The GP staff is constantly
evaluating what seems to be a
never-ending blitz of electric and
acoustic guitars, amps, pedals,
accessories, recording tools, and
other goodies. Most everything
we review these days is well
constructed, musical, and useable,
but some products always
stand out as “must have” gear.
These gems get our Editors’
Pick Awards.
We certainly admit our awards
are highly subjective. There’s not
much science here—we simply
fall in love with something for
various reasons, and we want to
share those discoveries with our
readers. Group debate is critical,
because in order for us to
bestow an Editors’ Pick Award,
every editor must agree the gear
under consideration can be recommended
to all guitar players
without caveats or concerns.
This doesn’t mean the 
product
is perfect—although if it isn’t
near perfect, it won’t make the
cut. It simply means that it is
so inspiring a creative tool that
Art, Barry, Matt, and I believe
your musical mojo will be seriously
enhanced if you choose to
own one.
Here then, are this year’s
Editors’ Pick Awards. For your
reference, we’ve also noted the
2011 issues in which the products
were reviewed.
—Michael Molenda
Accessories
Trailer Trash Pedalboard, November
Acoustic Guitars
Guild F-30R, January
Taylor GS Mini, March
Amps
Egnater Tweaker-88, December
Fishman Loudbox Mini, New Products
Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA -15, April
Mesa/Boogie TransAtlantic TA -30, August
Electric Guitars
Charvel Desolation, December
Dean Angel of Deth II , December
Epiphone Emperor Swingster, November
Epiphone Nighthawk, December
G&L Deluxe Carved Top, December
G&L Korina ASAT Junior II , Holiday
Hagstrom Ultra Swede, December
Jay Turser JT-LT -RW , December
Line 6 James Tyler Variax JTV-69, July
Peavey Power Slide, May
Peavey Session, December
PRS JA-15, February
PRS McCarty 58, February
Squier Vintage Modified
Jazzmaster, December
Sterling by Music Man
AX30, December
Tregan Shaman, December
Xaviere XV-890, December
Pedals
Dunlop DVP1, March
Eventide Space, September
Fulltone PlimSoul, January
Source Audio Soundblox Pro
Multiwave Distortion, July
Strymon El Capistan dTape
Echo, New Products
TC Electronic Flashback
Delay and Looper, April
TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb, April
TC Electronic Vortex Flanger, April
Tech 21 Roto Choir, November
Way Huge Green Rhino MkII , March
Recording Gear
Boss BR-80, December