It‘s that time again!
We’ve created a gift guide because know how difficult it can be to find a gift for the musician in your life, with terms like “warm”, “vintage”, “single coil” and “transducer” being thrown around as if anyone except guitarists are meant to know what that means!
For that reason, we’ve compiled some of our favourite gift ideas into this gift guide, for a huge range of budgets with a few tips for who, how and why to buy each item. Nothing is for everyone but there’s something for everyone! We’ve got instruments for those looking to go big, as well as a range of pedals and amps to augment anyone’s collection. Finally, there’s a huge range of accessories that are no-risk as a gift, as a general rule of thumb musicians can use multiple accessories as spares, backups or refills, so they’ll never go unused.
Read all the latest features, columns and more here.
A special note to the musicians reading: there’s never been a better time to buy yourself something from this gift guide! You’ve earned it! A year of jamming, band group chats, merch design arguments, recording, mixing and mastering? Look at how much you’ve achieved.
So go on, treat yourself. In no particular order, our 2024 Mixdown Gift Guide:
Thalia Exotic Series Capos Blue Abalone Exotic Shell Capo Black Chrome
EGM | RRP: $159.95
Recommended for:
Guitar players that are fed up with unstable, ugly and inconsistent capos! For those shopping for a guitarist in their life, we can all use another capo!
Features:
Thalia Capos are specially designed to work better, easier and look more beautiful than any other capo you’ve ever used. Featuring special tension pads to more accurately and evenly fret your guitar, they’ll be the perfect match for both six and 12 string guitars, with OctaveTouch™ High Tension pads for a little extra tension.
The Blue Abalone is just one beautiful example of a huge range of equally iconic, unique and organic finishes available to match your guitar, style and mood.
Overall:
The Thalia Capo range as a whole is designed to fix some shortfalls of the conventional capo design, and they do it with style. Universal pads for balanced fretting, and beautiful finishes that elevate the capo beyond just an accessory.
Check out a huge range of Thalia capos and more at EGM.
Ernie Ball Professional accessories
CMC Music | RRP: enquire for pricing
Recommended for:
Frankly—anyone and everyone. We can all always use more accessories! Best practice to have whatever tool, trick or spare within arm’s reach at all times to keep the music comin’!
Features:
From instrument care to maintenance, straps, strings and more Ernie Ball have this area covered. Most recently, they launched the Power Peg Pro USB C, a USB-C rechargeable peg winder, ideal for those of restringing in a rush, or restringing multiple guitars a day! Keep those machine head winds tidy, and do it quickly!
A great gift for guitarists is the Instrument Care 3 Pack, allowing us to do a little maintenance regularly, rather than one big wipe down once a year! This pack includes instrument polish, string cleaner and a fretboard conditioner to keep everything looking, and most importantly feeling it’s best! All of this plus a branded Ernie Ball cloth!
Ernie Ball’s whole Professional Accessories range maintains quality across their range of tuners, straps, cleaning accessories and more!
Overall:
A no brainer for the gift guide, maintenance accessories are often forgotten, but a supremely important part of owning an instrument, and Ernie Ball do it best!
For local Ernie Ball enquiries, visit CMC Music.
Pedaltrain Classic JR with Soft Case PT-CLJ-SC
EGM | RRP: $339
Recommended for:
Recommended for guitar players of all levels. This is a great idea for someone’s first pedal board, or as the starting point for your fifth!
Features:
The Pedaltrain Classic JR with Soft Case is built from Pedaltrain’s famed ultra light but supremely strong, hand-welded welded frame. The Pedaltrain Classic JR with Soft Case is great for up to ten pedals, more if you get creative, as well as having the ability to tuck away any unsightly cabling and power.
At a slight angle, your pedals are ergonomically placed for you to step on, as well as being able to view all controls, LEDs and screens easily. Carry your pedal board in style with the robust Soft Case, with carry strap, front accessory pocket and Platinum SBS zippers.
Overall:
Pedaltrain pedal boards are tried and true, why trust anyone else? Both strong and lightweight, there’s a reason Pedaltrain have been leading the industry for years, the Pedaltrain Classic JR with Soft Case is a prime example of why.
Check out a huge range of Pedaltrain boards and accessories and more at EGM.
Gravity Professional Tablet Holder with Vari-Arm
Link Audio | RRP: expect to pay $159
Recommended for:
For DJs, solo entertainers, producers and podcasters or musicians using their tablet for sheet music, educational videos, DAW Control and more!
Features:
Gravity products are built to withstand the rigours of the road and the stage, all the while securing your gear in the perfect position. The Gravity Professional Tablet Holder with Vari-Arm is no exception, with a secure thread for a mic stand or desktop, and a continuously adjustable tablet clamping range, so no matter your preference for size of tablet, you’re secure.
Easily re-position your tablet in and out of the way, all the while not compromising on the strength of hold with the Vari-Arm, all built to last, and finished in a robust, matte black finish for a subtle, subdued look. A great addition to the gift guide as content creators can use multiple mic stand and Vari-Arms!
Overall:
The Gravity Professional Tablet Holder with Vari-Arm is a great solution for holding a tablet, a tool that a lot of creators use! Secure it with style.
For local Gravity enquiries, visit Link Audio.
Truetone 1Spot XP5-PS
EGM | RRP: $319
Recommended for:
The 1Spot XP5-PS is a go-to for pure, isolated power. Recommended for guitar, bass and keys players using pedals on the road or in the studio!
Features:
Featuring five isolated power outputs, each connector offering 500mA of power, plenty for most pedals! It can be powered by either the included power adapter or with TrueTone’s 1Spot Pro CS11 power supply.
Isolated power helps alleviate issues associated with dirty venue power, radio interference and grounding issues, and the 1Spot XP5-PS is a great solution for that. Easily power five pedals, and the compact-profile can easily be stowed away easily beneath your pedalboard, or travelled with without weighing you down!
The power supply includes all required DC cables to connect to your pedals.
Overall:
The 1Spot XP5-PS is a great solution to power your pedalboard, or for extending your existing 1Spot system. Five 500mA will have your pedals happy across the board, allowing you to focus on what’s important: rockin’.
For all Truetone and 1Spot enquiries, visit EGM.
Alesis Drums NITROAMP
Electric Factory | RRP: $159
Recommended for:
Drummers everywhere! A total solution to amplifying your electric drum kit.
Features:
The Alesis Drums NITROAMP is a personal drum monitor, pushing out 70W of fills, beats and splashes, allowing you to hear yourself with more oomph than headphones or smaller speakers! Its small form factor means it won’t be in the way, clips securely to the rack of your e-kit, while still pumping out enough sound to get you groovin’.
A single master volume ensures there’s no complexity here – it’s all power!
Overall:
Alesis clearly understand the plight of those playing e-kits, they’re limited in space, some sandwiched between neighbours, and still need to keep their chops up. The NITROAMP allows it all to feel a bit more like a real kit!
For all Alesis enquiries, keep reading at Electric Factory.
Château Chambord CAS-50
KJ Music | RRP: $1995
Recommended for:
Alto saxophone players of varying levels, skills sets and genre! This is a great option for beginners graduating to a higher-quality instrument.
Features:
The Chateau CAS-50 is part of the Chambord series of Alto Saxophones, featuring a ribbed construction, high F#, big bells and double arms, that help to provide extra stability to the key cups. Playability, easy serviceability and high quality components make this a no-brainer
Increased durability is available via the ribbed construction, with components soldered to a large plate of brass for increased durability. Great sound across the full range, from rich lows to crisp high end and everything in between is available thanks to the large bell.
Overall:
The Chateau CAS-50 is a great option for a student or intermediate saxophone player, with premium components, construction and, most importantly, sound. Your CAS-50 will arrive safe in a premium Zippered Backpack Case.
For all local Château enquiries, keep reading at KJ Music.
Sterling by Music Man Intro Series (CT20HSS and Ray2)
CMC Music | RRP: enquire for pricing
Recommended for:
Those looking to dip their toe into the wonderful world of Ernie Ball Music Man quality! Perfect for guitar and bass players.
Features:
The Sterling by Music Man Intro Series currently features two of Music Man’s best models, the StingRay bass (RAY2) and the Cutlass (CT20HSS).
The RAY2 is a solid body, four string bass in Music Man’s classic StingRay body shape. The poplar body is available in a couple of different colours, with a H – 1 Ceramic Humbucker in the bridge position, and easy to access master volume and tone controls. Simple!
The CT20HSS is also poplar, featuring a HSS design, and a five-way pickup selector. 1 Ceramic Humbucker and 2 Ceramic Single Coils have tone on tap, as well as a Vintage Fulcrum Tremolo for a little extra expression. Either Maple or Amaranth fretboards are available, with 22 narrow frets and Music Man’s iconic 4 + 2 diecast tuning machines.
Overall:
The Intro Series packages everything loved about Music Man into some of their most affordable and accessible models yet, with no compromise on the Ernie Ball Music Man family values of build quality, good looks and finely selected components.
For all Sterling by Music Man enquiries, visit CMC Music.
Château Valencay CAS 22
KJ Music | RRP: $1495
Recommended for:
This is a great option for beginners looking for a high-quality instrument to begin their musical journey.
Features:
The Valencay CAS-22 is part of the Valency series of Alto Saxophones, featuring a ribbed construction, high F# and mother of pearl finger buttons. The CAS-22 features a beautiful brushed finish and engraved bell for a classy look.
Sonically the CAS-22 provides the great sound you’d expect from Chateau, complete with sturdy build quality, classy good looks, versatile assembly and great intonation across the range of notes and keys. Start your career off right with Chateau! Your new alto saxophone will arrive safe in a premium Zippered Backpack Case.
Overall:
The CAS-22, part of Chateau’s Valencay series, offers players the best possible start on the alto saxophone, Chateau offering more advanced options for you as you grow as a musician.
For further Château enquiries, keep reading at KJ Music.
Breedlove ECO Collection Pursuit Ex
Amber Technology | RRP: $1399
Recommended for:
The environmentally conscious guitarist looking for a well-built, great sounding and feeling acoustic guitar!
Features:
Breedlove are specialists in using interesting, exotic and intriguing tonewoods, both for the tone they impart on an acoustic guitar, as well as their aesthetics. TUSQ nuts and saddles impart the tonality and tuning accuracy of bone, without the environment affect.
The African Mahogany neck features a dovetail joint with a Ovangkol fretboard. All of this is powered by a Fishman Presys 1 pickup system for pure, amplified tone.
The ECO Collection feature EcoTonewoods, a sustainable practice for an optimised natural sound. Environmentally safe harvesting, with a target tonewood weight ensuring the best possible resonance and resulting sound.
Overall:
The Breedlove ECO Collection Pursuit Exotic S Series is as pure a sound as you could imagine, with beautiful good looks, incredibly unique and exotic woods that offer something special both sonically and visually.
For local Breedlove enquiries, visit Amber Tech.
MarkBass Yellow Series Basses
CMC Music | RRP: $795
Recommended for:
Bass players and fans of the colour yellow! A bright addition to our gift guide.
Features:
The Yellow Series of basses feature MarkBass’s iconic yellow branding front and centre, available in three different, though classic, body shapes. The MarkBass Yellow JB is perfectly suited for Jazz and more, with deep lows and smooth response, while the MarkBass Yellow PB has a more articulate response for precision playing, with a mid-forward thump, perfect for rock and heavy genres!
The MarkBass Yellow Short Scale features a shorter scale length at 30” and a slightly offset body for a comfortable, ergonomic feel overall. Sonically, the basses offer classic sounds from a range of single coil or split-coil pickup designs, all with volume and tone controls for blending, filtering, boosting and more!
Overall:
The Yellow Series of basses are a no-brainer from the Italian masters of low end! Their amplifiers, pedals and cabinets are trusted the world over – why not complete the set?!
For the whole range of MarkBass products, keep reading at CMC Music.
PRS “Horsemeat” Overdrive Pedal
Electric Factory | RRP: $525
Recommended for:
The PRS Horsemeat Overdrive makes a meal out of other horse-related overdrive pedals. This one is recommended for tone purists!
Features:
‘At surface level, the Horsemeat has just three main controls: Level, Voice and Gain. Level and Gain are reasonably self explanatory, while the Voice control adjusts the frequency response of the clipping stage, meaning you can ensure either your lows or highs clip first for different tones! Left for smoother clipping, turn it right for more attack and precision clipping to cut through a mix. The Horsemeat also includes high and low EQs for more overt tone shaping.
Overall:
While there’s a few pedals on our gift guide, the Horsemeat is doing something new. A revised iteration of a classic design, the Horsemeat adds PRS’ ingenuity in the Voice control, augmenting a classic design with more control over all EQ.
For local PRS enquiries, visit ELFA.
Wampler Catacombs Reverb and Delay
Amber Technology | RRP: $599
Recommended for:
This pedal goes deep, like a catacomb, so this pedal offers a little something for everyone. Any delay sound you’re after, the Catacombs has it… it… it…
Features:
With 11 popular delay and reverb modes, the Wampler can provide everything from crystal clear digital space to warm, vintage slapback and everything in between. Blend your delay and reverb together if you wish, the Catacombs isn’t here to hold you back!
What’s more, the Catacombs comes with a free digital download of the Catacombs plugin to use in recording, mixing and music production. Some classic delays include: analog delays, Bucket Brigade Device delay tape, mechanical delays Echo-Space Delay, Wampler Faux Tape Echo and 2290 digital delay. For reverbs, switch between shimmer, plate, hall, room and spring reverbs!
Overall:
For a stompbox, The Catacombs packs a whole lot of punch. With so many options, you might very well be able to replace a handful of other pedals!
For a big range of Wampler pedals and effects, visit AmberTech.
Tone City Heavenly Lake TCA-T40
EGM | RRP: $249
Recommended for:
Ambient shoegazers, fans of music for airports, reverb aficionados.
Features:
The Tone City Heavenly Lake’s output is as serene as the name suggest, combining Tone City’s Tape Machine and Tiny Spring pedals into one package. Switch the two circuits on and off independently, with Wet, Decay and Tone controls for the Reverb and Time, Mix, Depth, Decay and Speed controls for the delay.
Settle back into Cloud 9 and let the ambience wash over you…
Overall:
The TCA-T40 isn’t an always on pedal, but when you need it, it’s the perfect solution. Effectively two pedals in one, it’s one heck of a deal, earning its place on our gift guide!
For the full range of Tone City pedals, keep reading at EGM.
Warm Audio WA-c1 Chorus Pedal
Studios Connections | RRP: $320
Recommended for:
The WA-C1 is recommended for vintage tone aficionados, looking for classic sounds at an affordable price.
Features:
The WA-C1 harkens back to the early days of pedals, complete with rugged, textured finish on the chassis itself. One of the most celebrated chorus sounds of all time, the WA-C1 has stereo and mono output options, and plenty of controls to shape your chorus.
A high and low switch adjusts the impedance of the input, offering a little extra grit. The chorus side of the pedal has Depth and Rate of the Chorus, while the vibrato half has Depth and Rate controls. Toggle the whole pedal on and off, and then switch between chorus and vibrato.
Overall:
Perfect for guitar, but also well matched with bass guitar or electric keys, the WA-C1 is a potent pairing with any of Warm Audio’s range of pedals.
For more Warm Audio products, visit Studio Connections.
HeadRush FRFR-GO
Electric Factory | RRP: $269
Recommended for:
This is a great solution for guitarists using amp modellers, emulators and multi-FX units needing amplification.
Features:
The FRFR-GO is here on our gift guide because it’s a great solution to amplifying the carefully crafted tones in your amplifier emulator. The FRFR-GO is a 30W amplifier with Bass and Treble controls, perfect for practising at home, on the road or on the go.
FRFR stands for full range, flat response, meaning it offers uncoloured, clear sound for the tones from your emulator or amp modeller. A little extra EQ comes in handy, as well as Input Gain and Master Volume for further adjustment. To keep the FRFR-GO truly mobile, it can be battery powered, at 24W instead of 30W.
Overall:
The FRFR-GO is a great option, and could come in handy for just about every guitarist. Simple controls, mobile size and function – what more could you want?!
For local HeadRush enquiries, visit ELFA!
Hotone Ampero II with Expression Pedal
Amber Technology | RRP: $1349
Recommended for:
The Hotone Ampero II is a multi-fx and amp modeler, so do you like good guitar tone? Well, we recommend this for you then!
Features:
Use 12 effects simultaneously, and choose from 60+ original Ampero effects, and 90+ amp models and 68 cab models. All of this is to say, whoever you are, there’ll absolutely be something in there for you!
The Hotone Ampero II with Expression Pedal has four footswitches for toggling between effects, the addition of an expression pedal allowing you to… well, express yourself!
Overall:
The Hotone Ampero II with Expression Pedal could become your flight rig, or even your home rig that packs a punch, offering you need for gigging, recording and writing music!
For the full range of Hotone pedals and effects, visit Amber Technology.
Markbass Black Line Combo Series
CMC Music | RRP: enquire for pricing
Recommended for:
Markbass Black Line amps offer a varying range of amps for home practice, gigging, recording and more!
Features:
Simple controls, balanced line out and headphone jacks make this amp perfect for every situation. Practice silently at home or crank it up for a gig, use the simple Gain and EQ controls to refine and shape your tone. Various speaker sizes are available, along with matched amplifier ratings.
Overall:
A great addition to our 2024 Gift Guide, the Black Line takes everything great about MarkBass and makes it EASY to get a great bass sound. Simple controls, enough power and well-built cabinets make for a no-brainer in the bass realm!
Mission Engineering ReWah Pro
Independent Music | RRP $220
Recommended for:
The ReWah is Mission Engineering’s take on a classic: the wah pedal. Known for their expression pedals, Mission’s ReWah is not for the faint of heart!
Features:
Built into a road-ready enclosure, the circuitry is built around a custom inductor, one used more traditionally for high end amplifiers. The huge wah coil provides otherwise inaccessible bass response and very little saturation, for big wah sounds, doing away with the unpleasant harshness and quack that some wah pedals suffer from.
Overall:
Even for those of us with multiple wahs in our collection, the ReWah from Mission Engineering brings something special, unique and new to the table… well, to the pedal board.
For all Mission Engineering enquiries, keep reading at Independent Music.
Fender Mini Tone Master
Fender Music Australia | RRP: $110
Recommended for:
This is a great solution for quiet practice, as well as looking cool on your shelf when not in use!
Features:
Modelled after Fender’s famous Tone Master amps used by the likes of Brian Setzer, Nick 13 and Chris Cheney, the Mini Tone Master offers four simple controls for Gain, Volume, Tone and Power, pushing as much or as little sound out of the dual speakers as you’d like.
A headphone jack is available as well for totally silent practice with great Fender sound!
Overall:
A great gift for anyone, even just for the aesthetic of it! The Mini Tone Master is a tiny way to continue practice anywhere, anytime.
Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus
Yamaha Music Australia | RRP: $2399
Recommended for:
The Standard Plus is a world-class guitar at a truly incredibly accessible price. Recommended for beginners looking to get the best start on the guitar and intermediate and pro guitarists looking to add some new flavour to the arsenal!
Features:
The Yamaha Pacifica Standard Plus is a solid body electric guitar in a HSS configuration, complete with Yamaha’s unparalleled build quality, Reflectone pickups and Gotoh locking tuners to support the tremolo bridge.
Overall:
The Pacifica Standard Plus is the newest in a long line of great, affordable and trusted Pacifica guitars from Yamaha. Great build quality and incredible good looks, you can’t go wrong!
For local Yamaha enquiries, visit Yamaha Music Australia.
Want to keep reading? Check out Part Two of our gift guide.
