Gifts for Musicians and Guitar Players

Guitar players go through strings and picks constantly, lose tuners and capos, and rarely spend money on the boring gear that keeps an instrument playable. Those are easy, welcome gifts. Bigger items like amps and interfaces are worth it if you know how they play: at home, through headphones, or recording.

Under $25 8 ideas

  1. D'Addario EXL110 Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 3 Pack

    The regular light gauge most electric players already use, in a three-pack. Strings are consumable, and nobody minds having spares in the case.

    D'AddarioGets used upStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  2. Dunlop Tortex Standard Guitar Picks, 12 Pack

    Picks disappear into couch cushions and laundry at an alarming rate. Tortex is the familiar matte pick that grips well, and a dozen buys some time.

    DunlopStocking stufferGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  3. D'Addario Eclipse Headstock Tuner

    A clip-on tuner with a bright, readable screen that works on guitar, bass and ukulele. Most players own one and have misplaced it.

    D'AddarioStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  4. Kyser Quick-Change Capo for 6-String Guitars

    The spring-loaded capo you see clipped to headstocks at every open mic. It moves between frets with one hand, mid-song.

    KyserStocking stuffer

    See it on Amazon

  5. D'Addario Humidipak Two-Way Humidity Control System

    Packets that sit in an acoustic guitar case and keep the wood from drying out in winter heat. Cheap protection against cracks and sharp fret ends.

    D'AddarioGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  6. MusicNomad Guitar ONE All-in-1 Cleaner, Polish and Wax

    A spray that cleans fingerprints and grime off gloss guitar finishes in one pass. The kind of upkeep product players think about and never buy.

    MusicNomadGets used up

    See it on Amazon

  7. Guitar Aerobics: A 52-Week, One-Lick-per-Day Workout Program

    One short exercise a day for a year, with audio examples. Good for the player who has stalled and wants a routine instead of noodling the same riffs.

    Troy Nelson, Hal LeonardBook

    See it on Amazon

  8. String Swing CC01K Guitar Wall Hanger

    A hardwood wall mount that hangs a guitar by the headstock. Guitars on the wall get picked up more often than guitars in cases, and it frees floor space.

    String SwingFor display

    See it on Amazon

Under $50 5 ideas

  1. Hercules GS414B Plus Auto Grip Guitar Stand

    A floor stand whose yoke closes around the neck when the guitar is set in it, so it does not tip over. A clear upgrade from the wobbly A-frame stands.

    Hercules

    See it on Amazon

  2. Korg TM-60 Tuner Metronome

    A combined tuner and metronome with a large screen, useful for any instrument. Practicing with a metronome is the advice every teacher gives and few follow.

    Korg

    See it on Amazon

  3. VOX amPlug 2 AC30 Headphone Guitar Amp

    Plugs straight into an electric guitar and lets them play through headphones with a convincing chimey amp tone. Late-night practice without bothering anyone.

    VOX

    See it on Amazon

  4. Dunlop System 65 Guitar Tech Setup Kit

    Fretboard conditioner, polish, cloths and string-changing tools in one bag. For the player who has been meaning to learn to maintain their own guitar.

    Dunlop

    See it on Amazon

  5. Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition

    All three books of the standard beginner method in one spiral-bound volume. Best for someone a few months in who is teaching themselves from videos and wants structure.

    Hal LeonardBook

    See it on Amazon

Under $100 4 ideas

  1. BOSS DS-1 Distortion Pedal

    A classic first pedal that has been in production for decades and is on countless famous pedalboards. A fair bet for an electric player with no pedals yet.

    BOSS

    See it on Amazon

  2. BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner Pedal

    The tuner pedal on most gigging players' boards: stomp it to mute and tune silently between songs. For anyone who has started playing with a band.

    BOSS

    See it on Amazon

  3. Shure SM57 Dynamic Instrument Microphone

    The microphone studios put in front of guitar amps and snare drums, and it is nearly indestructible. A sound buy for anyone starting to record.

    Shure

    See it on Amazon

  4. Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Studio Monitor Headphones

    Closed-back headphones with a flat, honest sound that suits practice and recording. They block enough sound to use next to a drum kit.

    Audio-Technica

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$100 and up 3 ideas

  1. Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB Audio Interface

    Connects a guitar and a microphone to a computer for clean recordings. The usual starting point for a home studio, and it comes with recording software.

    Focusrite

    See it on Amazon

  2. Fender Mustang Micro Plus Headphone Amplifier

    A plug-in headphone amp with many amp and effect models, Bluetooth for playing along to songs, and an app for tweaking. Much more flexible than the basic headphone amps.

    Fender

    See it on Amazon

  3. BOSS Katana-50 Gen 3 Guitar Combo Amplifier

    A versatile practice amp that is loud enough for a jam with a drummer and has a low-power setting for the living room. Many players keep one for years.

    BOSS

    See it on Amazon