Guitar players adore guitar gear. Duh. But experienced guitarists can be picky about what they choose to use, which can make finding an ideal gift for your favorite player almost as hard as attempting to perform Van Halen’s “Eruption” on a ukulele.
Happily, we have a “few” guitarists here at Guitar Center who banded together to curate some much-needed, surprising and/or smile-inducing gift options for those who play a lot. The team purposefully focused on items that would appeal mostly to hard-working players with gig-specific gear needs and desires, so you shouldn’t go wrong with one or two of our suggestions.
However, if you’re looking for more light and cheerful suggestions, please check out our Best Gifts for Beginning Guitar Players. Pro tip: The beginner list isn’t just for beginners—there’s some cool stuff on there that would delight everyone from novices to professionals.
Both lists also work if you’re looking for new goodies for yourself or seeking not-so-subtle hints to drop on bandmates, family and friends. Let’s dig in!
Table of Contents
Top Gifts in Electric Guitars
Awesome Gifts in Acoustic Guitars
Versatile Guitar Amp for All Music Styles
Popular Guitar Pedals for Gifts
Essential Gifts in Guitar Accessories
Give Your Guitarist a Home Studio Setup
Still Searching for Great Gifts?
Top Gifts in Electric Guitars
Fender Player II Stratocaster
Why We Chose It: It’s an exceptional Stratocaster, and it’s in a rare and striking British Racing Green finish. Start your engines!
Things to Consider: Comfort upgrades include a Modern C neck profile with a rolled fingerboard, as well as chambered bodies for the ash and mahogany versions (the alder model is not chambered).
Shop Now: Fender Player II Stratocaster Limited-Edition in British Racing Green
The Fender Player II Stratocaster—along with the entire Player II lineup—has been refined and revitalized, so serious Strat aficionados will be enthralled by the clever upgrades to playability and tone. The sonic versatility of a Stratocaster has been celebrated for decades, making this Player II model an excellent option for creators who negotiate myriad musical styles.
Explore More: Learn more about the Player II Series. Check out our comprehensive Fender Stratocaster guide.
Gibson Les Paul Studio
Why We Chose It: All of the classic Les Paul tone goodies in a basic model with a sweet finish.
Things to Consider: Two Gibson Burstbucker Pro pickups with coil tapping and a weight-relieved mahogany body.
Shop Now: Gibson Les Paul Studio in Blueberry Burst
The Gibson Les Paul Studio is a stripped-down, built-for-speed machine with a SlimTaper neck, enhanced neck binding, dynamic and powerful humbuckers, and spot-on intonation. It’s a perfect guitar for no-nonsense rockers—and other stylists—who crave tough tones and singing sustain.
Explore More: Dive into the history of the Les Paul. Peruse our Gibson Les Paul guide.
Awesome Gifts in Acoustic Guitars
Martin Special GPC Grand Performance
Why We Chose It: “It’s a Martin” is usually enough to delight serious acoustic players. If not, the GPC adds premium components, outstanding playability and great tone.
Things to Consider: Solid Sitka spruce top, with solid sapele back and sides. Includes Fishman Sonitone pickup system.
Shop Now: Martin Special GPC All-Solid Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Beaming an air of simple elegance, the Martin Special GPC Grand Performance Acoustic-Electric delivers the sonic goods for both unplugged and plugged-in artists. The GPC’s solid-wood construction, mahogany neck and glued, neck-to-body joint ensures maximum resonance, along with expressive mids and excellent dynamic response. Plug in, and the Fishman Sonitone system deploys an under-saddle piezo pickup, internal microphone and an onboard preamp with volume and tone controls to further craft your sound.
Explore More: Read through our Guide to Martin Standard Series acoustics.
Taylor GS Mini
Why We Chose It: Super portable, gorgeous-looking flat-top for buskers, solo-acoustic artists and anyone who wants to play music in the great wide open.
Things to Consider: Beautiful solid-mahogany top, West African ebony fingerboard, and it comes with a handy, travel-protective Taylor gig bag.
Shop Now: Taylor GS Mini Mahogany Acoustic Guitar
The Taylor GS Mini brings the company’s effortless playability and rich, articulate sounds to a scaled-down model that can be toted almost anywhere—with the possible exception of spelunking expeditions. The GS Mini is a fantastic option for roaming players who prefer a more full-bodied acoustic, rather than bringing a dedicated travel guitar that may be slimmer and trimmer.
Explore More: Get the scoop on every current Taylor model.
Versatile Guitar Amp for All Music Styles
BOSS Katana Artist Gen 3 100W 1x12 Combo Amp
Why We Chose It: It’s a tone workstation with plentiful sounds for any style a guitarist wants to play, it’s loud enough for rowdy clubs and weighs just 41 lb.
Things to Consider: Tube Logic technology, 100 watts of power, six amp characters (with one variation each) and five independent effects sections.
Shop Now: BOSS Katana Artist Gen 3 100W 1x12 Combo Amp
The BOSS Katana Artist Gen 3 1x12 combo gives players a lot of sonic options—which is especially beneficial if your favorite guitarist is in a band that plays a lot of covers, if they like to try out different music styles or if you’re not sure what type of music they dig. An amp with basically one tonal characteristic—no matter how awesome it sounds—might not be a safe gift choice when you’re unsure if rock, metal, pop, funk or something else is their preferred music to play. However, with the Katana Artist, there will always be a tone to fit their chosen style (or styles). The BOSS Tone Studio app allows even further sonic explorations, as well as the ability to organize your sounds into Live Sets.
Explore More: Research the complete Katana Gen 3 lineup.
Popular Guitar Pedals for Gifts
Line 6 DL4 MKII Delay Pedal
Why We Chose It: In addition to being one of the most popular delay modelers of all time, the upgraded DL4 MkII offers an abundance of 30 delays and two loopers.
Things to Consider: Gig tough and tested, with 15 new delays from the renowned Helix family of processors. There’s also an XLR microphone input for treating vocals in a home studio or on stage, as well as MIDI connectivity.
Shop Now: Line 6 DL4 MKII Delay Pedal
The readily identifiable, horizontal green box that is the DL4 has been delighting delay disciples since its introduction in 1999. The smaller-footprint Line 6 DL4 MkII offers new superb-sounding HX delays, 1- and 4-switch loopers with up to 240 seconds of record time (expandable with optional microSD card) and increased performance possibilities via a jack for connecting an optional expression pedal or two footswitches.
Explore More: Do a deep dive on the DL4 MkII.
Line 6 HX Stomp Multi-Effects Processor
Why We Chose It: HX Stomp is a massive guitar and bass rig in a compact and convenient floorboard. From amps to speaker cabinets and effects, the perfect setup is but a few tweaks away.
Things to Consider: More than 300 amps, cabinets and effects modeled utilizing flagship Helix, M-Series and legacy Line 6 technology.
Shop Now: Line 6 HX Stomp Multi-Effects Processor
Comprehensive digital guitar rigs are being used more and more on tour and in the studio, and the Line 6 HX Stomp multi-effects processor increases the power and portability factor with a floorboard that can fit into the front pocket of a guitar gig bag. You can construct a near limitless array of amp and cab combos, as well as spice up your tone with flexible effects chains. Even more valuable, if you dial in an amazing rig during a rehearsal or recording session, you can save it as a preset and bring that exact sound on stage with you.
Explore More: Watch guitarist Pete Thorn run HX Stomp through its paces.
Warm Audio Tube Squealer
Why We Chose It: It delivers the classic, touch-responsive overdrive that made those vintage green boxes a cornerstone of blues and rock tone.
Things to Consider: Delivers classic tube-style warmth with premium op-amps, true-bypass clarity, and a rugged all-metal build made for the road.
Shop Now: Warm Audio WA-TS Tube Squealer Overdrive
Warm Audio’s Tube Squealer nails that sweet, dynamic overdrive that responds to every nuance of your picking. It’s voiced for clarity and sustain—perfect for stacking with other drives or pushing a tube amp into natural breakup. You might be chasing Stevie Ray grit or just want a reliable mid-boost to cut through the mix—in either case, this one’s pure tone candy for your pedalboard.
Peterson StroboStomp HD
Why We Chose It: It combines precision strobe tuning with a bright, customizable display that’s easy to read on any stage.
Things to Consider: Offers true strobe tuning accuracy within ±0.1 cent, a vibrant customizable display, and switchable buffered or true bypass to suit any setup.
Shop Now: Peterson StroboStomp HD Pedal Tuner
Peterson’s StroboStomp HD is more than just a tuner—it’s a precision tool built for players who care about every cent of intonation. The ultrabright screen is readable from any angle under stage lights, and the strobe response is instant. With hundreds of “sweetened” tunings and a road-ready aluminum chassis, it’s equally at home on the bench or the stage floor.
Essential Gifts in Guitar Accessories
D'Addario NYXL Light Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack
Why We Chose It: It’s a trio of high-tech, super tough strings that maintain tuning stability even if you bash your strings as hard as the impact of a charging rhino.
Things to Consider: High-carbon steel core with reformulated nickel-plated steel wire wrap for tensile strength.
Shop Now: D'Addario NYXL .10-.46 Light Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack
The construction and design of D’Addario NYXL guitar strings—as well as the company’s Fusion Twist technology that produces smoother wrap wire—ensures precise intonation, longer wear and even reduced finger squeaks. NYXL strings are excellent choices for players who perform a lot of whammy tricks, use several alternate tunings on the same guitar and/or subject strings to wide dynamic ranges (soft strums to punk rock-inspired pummeling).
Explore More: Learn about string formulations and construction.
D'Addario XPND Pedalboard
Why We Chose It: One of life’s eternal struggles is guitarists constantly changing out the pedals on their pedalboards. D’Addario’s ingenious telescoping board can reduce some reshuffling discomfort by expanding surface area with little more than a tug.
Things to Consider: Four-rail surface, rugged aluminum frame that’s designed to effortlessly grow from five pedals up to 20, industrial-strength Velcro for securing pedals included.
Shop Now: D'Addario XPND Telescopically Expanding 4-Rail Pedalboard
The D’Addario PW-XPNDPB-02 XPND Pedalboard is quite the boon for any guitarists with option anxiety, “buyer’s remorse” or too many gigs with different signal processing needs. Rather than continually reorganizing a static board, the XPND expands and contracts with the need at hand. No more fearing going from Friday’s organic, three-pedal funk gig to Saturday’s prog-rock effects extravaganza. In essence, your pedalboard can grow with you—up to a point. (And if you really get to the point where you need more than 20 or so pedals, you can purchase another XPND or add optional pedal risers.)
Explore More: Learn how to build a better pedal signal chain.
Livewire Braided Patch Cables 3-Pack
Why We Chose It: They keep your pedalboard neat and your signal chain clean with rugged construction and flexible, low-capacitance design.
Things to Consider: Features a durable braided jacket, low-capacitance wiring for transparent tone, and space-saving right-angle connectors for tight pedalboards.
Shop Now: Livewire Braided Patch Cables 3-Pack 3in. in Electric Blue
These Livewire Braided Patch Cables are built for guitarists who want reliable connections without clutter. Their braided sleeves stand up to constant rearranging, while the oxygen-free copper conductors keep your tone consistent across every stompbox. If your gift recipient’s board looks like spaghetti, this three-pack is the neat-freak upgrade they didn’t know they needed.
Ernie Ball John Mayer Silver Slinky Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack
Why We Chose It: More than simply emulating the preference of a guitar hero, these unique gauges can benefit players desiring slightly thicker light-gauge strings.
Things to Consider: Reinforced plain strings enhance tuning stability and resilience.
Shop Now: Ernie Ball John Mayer Silver Slinky Electric Guitar Strings 3-Pack
John Mayer is pretty fastidious about tone, technique and playability, so it’s perhaps not a surprise that he wanted his own set of signature strings. Ernie Ball John Mayer Silver Slinky strings are customized to Mayer’s preferred gauges of 10.5, 13.5, 17.5, 27, 37 and 47.
Explore More: How to Choose the Best Electric Guitar Strings.
Gator Flight Pro V3 Electric Guitar Case
Why We Chose It: Guitars can be like the villains in the Call of Duty video games—everyone is trying to take you down. You can help your favorite player’s favorite guitar withstand onslaughts of awful with a sturdy hardshell case.
Things to Consider: ATA-molded polyethylene outer shell, TSA-approved lock for fly gigs, EPS protective foam interior.
Shop Now: Gator Flight Pro V3 TSA Series ATA Molded Electric Guitar Case
The Gator Flight Pro V3 hardshell case is built to protect most standard electric guitars from impacts, tip overs, baggage handlers, distracted roadies, oblivious bandmates and lots of other potential tragedies. The tank-like polyethylene shell guards against shocks and collisions, and the attractive, blue plush lining protects finishes from scratches and scrapes.
Explore More: Five Ways to Care for Your Electric Guitar.
Levy's MSS2-BLK 3" Signature Series Black Leather Guitar Strap
Why We Chose It: Hey, a serious player wielding a prized guitar should hitch that instrument to a premium strap. ’Nuff said.
Things to Consider: Two-ply embossed Italian leather for extravagance, foam padding for comfort, adjustable from 37" to 52" to suit most body types and heights.
Shop Now: Levy's MSS2-BLK 3" Signature Series Black Leather Guitar Strap
For some players, guitar straps can be a bit of an afterthought. They shouldn’t be. Especially when Levy’s MSS2-BLK 3" Signature Series leather guitar strap struts the kind of comfort and quality that’s galaxies away from the freebie that came with your first SpongeBob SquarePants guitar. (Just saying …) The MSS2-BLK’s 3" thickness and foam padding makes even heavy guitars feel cozy on your shoulder during long gigs, and it looks as posh as the interior of a brand-new Lamborghini.
Explore More: Stroll through our collection of Levy’s guitar straps.
Mogami Gold Series Instrument Cable 25'
Why We Chose It: Mogami cables are some of the most deluxe cables available.
Things to Consider: Oxygen-free copper core, ultrahigh density spiral shielding, carbon-impregnated PVC shield layer, Mogami’s “no-excuses” lifetime warranty.
Shop Now: Mogami Gold Series Instrument Cable 25'
Incorporating a Mogami Gold Series instrument cable into your rig means virtually never having to worry about guitar cable fails, tone fluctuations or handling noise ever again. These are tough cables to be sure, but they are also flexible and light. Real-world benefits for guitarists include sonic transparency and accuracy, wide frequency response, expansive dynamic range and extreme cancellation of hum and noise. There’s a reason for that lifetime guarantee.
Explore More: Looking for a wireless system?
Music Nomad KEEP IT SIMPLE, SETUP Starter Kit Bundle
Why We Chose It: Gives curious, DIY-interested guitarists an all-in-one tool kit for setting up their own guitars.
Things to Consider: About the only things this setup kit doesn’t include are nut files and acoustic guitar soundhole truss rod wrenches. Practically everything else a beginning (or even more experienced) guitar tech needs to do their job is present and accounted for.
Shop Now: Music Nomad KEEP IT SIMPLE, SETUP Starter Kit Bundle
The Music Nomad KEEP IT SIMPLE, SETUP (KISS) Starter Kit is actually three kits that include almost everything a guitarist needs to setup their instrument to their very own preferences. There’s a six-piece Precision Gauge Setup Set, a Guitar Tech 26-piece Screwdriver and Wrench Set and a Guitar Tech 11-piece Truss Rod Wrench Set. In addition, Music Nomad doesn’t leave you to figure things out on your own. A 24-page, step-by-step instructional guide is part of the package.
Explore More: Additional guitar care tips.
Proline HANG Premium Floating Guitar Stand
Why We Chose It: It’s a mini marvel of industrial design that suspends a guitar by its headstock without touching anything else.
Things to Consider: Stand is collapsible for easy portability.
Shop Now: Proline HANG Premium Hanging Guitar Stand With Auto-Closing Yoke
The Proline HANG guitar stand keeps guitars ready for action safely, securely and with a sleek high-tech look. The floating design ensures that even instruments with odd shapes (V-shaped models, anyone?) that often don’t fit more conventional stands can be held with confidence. An auto-closing yoke keeps guitars from slipping off the stand, and the handy pick holder offers more sophisticated stowage than taping a row of picks to a microphone stand. If “floating” isn’t your jam, Proline offers a series of stands that include REST (support arms for guitar bodies) and MOUNT (wall-mounted hanger).
Explore More: Discover additional guitar-stand options.
Give Your Guitarist a Home Studio Setup
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack (Gen 4)
Why We Chose It: This is everything a guitarist needs to transform a bedroom, garage, rehearsal space or tabletop into a marvelous home-recording studio.
Things to Consider: Includes recording interface, condenser microphone with pop filter, closed-back headphones, XLR cable and Studio Pack software bundle.
Shop Now: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack (Gen 4)
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio Pack (Gen 4) offers a truly brilliant way to establish your own home studio and start making tracks almost immediately. It starts with the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface—a studio dream machine that captures stunning instrument and microphone signals. Then, you get Focusrite’s CM25 MkIII studio condenser mic—great for recording vocals of all styles, acoustic guitar, percussion and more—and Focusrite SH-450 closed-back headphones for monitoring. The Studio Pack software bundle includes Ableton Live Lite and Avid Pro Tools Artist DAWs, Softube amp simulators, Antares Auto-Tune and more (some tools are three-month free subscriptions).
Explore More: Improve your studio mixing chops with 3 Savvy EQ Moves to Clean Up Muddy Mixes and How to EQ Electric Guitar in a Mix.
Still Searching for Great Gifts?
If you remain concerned about getting something “just right,” offer the final decision to your guitarist by giving them a Guitar Center gift card. They will be able to peruse their local store—or explore guitarcenter.com—at their own speed and whenever they are in the mood to gear up.