Accessories & supplies
The small things that decide the result
Twelve categories of accessories, judged the same way as the instruments: by what they change, and whether the cheap option is already good enough. Most disappointing first weeks come down to a mono cable, a dead string or a stand that will not hold a microphone still — not the instrument.
Browse by category
- Cables & adapters Why it makes no sound 11
- Guitar strings Gauge, and the neck that has to hold it 6
- Picks & straps Thickness in millimeters, not adjectives 8
- Mic stands & arms Thread sizes, and the adapter you forgot 3
- Pop filters & shields Plosives, wind and a bare room 9
- Keyboard stands & pedals X-frame, Z-frame, and a sustain that behaves 12
- Sticks, heads & pads 5A, 7A, and mesh that stays taut 6
- Cases & gig bags What survives a train and what does not 8
- Acoustic treatment Corners first, walls later 5
- Tuners & metronomes Clip-on, pedal, or the room is too noisy 2
- Effects pedals Nine volts, negative center 2
- Music stands & lights The part no budget includes 2