It happens every year. In the height of the spring time I have to make several essential summer purchases. And no I am not talking about flip-flops and beach towels. I am talking about essential guitar and musical accessories. The disposable kind. The kind that you have to buy a lot of when you play a lot of gigs. A conversation I had with a fellow musician the other day gave me the idea to list up my top five summer musician essentials so that I could share and compare them with my other musician friends. Here we go!
First up and perhaps the most important of the bunch is strings. I usually use D’Addario guitar strings in 10 gauge. I have for years. But this year due to a deal that I just could not resist I changed it up and went for Ernie Ball super slinkys in the equivalent gauge and material. They are good strings that sound awesome on a Les Paul so I bought an entire case in the hopes that it will last me the entire summer. For the acoustic shows I bought half a dozen sets of Ernie Ball Earthwood in 11 gauge. These also have been sounding wonderful on my acoustic and I love the air tight packaging which keeps the strings fresh in the ocean air.
Next up is perhaps the least fun purchase for any instrumentalist. The dreaded and often misunderstood guitar cable. The last 15 to 20 years I’ve seen so many offerings in this department that I will say what I have learned. Paying two little guarantee that the cables will soon fail leaving you with no recourse save buying another. Paying too much for super premium cool dude cables is just ridiculous. Mogami cable offers a sort of happy medium price wise but has an extra perk. Mogami cables all have lifetime warranties and in addition to that even if you buy the cable online you can return it to any Mogami cable retailer and they will swap it out right there on the spot for you. Buy the cable once I have it forever. Done. Fender cables are simple reliable and a great alternative for me especially when I have to buy a bunch.
These guys are often overlooked but next up on my list of summer essentials has to be guitar straps. I have a bunch of guitars and I play them a lot so it’s always a safe bet to make sure I have a strap in each guitar case. Moving one strap from guitar could to guitar can be risky. If you are playing electric guitar and forget your strap the gig is pretty much over. I have been feeling these retro kinda straps lately. Super cool patterns with some vintage guitar vibe. Check them out.
Another overlooked but completely essential item? Guitar picks. I use Dunlop nylons ( great grip) or or Fender tortoise. But no matter which one I use I need to have a ton of them.
Last but certainly not least and perhaps unexpected In a list of musical accessories is sunscreen. I play outside a lot. It is usually in the sun. Pick a premium all natural one that won’t rub off in the surf and sand and you are good to go. You will thank me later!
What are Your summer essentials? Did I miss anything? Let me know and many thanks!