Accessories may not be as sexy as a shiny new console or a sweet vintage guitar or mic. But without them, the show can’t go on. Be sure not to neglect these 20 pocketbook-friendly essentials the next time you make that special purchase.
Strings
Stale strings are the quickest way to fall out of love with your instrument. The next time you find yourself jonesing for a new axe, try stringing up your sweetie with a new set of steels. And don’t forget to throw a pack of spares in your case for a mid-set snap or a priority session. Not sure what to get? Sweetwater customers prefer lively Ernie Ball Regular Slinky for electric, warm phosphor-bronze D’Addario EJ16 for acoustic, and Rotosound Swing Bass 66 for tight, punchy bass.
Cables
Life is rough for our cables. They’re constantly being pulled, twisted, bound, thrown, and stepped on. If your old mic and instrument cables are looking road worn, treat yourself to the tone-maximizing, easy-winding assurance of Pro Co Excellines. They’re sonically neutral, shielded against noise, and guaranteed for life. For the price, these cables are tough to top.
Adapters
Don’t trust your bandmates to have those essential 1/4″ adapters on hand when you’re in need. Whether you’re using consumer headphones with a pro headphone amp or connecting your mobile device to a soundboard, you’re bound to encounter a need for the Hosa GPM-103. This plug is built for the professional musician and comes warrantied for life.
Clip tuner
We’re big fans of Snark clip tuners. Lots of Sweetwater employees have one on every guitar they own. The chromatic Super Tight boasts accuracy comparable to or better than your favorite pedal and is so small and affordable that you can throw one in your case for a rainy day. Pitch calibration, metronome functions, and long battery life make the Super Tight unbeatable at this price.
Guitar stand
Your instruments deserve better than to be leaned haphazardly against a wall or perched precariously atop an amp. Invest in a proper stand and protect your instruments both onstage and in your studio. What we like about the On-Stage Stands Classic Guitar Stand is its portable size and paltry price point. A soft rubber top lock keeps instruments from slumping forward.
1 Spot
Thousands of players are still singing the praises of this game-changing universal AC adapter, which powers any standard center-negative 9-volt pedal without adding noise. That’s impressive enough. But where the 1 Spot really shines is in its ability to power multiple pedals on a board. Buy a 5-way or an 8-way adapter (sold separately), and deliver up to 1700mA to your boxes — enough to feed even your power-hungry modern digital pedals.
Picks
Unless you’re Brian May, who famously crafted his iconic textures using a British sixpence, you never want to be without a guitar pick when it’s your time to shine. Fender Classic celluloid picks have the touch and response that virtually every strummer is familiar with, and great tortoiseshell looks to boot.
MoonGel
Room acoustics and mic placement play a big part in a drum’s sound. So having quick, effective damping when you’re ready to rock is worth its weight in gold. RTOM MoonGel is reusable and self-adhesive, plus it provides the perfect level of spot muffling to neutralize unwanted ring. Choose classic blue or modern clear.
Drumsticks
Today’s wood sticks are tougher than ever. But even the finest aren’t engineered to last forever. Stock up today and stop rushing out to the music store at the eleventh hour before a gig. Vic Firth American Classic 5As are crafted from select hickory for a sweet sound on heads and cymbals, and they’re matched by pitch and weight for balance in the hands.
Mic clips
When you’re using house equipment, there’s always going to be that one mic stand without a clip. So outfit your mics with break-resistant Shure A25Ds and don’t sweat it. These clips fit Shure’s most popular stage microphones, including the SM57 and SM58, along with many similarly sized mics.
Strap locks
That around-the-world maneuver you’ve been practicing looks much less impressive when your bass flies off your shoulder and into a wall. Whether you’re after ironclad security or the convenience of using the same strap with every guitar onstage, Schaller Security Strap Locks deliver the speed and peace of mind our customers trust.
Strap blocks
For those of us who’d rather not perform surgery on our instruments, Fender Strap Blocks are a godsend. Slip these rubber discs over your strap pegs once your strap is engaged, and feel free to shake, rattle, and roll the night away. These are another must for all your guitars and basses.
String winder
String winders are a great way to save time (and your wrists) during string changes. Lock the peg winder around your tuning keys and tune up to pitch in mere seconds. The D’Addario Pro-Winder is a great multitasker, too, with built-in steel wire cutters to shear off string ends.
Room treatment
Anywhere you play, mix, or record should be acoustically reliable. Affordable Ultimate Acoustics 2″ absorption panels tame room ambience that can muddy your aural perceptions and control the high-end “zing” that can tarnish a recording. Adhesive mounting squares are included with these effective wall panels.
Receptacle tester
Reliable sound starts with reliable power. The Klein Tools RT110 tests wall outlets for a host of tone-robbing, hum-inducing wiring issues, including reverse and/or open grounding. A convenient top label minimizes the possibility of user error.
Pedal fasteners
Hardware store hook-and-loop tape wasn’t designed for stompboxes. StageTrix Pedal Fasteners, on the other hand, are perfectly sized and armed with industrial-strength adhesive to accommodate the ever-changing pedalboard. The modular design fits both compact and standard pedals.
Tape
If there has ever been a problem that Gaffer tape couldn’t solve, we haven’t found it. From securing cables to a stage to fixing lav mics to a lapel or holding a broken mic clip together in an emergency, gaffer tape is the choice of pro musicians and audio engineers everywhere. Unlike duct tape, Hosa Gaffer tape leaves little to no sticky residue behind.
Work light
Working in the dark is one of the hallmarks of the gigging musician. Whether you’re searching for the standby switch on the back of an amp or looking for that adapter that fell behind the stage, a handheld light such as the Ansmann Inspection Lamp X7, packed with six energy-efficient LEDs, can really save your bacon.
Power splitter
On a small stage, every musician could be vying for the same outlet. Keep your bandmates happy with the 3-way Pro Co Power Block splitter. Its stout 14-gauge cable is built to entertainment industry standards, and its wide outlet spacing accommodates most wall-wart adapters.
Swag
What musician couldn’t benefit from a spare tee for those sweaty sets or a handy tote for their cables? Sweetwater merchandise is responsibly manufactured and made with pride. Support your lifestyle and show off your Sweetwater allegiance with our branded merch.
Need help finding that perfect add-on? Give our Sales Engineers a call at (800) 222-4700, and let us show you why Sweetwater is the musician’s choice for music accessories.
