What NOT To Buy Guitarists For Christmas

We’ve done you the favour of listing the worst presents for guitarists you need to avoid at all costs, followed up by what you should buy instead around the same price.

It’s fair to say musicians would prefer something genuinely useful for making music instead of a novelty item. No longer will you fret over what to get the budding rock star at Christmas.

DON’T buy: guitar pick puncher

DO get: guitar picks

Quite 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 pick puncher in a dusty box in the attic. And the picks you punch out of card don’t feel or sound good in any way, ever.

Better to get tried and tested picks you know they’ll like. Most picks will have a name or brand printed on them, so take a quick peek at what they use already.

Featured Products

DON’T buy: guitar toilet handle

DO get: 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, so if you’re a musician and you’d like to drop in a hint for the gift giver, the likes of Tone City and Landlord FX mini pedals all come in under £50. Loads of effect choices and loads of experimentation to be had. I’m sure there’s a joke about hitting a bum note in here somewhere.

Featured Products

DON’T buy: guitar spatula

DO get: 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 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 break and most players will want to add a few new pedals to their setup.

Featured Products

DON’T buy: guitar-shaped backpack

DO get: 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. Beginner models start around £250. More a reflection of how ridiculous the bag is.

Featured Products

DON’T buy: guitar tie

DO get: a guitar strap

The novelty of a guitar tie wears off before you put it on. Instead of this abomination of a present a wacky science teacher would feel embarrassed about clipping on, get your loved one a much cooler looking and useful guitar strap so they can play comfortably standing up.

Featured Products

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.