.

Things to Consider

• Three controls: Distortion, Filter, Volume
• Fab and functional glow-in-the-dark control graphics
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: ProCo RAT2 Distortion Effects Pedal

Here’s another pedal I bought from Guitar Center—this time, after seeing an ad in Guitar Player. However, for me at least, taming a RAT was like attempting to wrestle a thrashing crocodile with oven mitts. The ProCo RAT2 retains all of the unbridled fury of the early variants—which means you can still punk up stages and studios with shards of delightfully frazzled buzz.

Explore the evolution of the RAT with our Guide to the ProCo RAT.

BOSS TR-2 Tremolo

Why It’s Punk: The OG of OGs, Link Wray, used amp tremolo (and shredded-speaker distortion) for his 1958 banned instrumental, “Rumble.”

Things to Consider

• Analog tremolo circuitry
• Three controls: Wave, Rate, Depth
• Runs on 9V battery or optional power supply (sold separately)

Shop Now: BOSS TR-2 Tremolo Effects Pedal

The BOSS TR-2 Tremolo goes after old-school tremolo flavors that can create classic vibes for contemporary tracks. Bring on the square-wave tremolo that Billie Joe Armstrong uses on Green Day’s “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” or try a triangle wave to evoke the delicate pulse of less-punk tunes, such as “Bang Bang” (Nancy Sinatra), “Crimson and Clover” (Tommy James & the Shondells) or “How Soon Is Now?” (The Smiths). Beyond selecting the musically appropriate waveform, you can add interest or mayhem to guitar parts simply by playing with tremolo rate and depth.

Punk Rock Pedals Under $40

Although most non-boutique or non-custom pedals are relatively inexpensive, there will always be someone trying to squeeze out an almost ridiculous bargain. If you’re one of those rock-bottom, punk rock shoppers, we’ve got you. There are some quite suitable stompboxes available that promise punk for pennies.

Delay

Want an analog delay that evokes Maxon AD-9 warmth for less than a handful of Mega Millions lottery tickets? Take a chance on the Behringer VD400, or the TC Electronic Echobrain.

Shop Now: Behringer VD400 Vintage Delay Analog Delay Effects Pedal

Distortion

Get a two-for-one deal with the Behringer OD300, which provides both distortion and overdrive options, as well as the ability to adjust the mix between each. Rather stand firmly in the arena of tube-amp crunch? The TC Electronic Grand Magus can conjure anything from AC/DC to the Sex Pistols.

Shop Now: TC Electronic Grand Magus Distortion Effects Pedal

Fuzz

Perhaps named as an homage to the famed “bee” fuzz of the 1970s, the TC Electronic Honey Pot serves up sweet, soaring saturation. But if the ’60s is more your style, the TC Electronic Rusty Fuzz can serve up Super Fuzz-influenced buzz.

Shop Now: TC Electronic Honey Pot Fuzz Effects Pedal

Phasers

The Behringer VP1 has one control and a vintage sound. Is this reminding you of a Phase 90? However, if you prefer twisting more dials, perhaps the TC Electronic Blood Moon, with its Rate, Depth and Feedback controls is the phaser for you.

Shop Now: Behringer VP1 Vintage Phaser Effects Pedal

Tremolo

Immerse your tone in ’50s and ’60s amp-style tremolo while also having the option to choose between square and triangle waves with the Behringer UT300 and TC Electronic Choka.

Shop Now: Behringer UT300 Ultra Tremolo Classic Tremolo Effects Pedal

What Is Punk Rock?

Well, it’s not merely a fashion statement or the sound of a distorted guitar. During punk’s phase one in the mid 1970s, the media tended to corral the entire scene as a singular entity that embraced feral volume, anti-musicianship, safety pins, gobbing, pogoing, unhinged social behavior and so on.

There was a lot of that going on, to be sure, and writing about it sold truckloads of newspapers and music magazines back then. But the punk rock archetype—as well as punk’s musical stylings—cannot be reduced to just the guitar onslaughts and outlaw swagger of the Ramones and Sex Pistols.

The Clash, for example, produced London Calling (1979)—an album that is often celebrated as the “Sgt. Pepper’s” of punk. The album is a sprawling epic that encompasses rockabilly, ska, reggae, soul, pop, supper club jazz, metal, funk, R&B and more—as well as the various guitar tones, effects and motifs associated with those genres.

Then and now, punk-influenced genres expanded to include derivations based on glam, art, folk, country-western, cabaret, horror, blues, Celtic, Latin, Arabic and much more. France’s subversive and experimental Métal Urbain even presaged EDM in 1977, with its dual guitars, synths, drum machine and vocal productions. Stylistic diversity and musical hybrids are punk.

Pictured: Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb Combo Amp

Although the cultural impact of punk makes for fascinating historical analysis across politics, theater, fine art, poetry and other specialties, this article is concentrating on how the style informs guitar gear. Here are some handy guidelines if you choose to deploy your guitar in celebration of punk rock principles. 

• Non-Conformity: Punk rock is not cozy with conformity. As a guitar player, this tenet frees you to use whatever tools fire up your creativity and passion. If someone says, “Oh, you can’t use ‘that’ guitar or ‘that’ amp to play punk rock,” then that person is not punk. Ignore them.

• Individuality: Punk applauds self-expression. Just be you without compromise. Trust in your own uniqueness, as well as how that individualism translates to playing guitar, selecting gear, writing songs and the production values of your tracks. Remember—there ain’t no narrow-minded style council for punk rock.

• DIY: Early on, punks didn’t get much support from the music industry. This didn’t stop them. Instead, it inspired hordes of self-produced recordings, as well as do-it-yourself record labels, promotion and marketing strategies and product distribution.

• Authenticity: True punks ferociously guard their creative integrity. (You shouldn’t find a bona fide punk rocker using AI to create their music, for example.) Never compromise your vision. Ever. Use gear that explicitly manifests the sounds in your head.

Punk Rock Postures

Now, you shouldn’t have to ask anyone for their thoughts on which punk gear might be right for you. Hopefully, you’ve absorbed the punk rock attitude at this point. But if you’d feel more comfortable having some “style assistance,” please feel free to talk to one of our Gear Advisers or simply walk into your local Guitar Center and start trying stuff out.

Some of the sections offer an “explore more” opportunity with expanded content in other Riffs articles. For example, click to The History of the Fuzz Pedal, The Best Distortion Pedals of 2025, Comparing Guitar Pickups: Humbucker vs. Single Coil vs. P90, The History of the Distortion Pedal, A Guide to the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff and more. There’s a bounty of gear and musical knowledge just a click away …

Pictured: BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal

People Also Ask ...

What is a punk rock guitar tone?

Classic, mid-’70s-style punk guitar is going to be distorted, raw, high-gain and fervently aggressive, such as what you hear from bands like the Ramones, the Sex Pistols and Black Flag. However, some punk pioneers, such as The Clash and Dead Kennedys, sometimes opt for clean guitar sounds and more versatile tones.

What type of pickups are best for playing punk guitar?

Many punk rock guitarists choose humbuckers to drive their roar, but there’s no one pickup accepted as unruly enough to be 100-percent punk approved. Excellent punk tones can be achieved with single-coil, P90 and active pickups, and keep in mind that the signal path beyond the pickup—the amplifier and any pedals you use—have a significant impact on your sound.

Do you need a distortion pedal to get a good punk rock guitar tone?

Not necessarily. Punk icon Johnny Ramone plugged his Mosrite guitar directly into his Marshall amp. However, you can really increase the sonic assault by adding a fuzz, distortion and/or overdrive pedal to your signal chain. Some players even run multiple distortion pedals simultaneously to craft an apocalyptic noise.