263 - The Beginner Guitarist’s Gift Guide (What’s Worth Buying… and What’s Not)

Welcome to the festive edition of Beginner Guitar Academy! As we kick off December, Paul Andrews shares a comprehensive gift guide for beginner guitarists, perfect for Christmas wishlists or for anyone shopping for a guitar-loving friend.

This episode covers essential accessories that beginner guitar players will truly appreciate, products to avoid, and tips for selecting quality gear that actually gets used rather than languishing in a drawer.

Key Highlights

Academy Updates

• Monthly Academy Show is live on the site, featuring new content releases, member shout-outs for level assessments, progress checks, and guitar-versaries. Special mention to Ken on his four-year guitar-versary!

Upcoming December events:

• Sip and Strum: December 14th, featuring “Run Rudolph Run” by Chuck Berry.
• Live Q&A: December 22nd, the final session of the year, join live or pre-submit questions.

Gift Guide – What to Buy

Stocking Fillers (Under £20)

• Clip-on Tuners: Essential for beginners; reliable brands like D’Addario, Fender, or Boss recommended over cheap alternatives.
• Capos: Great for playing more songs and simplifying chords. Brand examples: G7th, Kaiser, Jim Dunlop.
• Picks/Plectrums: Variety packs are ideal for experimentation with thickness and material (Dunlop recommended).
• String Winder & Cutter: Handy for changing strings efficiently.
• Strap Locks: Protects guitar from accidental drops; options include simple rubber locks or upgraded locking systems.

Useful Upgrades (£20–£50)

• Quality Guitar Strap:
• Paul Andrews recommends the Ernie Ball Polylock for built-in strap locks and durability.
• Sturdy Music Stand: Skip foldable models and choose heavy-duty or orchestral stands for stability and better posture.
• Cleaning Kits: Brands like Dunlop and Ernie Ball offer comprehensive kits (fretboard conditioner, polish, string cleaner).
• Metronome: Korg MA2 is recommended for practice; digital options have more features.
• Foot Stool: Helpful for guitar posture, especially in classical position.

Bigger Gifts (Above £100)

• Amps: The Spark series is highlighted as the best beginner amp currently, including the Spark Go, Mini, and Spark 2.
• Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH series for decent monitoring, or consider Boss and Positive Grid’s “amp-in-headphones” for advanced practice.
• Tablet/Phone Stands: Hercules stands for durability and versatility in digital practicing.

Online Learning

• Paul Andrews explains how to gift a Beginner Guitar Academy subscription—easy steps available via the website.

What NOT to Buy

• Cheap Accessories: Budget tuners, capos, and especially guitars can be unreliable and uncomfortable. Spend a bit more for usability and enjoyment.
• Low-Quality Effects Pedals: Cheap pedals often sound disappointing; aim for reputable brands like Boss, Zoom, or Line6.
• Guitar Gadgets: Avoid unnecessary hand exercisers, finger stretchers, or plastic finger protectors—best hand training is on the guitar itself.
• Wall Hangers Without Proper Hardware: Risky for your instrument.
• Picks for Beginners: Stay away from thick picks; variety packs with thin picks are best for new players.

Top Gift Recommendation

A Professional Guitar Setup is the ultimate “service” for your instrument, making it easier and more fun to play, reducing string buzz, and improving intonation. Paul Andrews promises a future masterclass on guitar maintenance for Beginner Guitar Academy members.

Final Thoughts & Next Week

Summing up the best gifts for guitarists—from practical accessories to big upgrades—Paul Andrews reminds listeners to avoid cheap, gimmicky items in favour of quality gear.

Next week, tune in for another Christmas-themed episode featuring beginner-friendly holiday songs (2025 edition)!

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app or via bgapodcast.com.

Happy holidays and keep practicing!