If you own an electric guitar, you’re probably going to find the need for these accessories somewhere down the line.

These accessories will make your life easier in some way or another, and luckily some of them are relatively inexpensive.

1. Digital Tuner

A digital tuner is a must for all guitarists, from the novice through to the professional. A guitar that is perfectly in tune will contribute to people’s idea of good tone.

Tuners come in many different shapes and sizes. My preference is a stompbox tuner like the Boss TU-3, as I find it’s the most accurate for my requirements.

Another type of tuner that can work well (especially for acoustic guitar) would be a clip on tuner. They simply clip to the headstock of your guitar, and detect the vibrations from the wood in order to determine the pitch of the string.

2. Hard Case

It’s essential to store your guitar in a safe place when you’re not playing it (particularly for expensive instruments). A hard case will provide the most protection for your instrument, especially when travelling.

Sometimes, however, a hard case may be impractical for certain situations. A guitar bag can work, however you want to take extra care when transporting your guitar in order to avoid knocks.

3. Humidifier

Placing 1 or 2 bags of Silica Gel inside your guitar case can help to absorb any excess moisture that may be present and help to keep your guitar healthy.

Guitars are made of wood, so rapid changes in air humidity can have a negative effect on them. If you live in an extremely dry area, a humidifier is important.

4. Guitar Stand

A stand is essential – especially if you’re a gigging guitarist. You’re going to want somewhere to put your guitar down. Leaning it up against something is not always the best option as this can cause damage and scratches to your instrument.

If you have more than 1 guitar, it’s possible to get a stand that can support multiple guitars. Another option is a wall mount, however you can’t take that to a gig.

5. Strap

A strap allows you to play your guitar while standing up. This may not be essential for playing and practising at home, however you’re definitely going to need one for a live gig. They’re also great if you’re jamming with friends, as you don’t have to sit in a stationary position.

Just a warning that some (cheaper) straps can be rather uncomfortable, particularly with heavier instruments. For the part of the strap that connects with your shoulder, usually the wider the better.

6. Peg Winder

A peg winder allows you to wind your tuning pegs a lot faster than what’s possible with your hands. This is great for changing strings, especially when you need to loosen each string to remove it.

These are not completely necessary if you have the patience to wind by hand, however if you break a string during a gig it will sure be a huge help.

7. Cleaning Solutions

It’s important to have the right cleaning solutions for your guitar neck (and body). A dirty fretboard comprises your tone, and will shorten the lifespan of a new pair of strings.

My favorite cleaning solution is a product called Gorgomyte, which you simply rub down your neck for instant cleaning and conditioning.

8. Capo

A capo is a clamp that clips on to the neck of your guitar, having the same effect as a barre with one finger.

I rarely use a capo, however it does come in handy when you need to transpose keys or use open string voicings. I usually only need one if I’m playing with a vocalist that needs to alter the keys of songs.

It’s a good accessory to have on hand, as you never know when you’re going to need it.