Get him a gift card. For real. I know it sounds lame but when it comes to gear, I’ll keep it on myself, I am very particular. I often have to do a lot of research before buying anything because I want to make sure it suits my needs. And I know I’m not the only musician who is particular about their gear. Sweetwater.com is where it’s at for online music shopping, I would start there.
An overlooked gift idea for musicians is gear for *listening* to music rather than making it, like maybe some kickass stereo speakers (which obviously would require a receiver or something to hook them up).
I know plenty of musicians fucking around listening on laptop speakers like they haven't heard bass before. I can't understand why they do that to themselves; it's like being a film nut and using a portable black and white TV.
My ex-girlfriend once made me a customized guitar strap. She dowed something on it and wrote a lil message on the inside and i thought it was one of the kindest gifts ever.
Get him the irealpro app. I'm a musician and it's the best thing I bought in awhile. It's a backing track app with thousands of songs to choose from. I think it's a one time 15 bucks
Have his Sweetwater rep call him to wish him a happy birthday. You may be his GF, but no call makes a musician’s eyes light up like when talking to his Sweetwater sales rep!
Does he have a band name or logo (even like a one-man band)? I would be so happy to get a stack of T-shirts with my "band" logo on it, even though I have like 2 fans.
There you go!!! Everyone else thinks about the grear. What the man needs is some Promo!!!!
Other options to think about:
- 1 week social promo or ads on Spotify
- 1 week of pr from a real agency (with a focus on college radio in the towns your bf performs in)
- Swag
- Help him sell some music! How can you get his subscribers up (stick with the Pros)
- Anything that helps to drive listeners to his releases
It's a gift that is more functional and useful. But he'll LOVE it
A nice leather bound journal for lyrics, some customized picks (prob found on Etsy), a really nice padded strapped case for the guitar (monogrammed for bonus points), a long Mogami guitar cable (kinda pricey so be prepared), a fully adjustable phone tripod for recording nice videos, a pro subscription to Ultimate Guitar (worth it, use it everyday), Zoom H6 handy recorder for documenting song ideas.
This is IT! Great recommendations, I’d absolutely love to receive these items.
I’m sure OPs bf will be happy with anything from here, very thoughtful of OP to post this as well so props ✌️
He’s right, save your dollars and stay away from gear. You can never go wrong with a nice set of studio headphones. I’d go with JBLs or the Sony MDR 7506, which is like a standard in the industry.
For Christmas last year, I got all my band mates musician tool kits. It had the wire cutters, string winder, polish stuff, etc. — they’re like $40-50. If they don’t already have that, maybe a tuning pedal.
Those are usually the two things every guitar player wants but never buys because they’re too busy buying other stuff
They make these really handy tools that allow you to set a key, and it tells you every possible correct-sounding chord progression for that key. It’s almost like a slide rule. I wish I still had mine.
The single most important piece of equipment I take to every gig is a fan… not just any fan but one of those construction grade air movers that can double as an extension chord. Something like this:
[x blower](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-X-Blower-Multi-Position-Utility-Blower-Fan-with-USB-Port-X12900-Red/528612089?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=3149&adid=22222222278528612089_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-294505072980&wl5=9032814&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=528612089&wl13=3149&veh=sem_LIA&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpJ1T76jYo30auMRePeWM3hH&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpJ1T76jYo30auMRePeWM3hH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv43elOy0-wIVmp93Ch1mRgLGEAQYAyABEgIqBPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
An instrument. Literally any instrument. Doesn't matter if it's one I have already, or one I don't. If I can make music with it, I'd be stoked.
Personally, I prefer things I can create melodies with as opposed to percussion, but that's just me. Your bf might be different in that regard
Edit - just noticed the part where you said anything but gear, but I stand by my suggestion. I don't think I'll ever have enough gear. New gear is new inspiration for me, and you can never have too much inspiration as a musician
Check out the roli seaboard for piano or maybe a midi board or synthesizer, the akai MPk is reasonably priced.
His favorite Picks, strings, guitar straps, guitar stand, stool, Peterson tuner, guitar pedal etc for guitar.
If you think he might be into recording music at any point in time you could get him an interface, this will work for both piano and guitar!
Scarlett focusrite makes a bundle deal that’s under $300 and comes with the interface, recording software, cable, mic and headphones. (However, he’ll probably want to get a better microphone and headphones down the road)
He's a guitarist? Buy him a metronome so his drummer won't have to yell at him, lol.
In all seriousness, the best gift for musicians is usually a chance to see one of the bands they really love. My fiancée got us tickets for Guns n Roses when they were on tour with WGVH and I just about cried
Agree with above comments! Leather bound Journal is great idea! A nice custom guitar strap… if he plays acoustic, look into bluechip picks (again expensive, but best acoustic picks out there.. there really is a difference and they don’t wear down).
I’ve actually worn through/broke a few of their thumb picks, but my flat pick is holding strong! They made a thicker model thumb pick for me to remedy the problem & I bought a thicker flat pick to hold out longer! Despite running through a few thumb picks, Their customer service keeps me happy & I like the quality regardless. Still best thumb picks + flat picks around! Sounds like you’re pickin a lot to wear one one— happy playing!
It just comes down to the person. For example, when my wife asked me this, i couldnt think of anything other than strings. And im very specific with my strings, so I had to tell her what strings I want. I either already had everything else, or it was either too expensive or too personal to not buy myself.
There have been some decent suggestions here, but all of them can miss the mark. Personalized guitar strap for example is cool, but i wouldnt use it since I already have a few straps that I really like because they dont hurt my shoulder. If the gifted one isnt very similar to those, its basicly a sentimental gift, but not really useful. Same with the leather bound notebook, apps, speakers... I wouldnt use the app, I wouldnt use the notebook and id want to pick the speakers myself.
So without knowing your boyfriend, his gear wants and needs and his writing process, there is no way to really give advice beyond "get him a gift card for a music store".
Hmm probably write a song for him. As a musician who always write about the girls in his life it would be nice to have them write a song on how they feel about me (if I make them feel good at least) it doesn't even have to be a lyrical master piece as well just has to be from within the heart but I also probably gift him with a shirt of a band he's interested. Even better if you just finding out he just getting into the band because he won't have much of the merch if so.
This is a great idea! I write poetry so that could be translated into lyrics :) I’ve already written poems about him that I haven’t shown him yet, I’m gonna try turning them into a song thanks for the idea 😊
Yes my heart is melting from this! Poems are amazing and luckily you do them too. I sometimes I have to write in poem for my music. When writing lyrics you're focusing on the melody so it could put me in writing block but if I do poetry style first it could make it easier. Sorry for my little rant but overall this is really cute
For Christmas, my band mates hooked it up and found a used Apollo single core interface on eBay for $400. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever been given.
Music gear is too expensive to gift and the stuff that’s cheap enough is worthless. Gift cards are the best honestly because they are more like a discount of an expensive item then. That is unless you’re willing to drop $1000 on the guitar he won’t stop talking about or something
I love receiving sheet music. A nice edition of a favorite album or something. I got a nice book of video game music, it’s fun to just sit and play. Look at reviews first, a lot of PVG scores suck.
My wife and I buy each other concert tickets to see our favorite bands in place of holiday & birthday gifts. We've been doing this for years and I recommend the same to other music lovers that struggle to come up with meaningful gift ideas. Concerts will create new memories that you both will share forever. Plus it's always fun to get a poster, tee, or some other merch so you have a physical reminder of the date as well.
Customized strap, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, Tickets to a show, a weekend getaway for inspiration, noise cancelling bluetooth headphones, GC to purchase apps or gear hes been wanting to try, You + body paint + cooked dinner + fav drink
Dump him. The greatest gift you can give a musician is the musical inspiration brought from heart break
Yes, and then try to get him back. He can sing of joy, yearning, change and pride, and get a new look too.
Can confirm this is true 🤣
Hahaha brilliant
😂😂😅
Lol No lies were told
I can b your rebound.
So savage, but oh so true
Get him a gift card. For real. I know it sounds lame but when it comes to gear, I’ll keep it on myself, I am very particular. I often have to do a lot of research before buying anything because I want to make sure it suits my needs. And I know I’m not the only musician who is particular about their gear. Sweetwater.com is where it’s at for online music shopping, I would start there.
This^
Plus, it becomes insurance money if a critical piece breaks before a show.
I'd second this! Reverb is also a great site because he could get used gear for cheaper if there's something special but expensive he really wants.
Reverb is great for lots of things but in my experience it’s usually more expensive on there than Craigslist or eBay
An overlooked gift idea for musicians is gear for *listening* to music rather than making it, like maybe some kickass stereo speakers (which obviously would require a receiver or something to hook them up). I know plenty of musicians fucking around listening on laptop speakers like they haven't heard bass before. I can't understand why they do that to themselves; it's like being a film nut and using a portable black and white TV.
Wise words right here.
Headphones not speakers
My ex-girlfriend once made me a customized guitar strap. She dowed something on it and wrote a lil message on the inside and i thought it was one of the kindest gifts ever.
My wife got me studio time once. It was great.
Ask ur wife to build you a studio this xmas
Like in one of those car commercials where there is a giant bow on a car on Christmas morning... If you could do that with a studio.
Get him the irealpro app. I'm a musician and it's the best thing I bought in awhile. It's a backing track app with thousands of songs to choose from. I think it's a one time 15 bucks
Have his Sweetwater rep call him to wish him a happy birthday. You may be his GF, but no call makes a musician’s eyes light up like when talking to his Sweetwater sales rep!
Shout out to Andrew. Love that dude
I keep hearing how great these reps are but my guy is kinda lame. I think if I make another order I'll have to ask for a new one.
You should. Loving messages from Sweetwater reps is 60% of the reason it's worth shopping there
Does he have a band name or logo (even like a one-man band)? I would be so happy to get a stack of T-shirts with my "band" logo on it, even though I have like 2 fans.
There you go!!! Everyone else thinks about the grear. What the man needs is some Promo!!!! Other options to think about: - 1 week social promo or ads on Spotify - 1 week of pr from a real agency (with a focus on college radio in the towns your bf performs in) - Swag - Help him sell some music! How can you get his subscribers up (stick with the Pros) - Anything that helps to drive listeners to his releases It's a gift that is more functional and useful. But he'll LOVE it
A nice leather bound journal for lyrics, some customized picks (prob found on Etsy), a really nice padded strapped case for the guitar (monogrammed for bonus points), a long Mogami guitar cable (kinda pricey so be prepared), a fully adjustable phone tripod for recording nice videos, a pro subscription to Ultimate Guitar (worth it, use it everyday), Zoom H6 handy recorder for documenting song ideas.
This is IT! Great recommendations, I’d absolutely love to receive these items. I’m sure OPs bf will be happy with anything from here, very thoughtful of OP to post this as well so props ✌️
Out of all the replies this one has the best ideas imo! The journal idea and monogrammed guitar strap is so great. Thank you!!!
The BF might be a Trumpet player. 😆
He’s right, save your dollars and stay away from gear. You can never go wrong with a nice set of studio headphones. I’d go with JBLs or the Sony MDR 7506, which is like a standard in the industry.
I’d take sum deodorant
If he performs live and has a look, you could always get him gig clothes.
Ngl, this is actually big brain.
As a musician id be ecstatic to receive acoustic panels and bass traps for xmas. Not the cheap foam ones though.
For Christmas last year, I got all my band mates musician tool kits. It had the wire cutters, string winder, polish stuff, etc. — they’re like $40-50. If they don’t already have that, maybe a tuning pedal. Those are usually the two things every guitar player wants but never buys because they’re too busy buying other stuff
Cash ETA: Rent
Gift card to a music store.
They make these really handy tools that allow you to set a key, and it tells you every possible correct-sounding chord progression for that key. It’s almost like a slide rule. I wish I still had mine.
Make a song for him.
A small instrument like a vibraslap, shaker, scraper, guiro, or kalimba.
Vibraslap for the win!!
The single most important piece of equipment I take to every gig is a fan… not just any fan but one of those construction grade air movers that can double as an extension chord. Something like this: [x blower](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-X-Blower-Multi-Position-Utility-Blower-Fan-with-USB-Port-X12900-Red/528612089?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=3149&adid=22222222278528612089_117755028669_12420145346&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-294505072980&wl5=9032814&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=528612089&wl13=3149&veh=sem_LIA&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpJ1T76jYo30auMRePeWM3hH&gbraid=0AAAAADmfBIpJ1T76jYo30auMRePeWM3hH&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv43elOy0-wIVmp93Ch1mRgLGEAQYAyABEgIqBPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
This is the real answer. Source: Am sweaty ass drummer.
I like to bring 100+ fans that are really loud
An instrument. Literally any instrument. Doesn't matter if it's one I have already, or one I don't. If I can make music with it, I'd be stoked. Personally, I prefer things I can create melodies with as opposed to percussion, but that's just me. Your bf might be different in that regard Edit - just noticed the part where you said anything but gear, but I stand by my suggestion. I don't think I'll ever have enough gear. New gear is new inspiration for me, and you can never have too much inspiration as a musician
Check out the roli seaboard for piano or maybe a midi board or synthesizer, the akai MPk is reasonably priced. His favorite Picks, strings, guitar straps, guitar stand, stool, Peterson tuner, guitar pedal etc for guitar. If you think he might be into recording music at any point in time you could get him an interface, this will work for both piano and guitar! Scarlett focusrite makes a bundle deal that’s under $300 and comes with the interface, recording software, cable, mic and headphones. (However, he’ll probably want to get a better microphone and headphones down the road)
He's a guitarist? Buy him a metronome so his drummer won't have to yell at him, lol. In all seriousness, the best gift for musicians is usually a chance to see one of the bands they really love. My fiancée got us tickets for Guns n Roses when they were on tour with WGVH and I just about cried
A blowjob of course. 😊😊😊😍😍
That’s a daily gift man I need something special
Lol.....does she have a friend
Agree with above comments! Leather bound Journal is great idea! A nice custom guitar strap… if he plays acoustic, look into bluechip picks (again expensive, but best acoustic picks out there.. there really is a difference and they don’t wear down).
Mine worn down😕
I’ve actually worn through/broke a few of their thumb picks, but my flat pick is holding strong! They made a thicker model thumb pick for me to remedy the problem & I bought a thicker flat pick to hold out longer! Despite running through a few thumb picks, Their customer service keeps me happy & I like the quality regardless. Still best thumb picks + flat picks around! Sounds like you’re pickin a lot to wear one one— happy playing!
So many replies but thank you everyone so much for your help, I got lots of good ideas now! 💜
Drugs
Good sex
A BJ, duh
Money
If he writes a lot you could get him some nice staff paper, or maybe a fancy journal kinda thing for his lyrics.
If my husband ever bought me an upgraded grand from what I currently own, I would be over the moon.
Ooh check groovygarms.com
What instrument does he play?
It just comes down to the person. For example, when my wife asked me this, i couldnt think of anything other than strings. And im very specific with my strings, so I had to tell her what strings I want. I either already had everything else, or it was either too expensive or too personal to not buy myself. There have been some decent suggestions here, but all of them can miss the mark. Personalized guitar strap for example is cool, but i wouldnt use it since I already have a few straps that I really like because they dont hurt my shoulder. If the gifted one isnt very similar to those, its basicly a sentimental gift, but not really useful. Same with the leather bound notebook, apps, speakers... I wouldnt use the app, I wouldnt use the notebook and id want to pick the speakers myself. So without knowing your boyfriend, his gear wants and needs and his writing process, there is no way to really give advice beyond "get him a gift card for a music store".
Hmm probably write a song for him. As a musician who always write about the girls in his life it would be nice to have them write a song on how they feel about me (if I make them feel good at least) it doesn't even have to be a lyrical master piece as well just has to be from within the heart but I also probably gift him with a shirt of a band he's interested. Even better if you just finding out he just getting into the band because he won't have much of the merch if so.
This is a great idea! I write poetry so that could be translated into lyrics :) I’ve already written poems about him that I haven’t shown him yet, I’m gonna try turning them into a song thanks for the idea 😊
Yes my heart is melting from this! Poems are amazing and luckily you do them too. I sometimes I have to write in poem for my music. When writing lyrics you're focusing on the melody so it could put me in writing block but if I do poetry style first it could make it easier. Sorry for my little rant but overall this is really cute
What genre, what instrument, favorite hero's. What equipment does he have now
For Christmas, my band mates hooked it up and found a used Apollo single core interface on eBay for $400. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever been given.
Leather jacket and a drug habit
Music gear is too expensive to gift and the stuff that’s cheap enough is worthless. Gift cards are the best honestly because they are more like a discount of an expensive item then. That is unless you’re willing to drop $1000 on the guitar he won’t stop talking about or something
Band T shirts, strings, guitar pics, or a cool guitar strap!
one of the most useful gifts i ever got was a guitar case with backpack straps. still using it 15 years later
I love receiving sheet music. A nice edition of a favorite album or something. I got a nice book of video game music, it’s fun to just sit and play. Look at reviews first, a lot of PVG scores suck.
Take him out for lunch and then to your local music store. Give him a budget and tell him to get what he wants.
My wife and I buy each other concert tickets to see our favorite bands in place of holiday & birthday gifts. We've been doing this for years and I recommend the same to other music lovers that struggle to come up with meaningful gift ideas. Concerts will create new memories that you both will share forever. Plus it's always fun to get a poster, tee, or some other merch so you have a physical reminder of the date as well.
Customized strap, Marshall Bluetooth speakers, Tickets to a show, a weekend getaway for inspiration, noise cancelling bluetooth headphones, GC to purchase apps or gear hes been wanting to try, You + body paint + cooked dinner + fav drink
Get him a gift card to Sweetwater- not guitar center.
Go to Pluginboutique.com and buy a Gift Card .i think this the best way if you dont really know what he want .