All First-Party Guitars
First-party guitars are produced either directly by Harmonix/Neversoft or licensed to another company (Mayflash, Red Octane, PDP, etc.) to make guitars in collaboration with Harmonix/Neversoft. They are typically of higher quality than third party guitars and have more direct support from the CH community.
The following page lists all known first-party guitars, their pros and cons, as well as any compatibility information. This list focuses primarily on their compatibility with Windows. For information about compatibility with Android, Linux, and Mac, please visit this spreadsheet.
Guitar Hero Guitars
Guitar Hero 5
Game: Guitar Hero 5
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description:: One of the most reliable guitars. The WT and GH5 Guitars feature compatible swappable faceplates.
Windows
athe uniquePS2/PS3 wirelessGuitar Hero 5 guitar receiver, thatwhich looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one,one. butThe theytwo are NOTnot interchangeable. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.interchangeable!receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Donglesreceiver. for more information.WiimoteWii remote or a wired adapter,adapter.pleaseseeMac
ReceiversPS2/PS3 andGuitar DonglesHero 5 guitar receiver, which looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one. The two are not interchangeable!andalong with an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the WiredMayflash AdaptersMagic NS2.Linux
pagesor fora morewired information.adapter.
Guitar Hero Kramer Striker
Game: Guitar Hero 3
Platform(s): Playstation 2Note(s):Description: Has Hassevere input delay in its original form, but is a uniquepopular wirelessguitar receiverfor thatmodding.
Windows
- PS2:
need that along with a PS2 to USB adapter to connect it to your computer. The Kramer and PS2 World Tour receivers look identical but areNOTinterchangeable. Please see the guitar'sReceivers and Donglesentry andRequires theWiredGuitarAdaptersHero Kramer Striker receiverpageandforamorewiredinformation.adapter.
Mac
- PS2: Requires the Guitar Hero Kramer Striker receiver and a Mac-compatible wired adapter.
Linux
- PS2: Requires the Guitar Hero Kramer Striker receiver and a wired adapter.
Guitar Hero Les Paul
Game: Guitar Hero 3, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Note(s)Description: : Three official variants, with the white one being Wii-exclusive. The neck is detachable from the body and is known for having a weakpoint at that contact area. A common modificationsolution for the issue is to hardwirehardwiring the neck to the bodybody.
Windows
- PS3:
Not Recommended!Known for having considerable latency issues making it highly undesirable.Requiresspecific triangular dongle to connect. Please seetheguitar'sGuitarReceiversHeroandLesDonglesPaul receiver.entryTheforPS3morevariantinformation.hasnoticeable input delay when used on PC.
- Xbox 360:
Does not suffer from latency issue seen in PS3 version.Requires a generic Xbox 360 controllerreceiver, please see theXbox 360 entry in Receivers and Donglesreceiver.for more information. - Wii: Requires a
WiimoteWii remote or a wiredadapter,adapter.
Mac
- PS3: Requires the
ReceiversGuitarandHeroDonglesLes Paul receiver. The PS3 variant has noticeable input delay when used on PC. - Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver
andalong with an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as theWiredMayflashAdaptersMagic NS2. - Wii: Requires a Mac-compatible wired adapter.
Linux
- PS3: Requires the Guitar Hero Les Paul receiver. The PS3 variant has noticeable input delay when used on PC.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires a Wii remote
pagesorforamorewiredinformation.adapter.
Guitar Hero Live
Game: Guitar Hero Live
Platform(s): PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, iOSNote(s)Description:: The only 6-fret guitar. All variants except iOS are identical, and what you need to connect one will depend on the receiver rather than the guitar itself. See the guitar's Receivers & Dongles entry for an overview of available receivers.
Windows
ConsoleXbox variants:360 Receiver: Natively supported, but may require a driver update.unique Guitar Hero Live receiver from any console.
On Windows, the Xbox 360 receiver is the only one that will work out of the box, while the rest need custom drivers and/or software.program. See this spreadsheet formoreainformation.guide.
Mac
Mac support is currently unknown. It's likely that most (if not all) variants are incompatible. Consult Google for people's accounts.
Linux
- Xbox 360 Receiver: Natively supported.
Linux natively supports the 360,PS3/Wii UandReceivers:PS4Nativelydonglessupported(supportasforof thePS3/WiiU5.11waskernel.addedForinolder kernels, set up the hid-ghlive-dkms kernel5.11,module.- PS4
inReceiver: Natively supported as of the 5.15 kernel. For older kernels, set up the hid-ghlive-dkms kernel5.15).module. - Xbox One
dongleReceiver:canRequiresbethemadexpadto work using a customDKMS kerneldriver,module. - iOS
thisGuitar:spreadsheetfor more info.Unknown.
Thesee
iOS: Requires Bluetooth to connect and a program to fully utilize the guitar. Please see this spreadsheet for more information.
Guitar Hero SG
Game: Guitar Hero 1 and 2
Platform(s): Playstation 2Note(s):Description Comes in threeThree color variants.variants available.
Linux
- PS2:
cheapRequiresones. Please see theaWiredwiredAdaptersadapter.
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock
Game: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description:: The Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 variants can have issues syncing to their receivers. The guitar features detachable wings and has a rare "Battle Axe" variant.
Windows
Requires a unique wireless receiver. Please see the guitar'sGuitar ReceiversHero andWarriors Donglesof Rock guitar receiver.entry for more information.receiver,receiver.pleaseseeRequires a Wii remote or a wired adapter.Mac
entrycontroller in Receivers and Donglesreceiver foralong morewith information.an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2. Requires a WiimoteMac-compatible or wired adapter,adapter.pleaseseeLinux
ReceiversGuitar andHero DonglesWarriors of Rock guitar receiver.andor a Wiredwired Adaptersadapter.pagesfor more information.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Game: Guitar Hero World Tour & Guitar Hero: Metallica
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Note(s)Description: : World Tour guitars are known for having weak strum switches that must eventually be replaced. This modification requires soldering to complete. The guitarGuitar alsoHero featuresMetallica variant is identical aside from a swappabledifferent faceplate.
Windows
Requires athe unique wireless receiver that is PS2 specific.Guitar You will need that along with a PS2 to USB adapter to connect it to your computer. The Kramer and PS2Hero World Tour receiversguitar lookreceiver and a wired adapter. The receiver looks identical but are NOT interchangeable. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry andto the WiredKramer AdaptersStriker receiver, pagebut forthe moretwo information.are not interchangeable.
Mac
- PS2: Requires the
ReceiversPS2andGuitarDonglesHero World Tour guitar receiver and aWiredwiredAdaptersadapter. The receiver looks identical to the Kramer Striker receiver, but the two are not interchangeable. - PS3/PC: Requires either a PS3/PC Guitar Hero World Tour
pagesorforamoreGuitarinformation.Hero Les Paul guitar receiver. The receiver looks identical to the Guitar Hero 5 receiver, but the two are not interchangeable. - Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver along with an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
- Wii: Requires a Mac-compatible wired adapter.
Linux
- PS2: Requires the PS2 Guitar Hero World Tour guitar receiver and a wired adapter. The receiver looks identical to the Kramer Striker receiver, but the two are not interchangeable.
- PS3/PC: Requires either a PS3/PC Guitar Hero World Tour or a Guitar Hero Les Paul guitar receiver. The receiver looks identical to the Guitar Hero 5 receiver, but the two are not interchangeable.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires a Wii remote or a wired adapter.
Guitar Hero Xplorer
Game: Guitar Hero 2 and 3
Platform(s): Xbox 360Note(s):Description: PlugPlug-and-play andeverywhere play,except it just works.Mac. Requires aany Xbox 360 breakaway cable to connect tovia yourUSB, PCand butusually typically comes with one.
Windows
- Xbox
it360:mayRequiresbeconnecting via USB.
Mac
- Xbox 360: Requires an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the
breakawayMayflashcable.MagicBreakawayNS2.
Linux
- Xbox
ebay360:andRequiresaliexpressconnectingandviaareUSB.
Red Octane Mayflash Wireless Guitar
Game: Guitar Hero 1-3
Platform(s): Playstation 2Note(s):Description: Known to have bad latency and general reliability issues!
Windows
- PS2:
Has a unique wireless receiver that is PS2-specific. You will need that along with a PS2 to USB adapter to connect it to your computer. Please see the guitar'sReceivers and Donglesentry andRequires theWiredRedOctaneAdaptersMayflash receiverpageandforamorewiredinformation.adapter.
Mac
- PS2: Requires the RedOctane Mayflash receiver and a Mac-compatible wired adapter.
Linux
- PS2: Requires the RedOctane Mayflash receiver and a wired adapter.
Rock Band Guitars
PDP Riffmaster
Game: Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4
Platform(s): Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesNote(s):Description: Originally released for Fortnite Festival and Rock Band 4 in 2024. Available at various retailers and PDP's own website.
Not supported.Windows
Mac
Linux
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB1)
Game: Rock Band
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description:: MapleThe Rock Band and Rock Band 2 guitars are visually identical outside of their neck colors. The Rock Band guitar features a maple neck.
Windows
PS2/PS3: Requires athe black PS2/PS3 Rock Band guitar receiver (black). Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.WiredWireless requires a generic Xbox 360 breakaway cable, wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.receiver, Pleasewired seerequires thea Xboxbreakaway 360 entry in Receiverscable and Donglesa forUSB more information.connection.athe white Wii Rock Band guitar receiver.(white).PleaseseeMac
guitar'sblack ReceiversPS2/PS3 Rock Band guitar receiver.Dongleswireless variants. The wireless variant requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, entrywhile forthe morewired information.
Linux
- PS3: Requires the black PS2/PS3 Rock Band guitar receiver.
- Xbox 360: Comes in wired and wireless variants. Wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, wired requires a breakaway cable and a USB connection.
- Wii: Requires the white Wii Rock Band guitar receiver.
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB2 & RB3)
Game: Rock Band 2 & Rock Band 3
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description:: Rosewood neck, comes in two color variants.
Windows
athe PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Donglesreceiver entry for more information..receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Donglesreceiver. for more information.athe Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.receiver.PleaseseeMac
guitar'sPS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.Receiversgeneric andXbox Dongles360 controller receiver entryalong forwith morean information.
Linux
- PS3: Requires the PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB4)
Game: Rock Band 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox OneNote(s)Description:: Base Rock Band 4 guitar.
Windows
Requires a generic Xbox One controller receiver and additionalRB4InstrumentMapper.software.PleaseseeMac
the
XboxOneRequires Wirelesspairing Receivervia entry in ReceiversBluetooth and Donglesforbuttons morein-game. information.
Linux
- PS4: Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC!
- Xbox One: Unknown.
Rock Band Jaguar
Game: Rock Band 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox OneNote(s)Description:: Included in the Rock Band 4 Rivals bundle.
Windows
Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC! Requires a generic Xbox One controller receiver, additional software, and a firmware update. Please see the Xbox One Wireless Receiver entry in Receiversreceiver and DonglesRB4InstrumentMapper.formoreinformation.
- PS4: Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC!
- Xbox One: Unknown.
Linux
- PS4: Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC!
- Xbox One: Unknown.
The Beatles Rock Band: Hofner, Gretsch, Rickenbacker
Game: The Beatles Rock Band
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description: :Released with The Beatles Rock Band.
Windows
eitherthe a PS3 The Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or athe PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Donglesreceiver entry for more information..PleaseseeRequires the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.Wii: Requires either a Wii The Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or athe Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.receiver.PleaseseeMac
guitar'sPS3 Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or the ReceiversPS3 andRock DonglesBand 2 guitar receiver.entryalong forwith morean information.
Windows
- PS3: Requires the PS3 Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or the PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires the Wii Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
Rock Band Precision Bass
Game: Rock Band 2 & Rock Band 3
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, WiiNote(s)Description:: Features a unique split strum bar. Different variants were released for Rock Band 2 and 3,3.
Windows
- PS3 (RB2): Requires the
Rock Band 3 requires a unique receiver.PS3:The Rock Band 2 variant requires aPS3 Rock Band 2 guitarreceiver,receiver. - PS3
the(RB3):Rock Band 3 variant hasRequires a rare uniqueone.receiver. - Xbox 360: Comes in wired and wireless variants.
WiredWireless requires ageneric Xbox 360 breakaway cable, wireless requires ageneric Xbox 360 controllerreceiver.receiver,Please see theReceivers and Donglespage for more information.Wii:The Rock Band 2 variantwired requires a breakaway cable and a USB connection. - Wii (RB2): Requires the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar
receiver,receiver. - Wii (RB3): Requires a rare unique receiver.
Mac
- PS3 (RB2): Requires the PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
- PS3 (RB3): Requires a rare unique receiver.
- Xbox 360: Comes in wired and wireless variants. The wireless variant requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, while the wired requires a breakaway cable and a USB connection. Both variants also require an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
- Wii (RB2): Requires the Wii Rock Band
32variantguitarhasreceiver. - Wii (RB3): Requires a rare unique
one.receiver.
Linux
- PS3 (RB2): Requires the
ReceiversPS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver. - PS3 (RB3): Requires a rare unique receiver.
- Xbox 360: Comes in wired and
Dongleswireless variants. Wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver,pagewiredforrequiresmoreainformation.breakaway cable and a USB connection. - Wii (RB2): Requires the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
- Wii (RB3): Requires a rare unique receiver.
Rock Band 3 Pro Guitars
Game: Rock Band 3Note(s)Description:: MIDI guitars released for the Pro Guitar mode in Rock Band 3. Not natively compatible with Clone Hero.