Discovering new talent as a guitarist doesn’t always mean you need to break the bank on an expensive instrument. Learn about the guitars that these 5 iconic guitarists used, how much they paid for them, and the unique sounds they were able to create with these budget-friendly instruments.
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain, lead singer and guitarist of the iconic grunge band Nirvana, Kurt Cobain famously played a Fender Mustang guitar, which he bought used for just $200. The guitar’s distinctive sound helped to define Nirvana’s sound and has become an iconic instrument in its own right. Cobain also played other cheap guitars, such as a Univox Hi-Flier and a Mosrite Gospel, which he used to achieve different tones. They were relatively inexpensive guitars.
The Univox Hi-Flier was a Japanese-made guitar that was modeled after the more expensive Mosrite Ventures model, and was popular among garage rock and punk musicians due to its affordability and unique sound.
Cobain used the Univox Hi-Flier extensively in Nirvana’s early years, including on their debut album “Bleach.” The guitar can be heard prominently on songs like “About a Girl,” “School,” and “Negative Creep.” Despite being a budget guitar, the Univox Hi-Flier has become highly sought after by collectors and fans of vintage instruments.
The Mosrite Gospel was another relatively inexpensive guitar that Cobain owned and played. It was a hollow-body guitar with a distinctive shape and a unique sound, and was originally designed for use in church music. Cobain used the Mosrite Gospel on a number of Nirvana recordings, including the song “Polly” from their second album “Nevermind.”
Despite being relatively cheap guitars at the time, both the Univox Hi-Flier and the Mosrite Gospel have become highly coveted by collectors and fans of vintage instruments due to their association with Kurt Cobain and their unique sound.
Billy Joe Armstrong (Green Day)
Billy Joe Armstrong has been known to play a variety of cheap guitars over the years, including a Fernandes Stratocaster copy and a Gibson Melody Maker that he purchased for $200. Armstrong’s particular Melody Maker, which he has used on some of Green Day’s most iconic songs, was manufactured in 1963 and features a single-cutaway design and a cherry red finish. The guitar has been modified over the years, with Armstrong adding a humbucker pickup to the bridge position for a more aggressive tone.
The Gibson Melody Maker is known for its simplicity and affordability, with a price tag of under $200 when it was first introduced in the late 1950s. Despite its low cost, the Melody Maker has been used by a number of famous guitarists over the years, including Joan Jett and Keith Richards. Armstrong has been playing his Melody Maker on stage and in the studio for decades, and the guitar has become synonymous with his distinctive sound. With its bright, jangly tone and lightweight body, the Melody Maker is a perfect match for Armstrong’s punk rock aesthetic. While Armstrong has owned and played other guitars throughout his career, the Melody Maker remains a favorite among fans and collectors alike.
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is a rock icon known for her powerful vocals and electrifying guitar playing. She rose to fame in the late 1970s as the lead singer and guitarist of the band The Runaways, and later as a solo artist with hits like “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Bad Reputation.” Jett is often associated with her Gibson Melody Maker, a guitar that has become synonymous with her sound and style.
Jett purchased her Gibson Melody Maker in the early 1980s, at a time when she was transitioning from the punk rock of The Runaways to a more polished, radio-friendly sound as a solo artist. The Gibson Melody Maker was a budget-friendly guitar that was popular with garage rockers and punk rockers in the 1960s and 1970s. Jett was drawn to the Melody Maker for its simplicity and raw sound, which perfectly complemented her fierce stage presence.
At the time Jett purchased her Gibson Melody Maker, it likely cost her around $200, which was a relatively low price for a Gibson guitar. However, Jett’s Melody Maker has since become a priceless piece of rock ‘n’ roll history, as she used it to write and record some of her most iconic songs, including “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Bad Reputation.” The guitar’s distinctive sound, which was achieved through Jett’s use of heavy distortion and overdrive, has become synonymous with her music and has influenced generations of guitarists.
In addition to her prowess on the guitar, Jett is known for her uncompromising attitude and commitment to rock ‘n’ roll. She has been a trailblazer for women in music, breaking down barriers and inspiring generations of female musicians to follow in her footsteps. With her Gibson Melody Maker in hand, Jett has continued to rock stages around the world, proving that sometimes all you need is a cheap guitar and a whole lot of attitude to make music history.
Dan Auerbach
One more example of a guitarist who played hit songs on a guitar that costs less than $200 is Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. Auerbach is known to have played a Harmony H78 guitar on some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Lonely Boy” and “Gold on the Ceiling.” The Harmony H78 is a vintage guitar that can be purchased for under $200.
Dan Auerbach is a member of the rock band The Black Keys, Dan Auerbach is known for playing a variety of guitars. Auerbach has also used other cheap guitars, such as a Silvertone and a Supro, to achieve unique tones.
Jack White (The White Stripes)
Jack White is one half of the rock duo The White Stripes, Jack White is known for his distinctive guitar sound, which he achieves using a variety of vintage and custom-built instruments. However, in the early days of The White Stripes, he often played a cheap and beat-up Airline guitar, which he bought for just $120 at a pawn shop. The guitar’s unique sound helped to define the band’s early sound and has become a sought-after instrument among collectors. Photo of Jack White Photo of Airline guitar
The “JB Hutto” Airline, produced by Valco and sold through Montgomery Ward department stores between 1958 and 1968, is widely recognized as Jack White’s most iconic guitar. Originally priced at just $99, it played a pivotal role in the White Stripes’ rise to fame. The guitar’s distinctive sound and appearance made it a perfect fit for the band’s music, and it quickly became synonymous with White’s unique style.
