What guitars were used in the 80s?

Guitars used in the 80s include Jackson, Charvel, Ibanez, ESP and Kramer ‘Superstrats’. A craze for such instruments began due to the influence of Eddie Van Halen, whose homemade ‘Frankenstein’ guitar hugely influenced both other musicians and guitar brands. Superstrats were the most significant guitars of the 80s, but players such as Slash kept the Gibson Les Paul popular, whilst Yngwie Malmsteen re-popularised the more traditional Fender Stratocaster.

What guitar pedals were used in the 80s?

Guitar pedals used in the 80s include the ProCo Rat distortion, BOSS CE-2 Chorus, the MXR M117 Flanger, BOSS DS-1 Distortion, Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer and the Dunlop Crybaby wah. On top of those, a popular effect - though not strictly a pedal at the time - was the Tom Scholz designed Rockman headphone amp. The sound of this is now available as the MXR Rockman X-100 pedal.

Why are 80s guitars so expensive?

80s guitars are so expensive for two main reasons. One is that they are now considered to be ‘vintage guitars’, as they are above 30 years old. This adds a level of desire on top of the increasing scarcity of any guitar from decades ago. The other reason is artist association. The 1980s was when artist signature model guitars started to become a thing, and so lots of top artists like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen had their own special guitar models available. These were often limited edition instruments, and so their association, mixed with age, scarcity and vintage designation makes certain guitars from the 80s expensive.

How to get an 80s guitar sound?

You can get an 80s guitar sound relatively easily, thanks to the popularity of the guitar music from then. Lots of digital modelers, multi-effect processors and software plugins will have a range of pre-made sounds that directly capture famous guitar sounds of the 80s. You can get an 80s guitar sound by checking out the equipment used by 80s players that you admire, and buying the same gear. Most 80s gear is available today in reissued form, so you’ll be able to get largely like-for-like guitars, amplifiers and pedals as new purchases.

What music genres were popular in the 80s?

Music genres that were popular in the 80s include classic rock, hair metal, soft rock, power ballads, college rock, pop, synth pop, thrash metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

1980s Guitars, Amps & More | guitarguitar

New Arrival

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Olympic White #V2442612

£2,999.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO #V2445562

£2,499.00 £2,849.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO #V2554073

£2,599.00 £2,849.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

Seymour Duncan APH-2N Slash Alnico II Pro Reverse Zebra

£159.00 £179.00

Get it Friday, May 15

In Stock

0% Finance Available

Tyler Dann Huff Black Classic

£5,999.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

0% Finance Available

Tyler USA Dann Huff Black Classic #25505

£5,999.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

Get it Friday, May 15

In Stock

Ex-Demo

£1,399.00 £1,619.00

Get it Friday, May 15

FREE Delivery

In Stock

Seymour Duncan APH-2N Slash Alnico II Pro Neck Humbucker Zebra

£159.00 £179.00

Get it Friday, May 15

In Stock

Marshall DSL20HR 20 Watt Valve Amp Head

(9)

£399.00 £429.00

Out of Stock

£375.00

Out of Stock

Steinberger Spirit XT-25 5-String Standard Bass Black

(2)

£529.00

Out of Stock

Marshall 1987X Plexi Vintage Reissue 50W Valve Amp Head

(2)

£1,699.00

Out of Stock

Synergy Amps Steve Vai Signature 2 Channel Preamp Module

£375.00

Out of Stock

EVH 5150 Iconic 80W Head Black

£749.00 £819.00

Out of Stock

£1,599.00

Out of Stock

ESP LTD Vulture James Hetfield Signature Olympic White

£1,699.00 £1,799.00

Out of Stock

ESP Japan James Hetfield Snakebyte Camo

£7,499.00 £7,749.00

Out of Stock

£699.00 £769.00

Out of Stock

Ibanez Signature LGB300-VYS Prestige George Benson Vintage Yellow Sunburst

£3,599.00

Out of Stock

Epiphone Dave Mustaine Flying V Custom Black Metallic

£1,399.00

Out of Stock

Soldano 212 Vertical Guitar Cabinet Custom Catalina Blue Tolex Cane Grille

£1,199.00

Out of Stock

Stores Nationwide

Shipping Worldwide

Free Next Day Delivery

Sell your Guitar

Expert Advice

1980s Guitar Gear

Filter

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Olympic White #V2442612

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO #V2445562

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar Rosewood Fingerboard Metallic KO #V2554073

Seymour Duncan APH-2N Slash Alnico II Pro Reverse Zebra

Tyler Dann Huff Black Classic

Tyler USA Dann Huff Black Classic #25505

Seymour Duncan APH-2N Slash Alnico II Pro Humbucker Pickups Black

EVH 5150III 100S Black Valve Amp Head

Ibanez Genesis RG550 Purple Neon (Ex-Demo) #F2425047

Seymour Duncan Mustaine Thrash Factor Set Black

Ibanez Signature PGMM31 Paul Gilbert MiKro White (Ex-Demo) #250500577

Ibanez RG550 Genesis Collection Desert Sun Yellow (Ex-Demo) #F2507233

Dunlop EVHPT02 EVH Frankenstein Pick Tin

Marshall DSL20HR 20 Watt Valve Amp Head (Nearly New) #V011DF8DCH02-23

Marshall DSL40CR 40W 1x12 Combo (Nearly New) #V0127E462H

ESP LTD Snakebyte James Hetfield Black Satin with Case (Ex-Demo) #W25012329

ESP LTD KH-602 Kirk Hammet Black Left Handed (Ex-Demo) #W23103435

Seymour Duncan APH-2N Slash Alnico II Pro Neck Humbucker Zebra

Marshall DSL20HR 20 Watt Valve Amp Head

Soldano SLO Mini Solid State Amp Head

Marshall JCM800 2203 Valve Amp Head

Fender Custom Shop Stevie Ray Vaughan NOS Stratocaster 3 Tone Sunburst

Synergy Amps IICP 2 Channel Preamp Module

Steinberger Spirit XT-25 5-String Standard Bass Black

Marshall 1987X Plexi Vintage Reissue 50W Valve Amp Head

Synergy Amps Steve Vai Signature 2 Channel Preamp Module

EVH 5150 Iconic 80W Head Black

Foxgear Ballade 80s Analog Chorus

Steinberger Spirit XT-2 Standard Bass Black

Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass White Rosewood Fingerboard

Epiphone Dave Mustaine Prophecy Flying V Figured Aged Dark Red Burst

ESP LTD Vulture James Hetfield Signature Olympic White

ESP Japan James Hetfield Snakebyte Camo

Fender Custom Shop Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster Relic Faded 3-Colour Sunburst

Steinberger Spirit GT-PRO Deluxe Outfit (HB-SC-HB) Hot Rod Yellow

Steinberger XT-2DB Standard Bass 4-String

Marshall DSL100HR 100 Watt Valve Amp Head

Ibanez Signature LGB300-VYS Prestige George Benson Vintage Yellow Sunburst

Epiphone Dave Mustaine Flying V Custom Black Metallic

Soldano 212 Vertical Guitar Cabinet Custom Catalina Blue Tolex Cane Grille

Keep up with our latest offers, news & events