Guitar Accessories
These are the items that you absolutely must have for your guitar:
TUNER: If you can't tune your guitar, you certainly won't be able to play it. See "Tuning The Guitar" link at right for more information about these.
METRONOME: This is a clicking device that keeps time, and can be adjusted to click at different speeds and for different rhythms. It may sound like a silly and simple thing, but do not skimp out on getting one of these. This is a mandatory tool for effective practice.
EXTRA STRINGS: Strings will get eventually oxidize or wear out and lose their tonal qualities, and are also subject to breakage at the most inconvenient moment possible. See the "Changing Strings" link at the right for more information about what type of strings to get for your guitar.
CASE: Even the sturdiest of guitars is delicate in many ways, and even if you live alone with no kids or pets roaming around, the guitar is eventually going to get banged up or broken if you leave it laying around. Hard shell cases are available in most music stores for under $100, and padded "gig bags" with backpack straps and handy pockets are readily available for $20 to $30 in most shops.
PICKS: They are easy to lose or misplace, and they also wear out fairly quickly if you play a lot. It sucks when you can't find your pick, so we recommend that you keep at least a dozen or so on hand. They're cheap, so don't be a chiseler; most stores will give you a dozen standard picks for about $2 to $3.
AMPLIFIER: (for electric guitars) Obviously, you can't hear your electric guitar if it's not plugged into an amp.
CORD: (for electric guitars) Again, you can't hear your electric guitar if it's not plugged into an amplifier. Don't forget to get a cord. When I got my first guitar delivered (bought online), I made a long two-hour journey into the city to buy an amplifier and a host of other accessories so I could play. When I got home I realized that I had forgotten to get a cord. Did I feel like an ass? Yep.
CLEANING PRODUCTS: No matter how nice you are to your guitar, it is eventually going to get grubby due to dust and other air contaminants, as well as skin oils from handling. The metal parts are also subject to oxidation. There are many care and cleaning products available, and no particular brand is any better than any other. Get any brand of wax polish for the body of your guitar, and any brand of string lubricant to coat your strings and other metal parts with a film of silicone oil to protect them from nature's forces.
Other Recommendations:
These accessories are not absolutely required, but most guitarists will need and/or use them:
STRAP: You don't need to have one unless you are going to play standing up. All music stores will have a selection available ranging from cheap nylon ones for about $8 to $12 to fancy expensive ones made of leather or exotic materials.
GUITAR STAND: Holds your guitar upright and off of the floor when you are not using it, and don't want to put it away in the case. Cheap ones can be had for around $15.
EFFECTS BOXES: (for electric guitars) Most electric guitarists will eventually want to use some effects to shape their sound. The most widely used effects are DISTORTION and WAH. Which ones are the best? That is a subjective matter of personal taste, for the most part. The most popular and widely used distortion pedal is the IBANEZ TS-8 or TS-9, a.k.a. the "Tube Screamer". The DUNLOP CRY BABY is by far the most widely used classic wah wah pedal.
MUSICIAN'S FRIEND and GUITAR CENTER both offer a wide selection of all of the accessories recommended here.
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