Father's day is coming, and if you don't start dropping some hints now, you're bound to end up with something questionable. Don't blame your wife and kids for this -- they're trying. However, you can do them a favor by printing our gift guide and circling the cool stuff you want. While #1 Dad mugs are sweet, a humbucker watch is miles cooler. Whether you're into novelties, useful tools or classier touches, we have gifts of all kinds -- at a variety of prices.
Guitar Air Fresheners - $2.50
While guitar air fresheners could be cheesy, these are actually cool because of the variety and detail of the guitars offered. There's an EVH Strat, a Zakk Wylde Bullseye Les Paul, and on and on. They're the cheapest item on the list, so you can probably manage to get a few of these
and something else. The only concern is hoping that the guitar you want comes in a scent you like.
jtmusical.com
Guitar Flyswatter - $3.95
If you have to swat flies, you might as well swat them with a guitar, no? This kitschy flyswatter combines your passion with one of life's little pleasures -- killing annoying insects. What more can we say? Guitargifts.com has a whole lot of other guitar-themed household items, most bordering on ridiculous (see the
guitar sunglasses for example). If you're not into this type of novelty stuff, you may want to block this website from your home computer until gift-buying season is over.
guitargifts.com
Electric Guitar Lighter - $7.99
When kids these days go to concerts, they hold their phones up instead of lighters. Screw that. Rock your lighter even harder than you did in your youth with the electric guitar lighter. So next time you're at a concert and the teenager next to you pulls out his Blackberry during "Freebird," you can show him how it's really done. And since this is a Father's Day gift, you can school your own kids on the art in the process.
tygerpipes.com
Cool Jazz Guitar Ice Stirrers - $9.99
What every hep cat needs to stay cool. These ice stirrer molds include three different guitar designs, though the website only shows one so the others would be a fun surprise if you get this for Father's Day. It's a nice cheap gift that will come in handy as the summer heats up.
boystomengifts.com
Rhythm & Blues Tie Clip - £9.99 (about $17)
We like the simplicity of the tie clips and cufflinks on the British site Cuffs 'N' Collars. It doesn't hurt that most of it is relatively inexpensive as well. These are a nice way to infuse guitar into nice clothes without going the lengths of the guitar-shaped tie. The site ships free for all of our UK'ers out there, but they do ship internationally as well.
cuffsncollars.co.uk
Guitar-Shaped Tie - $19.88
If you
do want to go the lengths of a guitar-shaped tie, there are a lot of options out there. We're partial to the Flying V. If you're not picky, or are an LP fan, Musician's Friend is currently running a sale on a Les Paul-shaped tie -- only $9.99. The best selection for different models and finishes, however is at FunnyTies.com. If you're not ready to be the wacky guy at work, you can still get your rock on with rock group-themed ties over at
2002ties.com.
funnyties.com
Pick Stick - $19.95
We've got one of these pick sticks at the office and it's pretty cool. It's a neat way to keep your picks handy at home or in an office, and it looks pretty cool set up as well. You can find them online at a variety of retailers for about $20. The PG picks are unfortunately not included.
pickstick.com
Subscription to Premier Guitar - $24.99-$34.99
How could we make a list without including the most useful tone tool yet -- a print subscription to Premier Guitar? Get one year for $24.99 or two for just $34.99. Shameless plug? Maybe. Would we want one for Father's Day if we didn't work here? Definitely.
premierguitar.com
Recycled Vinyl Bowls - $24.99
Designed by Jeff Davis in NYC, these recycled LPs are perfect for snacks. You can choose your genre or e-mail the company directly if you're hoping for a specific artist. The genres are Rock Essentials, Country, '70s/'80s Pop, Divas, Crooners and Jazz. If you're going to request one of these for father's day, make sure to let the family know what genre you want, or you could find yourself munching Cheetos out of a Thompson Twins album.
Rock Essentials include albums from The Eagles, Rolling Stones, The Byrds, Allman Brothers and more. Country albums include Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings and more. The complete list of artists is on the website.
modernartisans.com
Dreamy Linens Guitar Shower Curtain - $36
Guitarify your bathroom while staying classy. This cotton printed curtain is an ode to British rock that'll have you humming Who songs in the morning, without getting so obnoxious that it's relegated to the basement bathroom that nobody uses. If you're looking to guitarify your bathroom
without staying classy, make sure to keep scrolling down to the guitar-shaped toilet seat.
shop.com
HIP Strap - $49.99
The guys at the Bass Place in Tempe, AZ came up with a cool solution to a scratching belt buckle with their HIP Strap. The belt is made in the USA with black, brown or cognac high-grade leather and is designed to not rub or scratch the back of your guitar. Plus, it looks nice, so you can wear it even when you're not playing.
thehipstrap.com
Band Shoes - $55-$60
Get the cool-dad thing going on in time to drop your kids off at summer school with EVH's own shoes or Ozzy, The Who, Grateful Dead, and Pink Floyd shoes from Converse. Now that all the kids are playing classic rock songs in Rock Band and Guitar Hero, they'll actually appreciate your kicks. Oh, and your bandmates might like 'em too.
evhgear.com
converse.com
Metal Guitar Pick with Leather Key Chain - $59.98
This key chain reminds you both that you are an awesome dad and an awesome guitar player. What more could you ask for? The metal pick can actually have any text , but we think the "Daddy You Rock" is pretty cool in itself. The pick can be sterling silver, gold, brass or copper, and the price varies accordingly.
metalpressions.com
Gibson Pickup Watch - $157.79
Wear your love for humbuckers near your sleeve with this sweet watch from Gibson. Its pickup design doesn't scream guitar, but is an understated nod to your passion. The watch features a leather strap, "pick" buckle and Swiss analog quartz movement. It's available in both silver and black metal and face.
Gibson recently launched a new store with clothing and accessories, including a number of different watch designs and some pretty nice pens and jewelry. It's mostly classy stuff, so it's hard to go wrong for a Gibson die-hard.
store.gibson.com
Guitarlet Natural - $179
You're likely going to have to have a bathroom to yourself if you expect to get this gift. Then again, if you have your own bathroom, there's
no reason not to have one of these. The seats are also available as a Strat or a white acoustic. It's the perfect accompaniment to your Premier Guitar subscription!
jamminjohns.com
Fender ArteHouse 1951 Telecaster Limited Edition Patent Print - $399
This limited-edition 1 of 100 art print of Fender's original Telecaster patent drawings is stunning. It's a 30x27 print, double-matted and framed with a numbered plate. There's also a Stratocaster version available. If you're a fan of Fender's classics, it doesn't get much better than this for office decor, but the price reflects the quality and rarity.
For those on a smaller budget, Fender also has art prints of their old advertising, most of which is really cool and more than a little nostalgic. These prints start at $17.99 for smaller prints, and go up from there with different sizes and options.
fender.artehouse.com
Fender Deluxe Stratocaster Table - $750
One of our perennial favorites, the Strat headstock table is a high-budget item, but totally worth asking for if you've got a dedicated man cave. The table is solid maple and stained to look vintage. If you're budget isn't as high, you can get a composite wood version for $250. Tele headstock tables are also available, along with blackface and tweed HotSeat stools with storage compartments.
fendercustomfurniture.com
Guitar Fine Art Paintings - $3000
Paul Chase does some pretty awesome fine-art paintings of guitars, and they're beautiful touches of class that you can hang in your living room as well. We love the "MusiciansStrat" 30x40 acrylic on canvas. Paul also has prints available, so if you plan on dropping your next $3K on a new guitar, you can still invest in some art with prints starting much lower.
graphicguitars.com