Awesome Guitars

Considered the holy grail of guitars (Keith Richard and Eric Clapton have played it) the 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard has a 50th anniversary edition out, limited to 500 pieces.

It might get us impaled playing Rock Band or Guitar Hero, but that won’t stop us from ogling this PS3 Warbeast Guitar; angles aside, it features a glowing strumbar and faceplates.

Its composite back may scare guitar purists, but the Ovation Idea’s tech is super sweet: preamp for live gigs, built-in mp3 recorder with condenser mic, and playback for practicing.

Classical guitarists are finally getting love with Blackbird’s Rider Nylon; the nearly indestructible carbon fiber body stays, but with nylon strings, side-address tuners and wider spacing.

Gene Simmons is our hero–guitar hero, that is. This Axe Guitar (Wii, PS3/PS2) works with both GH and RB and takes badassery to a whole new level; its got both a strum and whammy bar.

We’re man enough to confess our man crushes, but this Guitar Hero: World Tour ad is almost too much; it’s got Tony Hawk, Michael Phelps, A-Rod and Kobe doing Risky Business in their skivvies.

Logitech has finally weighed in with its own wireless Guitar Hero controller, and it’s a looker: materials include a rosewood fingerboard and metal frets. Also: a Neck Slider for World Tour.

Tired of stock Guitar Hero and Rock Band controllers? Peak’s Starpex Guitars mimic the real thing; they’re heavier, feature muted strum buttons and get three awesome color schemes.

If you’re gonna splurge on an axe, we suggest this Harley Davidson Fender Stratocaster Guitar; it and two of its brothers are being auctioned off, with proceeds going to the MDA.