Gifting a musician is tough. From the plethora of options to the high price tag on a lot of the gear, finding the right gift for a guitarist is a task that is much easier with the right help. Luckily, there are plenty of reasonably priced pieces of gear that are well suited as gifts for guitarists.
Audio interfaces
An audio interface is the best gift I ever received. My parents got me one when I was a teenager. It opened up the world of home recording and led me to my current career in the music industry.
For a guitarist just starting out in music production, a “solo” interface should do the trick. It will allow them to record guitar directly into their computer with the option of working with a microphone in the future for mic-ing an amp or recording other bandmates and singers.
Audio interfaces now come bundled with recording software, effects plugins and virtual instruments, so your guitarist will just need a computer to get started. Some even work on tablets and smartphones.
FOCUSRITE SCARLETT SOLO GEN 3
The Scarlett Solo provides singer-songwriters with a reassuringly easy recording process. The Scarlett Solo connects straight to your Mac® or PC via USB cable, with no external power required. It comes with all the software tools you need to get started, including two comprehensive digital audio workstations: Ableton® Live Lite™ and Pro Tools® First Focusrite Creative Pack.
M-AUDIO MTRACKSOLOII
For a lower priced option the M-Track Solo is the best, most portable recording interface in its class. It delivers high quality audio in a compact and easy to use format that is ideal for creating music on any Mac, PC or iOS device. This versatile interface is perfect for recording any type of sound source and is compatible with any guitar or microphone. Plus, there is a stereo line input for connecting digital pianos, drum machines or any other stereo ¼-inch device.
Guitar pedals
Most guitarists can never have enough pedals. Take a look at your guitarists current pedal collection and you can probably figure out what they are lacking. If this is too much for you to handle, take a picture and consult with our sales team. It’s not a bad idea to ask one of their friends if the pedal you choose is a good idea before purchasing.
Electro Harmonix Nano Pedals
Electro Harmonix offers many of their pedals in a nano size at an attractive price point.
ELECTRO HARMONIX NANO LPB1
An exact recreation of the original LPB-1 circuit that ushered in the age of overdrive in 1968. Put the LPB-1 in line with any effect to provide boost and definition. Improve the gain and saturation of your amp.
ELECTRO HARMONIX MUFF OVERDRIVE
Reissue of the original 1969 Muff Fuzz. Crank up your amp and dial back the guitar volume and you have the perfect rhythm overdrive. Adds just a touch of funky dirt with an edge. Sounds like a vintage tube amp with a worn but warm speaker.
ELECTRO HARMONIX DR Q
The classic 1970's funk box, now available in a pocket-sized case. Dynamic picking response produces super-funky wah-like tones. The Doctor Q is an envelope filter that specializes in generating percussive punchy filter sweeps for a rhythmic groove.
ELECTRO HARMONIX NANO CLONE
The heritage of classic Electro-Harmonix Small Clone chorus comes full circle in an economy version. Chorusing is an effect that bends the frequency of the input signal and blends it with the original sound, creating a shimmering doubling effect.
Outlaw Effects Pedals
Outlaw Effects specializes in micro-sized guitar pedals. They have a huge selection, and their size makes it easy to fit one of these pedals into an existing collection or pedalboard setup.
OUTLAW EFFECTS FIVE O'CLOCK
This fuzz pedal features loads of rich, cascading sustain with crisp attack and subtle compression. Go from waxy smooth, violin-like sustain to grittier tones with a razor-sharp bite. Sculpt your fuzz tone into everything from the thick leads of 1970's classic rock to heavier alternative sounds of the 80's and 90's.
OUTLAW EFFECTS WIDOW MAKER
This distortion pedal is for scorching, saturated distortion with tight attack. The three distinct EQ voicings go from “sinister” to “devastating” and even into 80s territory.
OUTLAW EFFECTS SIX SHOOTER II
A chromatic tuner suitable for a wide range of instruments. An LCD display provides a clear visual reference of your note. The guitar signal is muted when tuning, and True Bypass switching retains the purity of signal when not in use.
OUTLAW EFFECTS QUICK DRAW
This delay pedal features a crisp tone with warm repeats that dissolve naturally into your sound. Delay time range from 20ms to 620ms can deliver everything from tight rockabilly slap back sounds to lengthy, ethereal repeats that build into self-oscillation.
TC Electronics Pedals
TC Electronics is another great option for lower-priced mini pedals.
TC ELECTRONICS NETHER OCTAVER
Add a heavy dose of thickness to your guitar’s tone with the vintage sounding NETHER OCTAVER, and unleash a gnarly pitch-o-rama that will devastate your would-be rivals. Use it to subtly fatten up your sound, or dial up extreme settings for a powerful barrage of all-out synth tones.
TC ELECTRONICS BLOOD MOON PHASER
Blood Moon Phaser resurrects the toothsome phaser sounds of yesteryear and transfuses them with a range of modern features such as top-mounted input/output and true bypass. Infuse your tone with the haunting howls and sacchariferous sweeps convoked by Blood Moon Phaser´s vintage four-stage filter - and get ready to rock out from dusk till dawn!
TC ELECTRONICS JUNE 60
JUNE-60 CHORUS is a faithful recreation of the lush chorus circuit found in the legendary Juno-60 synthesizer – the iconic synth sound that fueled countless ‘80s hits and defined the cult movie themes of an entire era. Now you can bring the adored chorus sound from one of the most revered, classic synthesizers back to the future.
TC ELECTRONICS FORCEFIELD COMPRESSOR
Forcefield Compressor is here to give you all the vintage squish and squash you could ever want at a price that simply can't be ignored. From subtle sustain enhancements to smooth signal leveling and all the way to full-on chicken-picking compression, you'll find it all and more in this great road-ready pedal.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Your guitarist may be so focused on the more thrilling and inspiring gear that they don’t have less exciting tools to keep their gear clean and operating well.
ERNIE BALL EB-4277 6PACK STRING CLEANER WIPES
Individually sealed 6-pack of Wonder Wipe Instrument polish towelettes. Brilliant Shine and protection In one easy swipe. This chemically engineered formula eliminates unwanted haze and streak marks while preserving your instrument's original appeal.
ERNIE BALL PEGWINDER
Molded plastic pegwinder for guitar, and other stringed instruments. Allows for fast, easy string installation compared to hand winding. Notched head cutout for easy removal of plastic bridge pins for acoustic guitars. Not intended for bass guitars.
BOSS BDC-01
The BDC-01 removes dirt, dust, smudges, and fingerprints from instruments and gear without harming or scratching surfaces. Our top-quality microfiber weave is completely safe for all finishes, and offers high absorbency to eliminate smearing and streaks.
BOSS BGD-01
BGD-01 is the safe solution to clean, shine, and maintain all types of guitar and bass finishes. Formulated without the harsh chemicals that can slowly harm the finish of your instrument, it safely removes the dirt, sweat, and oils that build up over time.
Odds and Ends
Here are some other gift ideas that didn't fit into a particular category.
DUNLOP PICKHOLDERS
Made of high-quality rubber to ensure a firm hold. This pickholder fastens to a microphone stand and holds guitar picks for quick and easy access.
GHS FRET FAST A87
Use it on your strings, back of the neck and the fretboard. It lets your fingers slide freely, keeps your strings clean and conditions the fretboard.
ON-STAGE GS7362B & ON-STAGE GS7155
A-frame style and hanging style guitar stands. Holds one guitar, either acoustic or electric. The velveteen rubber padding won’t damage your guitar.
DUNLOP CHROMED STEEL SLIDE
For any guitarist looking at exploring a new playing technique. This short chromed steel slide provides a bright tone and is comfortably lightweight, featuring medium wall thickness and a large diameter.
ERNIE BALL AXIS CAPO BRONZE
Another way to explore new sounds - this capo delivers precise, reliable sound - every time. It's got a dual radius design, meaning it can be used on both curved and flat fretboards. And its tight grip ensures you always enjoy buzz-free performance.
ERNIE BALL 18' STRGHT/ANGLE BRAIDED BLACK/GREEN
A guitarist can always use a backup cable, or just a new cable with a braided jacket for a fresh look. Ernie Ball instrument cables feature a high-quality design made with superior components that are built to last. Multiple shielding materials preserve the signal with low handling noise, and the braided jacket exterior provides a tangle-resistant experience.
MONO PFX-PB-ACC-KIT PEDALBOARD ACCESSORIES KIT BLACK
Does your guitarist have a messy pedalboard? The MONO Pedalboard Accessories Kit comes with tags, tie wraps and 2 MONO Tracks (Compatible with MONO Pedalboards Small, Medium and Large). For a sleek and unobtrusive on-stage setup, slot the Pedalboard Track into the cut-outs of your MONO pedalboard to insert, loop and track your cables.
VOX AP2CL AMPLUG2 CLEAN & VOX AP2MT AMPLUG2 METAL
These mini amps plug directly into your guitar for instant amplified sound. They come in many different models to match the style of your guitarist. A foldable plug mechanism that rotates 180 degrees and an auto power-off function are additional features that contribute significantly to improved convenience and ease of use.
Gift Cards
In many cases, a gift card is the best option. The guitar world can be absolutely perplexing for someone who doesn't play guitar, and you wouldn’t want to buy a gift for someone that they don’t need or already have.
A gift card allows you to choose the price and gives the recipient free range on what they purchase. They can even contribute the gift card balance towards a larger investment that they have been saving up for.
We hope this guide helps you find the right gift for the guitarist in your life!
