The Ultimate Guide to Guitar Wall Hangers: Which One is Right for You?

When it comes to displaying your beloved guitars, there are four types of guitar wall hangers that every guitarist should know about. Most guides only scratch the surface, mentioning just two. But I'm here to give you the full picture, including the one type that often gets overlooked.

1. Neck Hangers

Neck hangers are the most common type of guitar wall hanger. They feature a padded yoke that cradles the guitar by the headstock or neck. Brands like Hercules and String Swing are well-known for their quality.

These hangers work well for most modern guitars, but there are a few things you should keep in mind before making a purchase:

• Visibility: The yoke, arm, and wall plate are all visible on the wall. Some people love that look; others, not so much.
• Pressure on the Headstock: Over time, these hangers can put constant pressure on the headstock joint. For most guitars, this is negligible, but if you have vintage instruments or guitars with repaired headstocks, it’s worth considering.
• Foam Compatibility: Some foam padding can react with nitrocellulose lacquer, which is commonly used on vintage and boutique guitars. Always check compatibility with your specific finish before mounting a valuable guitar.
  
  

Best for: Players who want wide compatibility across guitar types, including acoustic and bass, and don’t mind the hanger being visible.

2. Horizontal Hangers — Playing Position

Horizontal hangers mount the guitar sideways, so it sits in a playing position with the neck pointing out to the side. They are popular in studios and among collectors who want a dramatic wall display.

Let’s be honest: they look spectacular! A wall filled with guitars in playing position is genuinely impressive. However, there are practical downsides:

• Space: They take up significantly more wall space per guitar.
• Accessibility: The guitar can be harder to lift cleanly without knocking adjacent instruments.
• Precision: Most require fairly precise wall positioning to look right.
  
  

Best for: Collectors with dedicated music rooms and enough wall space to do it properly.

3. Acrylic and Perspex Copies

Now, let’s talk about the cheap strap button hangers. These are similar in concept to Woodie's hangers but made from acrylic rather than polycarbonate. You can find them on eBay for around £12. Spoiler alert: they’re awful.

They might look nearly identical in photos, but the difference is in the bracket design and how the material behaves under stress. Acrylic is brittle; it doesn’t flex—it cracks. A knock, a temperature change, or just age can cause sudden failure, and your guitar ends up on the floor.

On the other hand, polycarbonate—the material Woodie's uses—is used in aircraft windows and riot shields. It flexes under stress instead of shattering. The difference in safety is significant.

Best for: Nobody. The £5 saving isn’t worth the risk to your instrument.

4. Invisible Strap Button Hangers — Woodie's

This is the category that Woodie's invented and continues to excel in. Two precision polycarbonate brackets mount to the wall. The lower bracket cradles the bottom strap pin, while the upper bracket flexes gently and clips over the top strap pin.

The guitar locks in securely and comes out with an easy upward lift. Because the brackets conform to the exact pin spacing of your specific guitar, the fit is perfect every time. If you have two Les Pauls with slightly different pin spacing, they’ll each need their own hanger. That’s not a flaw; that’s precision!

The brackets are nearly invisible on the wall. Most visitors won’t notice them until they look closely. It gives the illusion that the guitar is floating.

Since the guitar is held by its strap pins—the strongest structural points on the instrument—there’s zero pressure on the neck or headstock. This makes it safe for nitro, poly, and vintage finishes. No foam, no contact with the body or neck at all. And because the locking mechanism works by the bracket flexing rather than gravity, the guitar stays put at any angle—horizontal, upside down, or even on the ceiling. Yes, the ceiling!

Woodie's hangers have been trusted by professional and touring musicians for 15 years. They’ve even won NAMM Best in Show! Our capos are used by Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead and Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth. Handmade in Sunderland, UK, we have 100% positive feedback across hundreds of sales.

Best for: Anyone who wants their guitar displayed beautifully, held securely, and barely visible on the wall. Particularly recommended for vintage, nitro-finished, or high-value instruments where neck hanger foam is a risk.

The Honest Summary

| Type | Visibility | Neck Pressure | Nitro Safe | Any Angle | Ceiling Mount | UK Made | Price | Crack Risk |

|----------------------------|--------------------|---------------|------------|-----------|---------------|---------|----------------|------------|

| Neck Hanger | Visible | Yes | ⚠️ Check | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | £17.99–£19.99 | Low |

| Horizontal | Very visible | No | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | Varies | Low |

| Acrylic Copy | Nearly invisible | No | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ~£13 | High |

| Woodie's | Nearly invisible | No | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ~£17 | None |

Not sure which Woodie's hanger fits your guitar? *Check our compatibility guide →

[Shop Woodie's Guitar Hangers →]

So there you have it! Whether you’re looking to showcase your prized collection or just want to keep your guitar safe, understanding the different types of wall hangers is crucial. Happy hanging!