Whether you’re an aspiring musician or have already been playing guitar for a while, you know how many different paths there are in terms of styles, techniques, and even equipment in the music world. That’s why it’s so important to gain an understanding of the guitar essentials before you commit to anything.
It’s imperative that you have the correct equipment and accessories to help you develop your skills and support your style, but it's just as important to keep them protected. If you have to shell out cash for your amp to be repaired, or you have to go without a guitar strap due to damage, your performance will be affected. Luckily, when you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited, you can get product protection coverage for all your guitar essentials under the same plan, so you'll never have to go without anything you need.
Guitar essentials that every aspiring musician needs
We’ve put together a quick reference guide to help you get started and reach your musical artist goals.
Capo
It’s always a good idea to invest in the best guitar capo within your budget, because you need something reliable to allow you to seamlessly change pitch without having to retune your guitar.
Picks
You should always have a number of picks on hand. If you want some that are reliable and durable, Tortex plectrums and Ernie Ball plectrums are some of the best guitar picks out there.
Custom guitar picks are a great way to help you have your own personal branding, embrace your style, and even get your name out there.
Straps
Custom guitar straps are extremely popular among amateur and professional guitarists alike. You can always find something to suit your specific taste and comfort preferences.
Stands
Instead of putting your guitar away after you use it, consider using a wooden guitar stand to keep it out on display so you’re more likely to grab it whenever inspiration strikes.
Amps and cables
If you plan to play electric guitar, you’re going to need an amp, and you can never have enough cables. Consider getting a few different ones that vary in length. For example, for gigs, you’ll want something around 20 feet, but if you’re recording in the studio, you’ll only need about 10 feet. If you’re just starting out, you can begin with a small guitar amp, and work your way up to larger ones as needed.
- Do all guitar amps work with a regular cable? All electric instruments use the same ¼” jack cable to connect to amps, so you won’t need to worry about getting new cables for new amps, and everything should be compatible. The only time this might change is if you’re using an acoustic amplifier, in which case you’ll need a cable fitted for acoustic guitars.
Pedals
Guitar effects and pedals are used for all kinds of instruments and are necessary for creating new and interesting sounds using effects like distortion, phaser, reverb, delay, and chorus.
Case
A guitar hard case is non-negotiable if you plan to ever take your guitar out of the house. Some gig bags might provide enough protection if you aren't on the road too often, but a hard case will give you more peace of mind.
Pickups
There are three major types of guitar pickups you’ll want to be aware of: single coil, humbucker, and P90. Blues and rock guitarists will usually opt for P90, jazz and more demanding genres like metal work well with humbuckers, and single coil works best with country and surf.
Conclusion
The most important thing about improving as a musician is that you start working towards your goals, so take the suggestions above to help you start or build upon your current collection. When you’re ready to invest in some new accessories, make sure you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited to get product protection for all your musical products under the same plan.
