Guitar Setup Tool Kits for Beginners

Guitar Setup Tool Kits for Beginners

So you’ve just bought your first guitar. Learn a few chords and you’re ready to shred in clubs and concert halls, right? Not quite. Like a carpenter, electrician or any craftsman, you’re going to need some tools and supplies to set up a guitar and maintain it.

A guitar setup kit adds to the initial investment — but without it, your prized guitar will wear out much faster. Some guitar tools are used every time you play, some once every couple weeks or a few times a year. But you’ll need them all eventually, and when you do, you’ll be glad you had them.

Should I Order a Guitar Setup Kit or Make One?

You can purchase a pre-designed guitar maintenance kit or create your own. Many companies sell guitar care kits, such as the D’Addario Premium Instrument Care/Cleaning Kit. These are more convenient and often cost less than buying the items separately. However, setup kits can be limited in scope and aren’t customized to your situation. You don’t want to pay for a pick or cleaning formula that doesn’t do what you need it to!

Assembling a custom guitar setup and tool kit will take more time and money, but it gives you more control over what’s in your toolbox. And as a new guitarist, you should spend some time experimenting with tools and supplies. We’ve discussed that every musician’s needs are different, so take the time to try things out.

The Basics

First, we want to address the six essentials for a guitar setup kit. No matter what type of guitar or music style you play, they should be on your shelf before you play your first note.

• Guitar Tuner — For making sure every string is on the right note, since humidity, temperature and age can alter the tuning.
• Guitar Picks/Plectrums — To let you attack the strings when strumming or playing individual notes. (Have a lot of picks since they get lost easily.)
• Guitar Strap — For holding the guitar around your neck and shoulders, leaving your arms and hands free to concentrate on playing.
• Extra Guitar Strings — Every string will eventually wear out or break, and you should be ready when they do (especially mid-show).
• Capo — The easiest way to change the key of a song without changing what chords and finger patterns you play.
• Hard Case or Soft Gig Bag — The best way to protect your guitar from bumps, dirt and other hazards whether you’re traveling or at home.
• Guitar Cables — To plug your guitar into an amplifier or soundboard. (If the guitar doesn’t have an on-board pickup, you’ll need to buy an aftermarket pickup.)

Other Recommended Guitar Tools

Now let’s go over some other guitar setup supplies you should eventually own. We’ll go roughly in order of priority so that if you’re on a budget, you can focus on the most important tools first.

Microfiber Cloth

Simply wiping down your guitar body and strings with a microfiber cleaning cloth after each session will remove sweat, moisture, oil and other things that cause damage. You’ll also need a cloth to apply polishes, conditioners and other cleaners. We recommend getting at least two so you always have a clean one to use.

String Winder and Clipper

This three-in-one tool is handy for putting on new strings. First, it goes over the pegs to wind and unwind them much faster than using your hands alone. Second, the built-in steel wire clippers easily cut off the excess ends of new strings. Finally, the circular end helps remove stuck bridge pins.

String Lubricants and Conditioner

Applying lube and conditioner to your strings will extend their lifespan. The guitar string lubricant improves the action so strings maintain their smoothness and fast play. Using a cleaner and conditioner as soon as you’re done playing will remove many oils before they can work into the strings and cause corrosion or weakening.

Guitar Polish and Cleaner

You want the finish on your guitar to look new as long as possible. Guitar polish is a simple spray-on, wipe-off way to remove smudges and dirt. Some manufacturers also offer carnauba wax to restore protection against chipping or cracking. Note that if you have a guitar with an unfinished fretboard, you’ll need a special cleaner for this surface.

Fret Polishing System

Over time, your frets will collect dirt, skin oils, polishing residue, corrosion and other gunk. This can affect the guitar’s sound and feel while causing the strings to wear out faster. Fret polishing kits work much like fine sandpaper, removing the gunk buildup for better performance.

Hex Adapter

If you’re changing to a new string gauge, it will change the amount of tension on the neck. This can alter the intonation and string height. A hex adapter lets you adjust the truss rod to account for the different tension so you have proper tuning and action.

Guitar Humidifier

Acoustic guitars are greatly affected by changes in humidity — and if the guitar dries out, it can cause the body’s shape to change and even crack. A guitar humidifier regulates the moisture levels to prevent this from happening. You can get a guitar case humidifier or a room humidifier if you have multiple guitars.

Guitar Stand and/or Hanger

Both stands and hangers display your guitar to others, let you easily grab it when you want to play and keep the guitar adapted to the room environment. Guitar stands are better for traveling and setting up on stage. Guitar hangers are great at home because they don’t take up floor space — and it’s harder to drop something on a hanging instrument.