There are several guitar accessories that all guitarists need to own. You won’t get far without strings, picks, a good tuner, and so on. There is a lot of gear in the market, and it can be confusing as to what to buy. This guide will help you find the best guitar accessories to enhance your playing and make your life much easier as a player.
In a Hurry? Here Are the Best Guitar Accessories
What Guitar Accessories Do I Need?
There are several accessories that are going to be essential to have. These include the following:
- Extra sets of strings
- An assortment of picks in various thicknesses
- A good guitar tuner
- A metronome
- A solid guitar stand
- A hardshell case
- A capo
- A guitar strap
- Multi-Tool
- Several good cables
- Headphones for guitar amp
- Chair or stool for comfortable playing
Guitar Strings
You should make sure that you have several sets of replacement guitar strings. Te thing string break the most, so have singles of G, B, and E as well as full replacement sets. The gauge will depend upon your needs. I prefer coated stings as they last longer, but go with whatever set you like. You may need to try several sets before you find one that works for you.
Picks
You can never have enough guitar picks. You will always lose them, and they wear out over time. Try to have a wide assortment as you may need different thicknesses for playing styles. For example, thinner picks are easier to strum with while thicker ones make digging into the strings and playing lead guitar easier. You will want to try several brands until you find picks that you like.
Tuner
You need a dependable tuner for your instrument of you don’t know how to tune by ear. If you can tune by ear, a tuner still saves you time. You can get tuners in a wide variety of different styles. Ones that clip onto the headstock are ideal as they make tuning on stage easy. Have a spare tuner in your case, and make sure you get extra batteries for it.
Metronome
One of the best guitar accessories to help you keep in time and develop a solid rhythm is the metronome. This is an indispensable guitar accessory that all players should own. You will find many styles, including digital ones that are small and compact.
Guitar Stand
You don’t want your guitar falling over when you’re not playing it, so invest in a good guitar stand. Some are quite flimsy, so get one that you can depend on. Most have a plastic piece that will secure your guitar to it, to prevent accidents. Always put your guitar on the stand and not on your bed or couch as it well off, and you don’t want to damage your instrument.
Guitar Case
You should have a high-quality case. Many instruments ship with flimsy “gig bags” which are fine, but they lack the protection of a hard case. This is critical if your guitar is expensive. A bag doesn’t give you the protection you need. Make sure you have a good case for your guitar.
Capo
A capo is a great guitar key changing accessory to have. It allows you to put your guitar in another tuning, which makes it easy to sing along to songs in your vocal range. Move the capo up and down the neck and play in different keys. This is the perfect tool to have on stage if you sing.
Guitar Strap
If you stand to play guitar, you want good guitar straps for your instruments. Try to avoid the cheap nylon ones. Get a strap made with genuine leather as they are tough and will last a long time. Consider some strap locks as well. These attach to the strap buttons and kee the strap secure on the guitar.
Guitar Tools
You need tools such a good multi-tool. Your guitar needs routine maintenance, and multi-tool often have Allen wrenches, peg wingers, string cutters, and other tools in one. These are small and won’t take up much room. You will have the tools you need ready to go.
Guitar Cable
You need several good guitar cables for any electric guitar that you own. Get ones that have thick cords. These are usually braided and coil easily. You don’t want ones that bunch up and get kinks. You will have more cable failures if you buy cheap ones.
Don’t Buy Cheap Accessories
Make sure you spend a little bit of money on your guitar accessories. You will end up disappointed if you just buy the cheap gear. It’s worth it to spend a little extra and get high-quality equipment. It will last longer, and you’ll be satisfied with it.
Best Guitar Accessories Reviews
1. Elixir Electric Guitar Strings – Best Long-Lasting Guitar Strings
You need extra sets of guitars strings in your case. I’m a big fan of Elixr strings. The reason for this is that they are coated. These strings will save you a lot of money over the long run. You can get them for both acoustic as well as electric guitars.
Elixir strings have a natural feel despite the fact that they are coated. The strings don’t build up debris or corrode as regular stings do. Your sets will last you months before you need to replace them. They have a special anti-rust plating to ensure a long life with great tone and playability. Get a few sets as you won’t be disappointed.
Pros:
- Long life
- Anti-rust plating
- Won’t build up with debris
Cons:
- A bit slippery
- Some may not like the tone
2. Fender Premium Picks Sampler - 24 Pack – Best Pick Package
There is nothing worse than losing a pick when you need it the most. You should have a wide assortment of picks to choose from. You may need a different thickness depending upon what you want to play. Fender makes great guitars, but they also offer a wide range of accessories including guitar picks. The Fender Premium Picks Sampler is a great deal.
These picks are made from celluloid so the picks last a long time. You get a warm tone with each pick. Many professional artists choose Fende picks. You get thin, medium, and heavy gauges in the pack so you’ll have a pick for whatever style you want to play. They come in attractive colors and styles to meet your needs.
Pros:
- Greta pick assortment
- Nice look
Cons:
- Could use a little variety in terms of pick size
- No extra heavy picks
3. D’Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner – Most Reliable Tuner
You need a good guitar tuner as a player. The problem is that many of them are too large and take up space. The D’Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner is small and it’s also a tuner you can rely on.
This tuner is easy to attach to your guitar headstock. It’s discrete and lightweight. No one will know you’re tuning up on stage. You can keep it on your guitar headstock in the case as it won’t take up a lot of room. The piezo transducer is reliable so you get precise tuning. The backlit screen is easy to read. The note is in red when out of tune and switches to green when in tune. The tuner will shut off automatically when you’re not using it to save battery life.
Pros:
- Works on a wide range of musical instruments
- Easy to read
- Won’t take up much room
Cons:
- Some users had problems with tuner accuracy
- Maybe too small for some
4. Korg TM50TRSL Trainer Metronome – Top Metronome to Help You Practice
You need a good metronome to help you with your rhythm guitar playing. A metronome is a top guitar accessory that you must-have for your practice sessions. The Korg TM50TRSL Trainer Metronome is a solid option with great features.
This metronome is two tools in one. It’s a metronome, but also a rhythm trainer. The tone trainer function will analyze your playing. You can use the metronome and trainer together or separately as you practice. The temp range is 20-252 beats per minute and you get 15 rhythm variations. The LCD screen is colored and easy to read. If you care about your rhythm and keeping in time, this is the top metronome you’ll want to own.
Pros:
- Two tools in one
- Easy to read display
Cons:
- Might confuse beginners
- Some buttons are small
5. On-Stage XCG4 Black Tripod Guitar Stand – Superior Protection for Your Guitar
Many guitar players make the mistake of leaving their instrument leaning on a couch or on the bed and it costs them dearly. You need a high-quality guitar stand to protect your valuable investment like the On-Stage XCG4.
This stand features EVA rubber coating so it protects your guitar finish from scratches. The instrument won’t move as there is a V-groove which keeps it in place. There is a lock to hold the instrument on the stand. It’s stable as it has sheet metal legs. The ends of the stand are secured with rubber caps. Your guitar is safe and secure with the XCG4.
Pros:
- Durable design
- Lock to hold the guitar on the stand
- Rubber prevents scratches
Cons:
- Not as much security a good case
- The stand can still be knocked over
6. Gator Cases Electric Guitar Case – Superior Hardshell Case Protection for your Guitar
A guitar stand is great, but a hardshell case protects your instrument more than a flimsy gig bag. You need to keep your instruments well protected from damage. Gator makes a wide range of cases for today’s guitar player wishing to protect an instrument.
The Gator case is made with tough ABS plastic do it resists impacts. The handle is secure and strong, It has aheavy-duty aluminum valances for added strength. You get a storage compartment with a handy LED light to easily access all of your guitar accessories. The EPS foam inside protects your instrument from scratches. This model fits most Strat-style guitars. You can get cases for semi-hollow, and Gibson Les Pula shapes, as well as other guitar shapes, from Gator.
Pros:
- Interior light
- Hard plastic to protect your guitar
- Interior foam prevents scratches
Cons:
- No locking mechanism
- May not fit some guitars
7. Donner DC-2 Guitar Capo Easy Use – Top Guitar Capo for Acoustic and Electic Guitars
If you do a lot of singing, your voice may not match the open position chords on your guitar. To change keys, you need a good capo. These devices also allow you to experiment with new sounds on your instrument. Donner makes a wide range of excellent capos such as the DC-2 Guitar Capo.
The DC-s is easy to use and it’s perfect for both the acoustic and electric guitar player. The capo is made with high-quality zinc which is lightweight and long-lasting. Works with multiple instruments. The capo features a silicone pad so your guitar neck won’t suffer any scratches. The capo keeps the guitar in tune no matter where you place it on the neck.
Pros:
- Easy quick change capo
- Silicone pad to protect guitar neck
- Fits multiple instruments
Cons:
- Some users had intonation problems
- Steel spring can break
8. Straight Up Full Grain Padded Leather Guitar Strap – Top Guitar Strap
One accessory every guitar player needs is a high-quality strap. Don’t waste your time with guitar straps that are made with nylon or other materials, you want genuine leather. Anthology gear makes a superior guitar strap that you’ll want to own.
This strap is solid 100% genuine leather. It’s tough, durable, and built to last. You may never buy another strap again once you buy this product. The threads are industrial grade and made to the highest quality. The leather layers add comfort while you are playing. The strap is adjustable to meet your required length. This strap will last you forever. it’s fine for acoustic guitars as well as electrics.
Pros:
- Superior design
- Solid leather
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Leather is a bit stiff
9. Ibanez MTZ MTZ11 Quick Access Multi-Tool – Top Guitar Tool
You need to maintain your guitar. To make that easier a good multi-tool comes in handy. These tools fit into your guitar case so you’re ready to make adjustments when necessary. Ibanez MTZ MTZ11 Quick Access Multi-Tool is one accessory you’ll want to own.
This multi-tool is compact and features hex wrenches, screwdrivers and other tools you rely on to make adjustments to your instrument. You get a ruler to help you adjust intonation as well. When you need to maintain your guitar, you can count on this tool.
Pros:
- Several tools in one
- Compact design
Cons
- No string cutter
- Could use a few more tools
10. GLS Audio 20 Foot Guitar Instrument Cable – Best Guitar Cable
Your electric guitar needs a good cable. With a cheap cable, you won’t get a good sound and these cables break far too often. The GLS Audio 20 Foot cable is a superior cable you’ll want for any electric guitar.
This cable has a braided tween cloth covering so the wire is stable and won’t kink. The cable winds easily for quick storage. The cable has an OFC insulator shield as well as a PVC shield so you get a good sound. The cable is durable and long-lasting. The picofarad rating is low so the cable has a superior sound when compared to cables with higher ratings. Get the best sound out of your guitar with a high-quality cable such as the GLS Audio 20 Foot Cable.
Pros:
- Double shielded for great sound
- Tie to secure the cable when not in use
- Braided so it won’t kink
Cons:
- Some users received a defective cable
Conclusion
You need a wide range of accessories for guitars. What you buy will all depend upon where you are now as a player. You may not need a capo or a metronome, but they are always good to have.
Try Elixir Electric Guitar Strings as I feel they are the best deal for your instrument. They also come in acoustic versions. Get a good set of guitar picks such as the Fender Premium Picks Sampler. You need an excellent tuner such as the D’Addario NS Micro Clip-On Tuner. Make sure you have a good stand and a case like the Gator Cases Electric Guitar Case. You definitely need a high-quality guitar strap like the Straight Up Full Grain Padded Leather Guitar Strap. A guitar multi-tool is handy, and you always want to use a good cable like the GLS Audio 20 Foot Guitar Instrument Cable. These are the best guitar accessories you’ll want to own.