Some people prefer to undertake maintenance and continued set up on their guitars themselves; others give it to a tech.
Which is the better option is basically up to how technical and precise you are. If you don’t know what you’re doing, it is harder than it seems, and if you start adjusting truss rods incorrectly, your guitar can end up in a bad way. However, if you do decide to do it, you will need one of the Best Guitar Tool Kits to ensure that you have the perfect tools for the job.
“the doctor said that as well”…
If you have ever tried to perform any kind of maintenance without the proper tools, you will know what the problems are. Like trying to adjust the saddle on a Fender Precision Bass with the tip of a sharp knife. Yes, we know, the doctor said that as well. It is always best to have what you need to make any changes necessary.
Therefore, finding the Best Guitar Tool Kits is important. So, let’s take a look and at what’s on offer and find the perfect set for you…
Top 10 Best Guitar Tool Kits in 2023
1 MusicNomad MN228 The Octopus Plus Bit Set 17 N’ 1 Tech Tool
This toolset from MusicNomad is a compact little kit with some useful inclusions. With this, you can adjust about everything there is on your guitar from truss rods to adjusting the saddles. Also tightening pots that may have worked loose, and all from this one tool.
One of the dangers of performing this work is that you don’t scratch the surface or your hardware. To help prevent that it has a handle and driver made from a toughened nylon.
If you’ve ever had the feeling that after having an instrument for a while, you can hear the tuning is slightly off? Or possibly you need to adjust the height of the pickups. If so, this little kit is the answer. It will even handle that most infuriating and potentially awkward job. That of the nut around the input socket when it is working loose.
But it’s not just the guitar or the amp. Some of the sockets on your pedals may also need some adjustment. In fact, it is hard to think of a screw or nut size this 17 in 1 won’t handle. And that applies to those awkward little jobs in the house or even in the car.
Well, in this kit, you’ll find two screwdriver bits, one for flathead one for Philips. There are eight hex bits or Allen keys, of sizes from 1.5mm to 4mm, and also seven hex wrenches. They are all stored in a neat little compartment box with sizes labeled.
If you have ever kept some of these tools loose in your case or a bag, you will know how easy it is to mislay them. This kit keeps them securely all in one place. Nice attractive price point make this kit a good buy and certainly one of the best multi-function guitar tool kits around.
(4.9 / 5)Pros
- Plenty of sizes for all requirements.
- Handle made from tough nylon that won’t damage the instrument.
Cons
- No carrying pouch or bag included.
2 CruzTools Stagehand Compact Tech Kit Guitar Tools
This is a tool kit that has been designed to be carried around with you. It includes just about everything you are going to need for the upkeep of your guitars or bass. It will also handle some basic adjustments to pedals and amps and their controls. And the Cruz Tools kit places it all inside an easy to carry pouch.
One of the things about guitars is that you never know if you are going to need to make adjustments. It could be anything from the height of your pickups to intonation. However, if you’ve got this in your guitar case, most of the problems can be cured quickly.
It is a 19-piece set that has magnetic bits. It has a screwdriver-like handle to hold them. The hex wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers all come in inches and millimeter gauges. The range of sizes will fit most guitars and basses.
The kit will cover intonation, neck bowing, the height of the action, and everything you need to get your instrument how you like it. It will also handle the other issues like tightening of nuts around pots, often a tricky operation.
Included in the set are 12 hex bits, six of which are in inches, and six metric. There are three sockets and four screwdriver hex bits. There is a string winder and string cutters and a thickness gauge measurer with a built-in ruler. This will be needed for precise truss rod adjustment.
Quite a lot of equipment, and as we said, it all fits neatly in a carrying pouch. Carry it with you whenever you take the guitar because you never know when you may need it.
The price point is not particularly cheap, but just about everything is there.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Wide range of equipment to allow you to perform your own maintenance.
- A carrying pouch is provided.
Cons
- A little more expensive than some.
3 GIGmate Guitar Tool Kit & String Organizer
Whether you are a hobby guitarist at home or a pro, you may well need a kit like this. This is a kit with a much more conventional storage pouch that is made from padded nylon. It is a basic design with a zipper right around the body. This means it completely opens up and can give you a lot of space for the storage of tools.
It has a good variety of equipment included, but the design of the pouch allows a few more of your own choice. Included is a 2 in 1 screwdriver with one fitting is for flathead and one for Philips. There are also some string cutters with a durable steel build, as well as five Hex wrenches and smaller driver fittings for saddles. The included sizes will cover most of the fittings you may encounter.
There is a truss rod wrench with a standard 5mm fitting. This will handle most truss rods for the well-known guitars like Takamine and Martin. But also truss roads made in Asia, which most are.
For stringing, there is a winder and an action setup gauge. And for acoustic guitars, a bridge pin remover.
Inside the carrying pouch, there are six pockets that provide storage space for extras, etc. There is also a little compartment for two AA batteries, always useful.
We think this is a neat and tidy kit with a robust zipped carrying case. It is not the cheapest you will see, but we think it represents good value for money and should be considered one of the best tool kits for guitar you can buy.
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- Very good robust nylon case with spare storage.
- Includes just about every tool you will need for basic maintenance.
Cons
- Some might think it a little expensive.
4 Elagon (ST) Guitar Pro-Care Cleaner Kit Bundle
This tool kit has got everything you may need to keep your guitar in top condition. It has some great inclusions with a full set of eight Allen keys that will meet every requirement.
There is a bass and guitar string winder and a pair of heavy-duty pliers for cutting strings if necessary. There is also an addition you don’t often see, a string action ruler with measurement charts. This will be useful when you are setting up or adjusting the string hight. Unfortunately, there are no screwdriver-type fittings. However, the tools are all well-made and very durable.
This toolkit has enough options that it may also suit other stringed instruments like a banjo or a mandolin. In fact, any instrument that can use Allen keys in its setup. The storage pouch is very nicely made in black and has compartments and holders for all the tools inside.
It has a zipper opening, and therefore the full size can be accessed easily. It is quite large, measuring 8.5 by 5.3 by 2 inches. You need to make sure you have space in your case or bag. It comes with a cleaning kit that includes polish and a cloth, as well as some string cleaner in the form of a lubricant stick.
We can see why this toolkit is popular and used by a lot of musicians. It isn’t cheap, though.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Really nice zipper case with tools secured in compartments.
- Good quality and well-made tools.
Cons
- Hasn’t got any screwdrivers.
5 Ernie Ball Musician’s Tool Kit
As soon as you see the name Ernie Ball you know you are going to get some quality. So it is with this toolkit.
Having been around guitars, strings, and accessories for many years, Ernie Ball will know exactly what is required to maintain a happy, healthy guitar. And this all-in-one toolkit is just what you need for maintaining your guitar and keeping it in perfect working condition.
Included is a heavy-duty set of pliers for string cutting and a string winder. There is a screwdriver with six different head options. This gives you two Phillips heads, two flatheads, and two nut drivers. Plus, there is an impressive range of thirteen Allen keys covering just about every size you will need. It also includes a short six-inch ruler made from Stainless Steel.
This is perfect for changing strings, setting the intonation, adjusting the action, checking string height, and more. Having dealt with the potential maintenance issues, they also give you the ability to make sure the guitar will always look great. Wonder wipes and instrument polish are included — also a conditioner for the fretboard and some string cleaner. And to round it all off a soft cloth.
In the exceptional zipper bag provided. This bag is no afterthought and has a great design that has compartments and a strong material build. Have Ernie Ball come up with a contender for one of the Best Guitar Tool Kits? Of course, they have and at a price point that is extremely attractive.
(5 / 5)Pros
- Great case if a little large but well compartmentalized inside.
- Wide range of tools and cleaning materials at an attractive price.
Cons
- It is rather large.
6 Medeer Guitar Tools Kit
If you know someone who might have more than one type of instrument, this might make a great present for them. Whether they are guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos, or ukuleles, this maintenance accessory kit will service them all. For guitar, it is suitable for electric and acoustic and will suit the hobby player up to the pro.
With this kit, you can change strings easily, and adjust the action and set the intonation. Each tool has its own small compartment or space inside an attractive carrying case.
The accessories include three Allen keys, a screwdriver, and a steel ruler with a spring action and a file. There is also a string winder, string cutter, and pin puller for acoustic guitars. All enclosed within a heavy-duty material zipper carrying case that measures 8 by 4 by 2 inches.
This is very much a basic kit with just what is considered the essentials. The tools are ok, but as you might imagine, not the strongest you can buy. But if you need extra tools to carry with you, then there is enough room inside the case.
It will make a great little present for your musician and comes at a price point that is very cheap indeed.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Neat little accessory kit with a sturdy carrying case.
- Plenty of tools for what might be needed for basic maintenance.
Cons
- Tools are made on a budget, so they will not stand heavy usage.
7 Sunflower Guitar Repairing Tool Kit
This repair kit is very much a budget line that is best used as a starter kit. It makes an ideal gift for a guitar player who might be interested in beginning to maintain their own instruments.
The kit includes basic tools for setup and string changing. You will also be able to adjust the intonation and measure string height. The tools included will be able to be used on Guitars and Basses as well as other instruments like the Banjo or Mandolin.
Included in the kit are a fret rocker leveler and steel ruler and an action ruler for checking and adjusting the height of the action. There are also three Allen keys and three guitar files. These are shaped flat, round and half-round, and a screwdriver. The screwdriver’s length can be adjusted if necessary.
They are all stored in a useful zipper carrying case that measures 7.9 by 3.9 by 2in. There is enough room in the storage case for you to add extra tools as you go along. The quality of the tools is not the highest, but the price is acceptable.
Very much a product for the hobby player or semi-pro.
(4 / 5)Pros
- Tools supplied in a nice zipper case.
- Decent variety of tools and accessories at a budget price.
Cons
- Some will want better quality tools.
8 URlighting Guitar Repair Kit
We have read somewhere that guitars don’t wear out. The body might not disappear, but they can ‘wear out’ in other ways. The idea of regular maintenance on an instrument is not to stop the wearing-out process but to slow it down.
This tool kit allows you an early level of maintenance on your guitar or bass. It is quite basic, but it certainly includes most tools you are likely to need for simple maintenance. There are tools for adjusting intonation and assisting with string changes. You can also check and fine-tune the action and string attitudes.
You will find that it provides the majority of tools for basic maintenance not only for guitars but also basses, mandolins, and banjos.
The kit includes a fret rocker and a leveling tool and string organizer. Also, a steel ruler and a further ruler for measuring string action height. There are also three Allen key wrenches and three guitar different shaped files for the frets and a screwdriver. They are housed in a decent storage zipper bag that measures 8 by 6 by 2 inches approximate. A string cutter is included.
There is a string winder for when you change strings. This will also remove the bridge pins on an acoustic guitar without harming the pin or the body of the guitar.
This is a decent kit that has a lot of useful tools included. The case also is large enough for you to add extras if you wish. Set at a decent price point, it is an attractive buy. The quality of the tools is on the cheaper side, but with care, they will perform the necessary functions.
(4.2 / 5)Pros
- Plenty of tools for the maintenance of a variety of instruments.
- Good carrying case with room for extras at an attractive price.
Cons
- Some will want better quality tools.
9 Sunflower Guitar Repairing Tool Kit(26PCS)
Sunflower is a company that doesn’t specialize in guitars or their accessories. But they try to provide what they consider are decent products at cost-effective prices.
This maintenance kit is a good example of that. It is certainly filled with a lot of tools and accessories. Most of the tools and equipment supplied will also allow you to work on other instruments.
The tools will allow you to perform basic maintenance functions like changing strings and adjusting intonation. You will also be able to adjust the height of the strings and reset the height of the playing action.
There is a string action ruler that is usable on both sides and files in four different shapes. There is a screwdriver with an adjustable length, which is useful. Another useful tool is a wrench that will loosen or tighten most of the nuts on guitars. Those awkward pieces found on the pots and the jack socket that seem to come loose more than they should do.
When replacing strings, there are some wire cutters. If you are working on the frets, there are some fingerboard guards to protect the fingerboard from accidental damage.
All this and more are enclosed in a zipper carry bag that has ample room for any further additions.
This is a budget level toolkit, so the quality of the tools is not the highest. But, there are plenty of them, and the price point is set realistically.
(4 / 5)Pros
- A cheap option for a tool kit with plenty included.
- Nice carrying bag with space for additions.
Cons
- Some will want better quality for their tools.
10 StewMac Guitar Tech Screwdriver & Wrench Set
This toolkit is not what you would describe as the cheapest option, but it could be considered as one of the Best Guitar Tool Kits out there.
This is a well-thought-out kit for the guitar with the added bonus of three double-ended wrenches. StewMac hasn’t included anything that pads out the kit to make it look comprehensive. They have only included the things you are going to need.
The set includes a handle plus an extension if needed, and 36 bits in various sizes. There are six Philip bits and eleven Allen keys along with 11 flat blade heads. To protect the guitar surface and smaller screws, there is a non-slip flat blade bit. There is also an adapter for jack sockets.
For when you might be cleaning up an older guitar that may have some corrosion, a small wire brush is included. If you are working with an acoustic guitar, there are some start hole bits. These are for pre-threading any extra holes for pickups, etc.
Finally, as mentioned, three double-ended wrenches. These will tighten or loosen nuts around jack sockets, pots, and fittings on stompboxes, and sockets on amps as well. They are made of plated steel.
The one thing that really strikes you about this set is the quality of the handles and bits. They are well-made with good materials and going to last. The tools come in a well-designed presentation box where everything has an identifiable place. The three wenches though, are separate.
A very good kit and one that includes everything you will need for setup, intonation, and any adjustments. It is a little more expensive than most but well worth the extra.
(4.3 / 5)Pros
- Wide range of bits and wrenches to cover every need for guitar maintenance.
- Well-made, sturdy tools in a nice storage box.
Cons
- Some may think it a little expensive
More Great Guitar Accessories
You may also be looking for some other great items for your guitar. If so, check out our reviews of the Best Guitar Strap Locks, the Best Electric Guitar Strings, the Best Acoustic Guitar Strings, the Best Electric Guitar Case, and the Best Guitar Pedalboard currently available.
So, What Are The Best Guitar Tool Kits?
We cannot all be Luthiers. In fact, most of us probably don’t want to be. But we should still offer a bit of maintenance to our beloved instruments. I should be the last one to say that. Once having the ignominy of having a Fender Precision taken from me while I desperately tried to tune it for a session. It came back thirty minutes later with a scowling engineer and a perfectly in tune bass.
Looking after your instrument is important. They can and do wear out.
There are a few products we have looked at that suit the starter, and some for more experienced players. And just about all make great presents.
The only thing to be wary of is the quality of the bit heads and fittings. The better they are, the longer they will last. We also like cases where there is enough room to add your own little bits and pieces. Therefore, if we had to choose then, it would have to be the…Ernie Ball Musician’s Tool Kit.
Some good, well-made tools and a nice spacious zipper case from an excellent manufacturer.