Our recent poll on X struck a nerve. When we asked “Everyone’s raving about it. You still think it’s trash. What’s a guitar trend you just can’t vibe with?” the responses came flooding in faster than a vintage Marshall stack cranked to eleven. Over 46k views and tons of passionate replies later, we’ve tallied the votes and crowned the guitar world’s most despised trends of 2025.

Some results surprised us. Others? Well, let’s just say certain trends have been grinding gears for years, and our community wasn’t shy about voicing their frustrations. From artificially aged guitars to instruments with more strings than a harp, here are the five guitar trends that made players reach for their pitchforks.

The Guitar Community Has Spoken: Our Methodology

Before we count down the carnage, here’s how we crunched the numbers. We analyzed all the responses from our X thread, categorizing mentions of specific trends and weighing the passion behind each critique. The results paint a clear picture of what’s driving modern guitarists up the wall.

Here’s the breakdown of the community vote:

Guitar Trends Hate Index – 2025 Community Vote Results

Now let’s break down why each trend earned its spot in guitar purgatory.

#1 – Relic Guitars: The Undisputed Champion of Hate (68.9% of votes)

The crown goes to artificially aged guitars, and honestly, we saw this coming from a mile away. With nearly 70% of all negative mentions, relic guitars dominated our hate index like a Les Paul dominates a power chord progression.

What the Community Said:

@SpiffSpace62 didn’t mince words: “Nothing at all wrong with a true Relic but deliberately abusing the finish of a new guitar to make it appear old and road worn is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen.”

@MCosovich observed the obvious: “90% of the Posts hate Relics. Maybe time for Gibson/Fender have a re-think about falsifying Guitars?”

@PlaylistBucket kept it simple: “Relic guitars, I bloomin’ hate them.”

But the most scathing came from

@caseyst, who called relic guitars “Stolen valor” – a comparison that really captures why this trend rubs so many players the wrong way.

Why This Trend Gets Trashed:

The hatred for relic guitars runs deeper than surface scratches. Players see artificially aged instruments as fundamentally dishonest – a manufactured shortcut to the credibility that comes from years of actual playing. When Fender charges premium prices for guitars that look like they’ve been through a wood chipper, it feels like paying extra for fake battle scars.

The problem isn’t wear itself – vintage guitars earn their dings through decades of music-making. It’s the factory-applied “authenticity” that triggers players’ BS detectors. As one community member pointed out, the aging at Fender’s Custom Shop often goes “so over the top” that it becomes unbelievable.

There’s also a practical element: why pay extra for cosmetic damage? A pristine finish protects the wood, maintains resale value, and lets you create your own story through actual playing. Relic guitars answer a question nobody was asking.

Pro Tip: If you want that worn-in vibe, buy a quality guitar and let time do the work. Your playing style will create unique wear patterns that actually tell your musical story.

#2 – Extended Range Guitars: More Strings, More Problems (15.6% of votes)

Seven, eight, and nine-string guitars claimed second place in our hall of shame. While they’ve found devoted followings in metal and progressive circles, plenty of players remain unconvinced that more strings equal more music.

What the Community Said:

@d4hender captured the common sentiment: “The more string is the better… Just can’t put my head (or hand) around more than six.”

@ugly__truck made a classical comparison: “Fanned frets & 7-8 strings. I’ve never seen an 8 string violin or viola.”

Why Extended Range Gets the Side-Eye:

The criticism of extended range guitars often comes down to necessity versus novelty. Detractors argue that six strings have been sufficient for everyone from Hendrix to Vai, so why complicate things? The learning curve is steep, and for many players, the extra strings feel like a solution searching for a problem.

There’s also the practical consideration of playability. Extended range guitars require different technique, larger necks, and specialized strings. For players already comfortable with standard tuning, the transition can feel like starting over.

Critics point out that many extended range pieces could be accomplished on a standard six-string with creative tunings or capo work. The extra strings sometimes become a crutch rather than an expansion of musical vocabulary.

The Counter-Argument: Extended range advocates argue these instruments unlock new harmonic possibilities and allow for complex arrangements previously impossible on six strings. Progressive metal wouldn’t sound the same without them.

#3 – Active Pickups: Battery Blues Strike Again (6.7% of votes)

Active electronics grabbed third place, with battery anxiety leading the charge against powered pickups. While EMGs and their siblings deliver crushing output and noise-free performance, the community wasn’t feeling the high-maintenance relationship.

What the Community Said:

@nica_miller expressed the universal frustration: “I’m too lazy to check batteries. I want to pick up a guitar and play, not think oh I wonder how much is left in the pickup battery.”

@AdmiralQuality summed up the reliability concern: “They’re just asking for trouble, solve a problem that doesn’t exist and replace it with several that actually do.”

Why Active Pickups Get Unplugged:

The battery issue dominates active pickup criticism, and rightfully so. Nothing kills inspiration faster than discovering your guitar is dead mid-session. While battery life has improved dramatically since the early EMG days, the psychological burden remains.

Players also argue that active pickups create dependency on technology in an inherently analog instrument. The guitar’s beauty lies partly in its simplicity – plug in and play. Adding batteries introduces a failure point that didn’t exist before.

Some players find active pickups too “perfect,” missing the natural character and dynamic response of passive designs. The consistent output can feel sterile compared to the organic interaction between traditional pickups and amplifiers.

The Defense: Active pickup supporters praise their noise rejection, consistent output, and extended frequency response. For high-gain metal applications, actives often outperform passive alternatives in clarity and articulation.

#4 – Signature Models: Hero Worship or Hollow Marketing? (4.4% of votes)

Artist signature guitars earned their spot through a combination of design criticism and market fatigue. While some signature models become instant classics, others feel like cash grabs trading on famous names.

What the Community Said:

@steve_d7 called out the aesthetic issues: “Signature guitars that just look weird. One in particular comes to mind. I think you’ll know which one.”

The market saturation frustration came through in discussions about whether signature models represent genuine innovation or simple marketing exercises.

Why Signature Models Get Signed Out:

The signature guitar backlash stems from several sources. First, there’s the sheer volume – it seems like every guitarist with a record deal gets their own model these days. This dilutes the specialness that made early signature guitars like the Eric Clapton Stratocaster or Les Paul Standard feel significant.

Design choices often prioritize artist preference over practical playability. What works for a touring professional might not translate to bedroom practice or local gigs. Some signature guitars feature quirky aesthetics that appeal to fans but alienate general players.

Price represents another sticking point. Signature models typically carry premium pricing, yet often offer similar specs to standard models with different cosmetics. Players question whether they’re paying for innovation or just a famous name on the headstock.

The Flip Side: Successful signature guitars like the EVH Wolfgang or John Mayer Stratocaster prove that artist input can create genuinely superior instruments. When done right, signatures represent the distillation of professional experience into accessible gear.

#5 – Modeling Amps and Mustache Bridges: Tied for Last (2.2% each)

Our final category features a tie between two very different targets: digital modeling amps and Gibson’s controversial mustache bridge design.

What the Community Said:

@jrhester kept it simple with modeling amps: “Modeling amps” – sometimes brevity speaks volumes.

@MitchFriedfeld was more specific about the bridge issue: “It’s not a new trend but I can’t stand the mustache bridges on some Gibson acoustics. Do I want to post a picture? No, you all know what I’m talking about.”

Why These Trends Earned Dishonorable Mentions:

Modeling Amps: The criticism usually centers on feel and authenticity. While modeling technology has improved dramatically, some players still prefer the organic response and complexity of tube amplification. The endless menu-diving and preset-scrolling can interrupt the creative flow that makes guitar playing addictive.

Mustache Bridges: Gibson’s acoustic bridge design divides players purely on aesthetics. The functional performance may be fine, but the visual breaks with traditional expectations. In an instrument where appearance matters almost as much as sound, polarizing design choices risk alienating traditional players.

The Silver Lining: Why “Trash” Guitar Trends Matter

Before we completely write off these trends, consider this: every innovation faces initial resistance. Electric guitars were once considered inferior to acoustics. Solid-state amps were dismissed by tube purists. Effects pedals were seen as cheating.

Today’s “trash” trend might become tomorrow’s standard. Extended range guitars enable musical expressions impossible on six strings. Active pickups provide consistency that touring professionals depend on. Even relic guitars, despite the criticism, offer players vintage aesthetics without vintage prices and reliability issues.

The key lies in distinguishing between innovation that serves music and marketing that serves shareholders. Trends that solve real problems or expand creative possibilities tend to endure. Those that prioritize appearance over function usually fade away.

Looking Ahead: Guitar Trends to Watch in 2025

While our community was eager to roast current trends, several emerging developments deserve attention:

• Sustainable Materials: Environmental consciousness is pushing manufacturers toward responsibly sourced woods and alternative materials. Companies like Taylor and Martin are leading initiatives that could reshape instrument construction.
• Hybrid Instruments: The line between acoustic and electric continues blurring. Instruments that seamlessly transition between amplified and unplugged playing are gaining traction among versatile performers.
• AI-Assisted Learning: While not exactly a guitar trend, AI-powered practice apps and interactive learning platforms are changing how people approach the instrument. This could influence guitar design as manufacturers optimize for digital integration.
• Ergonomic Innovations: As our understanding of playing-related injuries improves, expect more guitars designed with comfort and health in mind. Neck profiles, body contours, and weight distribution are receiving increased attention.
• Modular Electronics: The ability to swap pickups, preamps, and electronics without permanent modification could democratize guitar customization. Companies are developing systems that make tonal experimentation more accessible.

Trash Guitar Trends 2025 – The Bottom Line

Our community vote reveals an interesting paradox: guitarists simultaneously crave innovation and resist change. The most hated trends often represent attempts to solve real problems or expand creative possibilities, yet they trigger strong negative reactions.

Perhaps the lesson isn’t that these trends are inherently bad, but that guitar culture values authenticity and tradition. Guitarists want innovations that enhance the core guitar experience rather than replace it. When trends feel like marketing exercises or shortcuts to credibility, the community pushes back.

The beauty of guitar culture lies in its diversity. While relic guitars dominated our hate index, they still find devoted customers. Extended range guitars might not appeal to everyone, but they’ve spawned entire musical genres. Even the most criticized trends serve some players’ needs.

What matters most is that guitarists keep pushing boundaries, whether that means embracing new technologies or perfecting traditional approaches. The guitar’s 75-year evolution as an electric instrument proves that the best innovations enhance rather than replace what came before.

Keep those strong opinions coming – they drive the conversations that shape our instrument’s future. Whether you’re team vintage or team innovation, we’re all united by six strings and the endless pursuit of that perfect tone.

What guitar trend are you secretly hoping dies in 2025? Drop us a line on social media or in the comments below and let the debate continue. Just remember – today’s trash might be tomorrow’s treasure, but it’s still fun to complain about it.

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