All First-Party Guitars
First-party guitars are produced either directly by Harmonix/Neversoft or licensed to another company (Red Octane, Mad Catz, 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 downsides, and compatibility information.
Guitar Hero Guitars
Guitar Hero 5
Game: Guitar Hero 5
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Description: One of the most reliable guitars. The WT and GH5 Guitars feature compatible swappable faceplates.
Windows
- PS2/PS3: Requires the PS2/PS3 Guitar Hero 5 guitar receiver, which looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one. The two are not interchangeable!
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires a Wii remote or a wired adapter.
Mac
- PS2/PS3: Requires the PS2/PS3 Guitar Hero 5 guitar receiver, which looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one. 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/PS3: Requires the PS2/PS3 Guitar Hero 5 guitar receiver, which looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one. 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 Kramer Striker
Game: Guitar Hero 3
Platform(s): Playstation 2
Description: Has severe input delay in its original form, but is a popular guitar for modding.
Windows
- PS2: Requires the Guitar Hero Kramer Striker receiver and a wired 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
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 solution for the issue is hardwiring the neck to the body.
Windows
- 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 or a wired adapter.
Mac
- 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 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
- 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 or a wired adapter.
Guitar Hero Live
Game: Guitar Hero Live
Platform(s): PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii U, iOS
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
- Xbox 360 Receiver: Natively supported, but may require a driver update.
- PS3/Wii U Receivers: Requires GHLPokeMachine or GHLtarUtility. Visit this spreadsheet for setup instructions.
- PS4 Receiver: Requires GHLPokeMachine. Visit this spreadsheet for setup instructions.
- Xbox One Receiver: Requires RB4InstrumentMapper.
- iOS Guitar: Requires Bluetooth and a program. See this spreadsheet for a guide.
Mac
Mac support is currently unknown. It's likely that most (if not all) variants are incompatible.
Linux
- Xbox 360 Receiver: Natively supported.
- PS3/Wii U Receivers: Natively supported as of the 5.11 kernel. For older kernels, set up the hid-ghlive-dkms kernel module.
- PS4 Receiver: Natively supported as of the 5.15 kernel. For older kernels, set up the hid-ghlive-dkms kernel module.
- Xbox One Receiver: Requires the xpad DKMS kernel module.
- iOS Guitar: Unknown.
Guitar Hero SG
Game: Guitar Hero 1 and 2
Platform(s): Playstation 2
Description Three color variants available.
Windows
- PS2: Requires a wired adapter.
Mac
- PS2: Requires a Mac-compatible wired adapter.
Linux
- PS2: Requires a wired adapter.
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock
Game: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
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
- PS3: Requires the Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock guitar receiver.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires a Wii remote or a wired adapter.
Mac
- PS3: Requires the Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock guitar receiver.
- 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
- PS3: Requires the Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock guitar receiver.
- Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver.
- Wii: Requires a Wii remote or a wired adapter.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Game: Guitar Hero World Tour & Guitar Hero: Metallica
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Description: World Tour guitars are known for having weak strum switches that must eventually be replaced. The Guitar Hero Metallica variant is identical aside from a different faceplate.
Windows
- 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.
Mac
- 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 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 360
Description: Plug-and-play everywhere except Mac. Requires any Xbox 360 breakaway cable to connect via USB, and usually comes with one.
Windows
- Xbox 360: Requires connecting via USB.
Mac
- Xbox 360: Requires an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
Linux
- Xbox 360: Requires connecting via USB.
Red Octane Mayflash Wireless Guitar
Game: Guitar Hero 1-3
Platform(s): Playstation 2
Description: Known to have bad latency and general reliability issues!
Windows
- PS2: Requires the RedOctane Mayflash receiver and a wired 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 Series
Description: Originally released for Fortnite Festival and Rock Band 4 in 2024. Available at various retailers and PDP's own website.
Windows
- PS4/PS5: Requires the Playstation variant's unique receiver. Lacks tilt and whammy support on PC.
- Xbox One/Xbox Series: Requires the Xbox variant's unique receiver and a dedicated program to work with Clone Hero.
Mac
Not supported.
Linux
- PS4/PS5: Requires the Playstation variant's unique receiver. Lacks tilt and whammy support on PC.
- Xbox One/Xbox Series: Requires the xone kernel driver for full support, or Steam input for partial support without tilt and whammy.
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB1)
Game: Rock Band
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Description: The base Rock Band 1 and Rock Band 2 guitars are visually identical outside of their neck colors. The Rock Band 1 guitar features a maple neck.
Windows
- PS2/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.
Mac
- PS2/PS3: Requires the black PS2/PS3 Rock Band guitar 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: Requires the white Wii Rock Band guitar receiver.
Linux
- PS2/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, Wii
Description: The base Rock Band 1 and Rock Band 2 guitars are visually identical outside of their neck colors. The Rock Band 2 guitar features a rosewood neck. An alternative color variant is also available.
Windows
- 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.
Mac
- PS3: Requires the PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
- 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 the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
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 One
Description: Base Rock Band 4 guitar.
Windows
- PS4: Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC!
- Xbox One: Requires a generic Xbox One controller receiver and RB4InstrumentMapper.
Mac
- 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: Requires a generic Xbox One controller receiver and the xone kernel driver.
Rock Band Jaguar
Game: Rock Band 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Description: Included in the Rock Band 4 Rivals bundle.
Windows
- PS4: Requires pairing via Bluetooth and mapping buttons in-game. The PS4 variant lacks tilt and whammy support on PC!
- Xbox One: Requires a generic Xbox One controller receiver and RB4InstrumentMapper.
Mac
- 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: Requires the xone kernel driver for full support, or Steam input for partial support without tilt and whammy.
The Beatles Rock Band: Hofner, Gretsch, Rickenbacker
Game: The Beatles Rock Band
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
Description: Released with The Beatles Rock Band.
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.
Mac
- 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 along with an adapter that can convert Xinput into other APIs, such as the Mayflash Magic NS2.
- Wii: Requires the Wii Beatles Rock Band guitar receiver or the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver.
Linux
- 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, Wii
Description: Features a unique split strum bar. Different variants were released for Rock Band 2 and 3.
Windows
- 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. Wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, wired requires a breakaway cable and a USB connection.
- Wii (RB2): Requires the Wii Rock Band 2 guitar 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 2 guitar receiver.
- Wii (RB3): Requires a rare unique receiver.
Linux
- 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. Wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, wired requires a 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 3
Description: MIDI guitars released for the Pro Guitar mode in Rock Band 3. Not natively compatible with Clone Hero.