Top Acoustic Beginner Guitar Accessories To Consider

Whether you play the electric, acoustic or classical guitar, there are a lot of available acoustic beginner guitar accessories in the market that allow you to care for your instrument better and make the most out of it in every possible scenario.

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 beginner. However, others are not indispensable, and while you can benefit from them, you can leave them on your wish list for a bit longer if you don’t feel like buying a bunch of stuff all at once.

Our Top Beginner Guitar Accessories:

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!

Gig Bag, Hard Case or Soft Case

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:

• GuitarCenter – Gator GB-4G ACOUSTIC Series Gig Bag for Acoustic Guitar
• GuitarCenter – MONO M80 Vertigo Acoustic Guitar
• GuitarCenter – Silver Creek Vintage Dreadnought Archtop Case
• GuitarCenter – Gator GW-Jumbo Acoustic Guitar Case

Guitar Tuner

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:

• GuitarCenter – D’Addario D’Addario Chromatic Pedal Tuner +
• GuitarCenter – D’Addario Equinox Headstock Tuner
• GuitarCenter – Snark SN-3 Console Guitar Tuner and Metronome

Extra Set of Strings

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:

• GuitarCenter – Ernie Ball 2003 Earthwood 80/20 Bronze Medium Light Acoustic Strings
• GuitarCenter – Elixir Nanoweb Custom Light Acoustic Guitar Strings
• GuitarCenter – Martin MA540T Lifespan 2.0 Phosphor Bronze Light Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings

Capo

A capo is a must-have beginner guitar accessory. It’s also the best friend of the singer-songwriter – It allows you to easily transpose a chord progression to another key while maintaining the same chord shapes. It works by clamping down on any fret, right where you would place your index finger to play a barre chord.

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.

• GuitarCenter – Fender Laurel Acoustic Capo
• GuitarCenter – Kyser Short Cut 3-String Acoustic Guitar Capo
• GuitarCenter – Kyser Meredith Signature Quick-Change Acoustic Capo

Guitar Stand

A guitar stand is a very practical beginner guitar accessory that allows you to keep your guitars handy whenever you want. Having them inside a case protects them more from dust other hazards, but it is nice to have a way to keep them accessible easily. Some stands accommodate several guitars and others that take up less space and fit one instrument only.

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:

• GuitarCenter – Musician’s Gear A-frame Stand for Acoustic, Electric and Bass Guitars
• GuitarCenter – Hercules GSP38WB PLUS Auto Grip System (AGS) Guitar Wall Hanger Short Arm, Wooden Base
• GuitarCenter – Hercules GS412B PLUS Series AutoGrip Guitar Stand

String Winder

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:

• GuitarCenter – D’Addario Planet Waves Ergonomic Peg Winder
• GuitarCenter – D’Addario Planet Waves Pro-Winder String Winder/Cutter
• GuitarCenter – Ernie Ball Power Peg Pro Peg Winder

Foot Rest

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.

• GuitarCenter – On-Stage FS7850B Foot Stool
• GuitarCenter – Proline Deluxe Guitar Footstool
• GuitarCenter – K&M Guitar Footrest

Guitar Humidifier

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 beginner guitar accessories, but they can definitely keep your guitar in great shape if you’re serious about learning or playing.

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:

• GuitarCenter – D’Addario Planet Waves Humidipak Two-Way Humidification System
• GuitarCenter – Music Nomad The Humitar – Acoustic Guitar Humidifier
• GuitarCenter – Oasis HH Combo OH-30 Humidifier-Hygrometer

Cleaning and Care Products

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.

• GuitarCenter – Dunlop Formula 65 Guitar Tech Kit
• GuitarCenter – Fender Factory Cloth
• GuitarCenter – Music Nomad Premium Fretboard Care Kit

Fast Fret

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.

• GuitarCenter – GHS Fast-Fret String Cleaner

Metronome

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:

• GuitarCenter – Deltalab DMT-1 Digital Metronome
• GuitarCenter – Seiko SQ50-V Quartz Metronome
• GuitarCenter – Wittner 5403 Metronome

Pick Holder

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:

• GuitarCenter – Dunlop Scotty Pick Holder Black
• GuitarCenter – Pickbandz Stick-it-Pick-it Pick Holder
• GuitarCenter – Ernie Ball Pick Buddy

Guitar Strap

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 beginner guitar accessories, and come in many sizes, colors and materials; go for one that feels comfortable and looks stylish on your guitar. There is a particular aspect about acoustic guitars that you should keep in mind, though. Many of them only have one strap button at the bottom, unlike electric guitars that always have two.

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:

• GuitarCenter – Martin 2″ Leather Acoustic Guitar Strap with CFM Logo
• GuitarCenter – D’Addario Acoustic Quick Release Strap Brown 2 in.
• GuitarCenter – Levy’s Leather Acoustic/Resonator Guitar Strap

Slide

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 beginner guitar accessory, as you won’t be working with slides as a beginner.

Here are some slides made from different materials that you may want to try out in a guitar store:

• GuitarCenter – Dunlop Solid Brass Guitar Slide Heavy Wall Medium
• GuitarCenter – Dunlop Glass Guitar Slide Heavy Wall Large
• GuitarCenter – Fender Steel Slide 1 Standard Medium

Music Stand

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:

• GuitarCenter – Musician’s Gear Folding Music Stand
• GuitarCenter – Musician’s Gear Tripod Orchestral Music Stand
• GuitarCenter – Proline PL53 Tabletop Sheet Music Stand

Frequently Asked Questions About Best Beginner Accessories

Conclusion

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:

• Best Jazz Guitar Pickguards

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Gustavo Pereira

Euphonious Touring Guitarist at Guitar Space

Gustavo isn’t like other guitar players; instead of paying for lessons from a guitar teacher, he traveled around the world to watch the greats. Along the way, he’s met some really amazing people that have shared some invaluable lessons that he hopes to share with anyone looking to learn the guitar. He doesn’t believe in all of the fancy talk that comes with learning the guitar; he wants to break down the basics so that no matter what type of musical experience you have, you’ll understand too.

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