Home
Guitar Research 1st
Necessities
Guitar Vocabulary
Change Guitar Strings
Should We Buy?
Guitar Prices
About Lessons
Guitar Tuning
1st Major Chords
Printable Chart
Guitar Notes Card
Bar Chords
Videos
Power Chords
Hendrix Chords
Motivation
More Motivation
Hands
Saving Up
Holiday Shopping
What's New?
About /Questions?

[?] Subscribe To This Site

XML RSS
Add to Google
Add to My Yahoo!
Add to My MSN
Subscribe with Bloglines

Guitar Accessories You Need To Keep Playing Guitar for Real!

Everybody who wants to keep playing guitar for real must have certain guitar accessories that are necessary. I repeat necessary.

This is where actual comittment takes place.

Ready?

Good.

You know some FACTS if you have already read all of (guitar for real Home page) and (guitar research). If you didn't read those pages, NOW is the time.

It won't take long. We'll wait right here for you to come back. It takes only minutes and it is important!!!



Glad you're back, good stuff right? You answered the questions. You decided on the types of music you want to play. You know what type of guitar will work for you. You know where you want to play. You just have to know about all the OTHER STUFF that goes with it. You know, the kind of stuff the say you need after the sale. Ready to know what guitar accessories you need UPFRONT?

You came to the right place.

These guitar accessories are a must for every player.


I mentioned on the home page you'll need to keep certain fingernails short. You'll need nail clippers.

You can get small ones like this for about a dollar. Just make sure it has a file included.

You can get fancy and buy a set. Either will do the job.

I know I've never seen these for sale in any music store. Why not? Nail clippers are guitar accessories that are just as important to the player as a guitar tuner is!

Keeping them short will allow you to put your fingertips to press straight down on top of the strings. Sort of like typing. Only with fingernails you can't press the strings straight down. You end up with all kinds of noises and muted strings. Ahhhh! There is just no way around it. See picture below.


A Tuner is the greatest must have guitar accessory of all. You get what you pay for with these. The more expensive ones are not only more accurate, they can allow you to tune many different ways. They didn't make affordable ones when I started. We tuned to pitch pipes. When these electronic wonders became affordable, they also became a dream come true for most musicians. Anyone who plays for real will have one. You simply sound terrible when you're not in tune.


Cases are like tuners. You get what you pay for but, even the cheap ones can keep your "precious" safe. I personally want a case for any guitar that might go out of the house with me. Where I live it's humid and strings can rust or corrode over a few nights. Cases can help prevent that too in case someone leaves the window open.

Personal Note: I like looking at my guitars so I usually have them out where they can tease me into playing them. They just look so cool! Some people have trophies to look at and inspire them, I want a guitar instead. (Or two!) So, I have to make sure they are cleaned almost daily.

Guitar Cases come in two basic kinds. Soft or Hard. See the pictures.

Something to take note of is, if your guitar has an unusual shape like the flying v's seen on this page ( electric guitar) your case will have to be specially made for it. This can be more expensive. There are some standard cases for common shapes. These can be less expensive. Whenever buying a case, make sure your guitar fits. So if you decide to get a case some time after the purchase, bring your guitar to test fit it. Most guitars will have a case that goes with it when new. Hard shells are more expensive so some people just go with the soft. I say it depends on how much you have into the guitar. Cases are like buying insurance.


Always have 2 extra sets of Strings!!! You are down from playing if you don't have them available NOW. I knew one guy who broke 4 different strings within playing 4 songs. It got to the point where it wasn't funny. Luckily our bandmates knew he was like this and bought him a case of 20 sets for just such an occasion. He got really good at replacing the broken ones. He could change one in less than 10 minutes.

Always keep them in your case. Keep the last empty pack so you know exactly what kind you need. Simply take that empty one in with you when you go to buy your next 3 sets. Yes, I said 3 sets. You should never have to pay retail price when buying 3. Always ask for at least one to be free, or half price on each.


You'll need the right kind of cleaning cloth to keep your guitar and strings clean.

See if you can get them to "throw one in". They can last a long time. See the pictures.


Some Optional Guitar Accessories to consider are listed here:

One optional thing everyone can use is a guitar stand. If your guitar is on the stand, it is less likely to get knocked over. Try leaving one leaning up against a dresser or chair and see how long it takes for pets or invisible people to knock it over. No one wants to admit to that! On second thought, don't try this!!!

Side Note: Notice the vintage "air guitar" circa 1975, on the stand?


Another optional thing that comes in handy is a Winder. It helps save time changing strings.Some only cost a couple bucks.

Straplocks are a serious option to consider. They can save more than they cost. Again kind of like insurance.



Summary: Your Guitar accessories and necessities include:

1.) Nail Clippers with file.

2.) Tuner

3.) Case

4.) Extra Strings

5.) The right Cleaning Cloth

Optional: Guitar Stand and Straplocks



Click Here for More Neccessities for Classical Guitar

Click Here for More Neccessities for Acoustic Guitars

Click Here for More Necessities for Electric Guitars

Return to Home Page from Guitar Accessories