The Best Guitar Accessories and Gear That Every Player Needs

Assuming you’ve learned your basic chords and strumming patterns, and you’re ready to take your playing to the next level, here are a few of the best guitar accessories you may want to consider. [Read more: Easy Guitar Chords]

Not everyone will need a capo, but if you are playing with a variety of vocalists it can be a life saver. Since everyone’s singing range is different, you can use your capo to help match your vocalist’s preferred key without having to change your familiar chord shapes.

Most often heard in blues and country music, slide guitar involves placing a steel tube or glass bottleneck on the fingerboard to produce smooth glissando melodies and deep vibratos. If you decide it would be fun to give this technique a try, the good news is a typical slide usually retails for less than $10. Not to fret (pun not intended), a slide is an acoustic and electric friendly accessory.

Now that you've got some chords down and can play your favorite songs, it's time to start thinking about recording some of your licks. In order to plug your guitar into your computer or mobile device for recording, you'll need an audio interface. Compatible with nearly every recording software available, Positive Grid's RIFF guitar interface is the perfect solution for those looking to start their recording journey. It's the bridge between your guitar and the digital world of recording, making it easier than ever to capture your musical ideas.

While collecting amps is fun, it can definitely be an expensive hobby, and lugging around 100 watt heads can be a pain. This is where the world of guitar software comes in particularly handy. Positive Grid’s BIAS FX 2 gives you access to famous classic and modern amplifiers and effects, right at your fingertips. We’re talking an intuitive, fully customizable virtual electric guitar, bass or acoustic guitar rig for your computer or mobile device. Simply dial up any sound you can dream up, then practice, play and record to your heart’s content. BIAS FX 2 has also gotten a few hefty updates this year which include brand new DSP engine, remastered amps, performance enhancements and more. Looking to write your heaviest riffs yet? Check out the all-new OMNYSS sonically disruptive gear collection.

For the uninitiated, guitar effects pedals usually take the form of smallish metal boxes that can be switched on and off using your feet. The technology within these boxes is designed to alter your guitar tone in a number of ways, from making it distorted and fuzzy to shimmery and downright psychedelic.

The new Spark Control X for Spark series amps is the upgraded version of the original Spark Control and brings several improvements to the table. It features a complete design overhaul, including two extra switches for more control options. Plus, it’s fully compatible with the Spark 2 amp, allowing you to control new features like the built-in looper and other upgraded effects. It’s a fully wireless, plug-and-play solution that lets you switch presets, assign custom effects, and enjoy a streamlined pedalboard experience without the clutter.

One of the many great things about the guitar is how portable it is. But what’s the best way to carry one? For long, heavy-duty journeys, you’ll need a hardshell or flight case (we’ll talk about those later), but for rehearsals, local shows or playing in the park, nothing beats a light and reliable gig bag. They can retail anywhere from $40 to $200-plus depending on materials and padding. But whatever you get, make sure it has a couple of pockets for at least some of the best guitar accessories we’ve been talking about!

If you are an advanced or professional player, you’ll probably already know the best guitar accessories you need to get the job done. However, we thought it would be interesting and informative for the beginning and intermediate players to know what they may need in the future. Besides, who knows? You may see one of these things on eBay or Reverb for a good price and scoop it up for later use.

If you’re a professional musician, chances are you’re going to travel. And whether you’re flying in style on a private jet or riding in the back of a 2002 Ford van with your roadie “Smelly Pete,” you’ll need something pretty damn tough to carry your prized guitar. Luckily, Gator makes a line of TSA-approved hardshell cases for less than $200 that will take a beating and while protecting your prized possession.

Whether you want to bust moves like Prince or headbang like James Hetfield, everything is a little easier without having to worry about tripping over your guitar cable. Wireless systems have gotten much better (and less expensive) in recent years, so even if you aren’t playing stadiums, they can be a fun guitar accessory to have when you’re strutting your stuff at a smaller club.

The Spark LINK wireless guitar system is a great starting point in terms of price and reliability. It offers low latency, easy pairing with any guitar amp, and a long battery life, making it a solid choice for players looking to ditch the cables without sacrificing performance.

Some guitarists just love to do their own repairs. If that sounds like you, you’re going to want your own guitar tool kit. For a mere $26.95, the Ernie Ball Musician’s Tool Kit gives you most of what you need to do things like truss rod adjustments or fine tuning your bridge saddles.

Guitarists are often expected to run around the stage and entertain as much as the lead vocalist. The problem is, the more you move the more difficult it is to hear your stage monitors. In-ear monitors have become hugely popular in recent years for professionals that need a precise mix of what the band is playing at all times. Some musicians love ‘em and some hate ‘em for different reasons, but they can be a life saver for players on the move.

Right about now, I can hear a bunch of you say, “Hey man, what about acoustic guitar players? Are there any must have guitar accessories for us?” Don’t worry my wood-loving friend, in addition to picks, strings, tuners, straps and guitar stands, there are plenty of ways you can spend your money on accessories!

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they own an acoustic guitar is not storing their instrument properly. When a guitar loses its moisture, the wood begins to shrink, which can cause cracking and other damage. Using a guitar humidifier will keep your guitar looking and sounding beautiful.

Acoustic instruments are more fragile than their electric brethren, and therefore need more protection. A good case is invaluable. We also know how tempting it is to want to display your amazing guitar on a wall or on a stand in your room, but unless you use a room humidifier for your guitar, it’s best to keep in the case. Not only does this help keep the guitar properly humidified, a case also naturally protects your guitar from accidental scratches and dings.

When we play our guitars, we transfer sweat and oil from our skin to the wood on our guitar. If that sounds a little gross, sorry, but it is! Unfortunately, skin and sweat is really bad for our guitar as it will eventually destroy the protective lacquer and eventually work its way into the wood, breaking it down. It happens slowly, but it does happen. Cleaning and polishing your acoustic guitar is essential.

Like any great obsession, there are always more things to buy—pickups, headphones, string lubricant, the list goes on.