Starting guitar: the essential accessories
It takes very little to start guitar properly: a tuner, some plectrums, a strap, a stand, something to care for the instrument, and a cable if you are playing electric. Everything else can wait. This guide runs through each accessory in order of priority, with the overall budget to plan for, to save you the beginner’s two classic traps: a basket full of gadgets, and an untunable guitar propped against a wall.
If you do not yet have the instrument itself, start with our comparisons of the best electric guitars and acoustics for beginners.
The tuner: the one non-negotiable purchase
An out-of-tune guitar is the leading cause of quiet abandonment: everything sounds wrong, you think you are playing badly, you put the guitar away. Tune up at every session, without exception. It is also how the ear develops.
The most practical format for a beginner is the clip-on tuner, which fixes to the headstock and reads the vibrations in the wood: it works in a noisy room, where smartphone apps that go through the microphone give up. Our tuner comparison details the models worth the money; the TC Electronic PolyTune 3, reviewed on the site, shows what the top of the range offers.
Plectrums: a pack, not just one
Plectrums get lost, lent out and worn down: buy ten straight away. Above all, vary the gauges in a pack from roughly 0.46 to 0.88 mm: the thin ones forgive the strummed chords of the early days, the mediums give precision when arpeggios and melodies arrive. Your favourite gauge will reveal itself within a few weeks of practice, and there is no point guessing it in advance.
The strap: yes, even to play seated
The strap is not just for the stage. Adjusted so the guitar sits at the same height seated and standing, it stabilises the instrument, frees your fretting hand from having to hold the neck up, and instils good postural habits straight away. Check one thing before buying on an acoustic: some models have only one strap button, and you will have to tie the strap at the headstock or have a second button fitted.
The stand: the accessory that saves guitars
A guitar leaned against a wall or a sofa eventually falls over, and headstock or neck repairs quickly cost more than a decade of stands. A stable stand or a wall hanger settles the question for good. The bonus argument is educational: a guitar that is visible and ready to grab gets played far more than one tucked away in its bag. It is the most rewarding purchase on this list relative to its price.
The cable and headphones (electric guitar)
On electric, the jack cable is a link not to neglect: the cheapest models crackle, break and need replacing twice a year. A 3-metre cable from a serious brand — a comfortable length at home — will last for years.
The modern electric guitarist’s other key accessory is headphones, to practise silently without negotiating with the neighbours: our comparison of headphones for guitarists will steer you by budget. And if the amp itself is still to be chosen, our first amp guide and our modelling amp comparison cover the question.
The capo, especially on acoustic
The capo transposes by clamping the strings at a fret: essential for accompanying songs in their original key with simple chord shapes. A spring-clamp model, which you can fit and move one-handed, is amply enough to start with. It will make playable dozens of songs that would otherwise demand barre chords out of reach in the early months.
The metronome: an app will do
Working in time from the start saves months of correction later. But here there is nothing to buy: a free metronome app does the job perfectly for exercises at home. A physical metronome is only justified if you prefer to keep the phone out of reach while practising — which is, let us admit, a fair argument.
Care: three products and a spare set of strings
There is no need to collect bottles. A microfibre cloth to wipe strings and finish after every session, a suitable cleaner for the body and fretboard at string changes, and that is about it day to day. Above all keep a spare set of strings in the drawer: a string always breaks on a Sunday evening. Wire cutters and a string winder make changes quicker, but they can wait. For the complete method, follow our care guide.
Gig bag or case?
For home, lessons and journeys on foot, a decent padded gig bag (at least a centimetre of padding, a sheet-music pocket, rucksack straps) protects well enough. The hard case is only called for with frequent car journeys, first gigs, or an instrument you really care about. Many beginner guitars are sold with a thin bag: it will get you by, but replace it as soon as the guitar goes out regularly.
Budget summary
| Accessory | Indicative budget | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Clip-on tuner | ≈ €10 to €25 | Immediate |
| Plectrums (mixed pack) | ≈ €5 | Immediate |
| Strap | ≈ €10 to €20 | Immediate |
| Stand or wall hanger | ≈ €10 to €25 | Immediate |
| Jack cable (electric) | ≈ €10 to €20 | Immediate |
| Capo | ≈ €10 to €20 | First month |
| Care kit + spare strings | ≈ €15 to €25 | First month |
| Padded gig bag (if not supplied) | ≈ €25 to €40 | First month |
Prices are indicative: reckon on around €100 for the lot if you aim at decent gear.
What can wait
Everything else. Effects pedals bring nothing while the basic chords are not coming out cleanly; a modelling amp already has some built in for exploring. A wireless system is a stage comfort, not a tool for progress: our wireless system comparison will wait patiently until you need it. As for the second guitar, it has to be earned: it is the best motivational carrot there is. Concentrate the first six months’ budget on what makes you play more often; everything else follows from that.
Frequently asked questions
What budget should you plan for accessories when starting guitar?
Reckon on around €100 for a complete set of decent quality: tuner, plectrums, strap, cable, stand, capo, care kit and gig bag. If you need to spread the cost, start with the trio of tuner, plectrums and strap, then fill in over the following months.
Is a smartphone tuner app enough?
To get by, yes. But the phone's microphone picks up all the ambient noise: as soon as the room is not silent, tuning becomes laborious. A clip-on tuner, which reads the neck's vibrations, stays reliable everywhere, including at a lesson or in a band.
Which plectrums should you choose to start with?
Buy a mixed pack of gauges between 0.46 and 0.88 mm. The thin ones make early strummed chords easier, the mediums give more precision on arpeggios and melodies. Your preference will emerge within a few weeks, and it will change as your playing does.
Do you need an amp to start on electric guitar?
Yes — without an amp, an electric guitar gives neither the volume nor the feel that makes you improve. A small modelling amp with a headphone output is more than enough: it lets you work silently and explore sounds with no other gear.
Gig bag or hard case?
A good padded gig bag is enough for home, lessons and journeys on foot or by public transport. A hard case only becomes necessary if you travel frequently by car, play regular gigs, or own a valuable instrument.