Billie Joe Armstrong Equipment
Guitars, amps, effects, and gear used by Billie Joe Armstrong across Green Day's career.
Last updated July 18, 2026
19 items
Electric Guitars
Fernandes Stratocaster ("Blue") 1982-Present
Blue is the iconic Fernandes RST-80 ’54 electric guitar Billie Joe received as a gift from his mom at age 10. It has been used throughout Green Day’s career, defining the sound of their early career. Some outlets identified 'Blue' as an RST-50, but its pickup-cavity stamp (FSO), V-shaped neck and original round string tree more closely match the higher-spec RST-80 (here's a great breakdown from GDC user TedRogers). Its original Bill Lawrence bridge humbucker was replaced with an angled Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB, while the neck and middle pickups were disconnected. It remains part of Green Day’s live shows for older songs including "Basket Case," "Longview," "Brain Stew" and "Hitchin’ a Ride."
Full page for Fernandes Stratocaster ("Blue")
Gibson Les Paul Junior Sunburst ("Floyd")
"Floyd" is Billie Joe's 1956 sunburst Les Paul Junior, purchased around 2000 before Green Day recorded Warning. Billie has described the single-cut 1950s Junior as the foundation of his guitar tone, and Floyd helped inspire the Gibson signature models he later developed.
Fender Stratocaster ("Blue 2") Retired
One of Billie Joe’s most frequently used Nimrod-era Blue backups survived after the tour. It was assembled from different parts and originally carried a custom birdseye maple neck before receiving a replacement. Bill Schneider confirmed in 2020 that the guitar remained intact. The guitar was later donated to the Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, NV.
Fender Stratocaster Nimrod Blue 1997-1999
This Nimrod-era Blue backup was a later Fernandes Strat-style guitar rather than a Fender. Bill Schneider reshaped the headstock by cutting off its additional Fernandes contour. The guitar "went to guitar heaven" after that tour.
Gibson Les Paul Junior White ("Whitey")
Les Paul Juniors became a major part of Billie Joe’s live setup during the American Idiot era. Their single P-90 pickup and simple controls provided the direct, aggressive sound that defined much of his mid-2000s guitar setup.
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Gibson SG Standard
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Fender Jazz Master
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Fender Telecaster Custom Shop
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Gibson ES 335
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Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop
3 items
Acoustic Guitars
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Guild D-55
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Taylor 514C
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Gibson J-180 Custom
4 items
Amps
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Marshall JCM 800 100W Head + 300W Cabinet
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Marshall Super Lead 100 Watts
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Fender Bassman Cabinet + Head
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Hiwatt Custom 100
4 items
Additional
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Dunlop Tortex .88 Picks
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Ernie Ball Super Slinky Strings 0.10-0.46
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Shure Microphones
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Shure Wireless Cables
