More Top 10 Stocking Stuffers for Guitarist

About.com recently posted a article on Top 10 Stocking Stuffers for Guitarist. Things like tuners, capos, strings…. YAWN. No offense to About.com, but these are lamo gifts–way too practical. I’ll give ‘em that the heart slide is pretty cool. I thought I’d amend About.com’s list with my own version which I think you’ll find a little more interesting.

Specialty Picks for Speed? Not
So why would you spend good money on one of those technologically designed specialty picks that promises to speed up your playing to a bazillion miles an hour? Well, because they probably do speed up your playing. I’ve never used them though. I have my own secret weapon–I call it “sand paper”. What a cheap thrill! Here’s a before and after above. You get the idea. Does this speed up your picking. Heck, yes! Try crafting your own pick edge, I believe you’ll like it. I know Dunlop caught on and has sharpened picks, and I love Dunlop picks, but they are way too sharp. I like to customize mine to be “just right”. 60 to 80 grit works well just about any gauge of pick.

Perfect Pitch Ear Training Course
I bought this years ago because I just had to know if it worked. Just imagine being able to name any pitch you hear! I admit I didn’t go the whole 9-yards and complete the program. I spent probably about 10 hours with it total, because time was scarce for me in college. The reason I recommend this product anyways is because it’s such a unique instruction, AND I was actually seeing results. But I’m not going to tell you this was easy, at least it wasn’t for me. Think of this like learning a completely new instrument from scratch. The lessons get you listening to tones on a super detailed level so you listen to the quality of each pitch like you never have–you get intimate with each note. But it was paying off. Also, it’s nice because you can practice with whatever instrument your comfortable with, of course I used my guitar. I’m still pining to get back to this program one day. Maybe I’ll make it a new years resolution. Since I got it they’ve updated the courseware quite a bit.

BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone
There is non more better than this. This is one of the few indestructible and highly versatile distortion pedals on the market. This is an old favorite. It’s been used by Kirk Hammet of that Metallica band for decades (I realize for some of you that could actually be a turn off thanks to the last few albums), and it hasn’t gone down in price for about as long. You still pay about $80 to $90 bucks for it. The real reason that this is great isn’t because it goes to 11 (well it actually does because this thing has a dual gain circuit!), but because it’s got a 3-band EQ like no other stomp-box featuring the ability to dial in the frequency of the midrange band, and then cut and boost in all three major bands, that’s low, mid, and high BTW. You can dial in any friggin’ tone with the thing. My personal favorite setting is to put the mid frequency at medium and then bass and high all the way up, and then boost just enough mids to get a little bite. Check it out at Zzounds.com.

Coffin Case
Okay, technically this won’t fit into any stocking I know of, however it makes the list because it’s just cool. Whoever was the genius who thought up this product and then created the company’s scintillating marketing materials deserves to sell plenty of these, and this company has been around for a few decades doing this so I imagine they have. Get a closer look at their line here.

Wireless System = Freedom
Freedom you say? Yes, wireless freedom. The prices of wireless guitar transmitters has dropped to the sub $100 level. For me brand doesn’t matter so much so shop around a bit. The Nady Encore is a favorite. You can check out all of the wireless systems under $150 here. One nice thing about this is parents and spouses even think it’s “practical” and cool, so they’re likely to get this one for you. Why tether yourself to a amp if you don’t have to? However, if you must there’s this….

Conquest Wrapper Cable (The cable that was impossible to destroy…)
Before you go thinking that cables are lamo, please let me tell you this is NO ordinary cable. This cable could survive a nuclear attack and an ice age and still service you perfectly. This is the single most durable cable I have ever used. I’ve had one of these cables for over 20 years, and I still use it and have never repaired it–I kid you not. Despite it’s age and the fact that it’s been one of my most used cables, and even though the shrink wrap around the plugs has finally loosened and tends to slip off… and that a rabbit chewed through about a 3rd of it’s width in a few places… it still works! No static, no dropouts when you move around. This will be the best $15 buck you’ve ever spent!

Sure SM 57 Mic
Much like the cable you might say this borders on lamo. But if you don’t have one of these mics you need one. It’s just a requirement folks. Once you own one you will notice it everywhere on TV, in movies, on stage, you name it. It’s the most popular mic ever because it’s versatile. It has a relatively even pick up along the frequency spectrum except for an emphasis on the upper mid-range frequencies helping this mic produce a sound that is clearer up top and letting guitars and vocals cut through a mix. It’s also indestructible (throw it in your suite case, guitar case, at the wall), and is an old favorite to mic amp speakers. I’ve let children scream Ol’MacDonald through this mic and I don’t have to think twice about drool short circuiting the thing. Read more reviews here.

How to Play In Two Hours Flat
Yeah, it does really work! If you’re an absolute beginner you’ll be playing in 2 hours, or if you’re someone who’s been playing a short time this method can get you playing at a much higher level and much faster in 2 days. If you’re an advanced player or instructor and you’re looking for a good method for teaching your friends or students to play, you also can’t go wrong. The trick in how this works is that it only focuses on very specific exercises which are the most essential for learning to play well quickly. It was developed by an instructor using over 20 years of experience. This is a good methodology for someone who doesn’t want to sift through the jungle of guitar related instruction materials out there. It’s humble, simple and effective (which is why I like it). This is actually an electronic e-book product so doesn’t look exactly like the book on the right, but gives you an idea… Check out the audio of a student playing guitar for the first time after just 2 hours.