Fortunately, even in troubled, socially distant times, one can still take solace in playing guitar. And even though gigs have been mostly off the menu – a disaster for working musicians (see page 58) – we’ve nonetheless encountered some seriously impressive guitars, amps and effects in the past 12 months, among them some of the best items of kit we’ve ever played. As we look forward, hopefully, to a year in which live music can begin again, we hope that this hand-picked selection will inspire you to play like never before.
But first a word on how this year’s Gear Of The Year winners were chosen. The candidates were initially selected from a longlist that scored either a Guitarist Choice or a rare and coveted Gold award when it was first reviewed in these pages. We also allowed one or two wildcard entries from gear that just missed out on a Choice first time round, but proved itself in longterm testing or otherwise distinguished itself with a groundbreaking approach to tone creation that commanded our attention. This already overachieving list was then whittled away further by our team of reviewers, who duked it out in lengthy debates about which gear deserved to make the final cut. At last, we knew who would be standing on the podium.
So join us now as we reveal the 40 best items of gear that Guitarist’s reviewers had the pleasure to play in an otherwise hard year for music. We can’t promise all will be a perfect fit for your needs, but we can guarantee that all deserve your serious consideration next time you equip yourself for music-making on six strings.
SOLIDBODY ELECTRICS
High performance with boutique tone has never been so affordable
Words: Dave Burrluck
Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Guitarist.
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Denne historien er fra January 2021-utgaven av Guitarist.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms