Guitar cables work by moving unbalanced mono audio signal from your instrument over the positive ‘tip’ (T) with a ground in the ‘sleeve’ (S). These come in a variety of combinations, including straight plugs, right-angle plugs, or combination of the two. In addition to being commonly made with a black PVC outer jacket, there are others made with braided cloth and versions that are tightly coiled.
AMS also stocks a variety of guitar patch cables – small 1/4” TS cables ranging from six inches to three feet in length – that chain effects pedals together. When constructing and arranging a pedalboard, your guitar cable goes from your instrument into the input of your first effect. The patch cables then go from the output of that first effect into the input of the next one. You then repeat this process until you reach your last effect, with the final output running into the input of your amplifier, completing the connection.
If you don’t have an amplifier or are playing in a smaller space where one is too cumbersome, a guitar direct box can convert your 1/4” (unbalanced) output into an XLR (balanced) which allows longer cable runs that connect directly into a mixer or PA system, even across the room. Direct boxes are fitted with built-in preamps and a usually feature tone-shaping controls that come in handy when you have to go amp-less. These are also a great studio tool, giving you the option to send a direct line of clean, sonically neutral signal out to a recording device or DAW software.
Whether you’re standing or sitting, moving or stationary, bringing the intensity or playing with delicate expressiveness, a trusty guitar strap is essential for securing everything and giving you a comfortable playing experience. Straps come in a wide range of styles, showcasing a variety of colors, patterns, and artistic designs. With models made from leather, suede, cloth, neoprene, and other materials to choose from, you’ll definitely find a strap from our selection with the right feel that also matches your own sense of visual style.
When you’re really getting into the music you’re playing, it’s only natural to move. Guitar strap locks will make sure that your strap doesn’t work its way loose and detach from your instrument. The last thing you want is your solo to be rudely interrupted due to a strap malfunction or to have your guitar drop to ground and risk damage. You shouldn’t have to stand still and limit your freedom of movement in an effort to be overly cautious. Strap locks are easy to install on your acoustic or electric guitar and grant peace of mind so you can focus on the music.
What can you say, whenever you need guitar picks most, we just can’t seem to find one – all of our regular storage spaces tend to act like mysterious bottomless voids that swallow them up. That’s why it’s essential that a guitar player has plenty of picks to draw from! We carry blister packs, boxes, and large tins of picks of all different sizes, thicknesses, and materials. In addition to the standard teardrop flat picks, we’re also stocked with thumb picks that are commonly used when playing country, folk, blues, and fingerstyle acoustic genres.
You need to make sure your chords are tight, your sound is pure, and the product of your playing is accurate – a guitar tuner is a must-have for your setup. AMS is stocked with tuners of all shapes and sizes - we have pedal tuners that fit on a pedalboard and will slot right into an effects chain, clip-on tuners that are easily secured to the headstock of a guitar, and versatile standalone tuners with both a 1/4” input you can plug into and a built-in microphone that allows you to tune other instruments as well.
A guitar slide is a must-have for performers using a pedal steel instrument and they also add a whole new element to rock, blues, folk, and country music. A guitar footstool helps immensely with your balance and stability when performing fingerstyle, classical, and melodic acoustic genres.
To keep your guitar playing its best, regular upkeep is crucial! American Musical Supply carries a wide range of guitar tools for maintaining and tuning up your instrument. We carry a mix of screwdrivers, allen wrenches, gauges, sockets, string winders, string cutters, rulers, and other maintenance essentials. A neck cradle props up your guitar and makes it easier to change strings, make minor truss rod adjustments, adjust the bridge, stabilize the hardware, and tighten screws that may have worked their way loose.
Now that the importance of mechanical maintenance has been addressed, it’s equally significant to point of the necessity of Guitar Care. AMS also stocks a number of guitar care products that keep your instrument looking its best visually – that means technician-approved polishes, cleaners, conditioners, sealants, and microfiber cloths from the best brands in guitar maintenance. Dirt, dust, oils, and fingerprints can build up over time, dulling the finish and messing up the feel of your guitar. These products will help your instrument look its best wherever you play!
Guitars are mostly made of wood and since the weather can sometime be a bit extreme and unpredictable, it’s a great idea to invest in a guitar humidifier. Intense cold and heat, dryness, and serious fluctuations in temperature and moisture can wreak havoc on a guitar, throwing it out of adjustment and in extreme cases even cracking and warping the wood of the neck and body. Soundhole and case humidifiers are saturated with water and placed inside the case, ensuring a consistent environment for your guitar.
An AMS 0% interest payment plan is the ultimate tool for buying guitar accessories! Don’t settle for ordering essentials one-by-one and paying the full price right away, bundle everything you need in a large group, make your first payment, and enjoy one regular monthly payment going forward.