A chromatic tuner has a lot of other uses, like introducing you to alternate tunings and lower tunings like drop d and half or full step down.

The Korg GT-3 digital guitar tuners are a great buy, but pretty much any chromatic tuner will do.

The good thing about guitars is there is a range of very expensive to very cheap stuff you can get. So I just wanted to go over some of the cheaper items you can buy your guitar playing friend for Christmas. As the title says, these things make great stocking stuffers.

1. Guitar Strings
Guitar strings are always a sure bet. The thing about strings is they wear out and they have to be replaced. Also, it doesn’t matter if buddy has spare guitar strings already, if you buy them they will always get used. There is one key factor though, you MUST make sure you get strings that the person will use. Guitar players can be very specific about what they put on their guitar. So, try and get an old package from strings they have used or better yet, just ask them what kind of strings they like on their guitar.

There are three things you want to know: type, gauge, and brand. The type refers to whether they are steel acoustic, nylong acoustic, or electric strings. The gauge is the thickness and is usually light, medium, or heavy. And the brand could be one of hundreds. These three things are very important. If you get your guitar player a set of heavy strings and they play light strings, they may never put them on their guitar.

2. Guitar Magazines
Guitar magazines are also another sure bet. I don’t know a guitar player who doesn’t like reading a guitar magazine. There is a huge range of magazines for all types of players. Just head out to your local Chapters and take a look. If your guitar player plays acoustic, you will want to get them a magazine like Acoustic Guitar. For everyone in general Guitar World, Guitar One, or Guitar Player are usually a good choice. I also like the Guitar World Buyers Guide which seems to come out around this time of year. It has lots of information on all the new guitar products.

If you know your guitar player likes a specific magazine, you can get a subscription for about $40 which also makes a great gift because it lasts all year.

3. Guitar Books
Guitar books are another cheap gift idea. Whether the player is a beginner or advanced shredder, learning books or books with sheet music are a great buy. A lot of mainstream bands and artists have tablature books that will teach you their greatest hits.

4. Music DVDs
Everyone does CDs for Christmas, but what I like to get is concert or music video DVDs. If your guitar player has a band they love check out the DVD section at your local HMV to see if there are any DVDs for that band. They also make a great gift.

5. Guitar Accessories
Guitar stores have an endless supply of guitar related accessories for cheap. Things from picks to guitar straps to cleaning polishes and cloths. Just go to the store, tell them about your guitar player and I’m sure they will help you find some cheaper items to stuff that stocking.

Well, that is my list of favorite guitar related gifts. All of them should come within $40 and are mostly around the $10 range.