Changing up the sound and feel of your playing experience can be an expensive and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s great to try out different amps, instruments, and pedals when you can, but there are two ways to mix it up that are easy on effort as well as your wallet: trying out different strings and trying out different picks. Many players take these two parts of their setup for granted, but finding the right set of strings and the right pick is like putting on a pair of shoes that actually fit. You can just slip in, get comfy, and let them take you where your creative spark leads.

In many ways, the acoustic guitar is the ultimate in creative convenience—you can pick it up wherever you are, maybe your couch or your patio, or take it with you somewhere like the beach, and just start strumming—no need to set up any equipment. You don’t have to leave it there, though—under the surface of that elegant simplicity lie a number of important choices that can make your acoustic performance that much more sublime.

We put a list of recommendations together for players who want to give their acoustic guitar and their playing experience some extra love.

Check it out below.