Contrary to what some may have you believe, punk rock is not basically about getting cheap and poorly made guitars that you can easily break on stage. Although you basically do not want to spend a fortune on getting a punk rock guitar, trust me you also do not want to get a poor-sounding guitar that goes out of tune every thirty minutes. Beginner punk guitarists and players on a tight budget might want to go for something inexpensive. But more seasoned players can always go for the best guitar they can possibly afford. It is not against ‘punk ethics’ to play a high quality or even a fancy guitar.
Punk is about self-expression and whatever kind of guitar will help you achieve that [self-expression] is the best punk rock guitar for you. In this article, I will present to you the five best punk rock guitars that I can comfortably recommend to anyone. These are guitars that will help bring out the ‘punk’ in you.
- Best beginner punk rock guitar: Squire by Fender Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
- Best professional punk rock guitar: Fender Telecaster
- Best vintage punk rock guitar: Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90
- Best medium jumbo fret punk rock guitar: Epiphone SG Special VE
- Best punk-rock guitar for people with small hands: Fender Duo-Sonic HS
 | 1. Best beginner punk rock guitar: Squire by Fender Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH Super affordable, very versatile with an outstanding tonal range, just the perfect look for punk – this is just one guitar every punk player needs in their guitar collection. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2. Best professional punk rock guitar: Fender Telecaster Being one of the easiest and most comfortable guitars to play on the planet, a mix of simple and sturdy, this is just one amazing guitar for punk music. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3. Best vintage punk rock guitar: Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90 This is not just another “good guitar for punk,” this guitar is being regarded all over the world as the official punk rock guitar – the overall build and tonal characteristic of this guitar makes it just perfect for punk rock. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4. Best medium jumbo fret punk rock guitar: Epiphone SG Special VE With a unique look and an iconic tone, this SG features a fat and punchy tone that makes it not just the right guitar for punk but also for rock and other similar genres | Buy on Amazon |
 | 5. Best punk-rock guitar for people with small hands: Fender Duo-Sonic HS A perfect finish, super-sleek design, a combination of single and humbucker coil, and super distortions and clean tones for punk – this is one guitar that was designed with the punk player at heart. | Buy on Amazon |
5 Best Punk Rock Guitar Reviewed
Best beginner punk rock guitar: Squire by Fender Affinity Series Jazzmaster HH
Although an entry-level guitar, the Squire still remains an incredible guitar that can even wrestle with some pro-models of other brands. First, the overall look of the Squire is exactly what an average punk player would go for – the aesthetics are far from complex – it is quite simple in design. The Squire features a Poplar body with a unique JM shape. The neck is a one-piece bolt-on maple neck with a beautiful satin finish. The C-shape is not only easy on the hands but extremely smooth and slender. As a punk player, you will find the neck design quite helpful and ergonomically enhanced when you want to slide through power chords and other similar harmonic progressions.
Tonally, the Squire is quite flexible and versatile, as it is designed to fit a vast majority of tonal needs. It features tonal control that ranges from classic woody to other tonal characteristics like “bright” and “snappy.”. With the Squire, you will get the “tightness” and punchiness that lacks in the single-coil models. Also, it still keeps that iconic and much-desired “Fender tone.” The three registers, especially the high-end, are very clean and perfectly fit blazing punk solos and even rhythm.
The Squire is more or less a simplified version of the vintage Jazzmaster. Considering that punk to some extent prides on simplicity, aggressiveness, and honesty, it becomes very hard to take this guitar out of the list of the best punk guitars in the world. This is not the guitar with fancy dials and knobs for you to fondle and tweak. It is more or less the guitar you just sling the strap on and start rocking on stage – and maybe smash it after everything – not recommending that though. It features two humbuckers that are wired to a simple three-way pickup selector switch, master volume, and tone knobs. If you are looking for something that will offer that pristine Fender sound, then I am sorry to say that this is not the right guitar for you. But if you are looking for that distorted, dirty, and aggressive rock and punk tone, then consider this.
Overall, this guitar is simple, esoterically sleek-looking, and comfortable. It is perfect for both studio and stage playing scenarios, long playing sessions, and even some rough handling. It has a 12-inch-radius rosewood fretboard that makes it fit well with modern guitarists and a six-saddle hardtail bridge for more tuning stability and better intonation.
Pros
- Super affordable
- A very versatile guitar with amazing tonal range
- The look is just perfect for punk
- Amazing quality considering the price
- It Will definitely withstand some rough handling (though not recommended)
Cons
- The fret sizes might not be comfortable for big hands
- Not exactly the best punk guitar out there; you somehow get what you pay for
Best professional punk rock guitar: Fender Telecaster
From Country to Reggae, and Jazz, the Telecaster is always more or less a “holy grail.” Contrary to what most people will have you believe, even punk will make some good use of even the “sleekest” guitar like the Telecaster. Might not be the cheapest of guitars out there, but every cent on its price tag is worth it; the Telecaster will take your punk guitar playing to an entirely new level. The Truth is that the Tele is not exactly new to the punk world. Legendary punk guitar players like Joe Strummer of The Clash and Brian James of The Damned all rocked and “punk’d” the Tele. You can also find more contemporary players like PUP’s Steve Sladkowski still rocking the Tele. Being a guitar with quite some history, we can say a lot about the Tele, but one of the first things to always say is that it is quite a versatile guitar. Perfect for all kinds of players and playing scenarios.
It features an alder body and a modern C neck. With this design, you need not worry about ease of play and comfortability even with your sweaty hands. It also features a satin finish at the back for a smooth playing experience. It shines quite bright and sounds somewhat hot in the upper-mid range. It comes with a set of Alnico 5 single-coils. The controls are standard telecaster controls with nothing too fancy. It features a three-way pickup selector, volume, and tone knob. Whether you are gonna be playing it live on stage or recording in the studio, you can trust the Tele to cut through the mix and sit exactly on top of all the instruments and voices – you can never hide the telecaster. By default, the tele is a lead instrument.
Pros
- A mix of simple and sturdy makes it one of the best punk rock guitars for players of all levels
- The telecaster is one of the easiest and most comfortable guitars to play on the planet – this makes it just right for punk
- The overall tonal quality makes it super perfect for punk and related genres; during punk solos, you can trust the tele to sing just perfect
- The Telecaster is attractive but not in a way that goes against the “unwritten punk ethics.”
Cons
- Not basically the most affordable kind of guitar
- The pickup can be occasionally noisy
Best vintage punk rock guitar: Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90
With this model, Gibson pays homage to their legendary Les Pauls. It features a pair of P90 pickups that offers a raw and focused midrange. This model is just perfect for punk and hard rock. If you need a mix of robust, vintage, and cheap in a punk guitar, then this might be the best guitar for you. The Les Paul Tribute Special just like the Les Paul Junior is iconic in punk. Looking at its overall dark, serious, no-nonsense, weapon-like, and somewhat dangerous outlook, it becomes quite a suitable guitar for a genre like punk rock. The Special Tribute is robust, and it features a flat top instead of the more commonly seen arched top.
Paying tribute to the earliest Gibson Les Pauls, the Special Tribute features a solid slab mahogany body and neck, a Rosewood fretboard, and P90 Soap Bar Pickups. An amazing thing about this model is that it comes with the tested, and most cherished tones of the P-90. It can sound clean and pristine if you want it to; it can give you all the dirt and grit needed in punk if you also want it to. To understand and feel the effect of the P-90 pickup, you need to take a listen to the works of musicians like Billie Joe Armstrong, Paul Westerberg, and Mick Jones. The LP Special Tribute might not be the guitar with tonnes of “mind-blowing” features except for the P-90, but it is that simplicity in design and overall build that makes it just the perfect guitar for punk.
For many lovers of punk, the Special Tribute just like the Les Paul Junior might be somewhat the official sign for punk guitar. Considering the ease in playability, lightweight, and characteristic tone, you will have very little reason to invalidate that perception. This is just a mid-range vintage guitar that every punk player will love to have.
Pros
- Comes at a modest price (not too high and not too low)
- It can also be regarded as an “official punk guitar” just like the Les Paul Junior
- Perfect for studio and stage
- Perfect for both pro and beginner players
- Comes with a gig bag
Cons
- In the context of punk, I can’t think of any disadvantage
Best medium jumbo fret punk rock guitar: Epiphone SG Special VE
Coming at a very affordable price and excellently built with medium jumbo frets, the SG Special VE is an amazing guitar not just for genres like hard rock but also punk rock. The SG’s aggressive and somewhat bullet-proof styling, weight, and overall sonic characteristics make it one of the best sounding and looking guitars for punk rock. Punk artists like Ian MacKaye of Fugazi and Greg Hetson of Bad Religion have proven that the SG Special is just as sonically and aesthetically befitting for punk as it can be for any other genre and style. In terms of ergonomics, playability, intonation, tuning stability, construction, and overall craftsmanship, the SG Special leads every other electric guitar in this price range.
They initially intended the SG Special VE to replace the Les Paul, which disappeared from the market throughout most of the 60s. It is lightweight but powerful. The SG became a classic guitar in the hard rock scene. A wide range of players including Eric Clapton, the Allman Brothers, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, and Pete Townshend of The Who flaunted the SG.
The SG Special VE features a classic design with the original headstock of the Epiphone SG. It is a working guitar that fits both studio and stage needs perfectly. It has quite some appealing features – classic SG style LockTone Tune-o-Matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece, a non-rotating ¼-inch output jack, and premium die-cast 14:1 ratio machine heads for accurate and speedy tuning. Also, there is an optional hard case for those who want it.
Just like in the Gibson Les Paul Junior, the P-90 is perfect for punk players who want to add some dirt and punch to their power chords and some aggressiveness and “fire” to their punk solos and riffs. The SG Special P90 is unique in all ramifications. It is a mix of simplicity and character, which is exactly what the punk player needs.
Pros
- Looks unique and features an iconic sound
- The tones are fat and punchy
- It is just perfect for punk rock & heavier sub-genres
- Considering the overall quality and price, it’s hard not to be wowed
Cons
- The action might be too high for some, thus requiring some adjustments from a luthier
Best punk-rock guitar for people with small hands: Fender Duo-Sonic HS
Developed by Fender for student players in 1956, the Fender Duo is a small, versatile, and sleek-looking guitar. Just after a few years of its birth, the DUO started gaining much popularity as a multipurpose short-scale guitar among indie musicians and underground bands of the ’60s. From the proto-punk band Television to David Byrne of the Talking Heads this guitar was more like a symbol of underground musicianship and punk rock.
I refer to it as “small-statured” because it features a super lightweight design and has a 24-inch scale length. This is slender and easy to play guitar. If you are a punk rocker with small hands or you just need something that meets this spec, then this is perfect for you. It has a 9.5-inch fretboard radius.
It features an alder body and a maple neck with a maple fingerboard that plays host to 22 small-sized frets. The hardware is Fender-fare. It has a hardtail bridge like that of a Stratocaster, die-cast tuners, a pickguard, and beautiful dot inlays. This is a versatile guitar that will fit whatever punk mode you are in; gritty, punchy, focused, penetrating, or whatever.
Pros
- Perfect finish
- Super-sleek design and perfect for people with small hands
- It has a single coil plus Humbucker combination
- Comes with both amazing clean and distortion tones for punk rock
- Great value for money
Cons
- You might encounter some issues with the pickup wiring
Best Punk Rock Guitars Buying Guide
What are Good Pickups for Punk?
Although you can pretty much use any pickup for punk, I would recommend P-90s, Duncan JB Humbuckers, DiMarzio Super Distortion, and the Fender Strat Fat ‘50s.
Generally, in punk, you need a pickup with high output that can cut through the mix and thus project your guitar. Another quality of a good punk pickup is that it needs to have some rough edges [sonically] while maintaining a great degree of it’s natural tonal quality. In summary, a good pickup for punk should be able to cut through the mix, have some dirt, rough edges while still maintaining some natural/raw tonal quality.
Are Single-Coil Pickups Good for Punk?
Single coil pickups give a very nice, warm, and raw bright tone which is considered appropriate for punk. Many regard single-coil pickups as the best for punk. They are perfect for punk rock.
How Do You Get A Perfect Punk Rock Tone?
Punk rock thrives mainly on power chords, you need to train your strumming hands to achieve consistency and energy in rhythm playing. Other factors include having the right guitar, amp, and pickup. Punk is about extreme gain and making it sound dirty and distorted.
What Makes A Perfect Punk Guitar?
Punk is about deviating from the “over-complicated.” Punk thrives on simplicity, realness, and DIY. The perfect punk rock guitar should be a paradigm of the aforementioned – it should be simple in the overall design and build and should definitely not cost the world to get.
Why are Hollow and Semi-Hollow Body Guitars Not Good for Punk?
Hollow and semi-hollow body guitars shine well in situations where a clean and unmodified guitar tone is needed. Genres like Jazz and Blues benefit from hollow and semi-hollow body guitars. Punk thrives on heavily distorted guitars, thus making solid body guitars just the most ideal punk guitars.
Another major issue is that semi-hollow and hollow-body guitars are prone to feedback and thus cannot be played at a very loud volume. This makes it a little less ideal for a genre like a punk rock which thrives on distortions and loud guitar volumes/gain.
How Much Should You Spend on a Punk Rock Guitar?
The simple answer is that I wouldn’t advise anyone to spend anything above $1000 on a punk rock guitar. You can perfectly rock with any guitar between $200 to $1000. But if you can spend some more, then go ahead.
Conclusion and Winner
First of all, I would say that every guitar mentioned here is just amazing for punk. From the cheapest to the costliest on this list, none of these guitars goes against the “punk ideology.” But having talked about all, weighed the pros and cons of each, I have chosen none other but the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute P-90. The Les Paul Special Tribute falls into the category of guitars regarded as the “official punk guitars” for a reason. It is a mix of robust, simple, vintage, and cheap. When giving an example of what a punk guitar should be like, the Gibson Les Paul Special Tribute is always a great example. One amazing thing about the Les Paul Special Tribute is that it comes with the tested, and most cherished tones of the legendary P-90 pick-up. It can sound clean and pristine if you want it to; it can give you all the dirt and grit needed in punk if you also want it to.
Coming second is none other but the “holy grail” of many genres like country and reggae – this is the famous Fender Telecaster. Legendary punk guitar players like Joe Strummer of The Clash and Brian James of The Damned all at one point played the Tele. One notable thing about the Tele is its versatility making it one of the best guitars for punk rock – for those who can afford it.
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
