Holiday shopping for musicians is tricky — we get it! But, if you want to find a useful gift that isn’t an instrument for a music lover or are looking for some ideas for yourself, then this is the list for you. We’re displaying an assortment of valuable gifts that require little to no expertise to pick out and purchase confidently. Handy items include clothing, drinkware, furniture, sweet mini amps, and manufacturer memorabilia — the type of stuff most musicians can’t or won’t buy for themselves but would love to have. Let’s dive in!
The Wearable Smartwatch Made for Musicians!
Wearables like smartwatches are trendy gifts and for good reason! While many of these accessories are geared toward athletics and biometrics, the Soundbrenner Core musician’s smartwatch is the first smartwatch made just for musicians. It is a functioning smartwatch with Bluetooth smartphone connectivity plus a tuner, a metronome, and a decibel meter! The tuner feature is stunningly convenient, especially for guitar players: a magnet on the back of the watch directly adheres to headstock metals like tuning machines then delivers fast and accurate piezo-powered tuning. When it comes to keeping time, a metronome feature lets you punch in tempos and feel beats pulsate viscerally via a vibrating motor with seven times more power than the average smartphone vibration. The result is rock-steady rhythm that you feel rather than hear — an excellent feature for keeping perfect time even in noisy environments! Other music-minded features include a decibel meter that alerts you when sound levels surpass potentially dangerous thresholds and a pair of earplugs (and a carrying case) for hearing protection if you need them.
Martin D-28 Bottle Opener
Have some brews that could use the acoustic energy of a Martin D-28? It’s tempting to pop bottles with a real D-28 guitar just to flex on friends and family, but this stylish, guitar-shaped bottle opener is the responsible, Sweetwater-approved choice for opening cold ones with a six-string. (We’re begging you, Chris, please stop opening bottles with your real D-28 then shipping it to us for repair. Santa is watching.) The D-28 bottle opener is stylish, magnetic, and easy to keep around. Store it on a cabinet in the studio, pop it on the outside of a road case so you’ll have it with you when you need it, or put it on the refrigerator for a piece of functional music-themed decor.
Cable Ties + Cable Management = More Time with Loved Ones
We all have that friend, the one that’s always late or never shows up who says they’re “untangling cables” and “can’t make it.” Well, giving the gift of cable ties is a fast way to cut the excuses without cutting the cord. Our Sweetwater hook and loop cable ties are an evergreen gift that saves musicians time and may improve their relationships. These ties come in a generous 10-pack, available in various lengths, at a great price! Cable ties prevent tangles, reduce trip hazards, tidy up spaces for a calmer look, and preserve cable life spans for savings down the line!
Max Your Mix! by Craig Anderton
Mixing can be tricky, and we could all benefit from pro tips and advice. This Sweetwater-exclusive e-book from award-winning sound engineer Craig Anderton does just that with in-depth coverage of everything from mixing philosophy and mindset to plug-ins, MIDI, EQ, sidechaining, and more. If you mix yourself, then Craig’s book is a great way to rethink, reset, and refine your skills for an upcoming year of creative pursuits. If you have a niece or nephew with a SoundCloud project that could use a bit of work, then Max Your Mix! might do them a favor, too. Max Your Mix! is packed with 292 pages and color images well organized in searchable PDF format for easy reading and reference.
Vox amPlug 2 Cabinet
Know someone who wants to practice more this upcoming year? Having a pocket-size amp like the Vox amPlug 2 Cabinet can easily double where and when guitar practice is possible. This tiny amp from renowned British amp maker Vox weighs just half a pound and easily fits into backpacks, cases, or gig bags. It’s a great way to practice on the go or during late-night sessions or to demonstrate riffs at a reasonable volume during holiday get-togethers. The amPlug 2 Cabinet delivers up to 12 hours of portable play on one 9-volt battery. A 3-inch speaker delivers enough volume for clear but discreet practice, and there’s even an auxiliary input for jamming along to recorded songs. This cabinet also pairs perfectly with a Vox amPlug 2 headphone amp (available in AC30, Clean, Classic Rock, Blues, Lead, Metal, and Bass styles). Together they form a tiny but mighty portable stack with so much versatility that you’ll forget this rig fits in your pocket.
T-shirts
Between gigs, practice, and recovery, staying ahead of laundry is rarely a musician’s top priority, and that’s where extra shirts come in handy. A tee from our wide selection of musical apparel is a gift that’s easy to give and easy to love. We have options for everyone ranging from short-sleeve tees, baseball tees, and youth sizes to hoodies and more in a wide range of sizes! Check out bright, colorful Sweetwater designs like the cool blue retro Sweetwater “Rainbow Shadow,” the relaxed “Headphone Script” tee in vintage soda red, or a “Guitar Tree” graphic tee in calm mossy green. Undecided about which color you prefer? You can’t go wrong with a timeless black tee like our Sweetwater “Bolt Mic” design. We also stock many logo tees from classic music gear manufacturers, including Fender, Gibson, Martin, Orange, Pearl, Moog, and more! Check out our full selection!
Mugs & Drinkware
Music is fleeting, but mugs are forever. With this gift, your friends and loved ones will remember you with each sip of hot coffee or their favorite beverage. We offer Sweetwater coffee mugs in traditional and tankard-style mugs with a high rim. Traditional cups work well in the kitchen and around the house while the high-rimmed tankard-style mug is excellent for busy studio bees who tend to have their beverages around delicate gear in the recording bunker. Other worthwhile contenders include mugs from iconic American guitar makers like Martin and Paul Reed Smith. When it comes to cold beverages and glassware, there are several options, too — check out the D’Addario pint glass bundle or a soda can glass from PRS. Both are perfect for iced tea, cold ones, or just plain ol’ water. Finally, if you or your loved one is more of an on-the-go type, then we have our own official 32 oz. Sweetwater CamelBak or a hot/cold tumbler for keeping your road warrior’s fuel at the perfect temperature.
Stools
There’s no substitute for playing — or relaxing — in comfort! From fashionable to functional, a musician’s stool (or four) offers a great finishing touch to any room, studio, or stage. Sleek options like the On-Stage DT8000 guitar stool with hanger and the more discreet K&M 14061 pneumatic performer stool give any stage or studio an ultra-suave look and comfort performers and clients will definitely appreciate. If you’re after a lively rock ‘n’ roll look, then we offer barstools from two classic California music companies, Mesa/Boogie and Fender. These stools evoke classic cars with bold color schemes and chrome hardware that infuses any bar space, hobby room, or venue with an extra dash of personality.
Desks/Workstations
Most musicians aren’t organization aficionados. It’s not intentional neglect — just, with our constant need to buy, replace, and upkeep essential equipment, storage solutions often take a back seat mentally and financially. Gifting a desk or workstation is a great way to improve a musician’s life and workspace. Not only will their space look tidier and more appealing, but a desk can also boost their productivity by cutting out wasted time hunting for scattered essentials like pens, notebooks, and cables. We offer a broad selection of desks; budget-friendly options like the On-Stage WS7500 workstation desk are great for tight living spaces such as dorm rooms, studio apartments, or beginners. Dedicated artists will indeed feel in the driver’s seat with a spacious, sturdy production desk like the RAB Audio ProRak 88 with enough room for an 88-key keyboard. And, of course, there are plenty of options in between. Check them out!
Books and Videos
For many of us, music is a learning experience that never ends! Whether you’re shopping for an aspiring rock star or for someone who insists that the oboe is absolutely the best instrument ever made, our store boasts enough music books to fill a library and then some. We have book options for players of all skill levels across dozens of instruments. And, with our recent addition of band and orchestra instruments, our collection is continually expanding with new books added each month. Check out method studies from classic publishers like Hal Leonard for an aspiring protégé or opt for a lighthearted book with a gift like The Beatles Complete Chord Songbook for guitar. Veteran and novice songwriters alike will benefit from a gift like the Berklee Press Songwriting: Essential Guide to Rhyming 2nd Edition, which tackles rhyme and writing techniques, while studio enthusiasts might enjoy a stimulating, practical read like Recording Unhinged: Creative & Unconventional Music Recording Techniques. For those who prefer visual learning, we’ve also recently jumped into the world of video lessons with a lesson-packed course curriculum from guitar legend Cory Wong (Vulfpeck, Fearless Flyers).
Conclusion
Still feel clueless? If you’d like personalized guidance or prefer to shop over the phone, then give Sweetwater a call at (800) 222-4700! Our team of expert Sweetwater Sales Engineers is waiting to assist you! And, if all else fails, you can never go wrong with a gift card, which we have available in digital and physical formats with your personalized message attached.
