There's all kinds of equipment that guitar players regularly use and buy, from strings to guitar picks, but most guitarists will have specific brands that they stick to without fail, which makes buying gifts a bit of a challenge. Here's some gift ideas for the musician in your family:
Music Stand
This is something that's often overlooked, but reading music on a music stand instead of on a desk or table is just so much more comfortable while you're practicing, and you can also keep guitar picks, pencils, or any other accessory you need nearby on the stand. The gold standard is Manhasset, these are what you'll find in every classroom and professional orchestra. However, they're on the heavier side, so it's also worth looking into folding stands that can be easier to transport or put away when you're not using it. I'd just stay away from the thinner "wire" music stands, as they just don't last.
Earplugs
As musicians, our most valuable asset is our ears. Going to loud concerts or rehearsing with a drummer can take a toll after a while, so earplugs are a smart thing to use. Most people have seen single use foam earplugs, but an upgraded set of earplugs can protect your ears without affecting the quality of the sound. I've had good experience with Hearos and Eargasm earplugs.
Guitar Stand
Guitar stands keep your guitar from falling over and getting damaged when it's not in your case, and can help guitarists practice more often if their guitar is readily available without having to unzip their guitar case. If you have more than one guitar, there are multi-guitar racks that can save a lot of space, and wall hangers are also an option.
Clip-On Tuner
Easily keep your guitar in tune without having to download an app or plug in to a tuner. Clip-on tuners work by detecting the vibrations of the guitar rather than picking up the sound with a microphone, so if you're in a noisy house or you're in the middle of playing a song with your band, you can still quickly and easily get tuned up. There's a lot of different brands of these, but I strongly recommend Snark tuners over all the others.
What to Avoid: Finger Strengtheners
A lot of companies sell "finger strengthening" devices, like the D'Addario Varigrip. I'd stay away from these, as they don't really mimic the motion of playing the guitar and will have little to no carryover to the actual instrument. At best they're a waste of money, and at worst they can contribute to overuse injuries.
Comments