*This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through one of them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I believe are genuinely useful.*
These are the specific products I currently recommend. Every item is chosen for real-world performance, reliability, and value — not hype.
Hearing Protection for Musicians
EAROS ONE High-Fidelity Acoustic Filters
Best for: Musicians and concert-goers who need real protection without muffled sound
Filters volume while keeping clarity. Typical price around $40.
Check Current Price →Home Studio Recording
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen)
Best overall: The default two-input interface most people should start with
Typical price $160–$200 new. Clean used examples often $100–$160.
See Scarlett 2i2 on Reverb →Focusrite Scarlett Solo (4th Gen)
Best tighter budget: Clean, simple, and proven for single-source recording
Typical price $110–$140.
See Scarlett Solo →Audio-Technica AT2020
Best budget condenser: Reliable large-diaphragm mic under $100 for vocals and acoustic sources
Typical price $90–$110.
Check AT2020 price →Student & Back-to-School Instruments
Yamaha V5SC Student Violin
Best for: Students and beginners who need a properly set-up instrument that won’t fight them
Solid entry-level violin that stays in tune better than cheap starter kits. Typical price $300–$450.
Check Current Price →Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Saxophone
Best for: School band students who need a reliable, in-tune alto sax
One of the most recommended student altos. Typical price $1,100–$1,400.
Check Current Price →Jean Paul TR-330 Student Trumpet
Best for: Beginners and school programs needing a solid, affordable trumpet
Good intonation and build for the price. Typical range $350–$450.
Check Current Price →Electric Guitars
Fender Player Stratocaster (Used)
Best overall: Classic Strat voice, versatile, easy to service
Used $350–$550.
See used Player Strats on Reverb →Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster
Best budget: Surprisingly playable Strat-style guitar
Used $220–$350.
Browse Classic Vibe Strats →Epiphone Les Paul Standard (Used)
Best Les Paul feel: Humbucker tone without Gibson pricing
Used $300–$500.
See used Epiphone Les Pauls →High-End Guitars
PRS Custom 24
Best overall high-end: Premium build, versatility, and modern playability
Typical price $3,500–$4,500.
See PRS Custom 24 →Fender American Professional II Stratocaster
Best modern Strat: Refined professional-level Strat with modern improvements
Typical price $1,600–$1,900.
Check American Pro II Strat →Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s
Best classic Les Paul: Thick, sustaining dual-humbucker tone
Typical price $2,400–$2,800.
See Les Paul Standard 50s →Acoustic Guitars
Yamaha FG800
Best under $250: Best-sounding acoustic in this price range
Typical price $180–$220.
Check FG800 →Yamaha FS800
Best smaller body: Concert-size version of the FG800
Typical price $180–$230.
See FS800 →Taylor Academy 10e (Used)
Best step-up used: Comfortable neck and solid electronics
Used $400–$600.
Browse used Taylor Academy →Bass Guitars
Squier Classic Vibe Jazz Bass
Best overall value: Classic Jazz Bass feel and tone
Typical range $350–$450.
See Classic Vibe Jazz Bass →Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass
Best P-Bass option: Simple, solid, and punchy
Typical range $350–$450.
Check Classic Vibe P-Bass →Fender Player Precision Bass (Used)
Best step-up: Better hardware and feel
Used $450–$650.
Browse used Player P-Bass →Amplifiers
Fender Mustang LT25
Best practice / home amp: Useful built-in effects and easy recording
Typical price $130–$160.
See Mustang LT25 →Boss Katana-50 MkII
Best versatile small amp: More tones and better speaker
Typical price $230–$280.
Check Katana-50 →Fender Blues Junior (Used)
Best used tube option: Classic small tube amp tone
Used $350–$500.
Browse used Blues Juniors →High-End Amps
Marshall JVM410H
Best versatile high-gain: Four channels, proven on stage and in the studio
Typical price $1,800–$2,200.
See Marshall JVM410H →Friedman Small Box 50 Head
Best boutique British tone: Excellent dynamics and clarity
Typical price $2,000–$2,500.
Check Friedman Small Box →Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Best high-end modern high-gain: The classic tight, aggressive voice that defined a generation of rock and metal
Typical price $2,200–$2,800.
See Dual Rectifier →Guitar Strings & Accessories
D’Addario NYXL 10-46 Electric Strings
Best for: Players who want strings that stay bright longer and hold tuning better
Typical price $12–$15 per set.
Check Current Price →Evidence Audio Forte Instrument Cable
Best for: Players tired of crackling or poorly built cables
Quiet, durable cable. Typical price $35–$55.
Check Current Price →Kyser Quick-Change Capo (Acoustic/Electric)
Best for: Fast, reliable capo that stays in place without killing sustain
Typical price $20–$25.
Check Current Price →Guitar Pedals
Boss DS-1 Distortion
Best classic distortion: Reliable, simple, and works in almost any setup
Typical price under $60.
See Boss DS-1 →Ibanez Tube Screamer TS9
Best overdrive: The most recorded overdrive pedal of all time for a reason
Typical price $80–$110.
Check Tube Screamer TS9 →Strymon Timeline
Best high-end delay: Studio-quality delay with deep editing and excellent sound
Typical price $400–$450.
See Strymon Timeline →Microphones
Shure SM57
Best for: Tough, versatile dynamic mic for amps, snare, and vocals
Typical price $99–$110.
Check Current Price →PA / Live Sound
Yamaha Stagepas 400BT
Best portable system: One person can set it up and actually use it for small gigs
Typical price $600–$750.
See Stagepas 400BT →JBL EON700 Series (Pair)
Best mid-tier powered speakers: Strong output and clear sound for small to mid-size rooms
Typical price $1,100–$1,400 for a pair.
Check JBL EON700 →QSC K12.2
Best high-end powered speaker: Serious output, excellent clarity, and built for real gigs
Typical price $900–$1,100 each.
See QSC K12.2 →Drums
Alesis Nitro Mesh Kit
Best budget mesh kit: Quiet practice kit that still feels good to play
Typical price $300–$400.
Check Alesis Nitro Mesh →Roland TD-07KV
Best mid-tier electronic kit: Better feel, better sounds, and more realistic response
Typical price $700–$900.
See Roland TD-07KV →Roland TD-17KVX
Best high-end electronic kit: Serious feel, deep editing, and the kit most players keep for years
Typical price $1,400–$1,800.
See Roland TD-17KVX →Music Distribution
DistroKid
Best for: Independent artists who want music on Spotify, Apple Music, and more
Use the link for 7% off your first year.
Get 7% Off First Year →Related reading:
- Guitar Gear Guide
- Used Music Gear Buying Guide
- Home Studio Setup Guide
- EAROS ONE Earplugs for Musicians
- Holiday Gifts for Guitarists
DJ Equipment
Pioneer DDJ-FLX4
Best for: Beginners and intermediate DJs who want a reliable, Serato/rekordbox-ready controller
Compact, solid build, and the current sweet spot for most new DJs. Typical price $250–$300.
Check Current Price →Audio-Technica AT-LP120XUSB
Best for: DJs and producers who need a direct-drive turntable that also works for recording
USB output + solid performance. Typical price $350–$400.
Check Current Price →This page contains affiliate links.