Best Electric Guitar Hardware of 2026
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Electric guitar hardware refers to the various components that make up a guitar's mechanical and electronic systems. These include the bridge, tuners, pickups, knobs, and wiring harness. The bridge is responsible for transferring the strings' vibrations to the guitar's body, while the tuners allow for tuning adjustments. Pickups convert string vibrations into an electrical signal, which is then sent to an amplifier. Knobs control the volume and tone of the guitar's sound, and the wiring harness connects all of these components together. High-quality hardware can significantly improve a guitar's tone and playability, making it a worthwhile investment for serious musicians.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Electric Guitar Hardware
Jim Dunlop Straplok Dual Design Strap Button Set-Nickel-2/Set
The Jim Dunlop Straplok Set is the most popular Straplok Retainer System style. With this set, you can easily replace the standard buttons on your guitar for a tighter fit, ensuring that your instrument stays securely in place while you play. Additionally, you can set up an extra instrument for use with the Straplok Retainer System, allowing you to easily switch between guitars without having to install new buttons each time. The Straplok Set is available in Nickel, Black, and Gold, allowing you to match it with the most popular hardware finishes. With its convenience and versatility, the Jim Dunlop Straplok Set is a must-have for any guitarist.
JIM DUNLOP Straplok Dual Design Strap Retainer System
The JIM DUNLOP Straplok Dual Design Strap Retainer System, also known as JIM DUNLOP Straplok, is a versatile and reliable guitar strap lock. With its 360 groove-and-ball design, it allows the unit to rotate without catching, providing smooth and hassle-free movement while playing. The interchangeable button feature allows you to use the same strap with several guitars, saving you the hassle of switching straps. Tested to withstand up to 800 lbs of weight, this strap retainer system ensures your guitar stays securely in place. The package includes two strap attachments for added convenience. The JIM DUNLOP Straplok is a must-have for any guitarist looking for a durable and convenient strap lock solution.
Fender Ultra String Guides for Electric Guitar
The Fender Ultra String Guides come in a set of two along with mounting screws. These guides are designed to optimize string tension and minimize tuning problems, making them perfect for American Ultra, Elite, Professional, Acoustasonic and various Custom Shop models. They also fit most vintage and modern Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars. Made in the USA, these string guides are a great addition to any electric guitar setup.
Fender 4-Bolt Vintage Chrome Neck Plate
The Fender Chrome Neck Plate is designed with precise dimensions, measuring approximately 9.65 cm in length, 5.33 cm in width, and just 0.76 cm in height. These compact measurements make it easy to handle and fit perfectly on your electric guitar. Made in the United States, this neck plate offers reliable quality and craftsmanship you can trust. By choosing the Fender Chrome Neck Plate, you benefit from a vintage-style design that enhances your guitar’s durability and stability, ensuring your instrument stays securely assembled during play.
4-Piece Electric Guitar Tremolo Arm Set
This 4-piece set of thread tremolo arms for electric guitars comes in classic silver, black, and gold colors, with a plastic end cap for each. The proper size allows for easy installation, and the arms help adjust string tension and change pitch to create a better vibrato effect, improving your guitar's sound. Made of quality metal material with chrome plating, these arms are durable and have a shiny finish. They measure 6mm in insert diameter and 19.5 cm in length, fitting 6mm thread diameters. Note: check your guitar's vibrato arm threaded hole before purchasing.
GETMusic Electric Guitar Pickguard Screws
GETMusic Electric Guitar Pickguard Screws are designed to fit most Fender guitars or basses with Phillips oval head screws to fit countersunk pickguards and cover plates. The screws are made of metal and come in black, with a head diameter of 1/8 inch (3mm) and a length of 1/2 inch (12mm), which is the standard for Fender. With a pack of 50 screws, you'll have plenty to work with.
RuiJOTWAT 70s F Logo 4-Bolt Guitar Neck Plate
The RuiJOTWAT F Logo Neck Plate is a steel neck plate designed in a classic 70s style, featuring a distinctive "F" logo engraving. This plate is perfect if you need a reliable 4-bolt mount for your guitar or bass, ensuring a secure fit for your instrument. It comes with four mounting screws, so you have everything needed for a straightforward installation. Made from durable stainless steel, this neck plate offers long-lasting strength and resistance to wear. Plus, its size and mounting hole spacing are tailored to fit most F-style guitars, making it a convenient upgrade or replacement part for your instrument.
Fender Telecaster Control Plate
This Fender Telecaster Control Plate is an original vintage electric guitar part that falls into the category of electric guitar hardware. It is a Fender accessory that is designed for the telecaster, one of the most iconic guitars in the world.
Yutzhre Mushroom Style Guitar Strap Locks (2 PCS)
The Yutzhre Guitar Strap Locks come in a set of two, giving you enough pieces for daily use or easy replacement. These mushroom-style strap buttons are designed to securely attach your guitar strap, preventing accidental slips while you play. They fit a wide range of instruments, including acoustic guitars, electric guitars, basses, and ukuleles, making them versatile for many players. The universal size ensures compatibility with most guitars, so you can easily upgrade your instrument’s hardware for added security and peace of mind during performances or practice sessions.
Hariendny 2Pcs 5mm & 6mm Thread Tremolo Arms
The Hariendny Tremolo Arms Set includes two whammy bars in 5mm and 6mm sizes, giving you options to fit your electric guitar. Made from sturdy metal, these arms are built to last, so you can rely on them for long-term use. They help you easily adjust string tension, allowing you to enhance the vibrato effect and add expressive sounds to your playing. Installation is simple—just screw the arm into your guitar’s tremolo system, making it quick and hassle-free to set up. This set is a practical addition for any electric guitar player looking to improve their instrument’s performance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What parts do you need to build an electric guitar?
To build an electric guitar, you will need several parts including a shaped and routed guitar body, a guitar neck (bolt-on or set neck), strap buttons with screws, 2 humbucking pickups, 1 volume control pot and 1 tone control pot (or a combination pot), a 3-way pickup selector switch, an input jack, and 6 tuning pegs (machine heads). These components are essential for assembling a complete electric guitar.
2. Is it cheaper to build your own electric guitar?
Building your own electric guitar may not always be cheaper compared to buying a production model guitar. While you can save on labor costs, the expenses for wood, electronics, and hardware can add up. Additionally, you may need to invest in new tools. In many cases, buying a pre-made guitar may be more cost-effective.
3. How much does it cost to build a guitar from scratch?
The cost of building a guitar from scratch can vary depending on the quality of the parts and materials used. For a basic guitar with Chinese-made 'no name' parts, the cost can be as low as $120. However, if you opt for original parts, brand name hardware, and high-end materials, the cost can easily reach $645 or more. This estimate does not include the labor cost of building the guitar.
During our electric guitar hardware research, we found 24 electric guitar hardware products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 46,481 customer reviews through our big data system to write the electric guitar hardware list. We found that most customers choose electric guitar hardware with an average price of $8.22.
The electric guitar hardware are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of electric guitar hardware, including Jim Dunlop, Fender, Patelai, SAPHUE, RuiJOTWAT. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.