Used Daily • On the Bench • Player Approved
What We Use in the Shop
At Nick’s Hand-Picked Guitars, we work on guitars every day — setups, repairs, restrings, cleanup, and real-world player needs. These are the products and brands we trust regularly on the bench and in our own playing.
Real Shop Picks
This isn’t a random list of gear. These are the kinds of strings, picks, cables, and care products we already trust around the shop and recommend to players regularly.
Built Around Guitars
We’re keeping this focused on what makes sense for NHP: practical guitar essentials that support better setups, better maintenance, and better everyday playing.
Curated, Not Cluttered
Our goal is not to stock everything under the sun. It’s to carry a strong, trustworthy mix of products that players actually need and will feel good about coming back for.
Strings we trust
Strings are the backbone of any good guitar shop. These are the sets and brands we naturally gravitate toward depending on the instrument, the player, and the feel we’re after.
D’Addario NYXL
One of our go-to electric sets here at NHP. Great tuning stability, strong feel, and a premium option for players who want durability without going down the coated-string route.
Ernie Ball Slinky
A classic for a reason. Familiar feel, easy to recommend, and trusted by players across every style. A staple electric string line that simply makes sense to have around.
D’Addario Phosphor Bronze
A dependable acoustic choice with a balanced voice and consistent feel. These are easy to trust on modern players and vintage-inspired acoustics alike.
Martin Acoustic Strings
A natural fit for NHP. Familiar, musical, and a great match for the acoustic side of what we do — especially for singer-songwriters, vintage fans, and everyday players.
D’Addario Bass Strings
For bass, we like keeping it simple and reliable. Strong everyday options that cover what most players actually need without overcomplicating the wall.
What we care about most
- Consistency from pack to pack
- Reliable feel and tuning stability
- Trusted names players already know
- Sets that make sense for real-world use
Picks we keep on hand
Picks are small, personal, and easy to overlook — until you need the right one. We lean toward proven, everyday choices that cover the majority of players without getting gimmicky.
Dunlop Tortex
One of the easiest lines to recommend. Familiar colors, familiar gauges, and a trusted feel for both electric and acoustic players.
D’Addario Picks
A strong complementary option to keep in the mix. Straightforward, dependable, and easy to pair with the rest of the products we already use and trust.
Everyday shop essentials
Beyond strings and picks, there are a handful of practical products that belong in every guitar player’s orbit. These are the kinds of everyday essentials we plan to build out first.
Cables
Reliable instrument cables are one of the easiest quality-of-life upgrades in a setup. We’re focused on practical, dependable options that players can trust on stage, at rehearsal, or at home.
Cleaning & Care
Cloths, polish, and basic care supplies are part of good long-term guitar ownership. We want to carry the same kinds of maintenance items we already recommend in everyday shop life.
Slides, Capos & More
Small accessories can make a big difference. As this section grows, expect a focused mix of practical add-ons that actually fit the kinds of players and guitars we work with.
Our approach
Just like the guitars we bring in, we want our accessory offering to feel considered, useful, and true to the shop. That means focusing on products we genuinely believe in — not just filling space.
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1
Use what works
We pay attention to what performs well on the bench and what players come back for.
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Keep it practical
Our focus is on real-world guitar essentials first — the products that make the biggest everyday difference.
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Grow intentionally
We plan to expand thoughtfully over time into more accessories, parts, and tools as the shop grows.
More from NHP coming soon
We’re actively building out the products and brands we trust most so customers can access them directly through NHP.
In the meantime, this page gives a look into the gear we naturally reach for in the shop.
Questions about what we recommend for your guitar? Reach us at nickshandpicked@gmail.com • (314) 635-7447
