November 15, 2023

10 Accessories Every Guitar Player Should Have

If you are going to play guitar, you will need quite a few items beyond the instrument itself. In fact, the guitar accessories you choose can go a long way when it comes to defining the sound, action, physical playability, and overall feel of your guitar.

From metronomes to slides, there is virtually no end to the accessories that a guitar player can buy. However, the average player will generally use most, if not all, of the 10 must-have guitar accessories listed below.

1. Guitar Strap

Any guitar player who wants to play standing up will need a sturdy and comfortable strap that keeps the instrument securely in place and distributes its weight evenly. Other factors to consider when choosing a guitar strap include durability, adjustability, and overall design. If you are playing on stage, you might want to use your guitar strap to make an aesthetic statement and leave a positive impression on your audience. Taylor guitar straps, in particular, feature exceptional craftsmanship and high-end raw materials such as premium leather.

2. Guitar Strings

Before you ever strike a note, you should know what strings your guitar requires. And, unless you want to run to the store every time you break one, you will want to have spare strings on hand. Beyond an understanding of basic string types (for example, nylon strings for classical guitars and metal strings for electric guitars), you should know the general advantages and disadvantages of various string gauges. While lighter gauges for all kinds of acoustic and electric guitars are more flexible and easier to bend, they might make it more difficult for players to play sustained notes and get more aggressive tones. Because they are quite thin, these strings are also more prone to breakage. Heavier gauge strings, by contrast, are great for play that is hard and loud. However, they require greater finger strength and may limit the agility of the player’s fingers. No matter what style and gauge of string you prefer, you will want to consider leaders in the guitar string market such as Ernie Ball and D'Addario.

3. Guitar Picks

Unless you’re an experienced classical player with nails groomed for fingerpicking, you will probably want to play with a guitar pick. Both the thickness and the material of your pick can profoundly influence your sound as well as your playing ability and style. While folk and jazz guitarists might use nylon celluloid, or picks in relatively light gauges, rockers will gravitate toward heavier gauge picks made of sturdy polymers like Ultex or perhaps even metal.

4. Guitar Case or Gig Bag

You don’t have to be a touring musician to need a guitar case or a gig bag. Quality travel gear will come in handy if you want to take your guitar to band practice or on vacation. Before choosing a guitar case, it is extremely important to measure your guitar for a perfect fit. Different types of guitar cases and gig bags come with different transport and storage features. These features might include gig bags with padding and various exterior and interior storage pockets. Soft cases might have backpack straps for easy transport, while fully protective hard-shell cases might have various configurations of handles and wheels.

5. Guitar Cables

Beyond their physical length and flexibility, electric guitar cables can vary considerably in terms of sonic quality. For example, cables with the right braided or foil shielding can stop the electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference that is responsible for the humming and other unwanted noises that might be coming from your amplifier. Depending on the design and position of your guitar’s output strap, you might prefer a right-angled “L-shaped” cable plug over one that is straight. Quality guitar cable manufacturers such as Mogami offer reliable, high-end cables with both L-shaped and straight plugs.

6. Guitar Amp & Amp Case

Your electric guitar won’t get you very far without an amplifier. Needed to project the sound of your guitar, an amp can also shape that sound considerably. While tube amps produce warm tones that many guitar players love, solid-state amps are considerably more durable and easier to maintain. Selecting the right amp for you can make a tremendous difference!

7. Tuner

If you care about playing in tune, you’ll want to use an electronic tuner. The right tuner for you will depend on the specific features that you want. Clip-on tuners come with a clamp that attaches them to your guitar’s headstock for hands-free tuning and easy removal when you are done. Pedal tuners, by contrast, sit on the floor and commonly offer signal-cutting features that keep the tuning process silent in studio and performance settings.

8. Capo

A useful device for changing open-string tuning without turning the tuning pegs, a capo can be positioned to press down on all strings at a particular fret. This effectively creates a headstock nut at that fret, shrinking the length of your guitar strings to produce a higher pitch. For players who want to play in different keys more easily, a capo is a valuable accessory indeed. It can also enhance sound quality by allowing open strings to ring against fretted notes. Just keep in mind the fact that different capos are required for classical) guitars with nylon strings.

9. Guitar Stand

Designed to hold and display your guitar when it isn’t in use, there are two types of guitar stands. A floor stand is highly portable and can keep your guitar readily at hand and easy to grab whether you are practicing or performing. A wall stand, by contrast, is permanently mounted in a studio or practice space. Both forms of guitar stand to keep instruments readily accessible while preventing them from falling over and breaking.

10. Cleaning Supplies

From fretboard conditioner to string lubricant, countless cleaning and maintenance supplies can help you keep your guitar in the best possible condition. You will at least want to invest in a quality microfiber cleaning cloth that is both soft and nonabrasive. Depending on the cleaning products that you want to use, you may want a separate cloth for your fretboard. By using the right cleaner and polish for the different parts of your guitar, you can rid all components of dust, sweat, and other impurities.