The 2000s Guitar
2000–2009
The 2000s were a transitional decade for guitar. Indie rock, metalcore, post-grunge and progressive bands kept the instrument alive while pop moved toward electronic production. The guitarists who thrived were the ones who brought something new to the table.
Muse, Green Day, Coldplay, Linkin Park and Iron Maiden (still going strong) define our 2000s collection. From stadium anthems to bedroom recordings, this decade had range.
Essential Songs from The 2000s
Alice in Chains 1
Alter Bridge 1
Andy Timmons 1
Audioslave 4
Avenged Sevenfold 1
Avril Lavigne 1
Beyoncé 1
blink-182 1
Bon Jovi 3
Brad Paisley 1
Bullet For My Valentine 1
Christina Aguilera 2
Coldplay 6
Crazy Frog 1
Dance Of Death 1
David Gilmour 1
Death Cab for Cutie 1
Deftones 4
Dimmu Borgir 1
Dissection 1
Dream Theater 1
Drowning Pool 1
Dueil Angoisseus 1
Eurythmics / Marilyn Manson 1
Foo Fighters 4
Gary Jules 1
Gnarls Barkley 1
Green Day 5
Guns N' Roses 1
Iron Maiden 11
- 1 Brave New World Janick Gers's TAB 2000
- 2 For the Greater Good of God TAB 2006
- 3 For The Greater Good Of God Dave Murray TAB 2006
- 4 For The Greater Good Of God Janick Gers's TAB 2006
- 5 No More Lies _ International _ TAB 2006
- 6 Paschendale Dave Murray's TAB 2003
- 7 The Longest Day Dave Murray TAB 2003
- 8 The Mercenary TAB 2006
- 9 The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg TAB 2006
- 10 The Thin Line Between Love And Hate TAB 2000
- 11 The Wicker Man TAB 2000
IRON MAIDEN 1
James Blunt 1
Jimmy Eat World 1
John Mayer 3
John Petrucci 1
Johnny Cash 1
Lady Gaga 1
Linkin Park 5
Metallica 4
Modest Mouse 1
Muse 10
Ozzy Osbourne 1
Papa Roach 1
Pirates of the Caribbean Theme 2
Plug in Babe 1
Puddle of Mudd 1
Queens of the Stone Age 1
Rammstein 1
Red Hot Chili Peppers 3
Robbie Williams 1
Shaun the Sheep Theme 1
Slipknot 1
System of a Down 2
System Of A Down 1
The Forgotten Pt2 1
The Gummy Bear Song 1
The Killers 1
The Offspring 2
The Smashing Pumpkins 1
The Strokes 1
The White Stripes 1
Thirty Seconds To Mars 1
Velvet Revolver 2
Yiruma 2
Zimmer, Hans 2
Guitar in the 2000s
Muse emerged as the decade's most inventive guitar band, blending classical influences, electronic elements and heavy riffs into something entirely unique. Hysteria's bass line (often played on guitar) became one of the most-requested tabs of the era.
Linkin Park brought guitar into the hip-hop crossover space. Green Day channeled punk into a full-blown rock opera with American Idiot. Coldplay proved that atmospheric, delay-drenched guitar could sell millions. And metal continued evolving through Tool's progressive approach and Iron Maiden's continued dominance.
Gear That Defined the Decade
Modeling amps (Line 6 Pod) made studio tones accessible to bedroom players. Seven-string guitars gained popularity in metal. Effects like the Boss DD-20 delay and Line 6 DL4 became staples. Home recording via DAWs democratized music production, and guitar-driven YouTube channels began to emerge.
Key Genres of the 2000s
Alternative Rock, Pop Punk, Nu Metal, Progressive Metal, Heavy Metal. The 2000s kept guitar relevant by diversifying its role.