As we tallied our readers’ “best of 2008” votes
for this year’s award, it was interesting to note so
many players clinging to the Stratocaster as “All-
Time Favorite Piece of Gear” for the fourth year in
a row, Eric Clapton’s reemergence in the community
mindset as “Best Overall Guitarist,” a gear
application winning “Favorite Cover” (The Ultimate
Guide to Pedalboards), Jennifer Batten’s revitalized
solo activity gaining her a “Best Female Guitarist”
nod, and Brad Paisley’s double bull’s eyes for “Best
Country Guitarist” and “Most Ferociously
Brilliant Guitar Album.”
To all the artists and manufacturers
who nabbed awards this year, the Guitar
Player staff sends congratulations and
“bravos.” We’d also like to thank our passionate
and insightful reader community
for its annual participation in this poll.
FAVORITE COVER
The Ultimate Guide to
Pedalboards
May 2008
BEST GP ARTICLE
Multi-Dimensional Miracles
Carlos Santana Celebrates the Power of
Intangibles
By Michael Molenda,
December 2008
WORST GP ARTICLE
Retro Rejuvenation
The Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson
and New Wingman Luther Dickinson
Fashion Vintage Tones and Classic-
Rock Riffs into a Fresh Roar on
Warpaint
By Jimmy Leslie, August 2008
FAVORITE GP LESSON
Master Class: Sonny Landreth
By Jude Gold, October 2008
BEST GP GEAR REVIEW
Dr. Z MAZ-18 Junior NR
By Jude Gold, September 2008
BEST SOLIDBODY ELECTRIC
Gibson Historic ’59 Les Paul
Vintage Original Spec
BEST
HOLLOWBODY
ELECTRIC
Godin 5th
Avenue
BEST STOMPBOX OR
MULTIEFFECTS PEDAL
MXR M-169 Carbon
Copy Analog Delay
BEST
ACOUSTIC OR
ACOUSTICELECTRIC
Taylor 816ce
Grand Symphony
BEST AMP HEAD
Marshall JVM 210H
BEST ACCESSORY
Seymour Duncan P-Rails
BEST COMBO AMP
Dr. Z MAZ-18
Junior NR
BEST HOME STUDIO GEAR
Peavey ReValver MKIII
BEST
ACOUSTIC
GUITARIST
Tommy
Emmanuel
BEST BLUES
GUITARIST
Joe
Bonamassa
BEST
CLASSICAL
GUITARIST
(TIE)
Sharon Isbin
John
Williams
BEST
COUNTRY
GUITARIST
Brad Paisley
BEST EXPERIMENTAL
GUITARIST
Bill Frisell
BEST
FEMALE
GUITARIST
Jennifer
Batten
BEST JAZZ
GUITARIST
Pat Metheny
BEST METAL
GUITARIST
Kirk
Hammett
BEST NEW
TALENT
Oz Noy
BEST
OVERALL
GUITARIST
Eric Clapton
BEST ROCK
GUITARIST
Warren
Haynes
BEST SLIDE
GUITARIST
Derek Trucks
BEST WORLD
GUITARIST
Fareed Haque
BEST GUITAR
SOLO ON AN
ALBUM
RELEASED IN
2008
“Revelation,”
Professor
Satchafunkilus
and the Musterion
of Rock,
Joe Satriani
HIPPEST
RHYTHMGUITAR
PART
ON AN
ALBUM
RELEASED IN
2008
“Rock ‘n’ Roll
Train,” Black
Ice, AC/DC
MOST FEROCIOUSLY
BRILLIANT
GUITAR
ALBUM IN
2008
Play, Brad
Paisley
PRODUCT WRITE-IN
CATEGORIES
ULTIMATE VALUE AWARD
Roland Micro Cube RX
MOST INNOVATIVE PRODUCT
Moog Guitar
FAVORITE ELECTRIC
PICKUP
Seymour Duncan JB
Model
FAVORITE
ACOUSTIC PICKUP
Fishman Matrix Infinity
FAVORITE GUITAR CABLE
Monster Rock Guitar Cable
FAVORITE STRINGS
D’Addario XL,
Ernie Ball Slinky,
GHS Boomers
ALL-TIME FAVORITE
PIECE OF GEAR
Fender Stratocaster