Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll be well aware that the Amazon Prime Day sale is live and kicking. It’s not the best for grabbing things like new guitars or amps, but if you want to stock up on essential accessories, then the Prime Day guitar deals are absolutely the place to shop. One thing I’ve noticed is that there are a lot more general-purpose tools that can be used to maintain, repair, and set up all the guitars in your collection.
Having been a gigging guitarist for well over twenty years now, I’ve accumulated a good set of tools that keep my guitar in top playing condition. I also review guitars for a living, so I’m frequently encountering instruments that have been through many hands or been to guitar shows, so having to tweak a truss rod or set the action is nearly a daily occurrence. I’ve found I’ve come to rely on a specific set of tools, and I keep them in a case that goes wherever I or my guitars go, whether it’s rehearsal, gigs, or recording in the studio.
Setting up your own guitar is for me an essential skill for any guitar player. Nobody knows your instrument like you do, so the ability to set your instrument up to get it exactly how you want it is a powerful thing indeed. Whether you’re just getting started with guitar maintenance, or you just want to top an existing tool kit with something good quality, here’s my 9 top tools for ensuring your instrument is playing its best, plus a bonus 10th item for those who are starting out for the first time.
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