Guitar Accessories - Buying Guide

If you’ve read my article on the different types of guitar accessories and are getting ready to make a purchase or two, then this buying guide is made for you. I’ve reflected on the hundreds of hours I’ve spent researching and playing different types of guitar accessories and have broken down my top favorites in each of 9 different categories.

For some of the products in this buying guide, I’m not bothering to rank or rate them. Not because I’m too lazy, but really because most of these products are not able to be objectively measured. It’s more of a subjective thing, based on comfort, playing style, and even just plain looks. Just know that you really can’t go wrong with any of the products listed on this page. And because most of them are quite cheap, you can have some fun with experimentation to develop your own favorites without breaking the bank.

Guitar Accessories – Picks

Fender 351 Premium Celluloid Guitar Picks

Fender 351 Picks

This versatile pick can be used to play any type of guitar, acoustic or electric. Its traditional shape and celluloid material is very comfortable in your hand and gives a nice warm tone. If you are brand new to playing guitar, you simply can’t go wrong with a classic Fender 351. And don’t get me wrong, this is not a pick only for beginners, I just find that it’s a great place to start.

Dunlop Tortex Picks

This iconic made-in-the-USA pick is played by countless guitarists in touring bands all around the world. Dunlop’s unique Tortex material, which is designed to simulate the vintage feel and tone of genuine tortoise shell, has a nice bright tone and wears exceptionally well. As an FYI, using real tortoise shell for picks has been banned since the 1970’s and Dunlop has been making Tortex picks since 1981.

Dava Grip Tip Picks

Possibly the most highly engineered guitar pick on the market, these little wonders have an amazing ability to not fall from your fingers, especially when picking very fast. Plus, the pick behaves differently depending on how you hold it. If you grip the tip more firmly, the pick stiffens up for more precise lead playing, and if you loosen up on the flexible center of the pick, it softens for a smoother feel for rhythm playing.

Guitar Accessories – Strings for Acoustic Guitars

D’Addario EJ16 Strings

These popular strings produce a warm, bright and balanced tone for acoustic guitars. The phosphor bronze wire is wrapped around a plain-steel hex core and this design results in a long-lasting and comfortable feel.

Martin M140 Strings

Known for making some of the finest acoustic guitars in the world, Martin also makes some really great strings. These flagship acoustic guitar strings from Martin are made with tin-plated steel core wire and an 80/20 bronze wrap wire for nice balance tone that rings both strong bass tones and bright treble tones.

Ernie Ball Earthwood Strings

These made-in-the-USA strings feature 80/20 bronze wire wrapped over tin-plated hex-shaped steel core wire. The resulting tone is very balanced with beautiful crisp treble sounds. I really like the way that Ernie Ball individually packages their strings to keep them protected from the elements and fresh until the day you’re ready to use them.

Guitar Accessories – Strings for Electric Guitars

D'Addario EXL120 Electric Guitar Strings

Ernie Ball 2253 Super Slinky Strings

Some of my personal favorites, these strings are made with a pure-nickel wire wrapped around tin-plated, hex-shaped steel wire producing incredibly warm and rich tones. Each set is made-in-the-USA and packaged in a low-humidity environment to ensure freshness until the day you open them to put onto your guitar.

D’Addario EXL120 Strings

D’Addario is the world’s biggest manufacturer of guitar strings, and these are among their most popular for electric guitar. These musically versatile strings feature nickel-plated steel wound around a hex-shaped, high-carbon steel core. These made-in-the-USA strings produce a bright tone that has good longevity and intonation.

Elixir Polyweb Strings

These premium nickel-plated steel wrap wire strings are at the high end of the electric guitar string spectrum. The Polyweb coating is incredible, offering a soft and slick feel that keep the strings sounding fresh way longer than its competitors. The coating isn’t just applied to the outer string surface, but the whole string. This keeps corrosion from building up in the small gaps between the windings.

Guitar Accessories – Instrument Cables

D'Addario Planet Waves Gold Instrument Cable

D’Addario Planet Waves Gold Cables

Planet Waves makes tons of guitar accessories that are of sufficiently good quality for really affordable prices and this cable is no exception. The build quality includes corrosion-resistant 24k gold-plated plugs, double-insulated and double-shielded coverage to keep any noise away from your sound and it includes a lifetime warranty.

Monster Prolink Rock Cables

I love the look and feel of these rugged cables. They are well-shielded to minimize any unwanted noise or hiss and their 24k gold contacts prevent corrosion. They also include a heavy protective jacket to prevent any kinks or damage from any incidental contact.

Mogami Gold Series Cables

All Mogami does is cables, and they do them very well. Known for their incredible clarity and low-noise, these high-quality cables are popular among audio engineers and recording studios, plus regular guitarists all over the world. Mogami does make even more high-end cables than these, but I think the law of diminishing returns starts to kick-in for everyone except true audiophiles or professional recording musicians.

Guitar Accessories – Patch Cables

D'Addario Classic Series Guitar Patch Cable

D’Addario Classic Series PW-CGTP-305 Patch Cables

You just can’t beat the value offered from D’Addario for guitar patch cables. They bundle three cables together for a great price, and their quality is good enough to make it on my list. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to consider these patch cables for your pedals.

Hosa IRG-600.5 Patch Cables

Loved by amateur and professional guitarists alike, these affordable patch cables offer the lowest profile right-angle connectors to allow your pedals from not wasting any space on your pedalboard.

Mogami Gold Series Patch Cables

As you might have figured out by now, I think that Mogami cables are the top on the market. So if you only want the best cables for your guitar rig, then check these out. You won’t be disappointed.

Guitar Accessories – Clip-On Tuners

I’m going to focus on clip-on tuners here because I’ve already highlighted my recommended pedal tuners on the gear page for effects pedals.

Fishman FT-2 Tuner

This basic tuner gets the job done with quick and accurate tuning for your guitar. It lights up green when you’re in tune, red when the string is playing sharp and amber for flat notes.

Snark SN5X Tuner

This high-performance tuner is faster and more accurate than earlier versions of clip-on tuners from Snark. Also, its updated screen is a bit crisper for easier viewing.

TC Electronic Polytune Tuner

This well-designed and well-built engineering wonder allows a guitar player to tune all six strings simultaneously (polyphonic) with incredibly accurate tunings. It can also be used in normal chromatic tuning mode for one string at a time tuning plus an ultra-precise strobe tuner mode for those who are real sticklers for perfectly tuned guitars. It also offers a super-bright and easy-to-read display.

Guitar Accessories – Capos

Kyser Quick-Change Capo

Easy to use, made-in-the-USA and guaranteed for life, Kyser capos have been very popular with acoustic guitarists for a very long time. They simply get the job done. And they are available in a ton of different colors to match your guitar or your personality!

Dunlop 83CB Capo

Jim Dunlop made his first capo in 1965 and the trigger capo design was introduced in 1995 which allowed for easy one-hand operation. Aircraft-grade aluminum and neoprene pads make these made-in-the-USA capos a solid choice for any electric guitarist. In addition to black, this capo is available in a variety of metallic colors (gold, nickel, smoked chrome).

Thalia Exotic Series Capo

This is simply the most beautiful capo I’ve ever used. The exotic inlays range from Santos rosewood to Hawaiian koa to blue abalone and beyond! Yes, it’s a bit pricier than the first two, but this is also the most versatile capo I’ve ever used. Each Thalia capo comes with a set of OctaveTouch Universal Fret Pads. What the heck is that, you might be asking… They are interchangeable pads that are designed to accommodate different fretboard radius found on guitars from different manufacturers. For example, the typical fretboard radius of Fender guitars is 9.5 inches. And Taylor guitars usually have a 15 inch radius. So the interchangeable pads ensure that each string is receiving sufficient pressure to prevent any unwanted buzzing in the strings. It’s a genius design really and I’ve enjoyed using my Thalia capo for years now.

Guitar Accessories – Metronomes

Ueteto Mechanical Metronome

You can’t go wrong with the classic design and function of a mechanical metronome. This style is particularly easy to use for children and adults that may not be too digitally savvy. There are no electronics involved. Simply set the tempo between 40 – 208 beats per minute, wind the spring, and away you go!

Korg TM-60 Metronome/Tuner

This particular model offers a useful 2-in-1 combo of metronome and tuner. The metronome includes 15 rhythm variations and 3 types of tempo settings. The backlit LCD display is easy to read. The tuner offers 3 different methods of tone detection. It has a 1/4″ input plug for your instrument cable, a 1/4″ contact microphone input and its own built-in microphone. It also has a headphone jack so your clicks don’t bother your bandmates or get included in any recordings.

Soundbrenner Wearable Metronome

Want to keep the beat but don’t want to hear the “click” sounds? Also, want to enable your ears to focus on the music and not the tempo? Then this cool wearable device may just be for you! Not only can you set your tempo and rhythm from the accompanying app for your smartphone, you can control it directly from your DAW. It’s compatible with Ableton, Logic and Pro Tools.

Guitar Accessories – Guitar Stands

Gator Frameworks Stand

This sturdy and well-built guitar stand protects your precious instrument in several ways. The padded cradles won’t damage the body or neck and the and rubber restraint ensures your guitar stays put exactly where you want it. Plus the adjustable height allows any size guitar to be securely cradled.

Amazon A-Frame Stand

This compact guitar stand offers 3 adjustable width settings to accommodate virtually any guitar shape. Soft foam pads are included on the arms and back rest to ensure your guitar finish stays perfectly safe. And the foldable legs allow you to easily take this stand with you to your next gig or over to your friends house for a quick jam session.

String Swing

For those that want to hang their guitars on the wall like a piece of art, this type of guitar “stand” is for you! String Swing guitar hangers are made from high quality hardwood and high density rubber materials. The yoke pivots to allow the cradle to automatically align with any style/design of guitar headstock. Just secure the two included screws into a stud in your wall and you’re all set!

Guitar Accessories Buying Guide Recommendations

Hopefully, some of the items in this guitar accessories buying guide have caught your eye. And like I mentioned earlier, don’t be afraid to experiment and try different items. You never know where your guitar journey is going to lead, so I recommend to let your ears and hands guide your way. Good luck to you!


Brand	D’Addario	Martin	Ernie Ball
Model	EJ16	M140	Earthwood
Material	Phosphor Bronze	80/20 Bronze	80/20 Bronze
Gauge	.012 – .053	.012 – .054	.012 – .054


Brand	Ernie Ball	D’Addario	Elixir
Model	2253	EXL120	Polyweb
Material	Pure Nickel Wrap	Nickel Plated Wrap	Nickel Plated Wrap w/ Polyweb Coating
Gauge	.009 – .042	.009 – .042	.009 – .042


Brand	Gator Frameworks	Amazon Basics	String Swing
Style	Adjustable w/ Neck Restraint	Folding A-Frame	Hanging Wall Mount

Guitar Accessories – Buying Guide