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When Johnny Ramone strolled down 48th Street’s Music Row in Manhattan looking for a guitar to use at the Ramones’ first rehearsal in 1974, he reportedly had two objectives—to purchase the cheapest model possible, and to find something visually different from old-school rockers.
He achieved both goals, settling on a blue 1965 Mosrite Ventures II that cost him around $50. (This guitar was stolen from the band’s van in 1977, which necessitated the acquisition of the legendary white ’65 Ventures II he used for the remainder of his career.)
Across the pond, Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols was gifted a white Les Paul Custom that impresario Malcolm McLaren “appropriated” from New York Dolls guitarist Syl Sylvain to settle a management debt.
These are just two stories revealing how a pair of pioneering punk guitarists came across the guitars that defined their sound.
But these tales illustrate the demands of many players in punk’s genre-defining ’70s era. These guitarists prized affordability (“pawnshop prizes”), simplicity, resilience and a look quite unlike the models wielded by “dinosaurs” performing on Top of the Pops (England) or The Midnight Special (USA). If someone did land on a more traditional guitar, they often punk-ified it with paint splotches, graffiti, hand carvings and/or decals.
In a way, it’s kind of anti-punk to recommend five “most punk” punk guitars, because the ultimate punk rock guitar is the one you choose.
It’s also a tad strange to see lists of “Best Punk Rock Guitars” online, as many ’70s punk guitarists would likely choose to join a Fleetwood Mac tribute band rather than select a guitar from a curated directory which dismisses individuality.
Having said all of that, history is important, and the instruments that laid the foundation of the punk guitar sound should be recognized and celebrated. We included two icons in our list, but we’re also showcasing three guitars embodying the spirit of punk that aren’t the same old models haunting punk guitar chronicles.
And, like the 2:12 run time of “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones (1976), we’re keeping the narrative short and to the point.
Pictured: 1957 Gibson Les Paul Junior Headstock in TV Yellow
Five Pugnacious Punk Rock Guitars
I always loved that early punk was dedicated to making things work—regardless of the status quo. Don’t have enough money for a good guitar? Grab a dusty $50 model tossed into a pile of forgotten relics at the back of a pawnshop and figure out how to transform it into the coolest guitar ever. No place to play? Rent an abandoned flower shop, hand out flyers and start a whole new live music scene.
Try to adopt a similarly disruptive, never-say-die mindset when perusing new gear for your punk stylings. The following five guitars already possess the basic tenets of punk-rock performance, but they need you to truly make them evangelists of punk expression.
You don’t have to look or act like Sid Vicious to be punk (thank goodness). You simply need to strut your individuality like a beast and find the guitar that best translates your magnificent eccentricities into sound.
Danelectro Blackout ’59
Maximum punk pedigree: Unique look and sound. Not one of the “usual suspects.” Affordable.
High-energy features:
- Two Lipstick pickups
- Semi-hollow body with center block
- Two knobs (volume and tone)
Shop Now: Danelectro Blackout '59 in Purple Metalflake
The Danelectro Blackout ’59 probably won’t make the scene on traditional “Best Guitars for Punk Rock” lists, and I’m thinking it doesn’t care at all. Why? Because list fodder or not, this Dano perfectly aligns with the guitar-buying philosophy of first-generation punk rockers—it’s affordable, it ain’t conformist and it don’t sound like no Les Paul or Strat. The lipstick pickups on the Blackout ’59 produce spiky highs, snotty chime, sneering overdrive and a ragged hollowness that few guitars can emulate. This is the guitar you want if you’re challenging yourself to create a sound that’s yours alone.
ESP LTD SN-1000FR
Maximum punk pedigree: An ESP HSS guitar was brandished by Bad Brains guitarist Dr. Know (Gary Miller) to forge hardcore punk.
High-energy features:
- Two Fishman Fluence Single Width single-coils
- One Fishman Fluence Classic humbucker
- Floyd Rose tremolo
Shop Now: ESP LTD SN-1000FR in Snow White
Counter to the “pawnshop prize” ethic of many ’70s-era punks, Dr. Know’s original “Old Blackie” was custom made at the ESP custom shop on 48th Street, Manhattan, sometime in the 1980s. The HSS pickup configuration on that guitar—beaming ever-so-colorfully as a red single-coil, yellow single-coil and green humbucker embedded in a body with a black finish—was readymade for the band’s hardcore hybrids with reggae and heavy metal. The ESP LTD SN-1000FR isn’t a custom shop build—and it isn’t black, either—but it honors the Bad Brains ethos of juggling genres. If you’re into blending punk ferocity with other musical styles, the versatile SN-1000FR will deliver the tones you need to loudly declare your artistic manifesto.
Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster
Maximum punk pedigree: Joe Strummer. The Clash’s socially conscious and massively influential anti-guitar hero used his sticker-plastered, beaten-to-hell Tele to fight for justice—inspiring thousands of others to deploy guitars for activism you could dance to.
High-energy features:
- Two Fender Coastline ’63 single-coils
- Greasebucket tone circuit
- Alder body
Shop Now: Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster in Faded Black
Well, Fender Telecasters do show up on pretty much 100 percent of “Best Guitars for Punk Rock” lists (we checked), but the model totally deserves it. The scrappy, bulldoze-through-a-mix sound of the Tele seems almost invented for punk guitarists. (Leo Fender would strenuously argue otherwise, but as the Telecaster turns 75 this year, Leo should just take the win for a model that has endured so long and informed so many diverse styles.) The Fender American Professional Classic Telecaster still sparks musical rebellion and hard-edged joy, though with enhanced pickups and improved playability. The sound is there. The decals are up to you.
Gibson Les Paul Junior
Maximum punk pedigree: It’s an icon. Simple. Durable. Stripped down to the essentials—just like a perfect punk rock song.
High-energy features:
- One P-90 pickup
- SlimTaper (Double Cut) or ’50s Vintage (Single Cut) mahogany neck
- Wraparound bridge
Shop Now: Gibson Les Paul Junior Single Cut in TV Yellow
The number of legendary punk guitarists who used Les Paul Juniors is a long list, including Johnny Thunders, Joan Jett (a Melody Maker “student” version), Billie Joe Armstrong, Mick Jones and Viv Albertine. About as badass and basic as you can get, the Les Paul Jr. features one pickup, two knobs (volume and tone), weighs around 7 lb. and has just the right balance and look for low-slung punk posturing. It’s also a tough little beast that can take frenzied swinging around stages, collisions with mic stands and deployment as a swift “protective device” for aggro audiences. You can choose between the Thunders-favored Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut and the Armstrong-approved Gibson Les Paul Junior Single Cut.
Reverend Sensei JR
Maximum punk pedigree: A futuristic mashup of a Les Paul Junior and an SG with a signature feral roar for breaking down temples of convention.
High-energy features:
- One Reverend CP90 single-coil
- Bass Contour control
- Korina body and neck
Shop Now: Reverend Sensei JR in Transparent Cherry
Well, the Reverend Sensei JR is a single P-90 guitar with “JR” in its model name, so who am I to argue with its makers about which iconic model inspired it? But its sharp cutaways also remind me of another legendary guitar, which got me thinking about Brian Jones of The Damned digging into his SG to write “New Rose” (1976)—the first single released by a British punk band. The Sensei JR is an awesome tribute to the sound of both guitars, but like many things punk, it also slam dances history to build something new from the chaos. So, while the Sensei JR is a very basic, punk-approved machine that’s easy to play and built like an Abrams tank, it also adds Reverend mojo to the mix with its Bass Contour control. This passive bass roll-off vanquishes muddiness and produces some exquisitely savage mids and highs. When you want your punk riffs to unleash the sounds of merciless carnage, this knob is your secret weapon.
Punk Rock Revival
You already know Johnny Ramone played a white 1965 Mosrite Ventures II guitar from 1977 until he retired in 1996. (You did read the article’s second paragraph, right?) However, actual Mosrites have been difficult to get since founder Semie Moseley’s daughter, Dana, closed the company’s website in 2020.
At press time, we learned the Mosrite brand was acquired by Sho-Bud—yes, the lap-steel company—and not only is the Mosrite name back, but Sho-Bud is producing a Mark II model (currently for special order). Johnny Ramone fans can once again sling a brand new, Mosrite-branded guitar down to their knees.
Of course, if you’re more into classic Mosrites, you can peruse our Used & Vintage collection. Furthermore, for those enamored of all things punk gear, please refer to our more comprehensive guide for punk rock guitarists that covers additional guitars, plus amps and pedals.
Finally, our knowledgeable Gear Advisers can answer any questions about finding the best punk-rock gear for your individual style. You can also pogo into your local Guitar Center and try out some options in person. There are always associates ready to help you. You can even do some research ahead of actually plugging into the gear by using our AI-powered Rig Adviser app that can suggest punk-sanctioned guitar rigs, and even list the gear used by your favorite punk guitarists.