Play electric guitar like John Frusciante

Here you will learn everything about the guitars, amplifiers, effects and accessories of John Frusciante, who has filled entire stadiums with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and has also released his own songs in the meantime. We show you equipment from all price ranges with which (and a little practice) you can sound just as good as John. Of course, our selection also includes the right look. Have fun browsing!

About John Frusciante

John Frusciante was born in 1970 as an only child in the New York borough of Queens. His mother was a promising singer, but remained a housewife because her husband ruled out a musical career for herself. John's father played the piano himself, so John was born with a talent for music. When he was six years old, his parents separated and he continued growing up with his mother in Tucson, Arizona. His stepfather, who listened to 50s rhythm and blues as well as classical music, supported John in his artistic development. During his school years, John developed an enormous ambition to play the electric guitar. According to his own statement, he practised up to fifteen hours a day and studied music theory. He recorded his first songs at the age of fourteen.

John was already enthusiastic about the band Red Hot Chili Peppers in his youth. He had rehearsed all the lyrics, guitar and bass riffs of their previously released songs. When he moved to Hollywood in 1988, he met the former Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro at a session there, who put John in touch with the ‘Chilis’. After the death of their guitarist Hillel Slovak, John joined the band.
Their first album together, Mother's Milk, was already successful, and the band made their commercial breakthrough with the album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. During the work on this album, however, there was a crisis in the band. John was already toying with the idea of leaving the band in 1991. He no longer felt up to the increased pressure to perform and the growing popularity of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, so he announced his departure from the band during the Japan tour in May 1992. He was replaced by Dave Navarro.

From 1993 to 1997, John hardly played the guitar in public and shifted his artistic expression to abstract painting, among other things. In 1994, however, he released some of his own songs, which he had written during his time with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, as a double album entitled Niandra Lades and Usually Just a T-Shirt. After that, John also wrote short stories and other songs, which were now clearly more characterised by his drug use.
After several unsuccessful attempts at rehab, John managed to overcome his drug addiction in early 1998. After his recovery, he rejoined the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In 1999, he played a major role in the album Californication, which signalled a comeback for the band. In 2001, he released his solo album To Record Only Water for Ten Days. In addition, he made further material available for free on his website in the same year, which ultimately resulted in a complete album entitled From the Sounds Inside. After numerous further releases, John announced on his website on 16 December 2009 that he had already left the Red Hot Chili Peppers over a year earlier in order to devote himself exclusively to his solo projects. On his recommendation, Josh Klinghoffer became his successor as the band's guitarist.

On 15 December 2019, almost exactly 10 years after his second departure, the Red Hot Chili Peppers announced in a text message on their Instagram account that John Frusciante was back in the band and would replace Josh Klinghoffer, who had stepped in for him.
In 2022, he was honoured as a member of the band with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the same year, he released the albums Unlimited Love and Return of the Dream Canteen with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Low end electric guitars for Frusciante fans

During his career, John Frusciante has played a variety of different guitars that have characterised his sound. However, John's original guitars are very expensive, which is why we have also put together an alternative selection for price-conscious guitarists here:

John Frusciante's high end electric guitars

During his long career, John Frusciante has played many different electric guitars. Most of them were built by the famous manufacturers Gibson and Fender, but John uses his Fender Stratocaster from the 60s in 3-tone sunburst the most. In the video for the song Californication, John can also be seen playing the iconic Gretsch White Falcon. Here you can find a selection of high-end guitars that John plays himself:

Alternative high end electric guitars for the perfect Red Hot Chili Peppers sound

It doesn't always have to be Fender or Gibson, other manufacturers also offer exceptional electric guitars in the high-end price range that are suitable for copying John's sound. Here we have put together a selection that John Frusciante would certainly like:

John Frusciante's amplifiers

For the perfect Red Hot Chili Peppers sound, the right amplifier is of course essential. John mostly uses amps from British manufacturers Vox and Marshall, but he also uses amps from other brands such as Fender, Soldano and Mesa/Boogie.

Die best effects pedals for the Frusciante sound

During his long career, John has used a whole range of different effects pedals to spice up his sound. We have compiled the most important effect pedals from John Frusciante for you here.

Das best accessories to perfect your look and sound

With the following accessories, you can perfect your look and sound and sound even more like John Frusciante. Whether it's sides, picks or other accessories, you'll find everything a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan's heart desires here!