Guitar gift ideas, by budget
The problem with buying for a guitarist is that the guitar is the gift they wanted, they already have it, and everything else looks like an accessory. The trick is to buy the accessory they use every time they pick the guitar up. This list is ranked by how often that happens.
Under £20
- Strings, the brand they use. Look at the packet on their desk. Two sets. Never wrong.
- A clip-on tuner. If they do not have one on the headstock already.
- Strap locks. Useful on any electric; a plain practical gift.
- A capo. Only if they play acoustic and do not have one.
What we sell: one strap, the Soldier double-layer cowhide strap, in black, dark brown, tan or white. Suede-finish back, length set through a row of slots on the tail. £54.95 with free UK delivery.
Under £40
- A good cable. The one that came with the amp is the one that crackles.
- A stand. A guitar on a stand gets played; a guitar in a case does not.
- A pick tin with the picks they actually use. Check the gauge on the ones lying around.
Under £90
- A leather strap. Most players are still on a nylon strap, and it slides. A leather strap with a suede back is the accessory they will notice most, every time they play standing up. Ours is £54.95, comes in one adjustable size so there is nothing for you to guess, and the recipient sets the length themselves. How to pick a color without asking.
- A pedal. Only if you know what they want; ask, or give the money.
Over £90
- A setup at a local shop. A voucher for a professional setup makes any guitar play better. Most players never get round to one.
- Lessons. Even for someone who has played for years, a few sessions on a specific thing they want to learn.
- A hard case if they gig with a gig bag.
What ends up in the drawer
- Novelty picks, novelty straps with slogans, pick necklaces.
- "Guitar player" mugs and shirts.
- Cheap effects multi-boxes.
- A second capo.
Buying a strap without asking
With an adjustable strap there is only one thing left to decide, and that is the color. Black suits almost any guitar. Dark brown suits a sunburst or a natural-top acoustic. Tan is the one people notice, and white is the one they either love or do not. The table on our gift page lays it out, and if you get it wrong they have 30 days to send it back.