Which guitar model did the Guitar Hero III controller replicate?

The Guitar Hero III controller replicated the Gibson Les Paul. The Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions all used a newly designed wireless controller shaped to resemble Gibson's famous single-cutaway electric guitar.

The Les Paul design was a major change from earlier Guitar Hero hardware. Guitar Hero II's Xbox 360 bundle used a controller modeled after the Gibson Explorer, while Guitar Hero III's new controller emphasized a more traditional rock-guitar silhouette. The controller also introduced interchangeable faceplates, allowing players to customize its appearance.

The console versions were wireless, although the PlayStation 3 model required a USB dongle and the Wii version incorporated a slot for the Wii Remote. That Wii integration allowed the remote's speaker and rumble functions to provide game feedback. The controller neck was detachable as well, making the oversized peripheral easier to transport.

One important qualification is that the PlayStation 2 version did not use the Les Paul design: its controller was based on the Kramer Striker. The PC and Mac editions also shipped with a Gibson X-Plorer-style controller. Therefore, Gibson Les Paul is the canonical answer for the main wireless Guitar Hero III console controller, not every platform-specific version.