Gift for a guitarist? 10 gift ideas they'll actually use

21/10/2026

6 min. read

Monika Lužová

Not sure what to get a guitarist for Christmas? Guitarists are always missing something, whether it's a lost pick, a new tuner or another pedal for the collection. We picked 10 gift ideas for guitarists, from small things for a few pounds all the way to another guitar, and explained why each one will come in handy.

Gift for a guitarist? 10 gift ideas they'll actually use

What to buy a guitarist so they'll actually love it?

Guitarists are always missing something. A pick has disappeared somewhere, the tuner stayed at rehearsal with the drummer, the strings remember better days and there's still room on the pedalboard for another effect. That's exactly why accessories are among the safest gifts. Picks, a tuner, a capo or a strap will be used by anyone who holds a guitar. If you want to give something bigger, go for an effect pedal, a headphone amp or straight away another guitar. Here are ten tips in a countdown, from small joys to the biggest gift.

10. Picks, because you never have enough

Picks vanish more mysteriously than socks in the washing machine, so a guitarist never has enough of them, whether they ended up in a trouser pocket, down the sofa or on stage after a gig. The Dunlop PVP 101 set includes different thicknesses and shapes, so the guitarist can take their time to find out which ones suit them best and maybe discover a new favourite. If they play harder and more rhythmic stuff, go for the Dunlop PVP 102 set with thicker picks. To keep the new picks from disappearing straight away, add a Dunlop 5005 pick holder that sticks right onto the guitar or a mic stand, so a spare pick is always within reach. You'll find the full range in the guitar picks category.

9. A tuner that won't go missing

An out-of-tune guitar ruins even the best riff, which is why a tuner is something a guitarist needs every time they play, whether they're practising at home or standing on stage. The Revoltage CLT-4 clip tuner clips onto the headstock, picks up vibrations straight from the wood and tunes the instrument in a few seconds, even in a noisy rehearsal room while the drummer is trying out new fills. It's one of our best-selling products, so you can't go wrong with it. The smaller and cheaper Revoltage CLT-2 fits even into the smallest pocket of a gig bag. You'll find more models, including pedal tuners for the pedalboard, among our tuners.

8. A capo for quick key changes

When the singer wants the song two tones higher, a guitarist with a capo doesn't have to rework the chords or learn new shapes, they just clip it onto the neck and keep playing the same way. A capo also opens up new tonal colours, because chords played higher up the neck sound brighter, which anyone who loves playing around a campfire or with friends will appreciate. The Cascha HH 2037 fits acoustic and electric guitars, holds firmly and can be moved with one hand. For a classical guitar with a flat fretboard, the Revoltage CCP-1 is a better fit, as it's designed for its wider neck. More types are waiting among our capos.

7. A strap that lasts for years

A guitarist wears a strap at every gig and rehearsal, so it should be comfortable, strong and shouldn't dig into the shoulder after an hour of playing. The Fender Pick 'N' Strap has a pick pocket and over 700 reviews, which says it all, and thanks to its classic design it suits any guitar. A cheaper and equally reliable classic is the Ernie Ball Polypro. If the guitarist has a more expensive instrument, add Schaller strap locks, which literally lock the strap onto the guitar, so it won't fall off even when they jump around on stage. You'll find more models, from leather to wider padded ones, among our guitar straps.

6. Care products for strings and fretboard

Every guitarist knows black strings and a dry fretboard, but few buy something for their maintenance themselves, which is exactly why care products make such a good gift. GHS Fast Fret cleans the strings in seconds and fingers glide faster across the fretboard afterwards, which the guitarist will appreciate especially in fast passages. It pairs well with Dunlop 6551 lemon oil, which treats and revives a rosewood or ebony fretboard when it's clear it hasn't been cleaned for a while. It's an inexpensive gift that extends the life of the strings and brings back the guitar's shine. Find more in our guitar care range.

5. A stand so the guitar won't fall

A guitar leaning against the wall ends up on the floor sooner or later, and that's usually an expensive mistake that means replacing parts or repairing the finish. The foldable Revoltage GSA2025 stand is stable and fits into a gig bag, so the guitarist can take it to rehearsals or gigs, and it costs very little. Another advantage is that a guitar on a stand is always within reach, so it gets played more often than when it's shut away in a case under the bed. If the guitarist has more instruments, take a look at the Revoltage ZSJ-73 stand, which holds several guitars at once. The full range, including wall hangers, is among our stands and hangers.

4. A looper for practising and songwriting

A looper records the chords the guitarist has just played and plays them back on repeat, so they can solo over them right away, try out new melodies or layer more guitar parts. Practising gets faster because the guitarist doesn't have to search for backing tracks online, and songwriting gets more fun because they can record and hear an idea instantly. The Revoltage Serpent is a small pedal that fits on any pedalboard and is controlled with a single footswitch. It's an ideal gift for someone who plays alone at home and misses a band, and also for anyone who wants to play solo acoustic gigs.

3. Another effect for the pedalboard

The orange Boss DS-1 has been made since 1978 and guitarists from punk to metal have played it, so it's as essential on a pedalboard as a tuner. It's simple and durable, and with three knobs anyone can find their way around it the first time they switch it on. If the guitarist likes an even heavier sound, try the Behringer UM 300 Ultra Metal, which delivers thick distortion at a friendly price. For metal players who tune lower there's the Digitech Drop, which drops the guitar's tuning with one press without turning the tuning pegs, so they can switch tunings between songs without a break. Find more among our guitar effects.

2. Playing through headphones any time

The most common sentence in a flat where a guitarist lives is "turn it down". The Fender Mustang Micro Plus plugs straight into the guitar and plays through headphones, so the guitarist can practise even at midnight without waking anyone up. It offers several amp and effect sounds, so it sounds great even without a big combo. On top of that, they can stream a backing track from their phone via Bluetooth and play along as if they were playing with a band. The Boss Katana GO works in a similar way. If they'd rather have a small combo that can also play out loud, check out the Joyo JA-05G. Find more among our headphone amps.

1. Another guitar

Every guitarist knows they could use one more guitar, even if they won't say it out loud at home. With this gift, though, be careful, because every guitarist has their favourite type of instrument. Some swear by Stratocaster-style guitars, others by the Telecaster, Les Paul or modern superstrats with a fast neck, and others only play acoustic or classical. The neck shape, pickups and weight matter too, and a guitarist only finds out about those once they hold the instrument in their hands. So only buy a guitar if you dare to surprise and know what the person plays. You'll find inspiration among our electric guitars, acoustic guitars and classical guitars. If you're not sure, a gift voucher or advice from our customer service is the safer choice.

Frequently asked questions

What to buy a guitarist who already has everything?

For a guitarist who has everything, buy something that expands their sound or playing options. A good choice is a new effect such as the Boss DS-1, the Revoltage Serpent looper for practising, or the Fender Mustang Micro Plus headphone amp. If you're not sure, a gift voucher is a safe choice because they can pick exactly what they're after.

What gift to buy a guitarist for under £20?

For under £20 you can buy things a guitarist uses almost every day: a set of Dunlop PVP 101 picks, the Revoltage CLT-4 clip tuner, a Cascha HH 2037 capo, an Ernie Ball Polypro strap or GHS Fast Fret string cleaner. The safest tip is a tuner or picks, because those get lost and worn out most often.

What gift to buy a guitarist for under £45?

For under £45 you can choose from quality straps, stands, smaller effects and mini amps. A good choice is, for example, the Behringer UM 300 distortion, the Fender Pick 'N' Strap with Schaller strap locks, the Joyo JA-05G mini combo for playing at home, or the Revoltage ZSJ-73 stand for several guitars.

How do I find out which strings or picks a guitarist uses?

The easiest way is to discreetly peek into their case or gig bag, where they usually keep spare strings and picks. On the string packet you'll find the brand and gauge, for example 10–46, which helps you choose the same ones among our strings. You can also ask someone from their band. If you can't find out, better go for a gift voucher.

Which effect should I buy a guitarist as a gift?

The most common first effect is distortion or overdrive, because a guitarist will use it in rock, punk and metal. A proven classic is the Boss DS-1. If they already have a distortion, they'll love effects like delay, chorus or the Revoltage Serpent looper. If in doubt, choose a guitar multi-effect that offers lots of sounds in one unit.