The Story Behind Australia's Most Iconic Rock Guitars

Guitars
January 27, 2026

The Story Behind Australia’s Most Iconic Rock Guitars

By Frank O'Day

The Story Behind Australia’s Most Iconic Rock Guitars

Australia’s rock music scene has produced some of the world’s most legendary bands, from AC/DC’s thunderous riffs to INXS’s sophisticated rock grooves. But behind every great Australian rock song lies an equally iconic guitar, each with its own story of creation, modification, and the countless stages it’s graced. These instruments aren’t just tools of the trade; they’re cultural artefacts that helped define the sound of Australian rock and roll.

Angus Young’s Gibson SG: The Lightning Bolt That Never Stops

When you think of Australian rock guitar, one image immediately comes to mind: Angus Young windmilling across the stage in his schoolboy uniform, a Gibson SG strapped to his small frame. The Gibson SG became synonymous with AC/DC’s sound from the early 1970s, when Young first picked up the model that would become his signature weapon.

Young’s relationship with the SG began out of necessity. The lightweight body was perfect for his energetic stage antics, and the double-cutaway design gave him easy access to the upper frets where so many of his iconic solos live. Over the decades, Young has played numerous SGs, but his main guitars have been modified Gibsons fitted with humbucker pickups that deliver that characteristic bite and sustain.

What makes Young’s SG truly iconic isn’t just the model itself but how he’s used it. The guitar’s natural midrange growl, combined with Marshall amplification, created the blueprint for hard rock guitar tone. From “Highway to Hell” to “Back in Black”, that SG sound became Australia’s gift to rock music worldwide.

Diesel’s Fender Stratocaster: Blues Meets Rock Down Under

Mark Lizotte, better known as Diesel, brought a different flavour to Australian rock with his Fender Stratocaster. Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Diesel’s bluesy rock sound dominated Australian radio, and his Strat was central to that signature tone.

The Stratocaster’s three single-coil pickups gave Diesel the versatility he needed, from clean blues passages to overdriven rock leads. His 1959 “Soul Revival” album showcased the Strat’s range perfectly, with crisp rhythm work and soaring solos that drew from both American blues traditions and Australian pub rock energy.

Diesel’s approach to the Stratocaster demonstrated how Australian musicians could take classic American instruments and create something distinctly local. His guitar work influenced a generation of Australian players who saw that you didn’t need to abandon the blues to create authentic Australian rock.

The Easybeats and The Vanda & Young Legacy

Before Angus Young was tearing up stages with AC/DC, his older brothers George Young and Harry Vanda were revolutionising Australian rock with The Easybeats. Their guitar work on “Friday on My Mind” introduced a new level of sophistication to Australian rock guitar.

Vanda played a Gretsch Tennessean in The Easybeats’ early days, while George Young typically played a Gibson ES-335. These semi-hollow guitars gave The Easybeats a brighter, more jangly sound than would later characterise hard rock, but they established an important precedent: Australian rock guitarists could match anything coming from Britain or America.

The legacy of Vanda and Young extends far beyond their own playing. As producers and songwriters, they shaped the sound of Australian rock for decades, always understanding that the right guitar tone was essential to a hit record.

INXS and Kirk Pengilly’s Saxophone-Guitar Hybrid Approach

While Kirk Pengilly is primarily known as INXS’s saxophonist, his guitar contributions to the band’s sound are often overlooked. Pengilly played various guitars throughout INXS’s career, but his approach was always about serving the song rather than showcasing technical prowess.

INXS’s guitar sound, handled primarily by Andrew Farriss and Tim Farriss, drew from new wave, funk, and rock traditions. They used a variety of instruments, including Fender Telecasters and Stratocasters, always seeking tones that would complement Michael Hutchence’s vocals and the band’s sophisticated arrangements.

What makes INXS’s guitar legacy important is how it demonstrated that Australian rock didn’t have to be all about heavy riffs and blues-based playing. Their guitars could be funky, atmospheric, or driving, whatever the song required.

The Australian Guitar Modification Culture

One thread running through all these iconic guitars is modification. Australian rock guitarists have never been content to play instruments straight out of the factory. Whether it’s pickup changes, electronics upgrades, or structural modifications, Australian players have always personalised their instruments.

This modification culture reflects broader Australian values: resourcefulness, independence, and a willingness to make do with what’s available while pushing for the best possible results. In the 1970s and 1980s, when getting specific guitar models or parts in Australia could be difficult and expensive, musicians learned to modify and improve what they had.

This DIY approach created a distinctive Australian rock guitar sound that wasn’t quite British or American. It was something uniquely local, forged in pub venues and garage rehearsal spaces across the continent.

The Role of Australian Guitar Builders

While international brands like Gibson and Fender dominate the stories of iconic Australian rock guitars, local luthiers have played a crucial role in shaping Australian rock tone. Builders like Maton, Australia’s oldest guitar manufacturer, have been creating instruments since 1946.

Though Maton is better known for acoustic guitars used by artists like Tommy Emmanuel, the company has also produced solid-body electrics that have found their way into Australian rock. These guitars represent an important alternative to imported instruments and demonstrate Australia’s capacity to create world-class gear.

Custom builders across Australia have also created one-off instruments for local rock musicians, each contributing to the diversity of tones that characterise Australian rock. These builders often work directly with musicians to create instruments suited to specific playing styles and sonic preferences.

The Modern Era: Continuing the Legacy

Today’s Australian rock guitarists continue the traditions established by these iconic instruments while exploring new sonic territories. Bands like Tame Impala, Violent Sodomites, and Courtney Barnett use a mix of vintage and modern guitars, always seeking tones that serve their songs.

The rise of boutique effects pedals and modelling amplifiers has expanded the palette available to Australian guitarists, but the fundamental instruments remain largely the same: Gibson SGs, Les Pauls, Fender Stratocasters and Telecasters, and increasingly, custom Australian-made guitars.

What’s changed is accessibility. Young Australian guitarists today can access information, gear, and markets that were impossible for previous generations. Yet the spirit remains the same: taking whatever guitar you can get your hands on and making it sound distinctly Australian.

Why These Guitars Matter Beyond Music

The iconic guitars of Australian rock represent more than just musical instruments. They’re symbols of creativity, determination, and the Australian ability to take influences from around the world and create something unique. When Angus Young picked up that Gibson SG, he wasn’t just choosing a guitar; he was choosing a tool that would help define Australian identity for generations.

These guitars tell stories of sweaty pub gigs, breakthrough recordings, and international success. They remind us that great art often comes from resourcefulness rather than abundance, from making the most of what you have rather than waiting for perfect conditions.

For collectors, players, and fans, these instruments represent a tangible connection to Australian rock history. Whether it’s a vintage Gibson SG similar to Angus Young’s or a locally made guitar that represents the DIY spirit of Australian rock, these instruments carry forward a legacy that continues to inspire.

Collecting and Preserving Australian Rock Guitar History

The guitars that shaped Australian rock are increasingly recognised as important cultural artefacts worthy of preservation. Museums like the Australian Music Vault in Melbourne and the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney have begun documenting and displaying instruments that played roles in creating Australian rock history.

For collectors, vintage guitars associated with Australian rock represent both investment opportunities and historical preservation. A Gibson SG from the 1970s, even if not played by Angus Young himself, represents the same model and era that defined the AC/DC sound. These instruments appreciate in value while also serving as playable pieces of history.

The challenge for Australia is ensuring that these iconic instruments remain in the country. As international interest in vintage guitars has increased, many important Australian rock guitars have been sold overseas, potentially disconnecting them from the cultural context that made them significant.

The Sound That Defined a Nation

Ultimately, the story of Australia’s most iconic rock guitars is the story of Australian rock itself. These instruments were there for every breakthrough moment, every legendary performance, every recording that defined what Australian rock could be. They’ve travelled from suburban garages to stadium stages, from local pub gigs to international tours.

The Gibson SG that Angus Young wielded became as recognisable as his schoolboy uniform. The Stratocasters and Les Pauls that defined the sounds of Diesel, Cold Chisel, and countless others became extensions of the musicians themselves. These weren’t just guitars; they were voices that spoke in a distinctly Australian accent.

For anyone passionate about rock music, guitars, or Australian culture, understanding these iconic instruments provides insight into how a relatively small population on a distant continent created rock music that resonated worldwide. The guitars may have been made in America, but the sound they created was unmistakably Australian.

Whether you’re a collector seeking a piece of rock history, a player looking to capture that classic Australian tone, or simply someone who appreciates the intersection of craftsmanship and culture, these iconic guitars represent something special. They remind us that great art comes from passion, perseverance, and the courage to create something uniquely your own.

The legacy of these guitars continues every time a young Australian picks up a Stratocaster or an SG and learns the opening riff to “Back in Black” or “Khe Sanh”. It continues in recording studios where modern Australian rock bands seek tones that honour tradition while pushing boundaries. And it continues in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts who understand that these instruments represent more than wood, wire, and pickups—they represent the sound of Australia itself.