2023 Best Gifts for Music Lovers
Guardian Revival’s music program, Encore, provides veterans & first responders with opportunities to learn, write, play, record, and share their music with each other and with a broader audience.
Program Executive Director Matthew Sorena has provided us with some of his favorite gear for performing and recording music so that you can find the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift for the music lover in your life.
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Affiliate Disclaimer: If you click through and shop via the following links, we may earn referral revenue — at no additional cost to you — which goes towards supporting our non-profit organization. We appreciate your generosity in enabling us to continue providing programs to benefit the mental health and well-being of our guardians.
Musical Instruments for Beginners
Fender Beginner Acoustic Guitar and Kit
If you’re just starting out with learning the guitar, the Fender acoustic guitar is a great choice because it’s portable and doesn’t require an amp for you to start strumming those chords and making some music of your own.
Beginner Bass and Amp
If you’re ready to delve into the world of bass guitar, then this beginner-friendly setup is a great choice for any aspiring bassist. With fewer strings to master, the bass is an easy-to-learn instrument that’s great for holding down the groove, and with an amp included with this package, you can start jamming from minute one.
Guitar Strap / Bass Strap
A guitar strap isn’t just a tool to keep your instrument in place — it’s an extension of your guitar and a great way to express yourself. These affordable guitar straps come in a variety of colors and prints that allow you to show the world who you are while you’re cranking out your music.
Tambourine and Shakers
Percussion is the backbone of any good band, but not all of us have the space, the budget, or the ability to drag a drum kit around from place to place. Tambourines and shakers make a great addition to any acoustic jam session and are easy to get from place to place.
Music Accessories
Fender Bass Amp
If you’re looking for a bass amp that packs a punch but won’t break the bank, look no further than the Fender bass amp. When you plug into this rig, you’ll be ready to play all your favorite songs, whether in the house with friends or playing a show for your fans.
Fender Guitar Amp with Picks and Cable
For guitarists who are ready to pump up the volume but don’t want to spend ages agonizing over what gear to buy, the Fender guitar amp with picks and a guitar cable ensures that you’ll be ready to lead your jam sessions as soon as you unbox your gear.
Fender Guitar Cables
There’s a reason why Fender pops up on our gift guide for music lovers as much as it does — the Fender brand is synonymous with quality. The Fender professional series guitar cable will help you kick your music into overdrive and is backed with a lifetime warranty, so you’ll never have to worry about buying another cable again.
Guitar Songbook
If you’ve got your chords and scales down, but you’re sick of playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” around the campfire, then it’s time to learn some new tunes. This acoustic guitar songbook will have you playing all your favorite songs in no time.
Adjustable Music Stand
When you’re reading sheet music, you’re not doing your neck any favors by trying to stare down at the page while you play. An adjustable music stand is an investment that will keep your neck from getting stiff and allow you to breathe more deeply when you’re performing, which means you’ll be able to hit your notes better than ever.
Microphone Stand
Playing the guitar and singing at the same time is already a challenge for most musicians, but unless you have three hands, there’s not much you can do when you’re playing for a crowded room. If you want to belt out your favorite songs while you’re strumming the guitar, then do yourself a favor and grab this microphone stand to make sure everyone can hear you loud and clear.
Instruments and Accessories for Intermediate to Advanced Players
Fender Player Telecaster HH
For those ready to graduate from a basic learner’s guitar to something with a little more swagger, the Fender Telecaster is an affordable option that can hand rock, blues, and metal with ease.
Boss Katana-50 MkII Guitar Amp
Coming in at just over$250, the Boss Katana is an affordable but powerful amp that can be used for solo jam sessions at home or for concerts and gigs. The Katana also comes with four tone slots and 60 effects built in, so no matter what style you play, this amp has an option that will get you the sound you’re looking for.
Line 6 POD Go Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal
For guitarists who want to take their sound to the next level, the Line 6 provides over 250 onboard effects along with a built-in USB interface for recording, reamping, and preset editing.
Guardian Giving Campaign
We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our special fundraising opportunity right now — every dollar you donate to Guardian Revival is currently matched by a generous donor.
Guardian Revival is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization chartered to revive and preserve the mental health and well-being of veterans and first responders — our guardians — at no cost to them.
The holidays can be challenging for our guardians, so not only is this an impactful opportunity to give a gift that will truly make a difference in someone’s life, every supporter (at any amount) shows our guardians that we care.
