Hey there friends, welcome back to the site.
Today, we’re delving into the world of guitar accessories and presenting the top 10 essentials for worship guitarists. These are the tools that not only make your life easier but help you create an even better sound. Let’s jump right in.
By the way if you prefer to watch a video, you can catch this “Must-Have Worship Guitar Accessories!“ video version of this article on our YouTube Channel.
Tuning to Perfection
First up, the tuner. It’s important to remember that no matter how good of a player you are or how amazing your gear is, if you’re out of tune, it can undermine your entire performance.
In 1 Cor 13:1 it says:
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction].
In a similar way, if you’re playing is out of tune, then it can become an annoying distraction.
My personal preference is the clip-on from PolyTune, which allows for silent tuning. Remember, find a tuner that works best for you.
The Right Pick
Next up, picks. The pick is a main link between your fingers and your guitar. You need to find a pick that’s comfortable for you. One that feels natural and allows you to play with freedom, control and accuracy. I’m a big fan of these Jazz III picks.
I’ve got a whole box of them, making sure I never run out. I even keep some in other places like my wallet in case I ever forget my pick case somewhere else. However, when I’m playing acoustic and aiming for a different tone, I tend to prefer a softer pick like a Sharkfin.
Cable Connections
Now, let’s talk about cables. Your cable is the vital bridge that connects your guitar to your amp or modeler. It’s essential to invest in a good one. My go-to is the Mogami Cable. Mogami is known as ‘The Cable of the Pros’ for a reason. From Fleetwood Mac to Foo Fighters, from Prince to Pearl Jam, the sound of countless iconic artists has passed through Mogami in the recording chain. Mogami is acclaimed for its accuracy, low noise, flexibility, and superior quality. And make sure you always have a back up cable too because you don’t want to be stranded without a cable should something happen to your main cable.
Strap in Comfort
Onto the strap now. It’s more important than you may initially think. The right strap ensures your guitar sits comfortably and at the right height, allowing you to play and perform with ease. I use a high-quality leather strap with locking heads. It provides comfort and always keeps my guitar at the perfect height.
Secure Your Guitar
Every guitar needs a resting place, that’s where a reliable stand comes into play. Your stand needs to be sturdy and secure. So, invest in one that you can trust to keep your guitar safe and sturdy.
Tools for Quick Fixes
Sometimes a quick fix is required. This is where a multi-tool can save the day. Having one on hand will help you to make any necessary adjustments on the fly. And don’t forget about a string cutter. It’s invaluable when you need to trim off excess strings after restringing your guitar.
These Planet Waves String cutters normally come with a string winder that you can use to wind the strings faster. I don’t need that on my PRS but when I restring my Strat or Acoustics these string winders save a lot of time.
Quality Sound with In-Ears
If your church uses in-ears, a quality pair is a must-have. While you could spend big on these, I personally use the Shure 215’s. They provide comfort and a decent frequency range. It’s pointless to invest in high-quality gear if the sound quality is compromised through subpar in-ears. While I haven’t used them myself, I know that a lot of people also rave about the KZ brand.
Capo Creativity
Let’s talk about the capo. Contrary to popular opinion, the capo is far from being a crutch. It allows you to hit open strings in different keys, expanding your tonal possibilities. It’s an easy way to add richness to your guitar tone. One of my favorite guitar players Phil Keaggy is a master when it comes to using capos. He takes it to a whole new level by using multiple capos at the same time with alternate tunings to create some amazing playing. Check it out sometime when you get a chance!
Organize with iPad
Next on my list is an iPad. It’s my go-to for charts, scheduling, and overall organization. While not an absolute necessity, having an iPad simplifies things considerably and can make your life a lot easier.
If I learn songs I make notes on the charts with my pen, and when we come up with new lessons here for the channel the iPad is in constant use.
Apps like Multitracks’ Playback and Chartbuilder are also great to use.
And finally if you ever join our Academy at worshipguitarskills.com we also have an app where you can access our Worship Guitar Curriculum and chat with myself and others in the forum.
You can learn more about that by visiting https://academy.worshipguitarskills.com/course-store
Be Prepared with Extra Strings and String Cleaner
Finally, don’t forget to carry extra strings and a string cleaner. Having these on hand means you’re always prepared for the unexpected. When you have some backup strings, you tend to need them less often. Call it Murphy’s law or what not, but having extra strings at hand is never a bad idea.
My preferred strings are Elixir strings and I use a 10-46 gauge of strings.
Bonus Section: Exploring Sounds with Ebow
Now for a quick bonus – the Ebow. While not essential, it can add an intriguing edge to your sound. For those unfamiliar, an Ebow is a tool that creates a magnetic field, causing your strings to vibrate, offering an entirely unique tonal experience. It can serve as a cool creative outlet, adding something different to your playing.
Here’s a quick demo…
So there you have it. This wraps up our top 10 essential worship guitar accessories. Remember, these are tools designed to assist you. Find what works best for you and make sure you’re always prepared!
Now if you’ve ever felt that, despite your gear and hard practice, your worship guitar tone just isn’t clicking go ahead and check out this article.
In this article we’re tackling the five common mistakes that might be ruining your guitar tone in worship settings. We’ll not only identify these problems, but provide some easy solutions to help you transform your worship guitar tone in a drastic way.
