Guitar players are notoriously hard to shop for, especially if you’re not a musician and don’t know the difference between a strap, a stack and a Strat. Fear not, however, as this gift guide will provide the perfect present any guitar player would be lucky to receive, no matter their skill level or style of playing. The best part? This guide covers the entire budget range, from tuners to boutique amps, and everything in between. If you buy something through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Let’s get started…
Gifts Under $25
Silver Snark clip-on tuner | $20
I've had a Snark for a long time, and they just came out with the Silver Snark. If we're talking clip-on tuners, these are the best in the industry. The accuracy of tuning is impeccable and it actually responds very quickly to whatever string you’re tuning. I haven't tried it on a trumpet, but that'd be pretty cool if it worked on a trumpet… let’s just say for any stringed instrument, I highly recommend the Silver Snark clip-on tuner.
PRS Signature Series guitar strings | $11
When I want the most fresh sound, the ‘close to the guitar’ kind of feel where it's like the string is part of your fingertip, the PRS strings are my choice. The string gauge is up to you–I’m partial to nine and a half gauges.
Guitar Super System learning subscription | $5 (SALE)
What better gift is there than the gift of education? Guitar Super System is the premier online guitar learning platform, featuring world-class instruction, professional cinematic resolution, and a variety of styles and approaches to help you reach the peak of your guitar-playing potential. Sign up before the holiday sale ends!
Dunlop blues bottle slide | $10
The most vocal instrument is the guitar, and the most vocal way you can express yourself on the guitar is through bending. A slide offers a way of bending that allows you to access every little microtone of the fretboard. I like the glass slides versus metal or wood, for the warm, resonant sound it produces. This medicine bottle-type shape was used by Duane Allman, and is still used by Derek Trucks, two of the greatest slide players to ever live.
String Swing guitar wall hanger | $14
When I want the most fresh sound, the ‘close to the guitar’ kind of feel where it's like the string is part of your fingertip, the PRS strings are my choice. The string gauge is up to you–I’m partial to nine and a half gauges.
Ernie Ball Musician’s Toolkit | $25
This kit comes with everything you could possibly need to set up and maintain your guitar. DIY guitar maintenance is a skill worth developing–maybe you can't get to your guitar shop for one reason or another these days and you want to try your hand at setting up your guitar yourself–this kit has everything you need to become your own guitar tech.
Gifts Under $100
100% leather guitar strap | $70
The thing about anything made of leather is once you have it, it lasts forever. A strap is a statement of personality, it's one of the cool things about playing the guitar–you get to have these cool little accessories. A guitar strap is always a delight to give as a gift, so give one that lasts forever.
Boss RC-1 Loop Station | $100
The fastest way to improve as a musician is to work on your rhythm, and the most fun way (and one of the most effective ways) to make that happen is to invest in a loop pedal. The Boss products are an industry standard and no matter what skill level you are as a guitarist, you will do well to have a looper in your life. The fun is endless!
Gifts Under $299
Positive Grid Spark smart guitar amp & app | $299
The Spark is an excellent amp to get started with for beginners or if you need a recording solution. While it works like a regular amp (and it’s surprisingly loud) the recording element is the secret weapon. Simply plug the Spark into your computer via USB, use the free Spark app to access tens of thousands of custom guitar tones in the ToneCloud, and you are instantly recording in any DAW of your choice. Other than recording, it sounds great on its own like a traditional amp, just playing alone or via bluetooth with backing tracks. If you want, you can even plug in headphones–it does it all! The Positive Grid Spark knocks it out of the park in the portable amp price range.
Revv G3 distortion pedal | $230
The Revv pedals are seriously just ‘guitar hero tone’ in a box. If I ever designed a signature pedal I would want it to be as fun as stepping on a Revv pedal. When you turn this thing on it has this beautiful saturation you have to hear to believe. This pedal cleans up very nicely if you turn down the gain, but, personally, I like to turn everything up. Every guitar player needs this pedal in their collection.
Gifts Under $1,000
Universal Audio Apollo Solo | $499
The Universal Audio Apollo Solo is the best interface on the market for the price. I use UAD for all things music production and engineering, and if you want something that can go anywhere with you, is extremely fast, highly powerful, and doesn't break the bank, it's the Apollo Solo. Powered by a single thunderbolt connection and offering the full suite of world-renowned UAD plug-ins, this recording solution is perfect for the aspiring producer in the studio or the artist on the go.
PRS Sonzera 20 guitar amp | $999
The PRS Sonzera is the best pedal platform that I've found on the amp market. Aside from that, it has one of the best sounding spring reverbs built into it that I've heard, all at the perfect price point in between the starter amp and high-end boutique amp range. From the amazing, chime-y cleans the dirty high gain grit, the Sonzera is an amp that will last you forever.
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