Billie Joe Armstrong is synonymous with punk rock guitar. From smashing instruments on stage to crafting signature models, his guitars are as much a part of his persona as his catchy riffs and rebellious lyrics. When you picture Billie Joe, chances are you picture him with a guitar. But which one? Is it “Blue,” his trusty Fernandes Stratocaster copy since his pre-fame days? Or perhaps the raw power of a Gibson Les Paul Junior comes to mind?
Many would argue that Billie Joe Armstrong revitalized the Les Paul Junior, so much so that Gibson released a signature model in 2018 to celebrate this very fact.
The truth is, Billie Joe’s guitar arsenal tells the story of his incredible career. And at the top of that list, the number one, has to be “Blue.”
1. “Blue”: The Fernandes Stratocaster
Green Day – Basket Case [Official Music Video] (4K Upgrade) – YouTube
Billie Joe Armstrong playing his iconic "Blue" Fernandes Stratocaster guitar in Green Day's "Basket Case" music video.
“Blue” isn’t just a guitar; it’s a punk rock icon. This Fernandes S-style guitar, a Stratocaster replica, was Billie Joe’s tenth birthday gift from his mother, solidifying its sentimental and musical value.
This guitar is a veteran of Green Day’s early music videos, featuring prominently in classics like “Basket Case,” “Longview,” and “Welcome To Paradise.” It has toured the world countless times, becoming instantly recognizable to Green Day fans.
Originally a standard Fernandes Strat copy, “Blue” has undergone significant modifications over the years. The neck and middle pickups are disconnected, and the bridge pickup has been replaced with a powerful Seymour Duncan JB humbucker, giving it that signature Green Day punch. This modded guitar is a testament to Billie Joe’s DIY punk ethos and his quest for the perfect guitar tone.
2. The White Les Paul Junior: American Idiot Era
Billie Joe Armstrong performing live with a white Gibson Les Paul Junior guitar during Green Day's American Idiot era.
(Image credit: Future)
The American Idiot album marked a turning point in Green Day’s sound, and Billie Joe’s guitar choice mirrored this shift. He largely moved away from “Blue” and embraced the raw energy of Les Paul Juniors. The gritty, biting tone of P90 pickups became central to the album’s angsty and politically charged lyrics.
His white Les Paul Junior gained legendary status after being featured in the Bullet In A Bible live DVD, capturing Green Day’s massive performance in front of 130,000 fans. Interestingly, Billie Joe also used vintage 1950s Les Paul Juniors during this period, each worth more than the recording budgets for Green Day’s first two albums combined, highlighting his appreciation for classic guitars.
3. Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior: A Modern Classic
Close-up of Billie Joe Armstrong's signature Gibson Les Paul Junior guitar, showcasing its unique features and finishes.
(Image credit: Gibson)
In 2018, Gibson honored Billie Joe’s influence by releasing the Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior. This model cleverly blends elements of “Blue” with the classic Les Paul Junior design. The single humbucker configuration hints at a return to the heavier Dookie-era tones, while maintaining the look and feel that Billie Joe has preferred since the American Idiot period in 2004.
Billie Joe Armstrong | Les Paul Junior Signature – YouTube
Billie Joe Armstrong showcasing his signature Gibson Les Paul Junior guitar in a promotional video.
The signature model’s finishes, including maraschino cherry, ebony, and sonic blue, are a clear nod to Green Day’s appreciation for 1950s rockabilly aesthetics, adding a vintage vibe to a modern punk rock guitar.
4. Fender Blackout Telecaster Custom: The Stage Giveaway
Billie Joe Armstrong playing a black Fender Blackout Telecaster Custom guitar, known for being given away to fans.
(Image credit: Future)
This guitar itself isn’t inherently unique. Based on a Fender Blackout Telecaster, these guitars are customized with a different pickguard and feature a Seymour Duncan JB pickup, similar to “Blue.” Green Day’s guitar tech has built numerous Blackout Telecasters as reliable backups for “Blue” on tour.
What makes these Telecasters special is Billie Joe’s punk rock generosity. Famously, he often gives these guitars away to fans. A quick search on YouTube reveals countless videos of fans being invited onstage to jam with Green Day and then walk away with one of these Telecasters – a true punk rock souvenir!
5. Gibson “iHeartRadio” Les Paul Junior Doublecut: An Act of Rebellion
The remains of Billie Joe Armstrong's Gibson Les Paul Junior Doublecut guitar after its infamous destruction at the iHeartRadio festival.
The iHeartRadio Junior, previously available at The Official Green Day Reverb Shop, once priced at $15,000. (Image credit: Reverb.com)
This TV yellow Les Paul Junior Doublecut is best known for its dramatic demise at the 2012 iHeartRadio festival.
Upon discovering Green Day’s set was being cut short, a frustrated Billie Joe unleashed an iconic onstage rant before destroying this Gibson guitar in protest.
Videos of this explosive event went viral instantly. The aftermath saw Billie Joe enter rehab, his tech painstakingly rebuild the smashed guitar, and Gibson’s marketing team recognize a unique opportunity for, you guessed it, another signature model, further cementing the legacy of this infamous Green Day Guitar moment.
