Sonic City

Gear Category

Guitars for Shoegaze & Alternative

The right guitar responds to heavy effects processing with clarity and character. Offset Fenders, resonant semi-hollows, and sustain-rich solidbodies all bring different qualities to effects-heavy rigs. These are the guitars that shaped shoegaze, post-punk, and alternative rock.

Fender Jaguar
guitar·Fender·$1,100-$2,100

Fender Jaguar review — short-scale offset guitar with bright, jangly pickups. A dream pop and shoegaze staple.

Fender Jazzmaster
guitar·Fender·$1,200-$2,200

Fender Jazzmaster review and guide — the go-to guitar for shoegaze, noise rock, and indie. Warm pickups, floating tremolo, offset body.

Gibson SG
guitar·Gibson·$1,400-$2,500

Gibson SG review — lightweight double-cutaway with dual humbuckers. Aggressive midrange tone favored in post-punk and gothic rock.

Rickenbacker 330
guitar·Rickenbacker·$2,000-$2,800

Rickenbacker 330 review — semi-hollow jangle with bright, chimey tone. A psychedelic and art rock staple from the 1960s to today.

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