Bard's Guitar Location and How to Obtain It

Bard's Guitar is a magical instrument in Baldur's Gate 3 that you can find in the Emerald Grove during Act One. The guitar sits on a table inside the main building where the druids gather — specifically in the area where you first meet Kagha and the other druid leaders. You do not need to fight anyone or complete a quest to pick it up; you can straightforward walk over and take it from the table.

The guitar becomes available after you enter the grove and have your first conversation with the druids. If you have already progressed past the early grove encounters, you can still return to grab it at any point during Act One. The item does not disappear, and no NPC claims ownership of it, so there is no penalty for taking it.

Key Takeaways

  • Bard's Guitar is located on a table in the main druid building in Emerald Grove during Act One.
  • You can pick up the guitar without triggering combat or failing any quests.
  • The guitar works as a musical instrument and counts as a melee weapon with magical properties.
  • If you miss it in Act One, you cannot find it later in the game, so grab it while you are in the grove.

What Bard's Guitar Does in Combat

Bard's Guitar functions as both a musical instrument and a weapon. When equipped, it grants you the ability to cast spells and perform actions that require an instrument, making it useful for bards and other spellcasters who need to meet component requirements. The guitar also deals damage in melee combat, though it is not the strongest weapon in the game.

The real value of Bard's Guitar lies in its magical properties rather than raw damage output. If your character is a bard or uses spellcasting that requires an instrument focus, this guitar will let you cast those spells without needing to carry a separate focus item. This frees up inventory space and keeps your hands ready for other gear.

Why You Might Want to Leave It Behind

Bard's Guitar is not a required item for any quest or character build. If you are playing a fighter, rogue, or any non-spellcaster class, the guitar has little practical use beyond selling it for gold. Even for bards, you will find other magical instruments as you progress through the game that may offer better bonuses or special abilities.

The guitar does take up inventory space, and Baldur's Gate 3 limits how much you can carry. If your pack is already full and you are not using the guitar actively, you can safely leave it behind or sell it to a merchant. You lose nothing by skipping it, and you gain nothing by holding onto it if it does not fit your character's build.

How to Use Bard's Guitar Once You Have It

Once you pick up Bard's Guitar, open your inventory and equip it like any other weapon or instrument. For bards, go to your character sheet and make sure the guitar is set as your active instrument in the equipment slots. This tells the game that you are using it as your spellcasting focus.

If you want to use it purely as a weapon, you can hold it in one hand during combat and attack with it like a club or staff. The damage is modest, so most players treat it as a secondary weapon or swap it out for something stronger. The real benefit comes from having it equipped when you cast spells that require an instrument component.

Selling Bard's Guitar for Gold

If you do not plan to use the guitar, you can sell it to any merchant in the game for a modest amount of gold. Vendors in the Emerald Grove, Druid Grove, or any major town will buy it from you. The exact gold amount varies depending on which merchant you approach and whether you have perks that increase selling prices.

Selling the guitar is a reasonable choice if you need gold early in the game and have no use for a magical instrument. The money you get can go toward better armor, potions, or other gear that directly improves your character's survival. There is no downside to selling it other than losing the option to use it later.

What Happens If You Miss It in Act One

Bard's Guitar only appears in the Emerald Grove during Act One. Once you leave the grove and move into Act Two, the guitar disappears from the game world. You cannot find it in any other location, and no NPC sells it to you later.

If you realize too late that you wanted the guitar, you have missed your chance to obtain it. This is why many players grab every item they find in the early game, even if they do not plan to use it right away. You can always drop it later or sell it, but you cannot go back and pick it up if you leave it behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Bard's Guitar if I am not a bard?

Yes. Any character can pick up and equip the guitar as a weapon or instrument. However, only spellcasters who require an instrument focus will get the full benefit from it. For other classes, it is just a weak melee weapon that takes up space.

Does taking Bard's Guitar anger the druids?

No. The guitar sits on a table in a public area, and no druid objects to you taking it. You will not fail any quests or lose reputation by picking it up. The druids do not care about this particular item.

Is Bard's Guitar better than other instruments I find later?

Not necessarily. You will find other magical instruments as you progress through Acts Two and Three that may offer better bonuses or special abilities. Bard's Guitar is useful early on, but it is not the best instrument in the game by the end.

What if my inventory is full when I reach the guitar?

Drop something you do not need, pick up the guitar, and then pick up what you dropped. Alternatively, you can come back for it later if you have a companion with empty inventory space. The guitar will not disappear as long as you are still in Act One.

Can I give Bard's Guitar to a companion?

Yes. You can drop the guitar on the ground, switch to a companion character, and have them pick it up. This is useful if your main character's inventory is full but a companion has space. The companion can then equip it or carry it until you need it.