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Accessories are the unsung heroes of the musician’s toolkit. A small change — a different plectrum, a better saddle, a precise spacer — can transform tone, playability, and confidence. Whether you’re strumming a guitar in your living room, gigging with a band, or rehearsing orchestral parts, the right add-ons help you sound like you mean it. Think of them as the seasoning in your musical recipe: subtle, but essential.
When shopping for accessories in the UK, a handful of stores consistently stand out for selection, price, and convenience. Menkind is a surprising choice for uniquely personalised picks and novelty musical gifts, while Expert Electrical offers practical replacement parts like spacer bars and saddles. Other UK favourites to check are Gear4music, Andertons, PMT Online, and Dawsons Music—each carries a wide range from basics to pro-grade components. Exploring several retailers helps you compare specs and prices so you don't overpay for items you can get locally or online.
Menkind specialises in fun and customised music gifts. If you want a plectrum that reflects your personality or makes a memorable present, Menkind often lists personalised plectrums such as “Personalised Plectrum,” “Personalised I Pick You Plectrum,” and colourful custom picks. These are great for gifting or making a stage presence more distinct. Their items are often geared toward novelty and custom engraving, which can add sentimental value without costing a fortune.
Expert Electrical focuses on replacement parts and practical hardware. A good example is a steel spacer bar saddle listed in their range; the common size offered is roughly 0.79 inches long (about 20 millimetres). These types of parts are ideal when you need an exact-fit replacement to restore intonation or bridge action on electric and acoustic guitars. If you’re repairing an instrument, accurate, durable parts from a shop like Expert Electrical keep your instrument stable for years.
If you play guitar, prioritize a few key accessories that make the biggest impact. A selection of plectrums in different thicknesses, a reliable tuner, a quality strap, and a few spare strings are the foundation. Add a solid saddle or nut material, and you’ll find open chords ring clearer and solos sustain longer. Don’t forget maintenance items like cleaning cloths and lubricant for moving parts; keeping hardware healthy often beats upgrading gear.
Plectrums, or picks, shape your attack and tone. Thin, flexible picks usually produce jangly, bright sounds and are great for strumming. Thicker picks yield fuller tone and more control for single-note lines. Materials — celluloid, nylon, tortex, and metal — each colour the sound differently. Personalised picks from retailers like Menkind add a custom touch, but experimenting with mass-market brands at stores such as Gear4music or Andertons helps you find what suits your technique best.
Upgrading a saddle or installing the correct spacer bar can fix buzz, improve intonation, and increase sustain. If a saddle is worn or the spacing is off, the guitar won’t sit right in tune up the neck. Components like the steel spacer bar saddle (about 0.79 inches in the Expert Electrical offering) are practical swap-ins when you need precise spacing or extra durability. For acoustic to electric conversions and tonal tweaks, changeable saddles can be a simple, effective upgrade.
String players beyond the guitar also need well-chosen accessories. Rosin, shoulder rests, fine tuners, mutes, and quality bows or rehairing services make the difference between a slippery performance and a confident one. Small items like a good practice mute can save neighbours and improve focus during late-night rehearsals. Shops that cater to orchestral players often stock specialist goods and can advise on setup and maintenance.
Rosin quality affects bow grip and responsiveness. Harder rosins suit warmer climates or aggressive playing, while softer rosins give instant grip in cooler settings. Choosing rosin tailored to your instrument type and playing style improves projection and reduces frustration at the frog when your bow slips. A few testers from a trusted music store will tell you a lot about what works for your bow and strings.
Comfort influences endurance. A poor-fitting shoulder rest or chin rest can cause tension and limit practice time. Look for adjustable designs that allow subtle height and angle changes. Specialist stores and workshops can also modify rests for a custom fit—worth a little investment if you play frequently or have physical sensitivities.
Beginners should focus on reliable basics: a tuner, spare strings, a medium plectrum, and cleaning tools. Intermediate and advanced players benefit from targeted upgrades—better saddles, higher-quality strings, premium picks, and specialised tools. Consider how often you perform, the venues you play in, and whether you record. If you gig regularly, prioritize durability; if you record, aim for tonal refinement. Matching the accessory to your goals saves money and improves your playing faster than accumulating random items.
Not all accessories are equal investments. Spend more on items that directly shape tone or playing comfort—a quality saddle, pro-grade strings, and a dependable tuner. Save on novelty or decorative items unless they inspire you; a personalised pick from a novelty retailer is fun but not essential for tone. Balancing smart splurges with sensible saves keeps your setup efficient and enjoyable.
Before clicking buy, compare specs across stores and read customer reviews. Photos and product dimensions matter when fitting parts like saddles, nuts, or spacers. Check compatibility: some spacers suit particular bridge types, and not every saddle fits every instrument. If possible, order one or two test items rather than replacing an entire set at once. Use trusted UK merchants—like Gear4music, Andertons, PMT, Menkind for personalised items, and Expert Electrical for technical parts—to reduce the risk of mismatches.
Clear photos and exact dimensions prevent returns and repair delays. For instance, a spacer bar saddle listed as 0.79 inches long needs to match your bridge slot. If the product page lacks dimensional detail, ask the seller or seek an alternative with full specs. A little diligence saves you the frustration of a non-fitting part mid-project.
Small maintenance routines go a long way. Wipe strings and saddles after each session to remove oils and grime, store picks in a case to avoid deformations, and keep bridge and metal parts lightly lubricated where appropriate. For bowed instruments, rotate rosin and monitor bow hair for fraying. Regular minor upkeep delays the need for replacements and ensures your accessories perform consistently.
Picks last longer if stored flat and out of sunlight; heat warps plastic. Saddles and metal spacers benefit from occasional cleaning with a soft cloth to remove sweat and salts. If you use removable saddles, inspect them monthly for wear. Small habits protect your investment and maintain sound quality over time.
The market keeps evolving. Customisation has grown—laser-etched picks and personalised accessories are mainstream now. Materials science has introduced new composites for saddles and picks that blend durability and tone. Digital tools like clip-on tuners, smartphone apps, and compact practice amps have also matured, offering affordability and convenience without sacrificing sound. Keeping an eye on trends helps you choose tools that will still feel modern in a few years.
Personalised picks have moved beyond novelty into thoughtful gifts and band merchandising. They let you mark your picks for practice identification or create memorable giveaways. While personalisation won’t change your tone much, it adds identity and can be a talking point at gigs. Menkind and similar retailers are good places to find those custom options.
Accessories span a wide price range. Basic picks and tuners can start at a few pounds, mid-range saddles and strings typically fall within the modest budget brackets, and premium upgrades or custom parts can climb higher. For a quick snapshot: a pack of decent plectrums might cost the equivalent of a small meal, a high-quality saddle or nut replacement could be in the low to mid-price bracket, and professional-grade parts or custom jobs may run more. Comparing stores like Expert Electrical for practical components and Gear4music or Andertons for broader ranges helps you balance cost with quality.
Buy the items you need now and keep a short wishlist for upgrades. If you’re saving for a premium component, consider replacing consumables like strings more frequently, which often yields a bigger short-term tonal improvement than some hardware mods. Sales, bundled deals, and store promotions can help you stretch a little further without sacrificing quality.
Accessories are not one-size-fits-all. Think about your style, the venues where you play, and the long-term goals for your instrument. For many players, the right mix includes a few quality items that directly affect tone or comfort, plus a few personalised touches that keep playing fun. Shops like Menkind and Expert Electrical each serve different needs—one for personality and novelty, the other for durable replacement parts—so exploring multiple retailers gives you the best of both worlds.
Ready to fine-tune your setup? Start with a small list: a pick selection, a spare saddle or spacer, a tuner, and a maintenance kit. Then try one upgrade that truly matters to your sound. You’ll be surprised how much a tiny change can elevate your playing.
Conclusion: Investing thoughtfully in accessories pays dividends in tone, comfort, and confidence. Whether you buy a personalised plectrum for flair or a precise steel spacer saddle to fix intonation, choose items that solve real problems and match your musical ambitions. Happy playing—may your strings sing and your setup feel just right.
| String Instrument Accessories | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Steel Spacer Bar Saddle 20mm | £ 0,52 | |
| Personalised Plectrum | £ 13,- | |
| Personalised Colour Guitar Plectrums | £ 16,- | |
| Personalised I Pick You Plectrum | £ 25,- |
