# Guitar playing Dopers. Opinions please **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 30, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043 "2022-10-30T21:21:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/1 "2022-10-30T21:21:00Z")
Last year I got some good advice in this thread: [Acoustic Guitar Buying Advice - #39 by Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/acoustic-guitar-buying-advice/950053/39) My son has gotten quite a bit better in the almost year since. He is still self-taught and leans toward the rock greats. With Christmas coming I will be looking for gift ideas. He has (more than) enough pedals. He buys them himself. Often. He has two electric and a plug-in acoustic, so I’m not looking for an actual guitar. I’m think along the lines of an accessory (or accessories) that he may not have thought of yet. I realize you don’t know what he has or doesn’t, but maybe something a still-new player wouldn’t think about? Thanks for any ideas! ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/2 "2022-10-30T21:51:45Z")
Didn’t look at the other thread but does he have guitar stands? ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/3 "2022-10-30T21:52:04Z")
How old is he, and how much do you want to spend ? How about a fancy [strap](https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/straps-c54) ? (edit: just checked your other thread, so he’s about 19/20) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/4 "2022-10-30T22:16:25Z")
He will be 20 in January, yes. I haven’t thought about a strap. I wouldn’t have even thought that was a big deal, so thanks! As far as spend goes, I usually spend 200-300 per kid (I have 3.) But his birthday is in January sometimes I combine them. Last year I got him his acoustic guitar. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/5 "2022-10-30T22:16:57Z")
Actually, I think he only has one, yet he has 3 guitars. That’s a good idea. I will have to double check though. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/6 "2022-10-30T22:18:52Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > He will be 20 in January, yes. I haven’t thought about a strap. I wouldn’t have even thought that was a big deal, so thanks! Custom strap. You can get uber fancy. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/7 "2022-10-30T22:21:45Z")
I’m assuming they are universal? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2022, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/8 "2022-10-30T22:26:02Z")
If you get one custom made (name/ nickname) you might want to go with a gift certificate so they can fit him perfectly, especially if he’s not “average”. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/9 "2022-10-31T03:54:19Z")
You could get him an [expensive](https://www.martinguitar.com/gear-accessories/luxe-by-martin/18A0117.html?cgid=LUXE%20BY%20MARTIN%C2%AE) guitar [pick](https://www.gravitypicks.com/products/variety-pack). I admit I am pick-curious about these. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/10 "2022-10-31T17:47:15Z")
Gift certificate to Sweetwater. I would always appreciate that gift! ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/11 "2022-10-31T20:09:52Z")
Let me second that idea. And note that I too would like a Sweetwater gift certificate, supposing certain people might read this thread. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/12 "2022-10-31T20:20:23Z")
Chris Jenkins, my personal SW Sales Engineer, is hoping I receive gift certificates as well. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/13 "2022-10-31T20:25:17Z")
A small present could be a slider, just a little metal or glass tube that he uses, if he doesn’t have one of those. With pedals off the table, it makes it a lot harder. How about a mic and stand? ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/14 "2022-10-31T21:43:16Z")
> [@squeegee](#): > > You could get him an [expensive](https://www.martinguitar.com/gear-accessories/luxe-by-martin/18A0117.html?cgid=LUXE%20BY%20MARTIN%C2%AE) guitar [pick](https://www.gravitypicks.com/products/variety-pack). I admit I am pick-curious about these. You call those expensive? Try [these.](https://shop.bluechippick.net/flatpicks/) ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2022, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/15 "2022-10-31T22:18:02Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > You call those expensive? > **[Most Expensive Guitar Pick](https://luxuothailand.com/featured/collectibles/most-expensive-guitar-pick.html)** > > Australian company Starpics has created a completely unique pair of guitar picks made from meteors. Said to be around 4 billion years old, Gibeon meteorites were discovered in 1836 4 billion years old, carved from a meteorite. $4674. Happy? ---
**Author:** ![TwoCarrotSnowman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twocarrotsnowman/32/15879_2.png) [@TwoCarrotSnowman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwoCarrotSnowman)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/16 "2022-11-01T07:07:24Z")
Guitar straps are near-universal. The only exceptions are fancy locking ones like the DiMarzio Clip-Lock system, but avoid those and you’ll be fine. That said, strap locks are a good investment and you could equip all three guitars within budget. Not the sexiest of Christmas presents, but watching your beloved guitar bounce off the floor is a painful thing, and strap locks prevent that. However, my main suggestion is a bit left-field: a course of lessons. A good teacher will look at where your son is now and what his playing aspirations are, and chart a path to get from here to there. After decades as a self-taught player, I started taking lessons recently , and it’s had more impact on my playing than any amount of new gear would have done. One final idea: I recently attended a workshop with a luthier where we learned to set up our own guitars - which is a valuable skill for any guitarist. That might be worth looking into? ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2022, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-playing-dopers-opinions-please/974043/17 "2022-11-01T10:26:10Z")
> [@TwoCarrotSnowman](#): > > However, my main suggestion is a bit left-field: a course of lessons. A good teacher will look at where your son is now and what his playing aspirations are, and chart a path to get from here to there. I came in to say this. It can be tricky sometimes, finding the right teacher, and there can be a mystique, mostly bogus IMHO, about being self-taught, but it can be very helpful.