Essential Acoustic Guitar Accessories
By Phil O'Keefe |
Essential Acoustic Guitar Accessories
The right accessories can help you get the most from your acoustic guitar
By Phil O'Keefe
Some people think that "a guitar's a guitar" and there's really not a lot of difference between electric and acoustic models, but players who have experience with both know that this simply isn't true. Not only are there differences in the sounds the two instruments can make, but there's also differences in how they're commonly used (both live and in the studio) as well as different techniques for playing them, so it shouldn't be a big surprise that there are different accessories available for each.
While some of these items may look familiar to those who have read my earlier Essential Electric Guitar Accessories article, read on and you'll see that there are some accessory items designed specifically for acoustic guitars - and might be just the ticket to enhance your acoustic guitar's protection and capabilities, as well as help maximize your enjoyment of it. Ready?
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Case / Gig Bag - File these under "protecting your investment." A good acoustic guitar is a expensive and somewhat delicate investment that can be damaged easily - protect it by investing in the protection that a good gig bag or case provides. Are you unsure of which one you should get? Check out this article for some tips and suggestions.
Picks - There are all kinds of different picks, including customized picks, different-sized picks, and picks made out of materials ranging from artificial tortoise-shell replacements to plastic, nylon, wood, metal and even stone. Pro Tip: One of the quickest and cheapest ways to get different sounds out of your guitar is to experiment with different picks.
Guitar Strap - There's a wide range of styles and types available, so feel free to express yourself with your choice - but don't forget to get one with a leather tie if your acoustic lacks a neck heel or side-of-body strap button. Consider adding a second button if your guitar lacks one, but always check with the manufacturer for the recommended location before drilling into your guitar, or leave the job to a qualified repair person.
Preamps and Effects Pedals - While not used on acoustic guitar as often as on electrics, don't overlook the expansive tonal and musical options that various effects pedals can provide. In addition to pedals designed for electric guitars, there are also products specifically intended to enhance the sound of acoustic guitars, such as various acoustic preamp / EQ pedals.
Resources
You can purchase acoustic guitar accessories from:
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Phil O'Keefe is a multi-instrumentalist, recording engineer / producer and the Senior Editor of Harmony Central. He has engineered, produced and performed on countless recording sessions in a diverse range of styles, with artists such as Alien Ant Farm, Jules Day, Voodoo Glow Skulls, John McGill, Michael Knott and Alexa's Wish. He is a former featured monthly columnist for EQ magazine, and his articles and product reviews have also appeared in Keyboard, Electronic Musician and Guitar Player magazines.
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