Whether you play the electric, acoustic or classical guitar, there are a lot of available acoustic
This article is going to cover some accessories that can complement your acoustic guitar well. Some of these are equally useful on other types of guitars, though, so keep that in mind if you have several different guitars.
Some of these will be must-have accessories that would be advisable to get as soon as you can, even if you're a
Use this guide as a means to understand which of these acoustic guitar accessories you should buy first, which should depend on what you already have, your playing style, whether you are gigging or mainly playing at home, among other factors.
Also, guitar accessories always make for great gifts for someone who likes to play; it is guaranteed to put a smile on their face. There might be some great present ideas in this guide for you!
Many guitars come with either a gig bag or a hard case, but you should still invest in a quality one if you move around with your instruments a lot. You need to make the right decision, which will depend on what you're doing when you take your guitar outside.
Are you walking, transporting it in a car with other instruments and amplifiers? For instance, gig bags are great if you need something that is light and can be worn as a backpack.
Hard cases offer a much higher degree of protection, they are sturdier and last longer, but they are also much heavier. If you drive a lot with your guitar in the car, or if you are gigging and all the instruments are loaded in a van, a hard case ensures that nothing will damage it, even if it is hit by something else during the trip.
A soft case is an option that takes a little from each of these examples. It isn't as heavy or resistant as a hard case, but it generally offers more protection than a gig bag.
A key detail about buying a case is that you must make sure it is suitable for your guitar. Most manufacturers will have different models for guitars of different sizes. For example, you wouldn't store a stratocaster in the same case as a hollow body guitar.
With acoustics, you need to consider the body type. Some cases are designed specifically for certain acoustic guitar shapes, like dreadnought and jumbo, or for specific models such as the Baby Taylor from Taylor Guitars.
Here are a few options of each kind that could be worth considering:
It doesn't matter how well you can play - if your guitar isn't in tune, it isn't going to sound very pleasant to anyone's ears. That is why a tuner is an essential accessory for any guitarist, regardless of being an acoustic, electric or classical guitar.
Being able to tune by ear is a skill that you should strive to have, but sometimes it is best to trust a tuner; this could be in a noisy environment when you're unable to hear your guitar to tune it accurately.
There are several types of tuners. They come in the shape of pedals, small rectangular devices that you can plug into a guitar input, and clip-on tuners that you can place on the headstock.
A clip-on tuner is the best option in case your acoustic guitar can't be plugged in. A tuner with a built-in mic will still struggle to recognize pitch properly if other people are playing next to you or if there is a lot of background noise that it can pick up.
A tuner pedal is also nice because it mutes your guitar signal once you switch it on. People aren't generally interested in hearing anyone tune their instruments several times during a gig, so you might as well take advantage of this feature.
The following tuners are some that you might consider getting:
It never hurts to be prepared for an unpredictable situation. You might be practicing, rehearsing with your band, or gigging, and it can be pretty uncomfortable if a string breaks.
Having an extra set of strings is a great idea. It saves you a trip to the shop when you decide you want to change every string, but it ensures that you are never left in an awkward situation in case a string breaks when you need them the most.
There are many kinds of strings. Coated strings last longer before they start to sound dead, and although they are more expensive, the extra string life is worth it.
Also, you need to figure out which string gauge works best for you, so in the beginning, it is great to try out different options and find a perfect fit for your playing style and tuning (some alternative tunings benefit from a heavier string gauge).
Below you can find some examples of different string brands worth checking out if you are looking to restring your acoustic guitar:
A capo is a must-have
By shortening the length of the strings, you can easily transpose songs to other keys. It also allows you to play everything in open chord shapes, which sound very distinct from barre chords.
For example, if you place your capo on the first fret and play the E Major shape, you will be playing an F Major chord in an open shape, which is typically not possible on a guitar without a capo on the fretboard. There are several types of capos; some of them even allow you to capo only a few strings instead of covering an entire fret on the neck.
Next, you will see a few suggestions of capos that work nicely with any acoustic guitar.
A guitar stand is a very practical
Also, there are floor stands and wall stands, which can save you a bit of space if you're already a bit overwhelmed with things lying around! Make sure that you find a stand that does not damage your instrument's finish, in case you have a guitar with a nitro finish, which is known for being more sensitive.
Here are a few guitar stands that can accommodate acoustic guitars you might want to consider:
The string winder is one of the simplest yet most brilliant inventions for any guitarist or luthier. It is small, lightweight, easy to use, and it will save you a lot of time whenever you decide to change the strings on your guitar. Many string winders come with other functions, such as a string cutter and a bridge peg puller, making this the swiss army knife of string changing.
If you want to be even quicker, there are also electric string winders, although they are more expensive. These might be worth it if you're changing strings on multiple guitars very frequently. Also, most string winders can be used on many different instruments - electric guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc.
Check some available string winder models below:
A footrest (or footstool) is an inexpensive accessory that can significantly impact you over time; this is because it promotes a better playing posture. Instead of struggling to get comfortable to play or playing in a position that might cause pain or damage to your muscles after some time, you can use one of these and focus on what's most important - your playing and valuable practice time.
You should look for one that has an adjustable height and rubber feet or any other feature that makes it hard for it to slip away when you rest your foot on it.
While this might not seem like an essential accessory, if you have already invested a substantial amount of your hard-earned money on a quality acoustic guitar, you should also look into a humidifier. These might not be essential
Since wood is a material that is prone to be damaged by changes in temperature and humidity, having a guitar humidifier can help you maintain its condition for years to come without stressing out about it.
This is the reason why some stores that sell high-end guitars have a special acoustic guitar room. Usually, these rooms have their temperature and humidity levels controlled to preserve the instruments as best as possible. The humidifier is a small accessory that fits inside your guitar's case, which means you need to store the guitar to take advantage of it.
Consider getting one of these, especially if you are currently living somewhere where the weather might get very dry.
Next, you will find some of our best picks regarding guitar humidifiers:
There are many cleaning and care products to help you keep your guitar looking amazing and protected from dust and other hazards. Many of these come in the form of polish and cleaners for the body.
There are also products to help you condition your fretboard, such as lemon oil. However, lemon oil should only be used on rosewood fretboards. You should also get a microfiber cloth to help you take full advantage of these products.
Many brands offer kits that come with a full range of cleaning products, but you can also find them separately if you are only interested in a specific one.
Fast fret is a product made by GHS that many guitarists swear by. It acts as a string cleaner, making it much easier to play, as it lubricates the strings. It comes with a cloth that is used to clean any excess product that you might apply accidentally.
Its shape is a small metal can, which can be easily stored in your guitar's gig bag or a backpack. It also lasts for a very long time, which makes it a worthwhile investment.
Although many musicians have a love-hate relationship with the metronome, it is completely undeniable that this is something that you must have and regularly use if you are serious about becoming a competent musician. If you can't keep time while you're playing, it will be impossible to play with other musicians successfully.
Metronomes are available at low prices, and many guitar tuners come with a built-in metronome. There are also many metronome apps available for Android and iOS, and the most advanced ones allow for a high degree of customization, like highlighting specific beats, custom time signatures, automatic bpm increase, and more.
Here are some examples of metronomes for you to consider:
Having a pick holder isn't essential; many players choose not to own one, which is perfectly okay. However, if you change between fingerstyle and picking frequently and you don't like tucking the pick away in your hand, you can get one of these to solve that.
Pick holders come in a variety of designs. Some can be attached to the guitar's body, others to the strings just above the guitar's nut. There are also pick holders that can be attached to a microphone stand for those who are singing while playing.
You will find some suggestions of pick holders below:
If you play sitting down most of the time, maybe you don't feel the need to get a guitar strap, but it is still good to have one in case you need it. There are countless options from many different manufacturers.
Straps are classic
This is because players used to tie one end of the strap to the headstock, and many manufacturers keep making guitars like this. You can get a strap tie to ensure that it stays safely in place, and you can also consider getting a guitar that has two strap buttons, although this should probably not be on your list of most important features on an acoustic guitar.
Related read: How to Find the Best Guitar Strap Locks?
Check out some examples of straps below:
A slide is a hollow cylinder that is usually made out of glass, metal or brass. You can place it on one of your left hand's fingers (usually the 3rd or 4th finger) and use it to play the guitar.
This is a technique that blues players tend to love, and it works amazingly well with open tunings since those allow you to play every note on a given fret, and all of them sound good together.
It works on other guitars rather than acoustics, but the higher string tension of acoustic guitars can help you play slide guitar a bit more comfortably. You should figure out which material sounds and feels best to you, see which finger you'll use for the slide, and get one that fits well so that it does not slip off while you are playing. This one is not quite a
Here are some slides made from different materials that you may want to try out in a guitar store:
Despite its simple design, the music stand is still one of the most essential tools for musicians. It is cheap, light, and it only occupies a small space on the floor. They are often foldable, making it easier to carry them anywhere, such as a rehearsal room or even a gig.
A music stand makes your life easier by holding your sheet music vertically, which prevents you from placing it on top of a desk, a chair, or your bed to read, which is terrible for your posture. It forces you to look down at the paper, which becomes uncomfortable after only a short time playing and can potentially hurt you in the long term.
You can also use it to have a metronome, a tuner, and a pencil handy if you want to write any notes on your sheet music.
Check out some examples of music stands that you can get:
Answer: While every accessory has a time and place where it is useful, there are some that you should always have:
• Guitar Tuner: a tuner is fundamental if your acoustic guitar does not have a built-in tuner. You can get a pedal, a clip-on tuner or a digital one with a mic and/or guitar input. Clip-on tuners tend to be more reliable than a mic-based tuner, and they are generally cheaper than tuner pedals.
• Extra Strings: you should always be prepared in case one of your strings breaks and you need to replace it quickly. Ideally, you should have a complete set of the same strings that your guitar has so that you can replace any of them should you need to.
• Guitar Case: whether it is a hard case, soft case, or gig bag, you should always have somewhere to store your guitar safely, even if you are not taking it out very often. Choose one that suits your lifestyle: if you're taking your guitar out a lot and you're walking, biking, or riding public transports, a nice gig bag is probably your best option. If you're putting it in the car's trunk along with other instruments and amps, a hard case will ensure maximum protection against weight and accidental bumps.
• Metronome: since the ability to keep time is one of the most important aspects of playing music, everyone should have a metronome. There are many options, both physical and in Android/iOS apps.
• Music Stand: if you read music, you should never underestimate the importance of having a music stand in your practice space. It will make your practice sessions more comfortable and successful by holding your sheet music in the correct position. If you are planning to take it out of your usual playing area, look for a foldable one so you can easily transport it.
Answer: Guitar tuners come in several shapes, and each of them has its advantages and disadvantages.
• Clip-on tuner: the best if you don't use pedals and you need to tune in a noisy environment. This tuner recognizes the pitch from the vibrations of the guitar when you play a string, so it doesn't matter if there is a lot of background noise. They are small and usually not expensive.
• Pedal tuner: a great option if you already have a pedalboard and you play live shows, since engaging the tuner pedal mutes your signal. That way, the audience does not hear you tuning and its sound does not disrupt anything.
• Digital tuner: many of these come with a metronome, which is a bonus. It might not be a great choice if you can't plug in your guitar to it because even those that feature a microphone aren't as reliable as a pedal or a clip-on tuner. Some models also come with a clip-on tool that can be plugged in, allowing you to use it as a clip-on tuner.
Answer: There isn't a string gauge that is better than all the others. Depending on your taste and needs, some string sets might be a better option for you.
Typically, .009 string sets aren't used a lot in acoustic guitars because you don't have a lot of string tension, which is nice to have on an acoustic guitar. However, a lighter string gauge might be easier to play as you develop calluses on your fingers if you are starting out.
Generally, acoustic guitars work well with string gauges such as 11-52 or 12-54. If you plan to use alternative tunings in which you significantly drop the pitch of your strings, it is a great idea to get a heavier string gauge to compensate for the loss of tension.
In summary, out of all the acoustic guitar accessories out there, some are a must-have if you are playing regularly. They will make your life easier and ensure you are making the most out of your guitar in every way possible.
In any case, every accessory featured on this list is useful, and you can use it as a point of reference to figure out which ones you believe you should get first.
Continue reading related guitar accessories guides:
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