Guitars

Looking for Trusted Advice on Top Guitar Gear?

Whether you’re a beginner searching for the perfect starter axe or a tone titan expanding your rock locker, you can count on Sweetwater's guitar gurus to guide you to the gear that gets results. And not just guitars and basses, but also amps, pedals, stands, and cases for the road ahead.

Why Sweetwater Is the Go-To Choice for Guitarists at Every Level

Personalized gear picks you can rely on

Are you chasing the hottest pickups or most faithful amp modeler money can buy? Chances are, we've been in your shoes. Sweetwater's Sales Engineers have years of experience road-testing the latest guitar gear and would love to share our expertise with you. Not sure where to begin in your guitar journey? Call us up any time to receive personalized gear picks based on your goals and budget. If you need inspiration, our inSync online column offers a steady stream of the latest guitar news and gear reviews. Tune in daily for the latest!

Sweetwater's Guitar Gallery redefines online guitar shopping

Do you miss the in-store shopping experience? With Sweetwaters' Guitar Gallery, your easy chair becomes the perfect spot to explore the latest instruments. We weigh and photograph every serial number of every guitar and bass priced at $399 and up. Now, you can choose the instrument with the specific figuring, finish, mobility to help you look and feel your best whenever you perform.

55-point Inspection: our seal of approval

Say goodbye to finish flaws and scratchy pots when you buy a qualifying guitar or bass at Sweetwater. Instruments $399 and up include a hand-signed 55-point Inspection card certifying the fit, finish, action, and electronics. Should any issues escape our trained eyes, never fear; our 2-year Total Confidence Coverage goes above and beyond many manufacturer warranties.

Fast, free shipping — no membership required

Sweetwater is committed to ensuring your gear reaches you safely and in record time. That's why we ship guitars on our dime from our climate-controlled distribution centers.

All your favorite brands under one roof

Sweetwater is proud to partner with the leading guitar and bass manufacturers — including Fender, Taylor, Gibson, Martin, PRS, Ibanez, Gretsch, Guild, Marshall, JHS, Ernie Ball, Line 6, and countless others — to give players of every background a leg up in their craft.

Types of Guitars at Sweetwater

As you probably already know, guitars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Acoustic guitars with steel or nylon string are perfect for songwriters on the move. Electric guitars are available in different body styles and woods and offer different tones depending on the genre of music you wish to play. Then there are semi-hollowbody (sometimes known as "semi-acoustic") guitars for players who want the deep sound of an acoustic guitar with the option to amplify it like you would an electric guitar. Most guitars have six strings, but there are 12-string acoustic and electric guitars, as well as some contemporary 7-string and 8-string guitars. The ukulele, a small 4-string instrument with a bright and wispy tone, and the mandolin and banjo even fall in this category.

Electric Guitars

Electric guitars are used in many styles of music, including rock, blues, country, jazz, funk, and more. Electric guitars feature pickups and electronics that turn the vibrations into an electrical signal that is then sent to a guitar amplifier. Some popular electric guitars include the Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster and the Gibson Les Paul and SG. Electric guitars come in many forms, including solidbody, semi-hollowbody, or hollowbody guitars. Each guitar body offers sonic differences that should be considered before you buy.

Acoustic Guitars

If you’ve ever sung around a campfire, it was likely with an acoustic guitar Acoustic guitars produce their sound naturally using the vibration of the strings and resonance of the body to create sound in the air. The guitar top, or soundboard, is a finely crafted and engineered element often made of spruce, cedar, or mahogany. The back and sides of an acoustic guitar are typically made from mahogany, sapele, rosewood, or maple. Acoustic guitars are true works of art, thanks to the talented luthiers that build them.

There are many types of acoustic guitars available, from the large-sized dreadnought and resonator guitar to the classical guitar and travel guitar, with different body styles like cutaway or no cutaway. Some acoustic guitars have pickups and electronics in case you need to plug into an acoustic guitar amplifier or PA system to get more volume or want to add effects with guitar pedals. At Sweetwater, we carry a ton of acoustic guitar packages so you can get your guitar, guitar case, strap, and gig bag all at once. If you’d like to learn more about acoustic guitars and what to look for when shopping for one, visit our Acoustic Guitar Buying Guide online.

Ukuleles

Though not technically a guitar, the ukulele is a small stringed instrument commonly associated with the Hawaiian Islands. The word ukulele translates to "leaping flea" in Hawaiian. Guitarists love the ukulele because guitar chords can easily be translated to the smaller instrument. Many ukuleles are built from the wood of the koa tree, which is found only in Hawaii and has a beautiful three-dimensional grain pattern. Ukuleles come in four sizes (from smallest to largest): soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. Not sure what size ukulele is right for you? Visit our article on How to Choose a Ukulele online.

Guitar Amps

A guitar amp is an amplifier optimized for reproducing electric guitar signals. There are two primary formats of guitar amps: heads and combos. Heads are amplifiers only and need to be connected to a separate speaker cabinet, whereas combos are amplifiers with built-in speakers. Amplifiers usually fall into three types: tube, solid-state, or hybrid. To learn more about when to use each of these amp types, see our Guitar Amp Buying Guide.

Guitar Pedals

Guitar effects pedals can help you create and sculpt your perfect tone, add distortion for big rock tones, and create cool nuances with delays, reverbs, wah, and more. You can purchase separate guitar pedals for each effect or multi-effects units that house many effects. Want to learn more about effects pedals and how they can shape your guitar's sound? See our Guitar Pedal Buying Guide for insider tips on augmenting your sound with fuzz, chorus, amp modelers, and more.

Guitar Accessories Give You a Leg Up

Guitar Strings

Many people overlook the importance and vital role of guitar strings. They help your guitar sound, play, and even feel better. Old strings can cause intonation and tuning problems, while new guitar strings can breathe new life into your guitar's tone and playability, keeping your guitar sounding its best. Some guitar strings are coated to resist the buildup of oil and dirt, prolonging the life of the strings. There are differences between acoustic guitar strings and electric guitar strings. To learn more, visit our online articles Acoustic Guitar String Buying Guide or How To Choose Electric Guitar Strings.

Guitar Tuners

An essential part of any rig, a guitar tuner is a must for anyone who owns an acoustic or electric guitar. There are many different kinds of guitar tuners out there, and at Sweetwater, we offer the full gamut. From handheld tuners and clip-on tuners to pedal tuners and rackmount tuners, we have the guitar accessories you need to keep your guitar in tune and sounding great. Not sure which guitar tuner is right for you? Check out our online article, Which Guitar Tuner Should I Buy?

Guitar Picks

Whether you buy an acoustic or electric guitar, you’ll want to get some guitar picks. Seriously. How would you strum those beautiful chords without them? Most guitar players will tell you that finding the right guitar pick is a matter of experimenting. Guitar picks are made from a variety of materials and thicknesses. Thin guitar picks can range between .40 to .60 millimeters (mm), while medium guitar picks can vary from .60 to .80mm. If you’re a heavy strummer or in a rock band, heavy guitar picks may be more your forte, as they can range from .80 to 1.2mm. There are even extra heavy guitar picks that exceed 1.2mm and extra thin guitar picks under .40mm. Want a little more info on the different guitar picks available? Visit our blog on How to Choose a Guitar Pick.

Guitar Cases

Once you find the axe of your dreams, it's time to find a guitar case to protect it from the wear and tear of everyday life. While guitars can be quite sturdy, taking them to and from lessons, the studio, or a friend's house without proper armor can make them vulnerable to dings and the occasional drop. At Sweetwater, we carry a large selection of electric guitar cases and acoustic guitar cases that will keep your instrument safe. From hardshell guitar cases to gig bags and hybrid guitar cases, we can help you find the best case for your 6-string (or 12-string, or 7-string...you get the idea!). Check out our blog on The Best Cases for Guitars and Basses to learn more about your options, or contact one of our expert Sales Engineers, and they’ll be happy to help you find the right guitar case! You can also visit the Sweetwater Case Finder to quickly identify cases that are verified to fit your instrument.

Guitar Stands

Guitar stands offer a simple and convenient way to hold your guitar securely. There are many types of guitar stands, and the one you choose should depend on your needs and budget. We carry single guitar stands, double guitar stands, and even guitar stands that can hold up to 12 guitars! We have guitar stands for everyone, from the beginner to the professional, so be sure to browse our options!

Guitar Straps

Guitar straps enable you to keep your guitar at a comfortable height so you can feel confident and secure while playing. They can be made from a plethora of materials, giving you the option to choose from leather guitar straps to nylon or suede. Need a little extra padding for those long late-night gigs? Consider getting a padded guitar strap that rests comfortably on your shoulder. For added security, pick up guitar strap locks so your guitar doesn’t detach from your strap. Whether you’re staying a local open mic or your band is opening for a major label act, investing in a quality guitar strap is always a good idea!

Guitar Capos

Guitar capos are one of the easiest ways to change your guitar's tuning. These guitar accessories clamp down around your guitar's fingerboard, almost like an adjustable nut. This shortens the length of the vibration of the guitar strings and results in a higher pitch. At Sweetwater, we carry guitar capos from top brands like Shubb, G7th, Paige, D’Addario, Dunlop, and Kyser, to name a few.

Guitar Cables

A guitar cable is basically a wire that carries the signal from your acoustic-electric or electric guitar to your pre-amplifier, amplifier, pedal, or tuner. Guitar cables are often overlooked, but they can have a profound effect on your tone, so it's worth investing in good ones. Guitar cables come in various lengths, and it's important to choose a cable that isn't longer than you need it to be. This can help with signal loss, especially when it comes to high frequencies.

Guitar Cleaning Kits

Regular cleaning and care are necessary if you want to keep your guitar looking and playing its best. Microfiber polishing cloths can help rid your guitar of unwanted residue like dust, grime, oils, and dirt. There are also guitar polishes that can take your guitar's finish from bland to fab. For acoustic guitars, it's always wise to get a guitar humidifier to maintain proper humidity levels throughout your instrument.

Shop Guitars & Guitar Accessories Online

Now that you're armed with this important guitar knowledge, you may have more questions about the best type of guitar for you. Give your Sweetwater Sales Engineers a call at (800) 222-4700; they would love to learn more about your needs and budget to help you track down the guitar gear you've been missing.