Gear & Instrument Recommendations
Curated picks from our instructors — trusted gear for every level and budget.
Below are our top picks for each discipline, organized by skill level. These are affiliate links — when you purchase through them, you support Onset School of Music at no extra cost to you.
Acoustic Guitar
Rich, warm tone with no amp required. Our acoustic instructors share their top picks for every stage of the journey.
Kids & 3/4 Size
Beginner
Intermediate
Yamaha FGX800C Solid Top Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar, Dreadnought
Advanced
Electric Guitar
From first riffs to full-on shredding — our instructors' top electric guitar picks for every stage of the journey.
Kids
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Keyboards & Piano
Whether you're starting from scratch or stepping up to a serious instrument, these are the keyboards our piano instructors trust.
Kids
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Drum Kits
From practice pads to full acoustic kits — our drum instructors' picks for every level and living situation.
Kids
Beginner
Pearl Roadshow Drum Set 5-Piece Complete Kit with Cymbals and Stands
Intermediate
Advanced
Ukulele
Bright, fun, and surprisingly versatile — our picks for the best ukuleles at every level.
Kids
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Accessories & Essentials
The small stuff that makes a big difference. Our instructors' must-have picks for every player.
Guitar Capos
A quality capo is one of the most-used tools in any guitarist's bag. These are the ones our instructors keep on their own guitars.
Kyser Quick-Change Capo
Instructor PickTuners
Playing in tune is the first skill every musician develops. These tuners make it easy — whether you're on stage, in a lesson, or practicing at home.
Snark SN-5 Clip-On Tuner
Best ValueAcoustic Guitar Strings
Fresh strings make any guitar sound better and play easier. These are the sets our instructors put on their own instruments.
Martin Authentic Acoustic Guitar Strings
Best AcousticElectric Guitar Strings
Fresh strings make a world of difference on an electric. These are the sets our instructors put on their own guitars — reliable tone, long life, and easy on the fingers.
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky (.010–.046)
Instructor PickAs an Amazon Associate, Onset School of Music earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links support the school at no extra cost to you.
Let's build it together.
Share Your Gear Feedback & Ideas
Missing an instrument? Have a favorite piece of gear you'd recommend to students? Let us know — your suggestions help shape this guide.Heads up: If you spot a broken or wrong link, please let us know in the form below — we appreciate the catch!