Top 10 Best Guitar Accessories
I show you the top 10 essential guitar accessories for better performance.
Are you a beginner guitar player? Do you have a few years of experience? Or do you have a fairly advanced level? No matter what your answer is, this article is perfect for any kind of level you have, as I will explain to you the 10 best guitar accessories you need to buy for better performance on the instrument.
Are these accessories mandatory for playing the guitar? Well, depending on how you see it, yes they are. But don't worry, I'll talk about each of them in detail.
1. Guitar Picks
Picks are one of the most important tools for playing guitar, however, many guitarists do their performances without them. Nevertheless, I think it's important to use them for two reasons:
- Technique
- Agility
Playing with picks will allow you to have better technique and agility on your instrument, in fact, it’s the best way to play all the strings of the guitar with high precision. They can also change the sound of the guitar, which is why there are so many models and shapes to choose from.
For example, if you want to play heavy music or fast rhythms, the right one for you is a thin pick. But if you want to play blues, jazz, or similar genres... you should use a much thicker pick.
Here are some of the best options you can choose from:
- Fender 351 Premium Celluloid
Source: Heid Music
- D'Addario Celluloid
Source: Amazon
2. Guitar Tuner
Having your guitar properly tuned is essential for you to be able to practice correctly or play songs. If your guitar is not in tune, it will be very difficult to make progress on the instrument. However, many people find it difficult to tune the guitar by ear, so there is one of the best tools: the tuner.
With a good quality tuner, you can tune your guitar to 100%, in a very easy way. Here are the best tuners you can get at an excellent price:
- D'Addario Eclipse Headstock Tuner
Source: Amazon
- Korg Tuner (GA50)
Source: Amazon
Note: if you don't have the budget to buy one of these tuners, there are apps you can download on your phone to tune your guitar. Some of them are GuitarTuna, Tuner & Metronome, and Fender Guitar Tuner.
3. Guitar Strings
The guitar strings are responsible for vibrating the instrument and producing sound. It works in the same way as other instruments such as the double bass, harp, bass, or violin.
Acoustic and electric guitars use steel strings, while classical guitars use nylon strings.
Now, there are different string gauges in the electric guitar, some of them are: .009, .010, .011, or .012.
The difference is basically how manageable they are, for example, the higher the gauge of the strings, the harder the strings will be... In some cases you will have to use more force on the frets to produce a sound.
If you don't know which ones to choose, here are the most popular ones:
4. Guitar Case
If you want to protect your guitar from bumps, dust, or any accident that may occur, a case is the best option. In fact, you can use it to transport your instrument to different places or to travel. There are different types of cases, some are soft, and others are called "gig bags", or semi-hard and hard. My recommendation is to use a hard case, as they ensure maximum protection. However, the other options are good if you just want to keep your guitar in your room or somewhere safe away from danger.
- Fender Deluxe Molder Stratocaster
Source: Amazon
5. Metronome
Regardless of the instrument you play, you need to practice with a metronome. In the case of guitar, I recommend you use these:
- Korg MA-1
- Korg MA-2
- Korg TM-60
- Korg KDM-3
- Boss DB-30 Dr. Beat
- Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat
Depending on how comfortable you want to be, you can choose between smaller or larger ones. However, they are all excellent for practicing.
Note: In this case, you can also find metronome apps that you can use from your phone. Some of them are: Pro Metronome, Smart Metronome & Tuner, or Pulse (Metronome & Tap Tempo)
6. Headphone Amplifier
If you live in an apartment, or can't make much noise because of your neighbors... then you need a headphone amplifier for your guitar. Thanks to these amplifiers you can practice for as many hours as you want without disturbing anyone with the sound.
- Fender Mustang Micro Headphone Amplifier
Source: Amazon
You can even take them anywhere! They are small and easy to use, however, my recommendation is to use them strictly for practicing.
Although they are a great option, they don’t offer the best sound quality. So, you must have a good quality amp in case you want to play live. For example, these are the best models you can find:
- Boss Katana 100 Mkll
- Blackstar HT-1R MKII
- Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior IV
- Vox AC15 C1
- Marshall Origin 20C
- Orange Rocker 15
- Fender Tone Master Twin Reverb
- Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb
7. Guitar Capo
Although capos are optional accessories for the guitar, they can help you to make key changes and give a different style to all the chords. Even many famous songs are played with a capo, some of them are:
- Oasis - Wonderwall
- Fleetwood Mac - The Chain
- Bob Dylan - Don't Think Twice, It's All Right
- Jolene - Dolly Parton
- Fast Car - Tracy Chapman
8. Guitar Stand
Having a place to rest your guitar is more important than it seems, that's why guitar stands are an essential accessory to have in your room, studio, or rehearsal room. You can choose from several options:
9. Guitar Slide
In the blues genre, the guitar slide is a very common technique that allows creating vibrato or glissando effects that will give new sounds to your guitar. Many of these slides can be found in instrument stores at very affordable prices. Some of these stores are Guitar Center, Sweetwater, Reverb, or Chicago Music Exchange.
10. Guitar Cables
Cables are responsible for generating the sound between your guitar and the amplifier, for this reason, it’s important to buy one. One of the main mistakes that beginners make is that they tend to buy poor-quality cables, which cause problems in the sound of the guitar and break easily.
If you are interested in buying good quality cables, I recommend you to take a look at these:
- Fender Professional Series Cable
Source: Amazon
- Ernie Ball Braided Cable
Source: Amazon
If you liked this article, please share it with other guitars or friends who might be interested!
Blog Article Tags
guitar accessories tips list top best learn playing instrument equipmentMore Articles
Trying to Make Music but Feeling REALLY Awful? You're Not Alone - We discuss reasons why some people find it hard to make music & how to overcome it.
Here's How to Get Your Song on EA's FIFA Videogame - A guide to successfully submitting your music for consideration in EA's FIFA video game.
Where To Find Indie Music Funding Sources - We explore easy & simple ways to fund your music dreams.
What It Takes To Become a Great Drummer - I help you learn what it takes to become a great drummer no matter your experience level.
10 Tips To Know When Joining a Band - If you're looking to join a band be sure to read these helpful tips before you do.