What NOT To Buy Guitarists For Christmas

Nobody wants to see that awkward instinctive reaction when your gift receiver opens the Christmas present you’ve picked on a hunch. “Thanks, it’s great!” they’ll say. Secretly, we’ve all been there. Not to fret though, we’ve done you a favour rounding up the worst guitar-related presents you should avoid at all costs, followed up with some great gifts around the same price. You’ll totally be able to fake how you’ve been listening to their confusing guitar rants.

Everyone wants a present they’re actually going to use – musicians are no different. We’d prefer something genuinely useful for making music rather than a throwaway novelty item. Here are five terrible gifts and five much better ones in time for Christmas.

DON’T buy: guitar pick puncher

DO buy: guitar picks

Literally every guitarist has a plectrum lying around somewhere. You’re more likely to find a pick down the back of the sofa than this rubbish pick puncher you’ll use once and never again. The picks you punch out of card with this thing don’t feel or sound good in any way, at all.

You’re much better off buying tried and tested plectrums you know they’ll like instead of this flimsy mess of a present. Most picks are printed with a name or brand, so take a quick peek at what they use already to get an idea.

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DON’T buy: guitar toilet handle

DO buy: a mini guitar pedal

Yes, for the price of a toilet handle, you could get a guitar pedal. Something that’s actually fun and helps you make music.

There’s a surprising amount of choice in the matter too. If you’re a musician and you’d like to drop in a hint for said gift giver, the likes of Tone City and Landlord FX mini pedals are a great shout under £50 a pop. Loads of effect choices, plenty of experimentation to be had and all in a Christmas stocking filler size. I’m sure there’s a joke about hitting a bum note in here somewhere.

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DON’T buy: guitar spatula

DO buy: patch cables

Unless you’re a keen cook (in which you’d never use a guitar-shaped spatula in a million years) a guitarist is going to spend more time in front of an amp and a pedalboard than in the kitchen.

Flip off the spatula and get some trusty patch cables to connect your guitar pedals. Guitarists always need new cables as old ones eventually become unreliable and break. Most players are also likely to add a few new pedals to their setup over time, so it doesn’t even matter if they don’t put them to use straight away.

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DON’T buy: guitar-shaped backpack

DO buy: a real guitar

On the one hand, you can buy a leather bag in the shape of a guitar, which looks pretty stupid. On the other, you can buy a brand-new acoustic with quality specs, sound and design. The choice is pretty obvious.

Alvarez and Sire guitars don’t quite fall under the stocking filler category, but nevertheless, they’re exceptional choices for the price. Especially if you’re looking to spoil your budding guitarist this Christmas. Beginner models start around £250. More a reflection of how ridiculous the bag is.

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DON’T buy: guitar tie

DO buy: a guitar strap

The novelty of a guitar tie wears off before you even put it on. Instead of this abomination of a present a science teacher would feel embarrassed to clip on, get your loved one a much cooler looking and useful guitar strap. It’ll help them play comfortably standing up and might even get them off the couch this Christmas.

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Have you been given any of these terrible presents? Maybe something even worse? Let us know over Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!

Have a read of our other Learn articles.