Presents for Guitarists

Ranked #7,413 in Music, #203,548 overall

Gift ideas for Guitarists

Stuck for ideas of what to buy a guitarist friend or relative?

Rather than just give you a list of presents, I'll talk you through some of the products. That way you can make a more informed choice.

If you've any questions or want some advice, use this page's guestbook.

An introduction to choosing presents for guitarists

I'm a guitarist and anyone who's buying me a present tends to think about guitars or music first. Fortunately for me, they then avoid that area completely. Why? Because ideal presents for guitarists tend to fall into one of two categories:
1) Something they don't have - well there's a reason for that, it's probably too expensive
2) Something cheaper - well, they've probably already got them unless you can ask some questions to help you figure out what they do have or don't have.

The trick is to understand the style and expertise of the guitarist. A beginner will benefit from different presents than an expert would. It's more likely that beginner won't have a lot of the presents that they could benefit from.

I've focussed on the beginning rock guitarist here, but you can also look for

The Beginning Rock Guitarist

It's likely that the guitarist has started out either with a guitar package from a shop (including a guitar, amp, strap, lead, plectrum and tuner) or has been given a second-hand guitar.

If it's the former, then most of the items in the kit are very basic and are chosen either for having a cheap price-point or a gimmick (maybe they're flourescent).

Here's what you can get either guitarist:

A set of picks - get a variety of picks. Beginner guitarists and even intermediate are still finding their way around the different picks. Get a few thickesses of each of the following: Dunlop Tortex, Dunlop Jazz II, Dunlop Jazz III

Strap locks - if their guitar is worth less than $400/£200, then plastic locks (e.g. by Dunlop) are good enough. If it's worth more, then get some Schaller metal locks instead.

New Strings - They should be changing them on a regular basis. Play safe and buy what they use or take a chance and get them some great strings and see how they react after stringing up. As this is a rock guitar, get some Kerly Kues. As for gauge, go for 9s or 10s to be safe. If you know the string gauge, then go for them.

Guitar Stand - There are lots of stands around. Choose one that supports the guitar from the headstock at the top (i.e. the guitar hangs rather than rests). Better still look for one that locks the guitar in at the top. The Hercules guitar stands are good for this.

String Winder and Cutter - So much easier than winding with your fingers. A must for any guitarist.

Ear Plugs - No, seriously. Buy them some musicians ear-plugs. This is so important, it should be top of the list. If you're not sure, then try Elacin ER-20s.

Strap - Again, another personal preference. I like Leather or Leatherette with a padded strap for the shoulder and front of the guitar then tapering down to a thinner end for the back. I just go for plain black, but what's the guitarist interested in? Look around and you can find almost any design for a strap (skulls, football, alcohol brands, motorcycles, bandnames, roses, paisley and so on). Avoid elastic or stretchy straps unless you know they like them.

Cable or Lead - Buy a decent lead. You don't need to spend lots. Avoid the cheap coiled leads. Not all coiled leads are rubbish, but we can the majority. We're aiming for repairability, so get a lead with a non-moulded plugs. Something like a 20ft length will let the guitarist move around.

Soldering Station - Over time, the guitarist will need to repair or modify a piece of kit. Rather than spending lots for others to do repairs, it's worth learning how to basic repairs yourself (or in this case, it's worth guitarists learning). Ok, I don't touch valve/tube amps, but I'll happily rewire a speaker cabinet.

T-Shirts - Guitarists need something to go on stage with. Have a look at original t-shirt designs, e.g. Audio Cloth - Original clothing and accessory designs for musicians

More details, more suggestions

Gift Ideas for Beginning Rock Guitarist

Very Special Present Ideas

I'll keep this refreshed on a regular basis. Hand-picked ideas for presents.

In this refresh cycle, I've picked the:

      Morley Tremonti Patriot Wah pedal

      Blackheart BH1H Killer Ant Guitar Amp head + Blackheart Blackheart BH112 Little Giant 1X12 Guitar Cab (you'd need both the head and the cab)

      Blackheart BH15-112 Handsome Devil Guitar Amp Combo

Loading

Gift Ideas for Beginning Rock Guitarists

Planet Waves CT-03 Pro Winder Tuner

Planet Waves CT-03 Pro Winder Tuner

The unique 5-in-1 guitar tool. A dual-mode (strobe more...0 points

Schaller Straplocks, Gold

Schaller Straplocks, Gold

The lock mechanism attaches to your strap. You mus more...0 points

Schaller Straplocks, Nickel

Schaller Straplocks, Nickel

The lock mechanism attaches to your strap. You mus more...0 points

Planet Waves 20' Circuit Breaker 1/4

Planet Waves 20' Circuit Breaker 1/4" Instrument Cable w/ Right Angle

The Planet Waves Circuit Breaker plug has fail-saf more...0 points

Pro String Winder & Cutter

Pro String Winder & Cutter

The ultimate restringing tool. Unlike ordinary peg more...0 points

Third Hand Soldering Board Station High Temp Tools

Third Hand Soldering Board Station High Temp Tools

Double Third Hand Base With Soldering Board For So more...0 points

LM Products Banner Guitar Strap, Police Line

LM Products Banner Guitar Strap, Police Line

We've all seen them... the basic 2'' wide black po more...0 points

ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ER-20 High Fidelity Earplugs

ETYMOTIC RESEARCH ER-20 High Fidelity Earplugs

The ER-20 High Fidelity Earplugs was desdigned for more...0 points

Planet Waves 10 Satriani Picks-BLACK- Heavy

Planet Waves 10 Satriani Picks-BLACK- Heavy

JS picks are made of premium celluloid and are the more...0 points

Weller WLC100 Soldering Station For Hobbyist And Do-It-Yourselfer

Weller WLC100 Soldering Station For Hobbyist And Do-It-Yourselfer

Cooper Hand Tools, a division of Cooper Industries more...0 points

Ultimate GS100 Support Genesis 100 Guitar Stand

Ultimate GS100 Support Genesis 100 Guitar Stand

Securely holds your guitar by the head stock, maki more...0 points

Planet Waves 15-Foot Circuit Breaker 1/4-Inch Instrument Cable

Planet Waves 15-Foot Circuit Breaker 1/4-Inch Instrument Cable

The Planet Waves Circuit Breaker plug has fail-saf more...0 points

Mogami Gold Guitar/Instrument Cable (15 Foot)

Mogami Gold Guitar/Instrument Cable (15 Foot)

Virtually every major recording facility in the wo more...0 points

Velcro(R) Brand One-Wrap(R) Cableties 8in Blu 25pk

Velcro(R) Brand One-Wrap(R) Cableties 8in Blu 25pk

Our Velcro(r) brand ONE-WRAP(r) cable ties make it more...0 points

Levy's Wild Skulls Guitar Strap

Levy's Wild Skulls Guitar Strap

2'' polyester guitar strap with printed design, po more...0 points

Monster Standard 100 Instrument Cable, 21 Feet

Monster Standard 100 Instrument Cable, 21 Feet

A quality connection starts with quality cable. An more...0 points

Gibson Lightning Bolt 2

Gibson Lightning Bolt 2" Nylon Strap, Black

2'' sturdy nylon construction, heavy-duty buckle, more...0 points

Velcro One-Wrap

Velcro One-Wrap

VELCRO® brand - ONE-WRAP® straps are easy to use more...0 points

Velcro(R) One-Wrap(R) Cableties 8in Rd 25pk

Velcro(R) One-Wrap(R) Cableties 8in Rd 25pk

Our VELCRO(R) brand ONE-WRAP(R) cable ties make it more...0 points

Planet Waves Guitar Strap Shoulder Pad - Gel

Planet Waves Guitar Strap Shoulder Pad - Gel

The Planet Waves Gel Guitar Strap Shoulder Pad att more...0 points

HOSA GTR-518RT 18 Foot Traditional Guitar Cable with Tweed Jacket

HOSA GTR-518RT 18 Foot Traditional Guitar Cable with Tweed Jacket

Cloth Woven / Straight to Right Angle 1/4-inch plu more...0 points

Guitarists like feedback :-)

Got any comments on this lens?

Any other great present ideas for guitarists?

Best Rock Guitar DVDs

These DVDs are all great ideas for rock guitarists. They play electric guitar with loud, overdriven, distorted tones, right?

Out of all of those listed below, if they don't have Spinal Tap, they really should.

This Is Spinal Tap (Special Edition)

This Is Spinal Tap (Special Edition)

You're about to get personal with one of music his more...0 points

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

Track list: Disc 1 We're Gonna Groove/ I Can't Quit more...0 points

Ozzy Osbourne - Live at Budokan

Ozzy Osbourne - Live at Budokan

Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 06/25/20020 points

Dream Theater - Live at Budokan

Dream Theater - Live at Budokan

A treasure-trove for Dream Theater fans, Live at Budokan more...0 points

Iron Maiden - Rock In Rio (2DVD)

Iron Maiden - Rock In Rio (2DVD)

A souvenir from the 2001 Rock in Rio festival, thi more...0 points

Other Guitar-related Lenses

Loading

Great Stuff on eBay

Loading

Recommendations for any electric-guitar guitarist

These should suit any electric-guitar playing guitarist.

Wedgie WPH001 Wedgie Pick Holder, Single Packaged

Wedgie WPH001 Wedgie Pick Holder, Single Packaged

Wedgies attach to the guitar strings using a paten more...0 points

0 points

Guitar T-shirts at Zazzle

Loading

News from my other lenses

Loading

Additional Present Ideas

Celebrity Dads Honored By Fathers Day Gift of Fine Art Which Lasts For ...
Artist Robbi Firestone creates oil portraits for an irreplaceable Fathers Day gift. Celebrity Dads like 3x Grammy Winner Keb'Mo, Bart Millard (frontman for bestselling band) MercyMe, and movie man/author Michael Murphy were honored by their families ...
Guitarist for Lucky Boys Confusion found dead on West Side
Pandav said his friend had the rare gift of perfect pitch and a keen understanding of his craft. ?One of the greatest memories I will always have of him is showing him a song, and while I'm showing it to him you could see his mind working and writing ...
Listening Post / Brief reviews and select releases
3 stars (Jeff Simon) A veteran jazz guitar player with a first-rate young rhythm section. The best news of all about this disc is that veteran jazz listeners may listen to the disc's eponymous opener and be reminded of some of some of the greatest trio ...
Blues performers and friends join forces for free show May 25
MIDWAY -- If you are in the mood for live music Friday, Bethany Blues Lewes will present two national performers for the price of none. Peter Karp and Sue Foley have both enjoyed solo careers as singer-guitarists on the blues circuit, and now they have ...

by

audiocloth

I started on Squidoo in an effort to promote Audio Cloth Clothing, but since I've been here, I've stopped doing that.

Instead I've been having more...
more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Tube Screamer 

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Original

Amazon Price: $94.99 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Every blues, blues/rock, rock guitarist needs a tube screamer. It's the most popular overdrive pedal often adding a nice bit of grit without swamping out the tone.

Earplugs for musicians 

Etymotic Research ER20 ETYPlug Hearing Protection Earplugs, Large Clear Stem with White Tip (Clear)

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 05/27/2012)Buy Now

Protect their hearing. It may be a while before they use them, but they'll thank you when they do.