A Complete Guide for Students in Ireland
Starting back at school, college or music lessons this year? Whether you’re hauling a guitar through busy corridors, carrying a ukulele across campus, or hiding your violin under your desk before maths, your instrument needs love and protection. Your gear isn’t just expensive — it’s part of your identity. So, keeping it safe, clean, and working like new should be a top priority.
At Musicmaker Dublin, we’ve been helping students, schools, and gigging musicians protect their gear for over 40 years. So here it is — your no-nonsense, practical guide to music gear protection in Ireland, featuring the best bags, straps, humidifiers, and cleaning gear on the market.
Step One: Clean Your Instrument, Keep It Playing Like New
Why Cleaning Matters
Whether it’s a guitar, ukulele, violin or bass, your instrument is constantly picking up sweat, grime, dust and dirt — especially when it’s moving from classroom to bedroom to rehearsal room. Over time, that build-up can damage your finish, rust your hardware, dull your strings, and mess with your tone.
What You Need: Music Nomad Maintenance Essentials
- Music Nomad Guitar Detailer – A fast, non-toxic cleaner that wipes away fingerprints, sweat and gunk without damaging the finish.
- F-One Oil – A deeply conditioning fretboard treatment that keeps rosewood, ebony and pau ferro boards smooth, hydrated and grime-free.
- All-in-One Instrument Polish – For acoustic, electric, and even student violins, this cleaner/polish combo keeps your gear looking sharp and protected.
- String Fuel – Extend the life of your strings and make them easier to play with this easy-to-use cleaner/lubricant combo.
These products are student-proof, gig-bag friendly, and available in handy kits or singles. Clean your instrument once a week, and it’ll repay you in tone and longevity.
Check out all our Music Nomad products HERE.
Music Nomad Equipment care - always available at Musicmaker.
Don’t Let the Irish Weather Kill Your Instrument
Enter: The Music Nomad MN312 Humidifier and Hygrometer
Ireland’s weather might be grand for the grass, but your wooden instrument? Not so much. With heaters blasting in winter and damp creeping in the rest of the year, wood can warp, crack, and shrink without proper humidity control.
The MN312 HONE clips to your strings or drops into your case, tracking moisture levels 24/7. Pair it with a humidifier (also from Music Nomad) and keep your guitar, uke or violin protected from sudden weather shifts — no cracks, no warps, just perfect playability all year round.
Bags That Actually Protect Your Instrument
It’s not just about hauling your instrument — it’s about protecting it while you leg it for the bus.
Affordable, lightweight, and surprisingly durable, Stagg bags are ideal for students on a budget who still want reliable padding, water resistance, and comfy straps.
Designed in-house with Irish musicians in mind, these bags add a touch more protection, style, and practicality. Expect thick padding, reinforced seams, and compartments for tuners, leads, books and more.
Check out the mm Premium bags HERE.
Whether you're commuting across Dublin or running between lecture halls, a good bag is your first line of defence.
Bags Cases and more, check out This Section on the site.
Straps That Won’t Let You Down
We’ve all seen it: the strap slips, the guitar drops, and there’s a dent that stays with you for life. Don’t be that person.
Tough, comfortable, and stylish. These straps age beautifully, offer brilliant shoulder support, and are ready for long rehearsals or live shows.
Want a solid leather strap? Click HERE.
Made from recycled or eco-conscious materials — ideal for students who want to play loud and tread lightly. Ethically made, durable, and designed with both planet and performance in mind.
Save the planet and look mad cool. Click HERE.
These straps and many more! Check out out Guitar Straps section for a huge range.
Tidy Up That Cable Jungle
Pig Hog Magnetic Cable Organisers
Whether you’re gigging, jamming in the student union, or just trying to stop your cables becoming a spaghetti trap, Pig Hog cable organisers are your new best friend. Keep your leads tangle-free, gig-ready and out of the way — no more lost patch cables or dodgy knots at the bottom of your bag.
These Pig Hog Cable Organisers are wildly useful
Quick Checklist: Instrument Protection for Students
- Wipe your instrument down after every practice
- Deep clean once a week with Music Nomad products
- Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity (especially over winter)
- Always store your gear in a padded gig bag
- Use cable wraps and secure straps to avoid mid-class disasters
Got bigger problems? Ask about out Musicmender service via the Contact Page
Why Irish Students Trust Musicmaker
From Leaving Cert music projects to college jam nights, we’ve seen every instrument issue you can imagine. We stock the best gear for protecting and maintaining your instrument — all at student-friendly prices. Whether you’re just starting out or heading off to BIMM, we’ve got your back, your bag, and your board.
- Based in Dublin City Centre
- Click & collect and fast, free delivery across Ireland
- Staffed by real musicians who’ve actually done the school band thing
- Bundles, student discounts, and quality-tested gear across the board
Final Thoughts – Look After Your Instrument, and It’ll Look After You
Whether you’re gigging in a college bar, practising for a school performance, or just noodling in your room between lectures, your instrument is your companion. It deserves more than being shoved into a locker unprotected. With the right cleaning kit, gig bag, humidifier, and accessories, you can keep it sounding and looking its best — for school, college, and everything beyond.
Drop into Musicmaker Dublin, or hit up our online store to get set up with the gear that’ll protect your gear. And remember — the better you treat your instrument, the more music it’ll give back.
Got any questions? Get in touch via the Intercom button below, we are always happy to help out.
