Buying the best Christmas gifts for guitar players can be really difficult if you don't play the instrument yourself. Not only are guitarists are notoriously finicky about their gear, but the lingo is indiscernible, and there's a huge amount of choice when it comes to potential bits of gear you can buy for them.
I've been playing guitar for over 20 years now, and suffice it to say, I've received my fair share of Christmas gifts as a guitar player. Some of them have been good, some very, very bad, and precious few genuinely useful. Today we're going to focus on the latter, helping you avoid the most common pitfalls of buying holiday gifts for guitarists.
Stick with the gifts in this guide and trust me, you'll quickly become a guitarist's favorite family member this Christmas! I've ordered them by price point to make it easier for you to find the ideal gift for your particular budget, and if you want to save a bit of money, then be sure to check out our Black Friday guitar deals page for the latest deals on guitar gear.
Where to shop for guitarist gifts
- 🇺🇸 Deals
- Amazon: Shop all instrument deals
- Positive Grid: Up to 40% off
- Guitar Center: All guitar deals
- Guitar Tricks: $99 annual sub
- B&H Photo: Score discounts on pro audio
- IK Multimedia: Amplitube 5 only $29.99!
- Musician's Friend: Up to 50% off sale
- Plugin Boutique: 100s of software savings
- Reverb: Shop used gear
- TrueFire: All-access annual sub only $79
- Waves: Huge plugin bundle deals
- 🇬🇧 Deals
- Gear4Music: Guitar clearance deals
- Guitar Tricks: $99 annual sub
- IK Multimedia: Shop guitar plugin deals
- Plugin Boutique: 100s of software savings
- Positive Grid: Spark bundle savings
- Reverb: 20% off BF deals
- Waves: Huge plugin bundle deals
Under $20/£20
Price: $7.99/£8
We guitarists go through electric guitar strings like nobody's business, so getting fresh packs is always a welcome one. Ernie Ball Slinkys are pretty ubiquitous when it comes to guitar players, so you can't go wrong with picking up a set of these for Christmas, or even better, a multipack!
Finding the right gauge is the only real stumbling block you'll face here, as there are a few different varieties that can have varying effects on the way an instrument plays. The thickness of the string is denoted by the smallest number, in this case a '9', and you'll often hear guitarists saying 'I only play 10s' or '9s are too light for me' when discussing string gauge, if you're looking for a hint.
Price: $8.39/£7.99
Trying out different guitar picks can have a gigantic effect on your guitar playing, but many guitarists stick with the same pick. As creatures of habit, sometimes we just need a little push to get us to open up, and in my experience, a different pick can dramatically change the way we approach our instruments.
This Dunlop Tortex Pick Variety Pack features 12 different picks, ranging in thickness from .50 to 1.14mm. There are two of each gauge as well, which means if they lose their preferred pick, they still have another. This pack is an excellent entry point into different pick styles, and who knows, you could end up giving them a new favorite!
Price: $9.99/£9.99
Many players are scared of slide guitar and while it may look difficult, it can offer a level of expression that you simply don’t get when playing the guitar normally. Getting the guitarist in your life to push beyond their usual boundaries will be a boon to their playing, which makes the humble guitar slide an excellent low-cost gift.
This Dunlop steel slide is available in three different sizes, and delivers a lovely bright tonality that will pair well with acoustic and electric guitars. Judging the size will be down to you, but I can't think of many guitarists who wouldn't be excited to have another playing tool in their arsenal this Christmas.
Price: $10.99/£11.99
It may look pretty dull, but getting my first string winder was a complete game-changer for me many Christmases ago. A string winder allows guitarists to quickly wind and unwind guitar strings, making it a vital tool for speeding up the string changes we regularly have to complete.
This D'Addario Pro Winder doesn't just do that, though. It's also got a peg puller for acoustic guitar players, and a built-in string cutter for snipping strings when they're done changing them. The large socket is big enough for a good variety of instruments, making it a great gift for bass players.
Price: $12.99/£12.99
This unassuming bit of kit is a more modern invention, and despite its simple looks, it can have a big effect on a guitarist's playing. Often used for recording, the Gruv Gear FretWrap helps clean up your guitar playing by muting the strings, either behind the nut or on the fretboard.
Make sure you check that you get the right size for the particular guitar your guitarist has. The small size is generally the best for a six-string electric guitar, but if they have something else, double-check the specs to make sure it will fit. I have a couple on my recording guitars, and I've found them to be a really useful tool for relatively little money.
Price: $19.99 per month
Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift for a budding guitarist, an intermediate player eager to expand their skills, or a seasoned musician looking for fresh inspiration, a Guitar Tricks subscription is a fantastic choice for any guitarist. Right now this is our overall top choice online guitar lessons platform.
So I've slightly bent the price definition here, as Guitar Tricks is actually $20 a month or $179.99 for the year. It often goes on sale for Black Friday though, and if you're willing to invest some money into your guitar player every month, they will reap some massive benefits using this platform.
Under $50/£50
Price: $26/£18.70
The Dead Ringer Pro doesn't look like much, but it can completely transform the sound of any acoustic guitar. It's designed to give that sound of a muted acoustic made popular by Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, and others.
I've used the Dead Ringer Pro extensively over the past few months, and it's a really inspiring bit of kit that many guitarists won't have tried before. There's also the Dead Ringer, which fits the vast majority of electric guitars.
If the guitarist in your life has a guitar collection getting into the double digits and more gear than they know what to do with, the Fret12 String Thing might just be the perfect gift.
Not only is it something completely unique, but it also allows them to recycle what's likely their most-used item: their guitar strings. The idea is simple: old strings get wrapped around the figurine, resulting in a mummy-like figure that's unique to every guitarist who uses it.
Price: $27.95/£25.99
Another excellent utility buy that pretty much any guitar player will find use for are the Schaller S-Lock strap locks. You fit them to your guitar in place of your existing strap pins, and the locking system ensures that your strap stays attached to the guitar no matter what.
Having had a guitar or three fall off a guitar strap, I know it's something that can potentially cause a lot of damage, which makes these strap locks a worthy investment. They're available in a variety of different colors, and will fit the vast majority of guitars on the market without additional modification.
Price: $29.95/£25
Although it's a gift that's more responsible than exciting, there's an invaluable lesson here with the Alpine MusicSafe Pro earplugs for musicians. A guitarist's hearing is their most valuable asset, and the sooner they start looking after their ears, the longer they'll be able to enjoy playing their instrument.
As we're often subjected to incredibly loud sounds, whether that's playing with a drummer, through a cranked guitar amp, or just going to our favorite band's show, these earplugs let you choose between varying levels of noise reduction, making them great for every scenario.
Price: $37.90/£38
The TC Electronic PolyTune clip-on tuner is another simple tool, but an incredibly useful one. If the guitarist you're buying for has multiple guitars, then this is a great choice. It can be used on electric or acoustic instruments and is super easy to use, even for absolute beginners.
A clip-on tuner is more immediate than using a tuner pedal, and more accurate than a phone app, making it a gift they'll definitely thank you for this Christmas. This particular guitar tuner lets you tune every string at once too, which saves time and feels cool if you've never used one before.
Price: $44.99/£45
I've received a couple of these over the years, and as a guitarist I'll always find good use for a guitar cleaning kit. This Ernie Ball one is particularly comprehensive, giving players pretty much everything they'll need to maintain their guitar over the years.
The case is a nice size to fit easily into a gig bag or guitar hard case and take to shows in case of emergencies (trust me on that one), and the tools inside are extremely high quality, so you can rest assured they'll stand the test of time.
Under $100/£100
Price: $99/£85
The Positive Grid Spark Go is a compact guitar amplifier with a sound that's much bigger than its diminutive size would suggest. Packing in 33 amp models and 43 effects, it's an awesome gift idea for any guitarist because it covers so much musical ground.
Heavily reduced in the Positive Grid Black Friday sale, it's available below the $/£100 mark, which is an absolute steal considering what you get. Be advised that it requires a smartphone to get the most out of it, though, because most of the features are accessed via a companion app.
Price: $64.99/£69.99
A leather strap is a buy that will stay with a guitarist for a very long time. The Levy's MSS2 Garment Leather Guitar Strap is incredibly hard wearing, and take it from me, I've got a couple of leather straps that have been around for pretty much my entire 20 year playing career.
I really like the generous width of the MSS2, which makes it really comfortable for long guitar playing sessions. It's available in a good variety of colors too, so you can match it to their guitar finish or just get them one in their favorite color.
Price: $69.99/£44.99
A guitar capo is another one of those tools that can have a huge effect on playing, but cheap capos can actually have a detrimental effect on the sound of a guitar. I've received loads of cheap capos over the years, and to be totally honest, I use them as clamps for my desk to hang guitar cables and headphones on.
The G7th Performance 3 Art Capo is a different beast, though. It's one of the best capos in the world, and it clamps down effectively without putting your guitar out of tune. It adapts to the radius of the fretboard, which in non-technical terms means it will fit pretty much any guitar out there.
Price: $83.90/£58
The TC Electronic Ditto Looper is an awesome gift idea because it doesn't rely on a guitarist's particular taste in pedals. A looper pedal simply records a phrase and plays it back over and over, so pretty much every guitarist will find a use for one.
The Ditto Looper is incredibly cheap for what it does, but it's been one of our most highly rated loopers for many years now. The ability loop not only improves a guitarist's timing but also allows them to develop their ear, lead playing, and songwriting skills, too.
Price: $95/£79
The Fender Link I/O is a guitar audio interface that allows guitarists to record their playing in conjunction with a computer. The Link I/O is incredibly compact, and it comes with the Fender Studio recording software, which in our tests worked well on both iOS and Android.
You'll need a pair of headphones to go with it, but as an all-in-one recording solution it's an amazing choice for guitar players. With modeled guitar amps and effects as well as backing tracks built in, it's an excellent recording solution for relatively little money.
Price: $99/£63
For the modern guitar player, a good set of guitar amp headphones is pretty much an essential item. With so much gear relying on digital technology, using headphones is a much more convenient way to practice, and can improve their playing as it gets them closer to their core sound.
The AKG K240s are one of my top picks for those on a budget, and I've owned a pair of these for nearly ten years now. They're lightweight yet super robust, and the semi-open-back design means they don't feel as constricting as some headphones can. They also sound great for regular listening, too.
How to choose
Looking for some tips on what you should be buying the guitarist in your life this Christmas? Follow my advice and you're sure to get them the perfect gift this year.
1. Understand them as a guitarist
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We're all on very different journeys as guitar players, so taking some time to learn where they're at is always a good shout. If they're a beginner guitarist then the world's your oyster, as chances are they won't have a lot of the items in this guide. On the other hand the more experienced guitarist likely has a lot of gear already, in which case you should move onto step 2.
2. Ask them
It may seem obvious but rather than asking them what they want, you might be better off asking them what they need. Guitarists wants are typically very expensive, and not the sort of thing you'd casually get them as a gift for Christmas. Instead, by asking them what they need you'll be able to get them something they'll actually use rather than sometime that sits in a drawer, unused.
3. Do your research
If you can, take a sneak peak at their guitar collection. Speak to their partner, parents, or bandmates. Find out what it is they're really into and use this information to inform your gifting. We have loads of buyers guides that cover pretty much anything a guitarist could ever want, so those alongside our reviews can give you a lot of information on the perfect guitar purchase.
4. Set your budget
It's very easy to overspend on guitar gear so once you set a budget, stick to it. This is great life advice in general, but especially for guitarist gifting as some of the stuff out there is incredibly expensive. If you're not sure about what to get, vouchers at a music retailer like Sweetwater, Guitar Center, or Musician's Friend can be a great way to let them get what they really want.
5. Wait for deals
Waiting for the Black Friday guitar deals to land is a great way to get more for your budget. By doing this you could end up getting multiple gifts on this guide or elsewhere, which is only going to make them even happier come Christmas time. Typically I see Black Friday sales properly launching by mid November, but some deals start as early as October.
Gifts to avoid
I've received many a gift I didn't want over the years, and typically these are things that I can't get any use out of. Usually these things end up in the bin or sitting in a corner somewhere unused, so learn from others mistakes and avoid these items.
- Novelty mugs: Sure they'll laugh about the whimsical caption on Christmas Day, and yes, they might even use it for making cups of coffee. Ultimately though, they'll be wondering why you didn't get them something actually useful like guitar strings.
- Guitar t-shirts: I've had quite a few of these and I never wear them. There's something cringey about those 'haha I have so many guitars' T-shirts that are all over sites like Etsy, so do us guitarists a favor and avoid, please.
- Guitar wall art: Every time I see one of these I die a little inside. There's absolutely no way these are going on my wall, unless it's something useful like a guitar chord chart poster that a beginner can actually use.
- Non-brand guitar strings: There's a reason pro players use brands like D'Addario and Ernie Ball. Cheap guitar strings sound terrible and turn bad really quickly, so always stick with a tried and tested brand.
- A guitar: Guitars are very personal to each guitarist so unless you know guitars yourself, you're buying a beginner electric guitar, or they've pointed out the exact one they want, avoid blind buying your loved one a new instrument. Instead, take them to the guitar shop during the sales or get a voucher for a decent amount of money to cover the cost.
- Random pedals: Much like guitars, pedals are incredibly personal things, and the last thing you want to do is buy an effect they already own, or one that just doesn't suit their style. As with the guitars, get a voucher instead if this is the road you want to go down.
- Guitar tech gadgets: You see all kinds of these on sites like Amazon, 'tech' that stretches out your fingers, or those rubber pads to wear on your fingertips to help with calluses. Steer well clear of these kinds of things. Trust me, they will never use them.
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Below you'll find more information on the expert authors of this guide.
Matt is a Junior Deals Writer here at Guitar World. He regularly tests and reviews music gear with a focus on guitars, amps, pedals, modelers, and pretty much anything else guitar-related. Responsible for over 60 buying guides, a large part of his role is helping guitarists find the best deals on gear. Matt worked in music retail for 5 years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for various music sites including MusicRadar, Guitar Player, Guitar.com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t.blog.
Daryl is a Senior Deals Writer at Guitar World, where he creates and maintains our 200+ buyer's guides, finds the best deals on guitar products, and tests the latest gear. His reviews have been featured in prominent publications like Total Guitar, Future Music magazine, and MusicRadar.com.
During his career, he has been lucky enough to talk to many of his musical heroes, having interviewed Slash and members of Sum 41, Foo Fighters, The Offspring, Feeder, Thrice, and more. In a past life, Daryl worked in music retail. For a little under a decade, he advised everyone from absolute beginners to seasoned pros on the right gear for their needs.
Daryl is also a fully qualified sound engineer, holding a first-class Bachelor's degree in Creative Sound Production from the University of Abertay.
