Upgrading Your Guitar Gear: Must-Haves For the Intermediate Guitarist

Is your guitar gear stage-ready? If you’ve been playing for a while and you’re ready to start performing, your set up might need some upgrades. Follow this guide from guitar teacher Nathan D. and enjoy rocking out… 

You’ve been playing guitar for a few years now and you’re starting to get pretty good. Your friends and family are impressed with how far you’ve come, but you’re not content to just be a casual player. You want to take your playing to the next level. And that means upgrading your gear.

There’s a lot of gear out there, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what you need and what you don’t. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll give you a rundown of the must-haves for the intermediate guitarist. 

So whether you’re looking to upgrade your amp, your guitar, or your pedals, we’ve got you covered.

What Equipment is Needed for Guitar?

If you’re thinking about taking up guitar, you might be wondering what equipment you need. While it’s possible to find some used guitars and amplifiers for a reasonable price, there are also some essential accessories that you’ll need to purchase:

• A guitar. Obviously, this is the most important piece of equipment. If you’re just starting out, you might want to consider buying an acoustic guitar. They’re relatively inexpensive and easier to learn on than electric guitars.
• An amplifier. You’ll need an amplifier if you want to play electric guitar. Again, there are some great used options out there, but make sure you get one that’s compatible with your guitar.
• A strap. A strap is essential for playing electric guitar, as it gives you something to hold onto while you’re standing up. It also helps to keep your hands free so you can focus on playing.
• A pick. You’ll use a pick to strum the strings on your guitar. They come in different thicknesses, so try a few out to see which one feels comfortable for you.
• A tuner. A tuner is a handy tool that helps you keep your guitar in tune. There are both digital and analog tuners available, so choose the one that suits your needs best.

With these essential pieces of equipment, you’ll be ready to start learning how to play guitar like a pro!

Ready to start making a list of all the guitar gear you need? Guitar lessons can help. Learn more about all of the benefits of guitar lessons by watching the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZ64yEGPok

Which Guitar a Beginner Should Buy?

There are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a guitar, especially if you’re a beginner. It’s important to find an instrument that is comfortable to play and suits your budget. If you’re just starting out, it might be tempting to buy the cheapest guitar you can find. 

However, this can often lead to frustration, as low-quality instruments are often difficult to play and don’t stay in tune. It’s also important to choose the right size guitar. If you’re an adult with large hands, a child’s toy guitar is probably not going to be very comfortable. 

On the other hand, a full-sized guitar may be too big for younger children or those with small hands. 

Another factor to consider is the type of music you want to play. 

If you’re interested in classical or Spanish-style guitar, then you’ll need a nylon-stringed instrument. 

These guitars are typically more expensive than steel-stringed guitars, but they offer a mellower sound that is well suited to those genres. If you’re looking to play rock or country music, then a steel-stringed guitar is probably a better option. Ultimately, the best way to choose a guitar is to go to a music store and try out as many different instruments as possible until you find one that feels right for you.

Buying Guitar Gear to Motivate Yourself? Here are the Top Picks

So perhaps you’ve been playing steadily for a few months to years, and you’re taking this whole “guitarist” thing seriously. Maybe you now have a band, and want to start playing out. There’s plenty of necessities to get or upgrade guitar gear as you start to go a bit more pro, and countless sticker-shock options as well. What do you need to know before going on a crazy, card-maxing shopping spree?

Ideas For The Road

A floppy gig bag will need an upgrade, so definitely buy a hard-shell case to protect your instrument. Consider the hardships of packing your guitar into your tour vehicle and traveling. It will pay for itself after a hard drop out of a van door or trunk, or even a single pass through the TSA’s often brutal gauntlet.

Buy a few supplies for your case. I keep a spare string winder, a pack of strings, a tuner (or pitch pipe, as they don’t need batteries that can leak if left unchecked), and a few extra picks. A pen and some paper won’t hurt, either. You never know when you’ll have to trade info with a promoter and run out of business cards (bar napkins easily get thrown out).

If you live in dry climates, I shouldn’t even have to tell you to have a humidifier in your guitar case. However, if you’re going on tour or vacation, it’s not the first thing you might think to pack. You don’t know what the weather will be from state to state (or continent), so it’s worth the twenty dollar or more investment.

Suggestions For The Active Stage Rocker

Consider installing strap-locks onto your instrument, especially if you’re in an act that flails around a lot. Be aware of the current size of the strap screws in your instrument. You may be drilling a deeper or wider hole for larger screws to properly secure the locks. Have it done by a pro if you don’t want to potentially split your body apart (or ask a reliable carpenter friend).