RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS & tools
I am not affiliated with any of the companies listed below (though the Amazon links are affiliate links), but they are all products I would recommend to any guitarists looking for lasting, trustworthy products.
Music Nomad Grip ONE Guitar String Winder, Cutter & Pin Puller (MN223)
Great to keep in the case of your acoustic or electric for quick and easy string changes. I specifically like this one for this use as it has a built in pin puller for your acoustic bridge pins and a string cutter. No more chewed up pins!
MusicNomad The Humitar ONE Acoustic Guitar Humidifier & Hygrometer (MN311)
If you own any acoustic guitars, it is always great practice to keep an eye on their humidity. Low or fast changing humidity causes acoustic instruments to shrink and expand - this can cause cracking of your guitar top, releasing of the binding and other issues. You should always keep a humidity pack in your acoustic case. I like this specific model as it gives you the live readouts and has a quick reference of the safe zone for humidity and temperature for your acoustic instrument.
Formula 65 Fretboard Ultimate Lemon Oil
Quick and easy to use. You have probably already seen this, but for good reason. This lemon oil works wonders on non-lacquered fingerboards and with it’s applicator, it is super easy to apply. Use this to clean and hydrate your fingerboard during each string change. Use the applicator to apply it, then give it a quick wipe off with a rag. Good to go! Pro tip - this also works great on dry acoustic bridges to seal them up and bring their color back to life! it is also available in a small spray bottle you can keep in your guitar case!
MusicNomad 2 'n 1 Beyond Plush Players Cloth (MN241)
This is my go-to rag for the guitar case. 2 different sides, one plush for the body and neck and one a low pile suede to wipe down your strings. Great to use to wipe down your guitar before and after playing to keep your strings alive and your finish clean!
JIM DUNLOP Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings
Dunlop guitar strings are my go to at the moment. If you haven’t tried these yet, I can’t recommend them enough. Both the guitar and bass strings are fantastic, they feel and sound great and last a long time! They are also very fairly priced.
Jim Dunlop Straplok® Strap Retainers Dual Design
My opinion - these are the best strap locks on the market and they are installed on each and every one of my personal guitars. Your strap clicks in and comes out nice and easy when needed, but once it is locked, it is sturdy and never comes out. They also allow to still use a regular strap on them without strap locks!
Jim Dunlop Straplok® Dual Design Strap Button Set
Already use the strap locks listed above on your favorite straps, but that new guitar you bought doesn’t have your strap locks installed? They also sell just the buttons to install on your new guitars!
Souldier Guitar Straps
In need of a new guitar strap? I have gigged a Souldier Strap for over 14 years. It has been abused and heavily used and is still in mint condition. They are made in the USA and I can’t recommend them enough for someone that needs a quality strap. They have many designs and patters to match any guitar and they also come in a couple different widths.
MusicNomad String Fuel 3 pc. Guitar String Cleaner/Lubricant Kit (MN145)
This is my go to string cleaner. I apply this to almost every guitar as it leaves my shop. It smells fantastic and provides a small amount of lubrication to the strings which not only makes playing the guitar feel great, it also provides a light layer of protection against corrosion. I recommend using this product before and after playing to keep your strings feeling great and lasting as long as possible. As a plus, it makes your guitar smell great as well! This kit with the refill will last a player for over a year of applications!
Peterson StroboStomp HD Pedal Tuner
This is by far my tuner of choice. It is the tuner on my pedalboard and on the bench in the shop. Accurate, BRIGHT, and likely the easiest strobe tuner to read. I love Peterson tuners and will never go back to using any other tuner. Highly recommended if you are looking for an accurate tuner! It also comes in a mini size, a ‘screen only’, a clip on and a bench tuner - they truly have every version you may need.
Lava Cables LCRCRM 20 Ft Retro Coil Instrument Cable
These are in my opinion the best coiled cables on the market. If you like coiled cables, but are tired of them breaking on you - this is the only one to buy. I have gigged this exact coiled cable for 15+ years and it is still mint condition. This listing also features a right angle no-pop connector to go into your instrument. Yes that is right - no more pops out of your amp when you forget to mute/turn it off!
3M Dual Lock Reclosable Fastener SJ3560
If you are building a new pedal board or just sick of your current pedals rocking from using standard hook and loop velcro - this is the best choice for you. Dual lock works using the same idea, but both sides are hard - clicking together nice and sturdy when attached to itself. This prevents your pedals rocking on your pedalboard and keeps them VERY sturdy and attached for travel! No more showing up to gigs with a pedal hanging off of your board.
Smith Pro Formula Polish
This is the only guitar polish use for gloss guitars in my shop. Nitrocellulose safe and smells fantastic. Makes your guitar feel smooth as glass after cleaning and leaves behind a mirror like finish. NOT for satin or matte finishes. This can be expensive on Amazon, but check your local retailers or preferred guitar supplies websites for cheaper listings if wanted.
MusicNomad Premium Guitar Cleaner for Acoustic & Electric, 4 oz (MN100)
This is my go to for cleaning matte or satin instruments. It does not contain any gloss agents or waxes like the Ken Smith guitar polish. It does work great on gloss guitars as well, but doesn’t leave the glass like feeling to the guitar like Ken Smith - if you are using this on a satin or matte finish - they will never feel like glass anyways!
MusicNomad Acousti-Lok Standard Strap Lock Adapter-Acoustic Guitars (MN270)
Need a strap lock for your acoustic that has an output jack end pin? Look no further. This is pretty much the only option. Unscrew your current strap button from your end pin output jack and screw on this adapter. They also sell other options for the couple of brands that these threads don’t fit.
Big Bends Nut Sauce
This is the best nut and saddle lubricant money can buy. If you are having tuning stability issues, lubricating the nut, saddle and string trees with a touch of this is usually the first course of action. If that doesn’t work, bring the guitar by and I can get you sorted! This is enough product for many years of use on a whole collection of guitars.
Gabriel Tenorio Strings
These are BY FAR the best strings for offset guitars - and in my opinion the best boutique strings on the market. If you are an offset guitar person, or just looking for a boutique set of strings - look no further. Different material choices, Jazzmaster specific string lengths + silked ball ends and more.
Miracle All Purpose Polishing Cloth
A guitar tech’s secret? Miracle cloth. This is a cheap and easy way to keep your frets polished at home. If your frets are looking dingy or corroded, cut a little 2”x2” square off of this and wipe them down. They will come out looking almost new! The cloth will turn black after use, but don’t toss it - it will be good for another half dozen or so guitars! I do a much more involved process of fret polishing in the shop, but this is a great way for a guitarist to keep corrosion off of their frets at home. Works great on jewelry and other metals as well! It’s also safe with all guitar finishes!
Earasers 19dB Noise Reducing Earplugs
I have moved on to custom molded, filtered earplugs for going to shows and PPE etc, but these were my go to ear plugs for when I needed them. I always thought they sounded better than the many other brands I tried and they almost disappear in your ears. Worth a try if you are in need of some quality hearing protection that sounds great!
Hercules GS415BPLUS AutoGrip System Guitar Stand
This is the guitar stand I recommend whenever I am asked. Guitars feel sturdy and secure in them and the auto locking feature provides a bit of piece of mind. They also pack down pretty small!