Christmas and the holiday season are coming up! If you’re thinking about giving the gift of music to someone you love, this is the post for you.
Giving something related to guitars can be a fantastic way to support and inspire a beginner guitarist in your life. My kids don’t play guitar, but I’ve always cherished the thought and love that went into the guitar gifts that they’ve given me.
If you’re not familiar with guitars, it can be hard to know where to start or what a beginner might truly find useful. Here’s a guide to help you choose guitar-related gifts that are both practical, thoughtful and affordable, even if you know little about the instrument!
1. The Guitar
Yamaha. If you’re starting someone out with a guitar, and you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable instrument, take a close look at Yamaha. As a moderator on the Reddit guitar forum, Yamahas are among one of the most frequently recommended guitar brands for beginners that. I’m also a personal fan of the brand. Yamaha makes acoustic and electric beginner guitar options
- Yamaha FG800 Acoustic Guitar Bundle (Sweetwater.com: $259.99)
- Yamaha F325D Acoustic Guitar (GuitarCenter.com: $199.99)
- Yamaha Pacifica PAC 012 Electric Guitar: Sweetwater ($219.99) / Guitar Center ($219.99)
If the brand is an important thing for your new guitarist, Fender’s Squire brand and Gibson’s Epiphone brand also have great starter options for your new guitarist.
- Squire Debut Stratocaster – Amazon: ($119.99)
- Epiphone Les Paul Special: Sweetwater ($199.99) / Guitar Center ($199.99) . BU
2. Beginner Guitar Lesson Book
A good lesson book can be really helpful for someone learning guitar. These books give easy instructions and often come with drawings and tips to make learning simple. Here are a couple of popular options:
- Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Amazon ($13.99, Kindle version / $29.00 Plastic Comb)
My son got this for me for Father’s Day about a year after I started learning guitar. I wish that I had started learning with it sooner.
DO NOT BUY!: Guitar Book for Adult Beginners: Teach Yourself How to Play Famous Guitar Songs, Guitar Chords, Music Theory & Technique. I bought the book when I started, and it is terrible and out of date. All of the online resources and recordings mentioned in the book no longer work. Save your guitar beginner time and money. Buy something else!
3. Guitar Tuner
Every guitar player needs a tuner to make sure their guitar sounds right. A clip-on tuner is the easiest kind for beginners because it clips onto the guitar and shows if each string is in tune. Here are a couple of tuners that work well:
- Snark Super S Clip-On Tuner: Guitar Center ($29.99) / Amazon (Click for Price)
- Snark ST-8 Super Tight Chromatic Tuner: Sweetwater ($19.99)
A tuner is a small, affordable gift that’s very useful to beginners and more experienced player alike.
4. Practice Amplifier
If you’re looking to give the gift of an electric guitar, your budding musician is going to need an amplifier. One of the most flexible and affordable options on the market today is the Positive Grid Spark Go. It’s a small digital practice amp that’s perfect for both experienced guitarists and beginners. When used with the Positive Grid app, the Spark Go allows users to replicate amplifiers for anything from Blues to Heavy Metal.
- Positive Grid Spark Go: Guitar Center ($109.00) / Sweetwater ($109.00) / Amazon ($109.00)
This is one of my favorite amps. Check out Phil McKnight’s Spark Go review to learn more.
5. Guitar Picks and Pick Holder
Guitar picks are small, flat pieces that players use to strum or pick the strings. Beginners go through a lot of picks, especially while they’re still figuring out which ones they like. You can even buy a sampler pack with picks in different thicknesses for them to try out. Prices for pick packs start at as little as $4.99 on Amazon. A pick holder that sticks to the guitar or clips onto the guitar case is also a great gift to help them keep track of their picks.
6. Guitar Strap
A guitar strap makes it easier and more comfortable to play while standing. Look for a strap that’s:
- Adjustable
- Comfortable on the shoulder
- In a color or pattern, they’ll like!
Straps come in all kinds of designs, so it’s a fun way to add some personality to their guitar setup. Ranging from $8.00 and up, you can find a variety of guitar straps to fit your budget at Guitar Center, Sweetwater, and Amazon.
7. Guitar Stands or Guitar Hangers
Guitar stands or hangers are an inexpensive and practical gift for your guitar player. It not only helps display your beautiful instrument, but it also helps protect the guitar by preventing falls and drops that can damage the guitar or break the headstock. Costing from $20-40, various styles of stands and hangars are available at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and Amazon.
8. Guitar Care Kit
To keep a guitar in good shape, a guitar care kit is very helpful. Most kits include things like:
- Polish and cloths to clean the guitar
- A string winder for changing strings easily
- Tools to adjust parts of the guitar
Look for kits from Dunlop or Fender that have everything a beginner needs to take care of their guitar.
9. Subscription to Online Guitar Lessons
If the beginner is serious about learning, an online guitar lesson subscription is a fantastic gift. Services like Fender Play, Guitar Tricks, or JustinGuitar offer easy-to-follow lessons that teach everything from basic chords to popular songs. With this kind of gift, they can learn at their own pace with professional guidance.
10. Metronome
A metronome is a tool that helps musicians keep a steady beat. It’s a great way for beginners to practice keeping time, which is important for learning songs. Some tuners even have a metronome included, or you can buy a separate one if they don’t have one yet.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of great guitar-related gifts that are affordable, useful, and thoughtful. From tuners and picks to music stands and online lessons, you can find something to help them enjoy learning guitar even more. Your gift might be just what they need to stay excited and keep playing.