If you’re starting out on guitar, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by accessories.
There’s a lot out there, and not all of it matters straight away.
In reality, most players only need a few key things to get going properly. These are the basics that make playing easier, keep your guitar sounding right, and help you enjoy the process more.
If you’re still deciding on the right guitar, it’s worth starting there first. We’ve put together simple guides to help you choose:
👉 Electric Guitar Buyer’s Guide
👉 Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide
1. A Tuner (Don’t Skip This)
The most important accessory you can own is a tuner.
If your guitar isn’t in tune, nothing will sound right no matter how well you’re playing. It’s one of the biggest frustrations for beginners, and one of the easiest to fix.
A simple clip-on tuner makes this easy. You can tune up quickly, even in a noisy room, and get back to playing.
👉 Browse Fender Flash Tuners here
2. A Capo (Makes Playing Easier)
A capo is one of the easiest ways to make your guitar more flexible.
It lets you change key without learning new chord shapes, which is especially useful when you’re starting out or playing along with songs.
It also opens up different sounds and voicings across the neck, which is why most players keep one in their case.
👉 Check out the Ernie Ball Axis Capo here
3. Picks (Try a Few Different Ones)
Picks might seem like a small thing, but they make a big difference to how your guitar feels and sounds.
Different thicknesses change how much control you have and how the strings respond.
If you’re just starting out, it’s worth trying a few options to see what feels right in your hand. Most players land somewhere around a medium gauge to begin with and adjust from there.
👉 Browse Dunlop Tortex Picks here
What You Don’t Need (Yet)
There are plenty of other accessories out there, but you don’t need to buy everything at once.
Things like pedals, specialised gear, or higher-end add-ons can come later once you’ve settled into playing.
Starting simple is usually the best approach.
A Simple Setup That Works
If you’ve got a tuner, a capo, and a few picks, you’ve already covered the essentials.
From there, it’s just about playing, getting comfortable, and figuring out what you actually need as you go.
Our Take (From In-Store Experience)
This is what we recommend to most beginners who come through the shop.
Get the basics right first, keep things simple, and focus on playing rather than overthinking gear.
Once you’ve got a feel for it, everything else starts to make more sense.
If you're still working out what guitar suits you best, it’s worth having a look through our buyer guides:
👉 Electric Guitar Buyer’s Guide
👉 Acoustic Guitar Buyer’s Guide
Looking to get started with guitar accessories? It’s all available now at Coleman's Music in South Melbourne or online with fast shipping Australia-wide. We're a proudly independent, family owned Australian music store that knows gear and backs it with great service.
