Okay, we admit it, as guitar players, we are extremely difficult to buy for. We are guilty of taking our musical equipment very seriously, with each element of our setup having been chosen for very specific reasons. This makes thinking of the perfect 6-string themed Father’s Day gift incredibly frustrating for our loved ones. That’s not to say it’s impossible, though, as we’ll endeavor to show you now in this guide to Father's Day gifts for guitar players.
From tools every guitarist should have in their gig bag to exciting and unique items which nod to the recipient’s chosen hobby, we’ve rounded up the best gifts for guitarists from around the internet. No matter the occasion or budget, you’ll be sure you find something to make the guitarist in your life very happy.
- Check out our pick of essential guitar accessories
Father's Day gifts for guitar players: Under $50
Many players are scared of slide guitar. It may look difficult, but it can offer a level of expression that you simply don’t get when playing the guitar normally - and trust us, it isn’t as hard as it looks. Slides come in many shapes and sizes and a variety of different materials. So, we would opt for a chrome slide for beginners, as these are incredibly robust and offer a bright, articulate tone.
Restringing your guitar can be an ordeal, but the D’Addario Pro-Winder can make it a whole lot easier. This super-affordable tool combines a string cutter, bridge pin puller, and a string winder that will fit most electric guitars, acoustic guitars, ukuleles, and mandolins. This is the kind of tool that every guitarist should have in their case or gig bag at all times.
Why buy plectrums when you can make your own at home? This plectrum punch can turn most pieces of thin plastic – credit cards, lids and so forth – into new picks. Not only will you be saving money, but you’ll also be reusing waste material in an environmentally friendly way.
- Best guitar picks: find the right plectrums for you
Cool looks, supreme comfort and reasonable price; what's not to love about the KLIQ AirCell guitar strap? Air-filled cells on the inside of the 3-inch strap improve comfort during long jam sessions and distribute the weight of your guitar evenly. Because of these cells there's less strap in contact with your shoulders too, helping relieve you from excessive heat and moisture.
- Find the best guitar strap for your budget right here
Father's Day gifts for guitar players: From $51-$100
The latest flagship from G7th - producer of arguably the most popular and user-friendly capos around - comes with their Adaptive Radius Technology which allows the capo to adapt to the curve of the fretboard, and more importantly, the strings going across it. Their claim of maximum tuning stability with minimum tension in every position on any guitar neck is certainly a bold one – but also very much true.
- The best guitar capos: top choices for acoustic and electric guitar
If you're going to treat someone to a new guitar cable, then you might as well make it the gold standard. The Mogami Gold Series guitar cable has an ultra-high density (UHD) spiral shield and conductive polymer sub-shield to help prevent excessive noise and preserve that signal. The Mogami comes in a variety of lengths and boasts a 'no excuses' lifetime guarantee, too.
- Read more: The best guitar cables for every budget
Whether it’s in the kitchen, games room or recording studio, this Fender Bar Stool is guaranteed to brighten up the place. Though the less in-your-face Custom shop logo version may appeal to the more higher-end guitarist, there’s something quite special about the fiesta red of the classic Fender design. These stools are available in 24 and 30 inch heights.
Ask any guitarist and they’ll tell you there’s no feeling that compares to playing through an enormous amp stack, with enough volume to make your cheeks wobble. While we’d back this up, there’s also a time and a place for everything, and mid-week when the kids have gone to bed is not the right time for full-volume practice. The Blackstar Fly 3 can’t compete with larger guitar amps for volume, but it has great tone on tap and can run via battery for those portable practice sessions. Oh, and it’s deceptively small too so won’t get in the way at home.
Pedals are always a good shout when it comes to finding gifts for guitarists. There are many types of guitar pedals that all offer different sounds, but an overdrive pedal will always go down a treat. The Electro-Harmonix Soul Food can go anywhere from a very light boost to a fairly heavy distortion, making it suitable for a wide range of genres and playing styles.
The Soul Food is referred to as a ‘transparent overdrive’, which means it won’t change the tone of your guitar any more than it has to. Inspired by the Klon Centaur - of which one was recently listed at $500,000 - the guitarist in your life will be pleased to get a slice of that tone without the remortgage-your-house price tag.
Sometimes the thought of setting up your entire rig is enough to kill the motivation for practice. Well, the Fender Mustang Micro makes practicing easy, fun, and inspiring. This mighty little headphone amp manages to pack in 12 amp models and 12 effects from the Mustang amp series, as well as Bluetooth streaming for playing along with your favorite songs.
With many players relying on smartphones or tablets nowadays for practice, a good set of noise-cancelling headphones is always a solid choice for a gift. Unfortunately, the big brands all charge top dollar for their tech, so we’d point you towards the Treblab Z2 headphones which perform superbly well and have a long battery life. If the name on the headphones isn’t important, these are a great choice.
- Looking for more? These are the best headphones for guitar amps
Part of the joy of playing an instrument is being able to record yourself and create entire masterpieces from the comfort of your own home. A decent microphone will mean acoustic guitar players, singers and other non-electric instrument performers can get their sounds into a computer, ready for production. The Rode NT-USB Mini is a small (but perfectly formed) USB microphone which requires no other equipment to operate than a computer or laptop. It’s also ideal for podcasts, video production and even those relentless Zoom calls which take up so much time nowadays.
Father's Day gifts for guitar players: From $101-$200
With a ridiculous 80-hour battery life and improved ergonomic design, the Major IV’s are an awesome update from Marshall. Not only do they look the part with that iconic logo adorning each ear, but they also have amazing high end clarity and ‘roaring’ bass, so they’re perfect for music nerds as well as everyday listeners. Marshall has included Bluetooth 5 in this latest model for a better connection, so if you want to listen to music on the go then these are a no brainer.
If the guitarist you’re buying for is anything like us, they’ll be partial to an effects pedal or two. Or twenty. Help bring some order to their life with the Pedaltrain Classic Pro pedalboard, which provides a dedicated base on which the player can store and transport their pedals, thanks to a handy included carry case. It’s not the most glamorous gift for guitar players, but it’s one they’ll be glad to receive.
- Organise your guitar effects with the best pedalboards
Father's Day gifts for guitar players: Over $201
With up to 13 hours of looping time, this compact little number from Boss is really a band in a box. The in-built drums are a godsend for practicing your timing, and 99 onboard memories mean you’ll never forget that next Grammy-winning riff. Boss even includes a USB output to backup your recordings, and an AUX input for when you fancy looping part of your favorite song to jam along to.
- Best looper pedals: become a more creative live guitar player
Wireless guitar systems, where the player is able to roam freely without being physically connected to an amplifier, are typically the preserve of live performance setups. With the Boss Katana Air, however, there now exists a true wireless system designed for home use. The Katana Air is small enough to blend into a bookshelf, yet boasts enough tricks up its sleeve to please any player.
Squier's take on the Fender's classic 70's Telecaster Thinline guitar brings iconic looks and sound to the table at an unbelievably low price point – this would make an ideal first electric guitar. With a white pearloid scratchplate, finely carved f-hole and Squier-embossed humbuckers, Squier's version of the guitar certainly looks the part. Sound-wise, there's plenty of versatility here, delivering bags of punch and a nice open mid-range.
- Our recommendations for the best electric guitars under $500
- ...or the best beginner electric guitars
This little beauty from Martin is perfect for those who want a big sound from a small package. The 000Jr-10 is one of the cheapest all-solid acoustics around, consisting of a high grade Sitka Spruce top and Sapele Mahogany back and sides. Plus, the smaller body size means it’s super easy to play, with lots of articulate bright tone, as well as bags of punch. It’s got that typical Martin look, and the build quality to match - making it perfect for beginner and intermediate players.
- These are the best acoustic guitars for beginners
- Explore more of the best acoustic guitars under $500