Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars

7 guitars we'd like to see in Mad Max

News
By Michael Brown ( Total Guitar ) published 3 June 2015

Weaponised axes for Coma the Doof Warrior aka flamethrower guitar guy

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Mad Max: Fury Road - Coma the Doof Warrior

Mad Max: Fury Road - Coma the Doof Warrior

Ignoring the explosive action, jaw-dropping scenery and surprisingly feminist subtext, it's the high-octane, flame-throwing guitar work of Coma the Doof Warrior that's set Mad Max: Fury Road audiences' imaginations alight.

It got our minds ticking over as to what other instruments could have worked in the franchise, especially considering the actual double-necked guitar had to be supported by bungees because it was too heavy (60kg!) to hold.

So, with more Mad Max sequels on the way, join us as we explore what we reckon would make the Doof Warrior's shopping list…

Page 1 of 8
Page 1 of 8
ESP Ghost Soldier

ESP Ghost Soldier

Skull? Check. Bullets? Check. Rifles? Check. Now imagine if those rifles were rigged up to actually fire. We'd like to see ol' Rockatansky dodge that.

Page 2 of 8
Page 2 of 8
Gene Simmons axe bass

Gene Simmons axe bass

It's not kitted out with flamethrowers, but Gene Simmons' signature basses double up as serious weapons – the colour scheme is a perfect fit, too.

Page 3 of 8
Page 3 of 8
FireHero 3

FireHero 3

Now, this is cool. After experiments with Guitar Hero controllers, tech whiz Chris Marion utilised a Roland GK-3 pickup and GI-20 processor to send MIDI signals to custom software and computers, which trigger six separate flame cannons.

Admittedly, it could be a little technically advanced for Immortan Joe and co, but just imagine if the flames were triggered in time with the war drums…

Page 4 of 8
Page 4 of 8
Avril Lavigne's circular saw guitar

Avril Lavigne's circular saw guitar

Now, pop-punk starlet Avril Lavigne is no weapons expert, but in the video for Rock And Roll, she wields a Flying V that's had its bottom half replaced with a freakin' saw, which she then uses to kill some kind of bear-shark hybrid. Lethal enough to make the Doof's hitlist, easily.

Page 5 of 8
Page 5 of 8
Rammstein's ESP and Gibson flamethrowers

Rammstein's ESP and Gibson flamethrowers

The world's most outrageous purveyors of onstage pyrotechnics, Richard Z. Kruspe and Paul H. Landers have had flamethrowers strapped to custom ESP and Gibson guitars for years. We'd wager the Mad Max team took a cue or two from these guys when designing the Doof's guitar.

Page 6 of 8
Page 6 of 8
Johnson AK47

Johnson AK47

Most famously wielded by Alice Cooper guitarist Kane Roberts and, oddly enough, Ke$ha, Johnson Guitars' Machine Guns not only look like weapons, but they can be equipped with rocket launchers and flamethrowers. A natural fit for the Mad Max universe, we reckon.

Page 7 of 8
Page 7 of 8
Nikki Sixx's Gibson flamethrower

Nikki Sixx's Gibson flamethrower

Trust Mötley Crüe to take things one stage further: in recent years, Nikki Sixx has equipped his signature Gibson bass with a long-range flamethrower. His back story's probably just as twisted - in an LA sort of way - as Coma the Doof Warrior's, too…

Page 8 of 8
Page 8 of 8
Michael Brown
Michael Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition. image
Stay up to date with the latest gear and tuition.
Subscribe and save today!
More Info
Latest in Guitars
EarthQuaker Devices ZEQD-Pre Tube Pre Amp
"The EF86 tube is often described as hi-fi, and honestly, that's the perfect way to describe what's coming out of this thing": EarthQuaker Devices EQD ZEQD-Pre review
 
 
Deals of the week
MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
 
 
Dave Mustaine and Marty Friedman trade solos as Megadeth play live in 1990
Dave Mustaine admits he nearly passed on Marty Friedman for Megadeth because he didn’t like his hair
 
 
A glam shot of a cherry red Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Firebird Les Paul Special in action
Epiphone revamps core lineup with the Inspired By Gibson series
 
 
Harley Benton ST-80 FR MN
“This has been a difficult decision for us”: Harley Benton is closing its US store on Reverb
 
 
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
Latest in News
South Korean-New Zealand singer Rose (L) and US singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars perform on stage during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
Bruno Mars and Rosé deliver a hard rock version of APT at the Grammy Awards
 
 
A pixellated 8-but style picture of an orchestra
“Another huge win for video game music”: 8-Bit Big Band pick up Grammy for their Super Mario medley
 
 
 Dave Mustaine of Megadeth visits SiriusXM Studios on January 16, 2026
“I wanted to be heavier and faster than they were”: Dave Mustaine on – guess what? – his split from Metallica
 
 
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 1: Justin Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)
Justin Bieber played an ‘80s Yamaha electric guitar and an Akai MPC Live III in his underwear at the Grammys
 
 
cirkut
"Once upon a time I was a kid making beats in his bedroom in Canada and now I'm here": Cirkut takes home Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 2026 Grammy Awards
 
 
Bad Bunny receives the award for Album of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026
"If we fight, we have to do it with love”: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish all win big at 2026 Grammys
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...