Recommended Guitars
While many guitars will work with Clone Hero, there are a select few that we recommend for users. These guitars are either of high quality, known to work, or are otherwise preferable to the alternatives that may be available.
Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero Xplorer
Game: Guitar Hero 2 and 3
Platform(s): Xbox 360
Note(s): Plug and play, it just works. Requires a breakaway cable to connect to your PC but typically comes with one. If you're having issues it may be the breakaway cable. Breakaway cables are easily purchased through ebay and aliexpress and are typically less than $10 USD.
Guitar Hero Les Paul
Game: Guitar Hero 3, Guitar Hero: Aerosmith
Platform(s): Xbox 360 & Wii only!
Note(s): 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 modification is to hardwire the neck to the body to eliminate that failure point.
Xbox 360: Does not suffer from latency issue seen in PS3 version. Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wiimote or wired adapter, please see the Receivers and Dongles and Wired Adapters pages for more information.
Guitar Hero 5
Game: Guitar Hero 5
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Note(s): One of the most reliable guitars. The WT and GH5 Guitars feature compatible swappable faceplates.
PS2/PS3: Requires a unique wireless receiver that looks similar to the PS3/PC World Tour one, but they are NOT interchangeable. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wiimote or wired adapter, please see the Receivers and Dongles and Wired Adapters pages for more information.
Guitar Hero SG
Game: Guitar Hero 1 and 2
Platform(s): Playstation 2
Note(s): Comes in three color variants. Requires a PS2 to USB adapter. Not all adapters are compatible and your mileage may vary with random cheap ones. Please see the Wired Adapters page for more information.
Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock
Game: Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Note(s): 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.
PS3: Requires a unique wireless receiver. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wiimote or wired adapter, please see the Receivers and Dongles and Wired Adapters pages for more information.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Game: Guitar Hero World Tour & Guitar Hero: Metallica
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PC
Note(s): World Tour guitars are known for having weak strum switches that must eventually be replaced. This modification requires soldering to complete. The WT and GH5 Guitars feature compatible swappable faceplates.
PS3/PC: Requires a unique wireless receiver. The PS3/PC World Tour and Guitar Hero 5 receivers look identical but are NOT interchangeable. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wiimote or wired adapter, please see the Receivers and Dongles and Wired Adapters pages for more information.
Rock Band
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB2 & RB3)
Game: Rock Band 2 & Rock Band 3
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
Note(s): Rosewood neck, comes in two color variants.
PS3: Requires a PS3 Rock Band 2 guitar receiver. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Xbox 360: Requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver, please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wii Rock Band 2 guitar receiver. Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB1)
Game: Rock Band
Platform(s): Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii
Note(s): Maple neck.
PS2/PS3: Requires a PS2/PS3 Rock Band guitar receiver (black). Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Xbox360: Comes in wired and wireless variants. Wired requires a generic Xbox 360 breakaway cable, wireless requires a generic Xbox 360 controller receiver. Please see the Xbox 360 entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Wii: Requires a Wii Rock Band guitar receiver (white). Please see the guitar's Receivers and Dongles entry for more information.
Rock Band Stratocaster (RB4)
Game: Rock Band 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Note(s): Base Rock Band 4 guitar.
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 additional software. Please see the Xbox One Wireless Receiver entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.
Rock Band Jaguar
Game: Rock Band 4
Platform(s): PS4, Xbox One
Note(s): Included in the Rock Band 4 Rivals bundle.
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, additional software, and a firmware update. Please see the Xbox One Wireless Receiver entry in Receivers and Dongles for more information.