Guitarists love to talk about their favorite guitars and gear. On a constant quest for the ultimate in tone and playability, most pickers spend more time than they care to admit poring over catalogs, surfing websites, and visiting guitar stores. Here at Acoustic Guitar, we're always interested in the guitars and gizmos that real-world guitarists use and love. That's why we started the Players' Choice Awards contest, which surveys players about their preferences in guitars, accessories, software, amplifiers, pickups, learning materials, and more. This year, players cast 11,915 votes (via mail or online ballots) to crown winners in 21 categories. Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards were given in each category, corresponding to the number of votes received by each manufacturer. If enough specific models were identified in a category, they were acknowledged, but many voters identified only makers, so most of the awards were given to manufacturers rather than to specific models. In several instances, two or three manufacturers received nearly the same number of votes (within 5 percent of one another), which we recognized as a tie for that award. Congratulations to all the winning manufacturers and products!

Guitars

STEEL-STRING GUITARS OVER $1,000

Gold–C.F. Martin and Co.

Silver–Taylor Guitars

Bronze (tie)–Gibson Guitars, Larrivée Guitars

C.F. Martin and Co. dominated the results in this category like a D-28 at a bluegrass jam. In an era when the venerable classic has more competition than ever before, the D-28 and its cousins (HD-28, D-28V, etc.) got the overwhelming approval of players. The D-35 and Eric Clapton signature model were also frequently mentioned. As is evident wherever guitarists congregate, Taylor Guitars is also a force to be reckoned with, which is reflected in its Silver award. Grand auditorium–sized instruments appear to be the company's most popular models, with the 814-CE receiving the most votes, closely followed by the 714 and 514-CE. Gibson and Larrivée both received Bronze awards in this category. Every cowboy's dream ax, the Gibson J-200 was a clear favorite, and Larrivée's 09 series is the prime choice among fans of the Canadian-born company.

STEEL-STRING GUITARS UNDER $1,000

Gold–C.F. Martin and Co.

Silver–Godin Guitars

Bronze (tie)–Tacoma Guitars, Takamine, Washburn International,

These days, amazing value can be found in guitars with list prices under $1,000. Coveted equally by players on a budget and seasoned pros who need a second instrument, these guitars offer maximum bang for the buck. Martin's efforts to provide quality instruments for those who can't afford the company's standard series has clearly paid off, and another Gold award is headed to Nazareth, Pennsylvania. The key to Martin's success in the lower price regions can be attributed to its all-mahogany 15 series, of which the D-15 and 000-15 received the bulk of the votes. Godin Guitars' line of Seagull guitars have long been recognized for their value, as evidenced by this Silver award. The company's S-6 series seems to be of particular appeal to pickers looking for a great guitar in this price range. Bronze awards went to Tacoma Guitars, Takamine, and Washburn International. Proving that unusual designs can be successful, Tacoma's C1C Chief won the hearts of a lot of voters with its offset soundhole and cool sound. Takamine's budget-minded G series has long been a favorite, especially among those with a need for onboard electronics. Washburn is often mentioned when guitarists talk about affordable instruments, and the company's D-10 dreadnought has clearly pleased many players.

NYLON-STRING GUITARS

Gold (tie)–C.F. Martin and Co., Yamaha

Silver (tie)–Takamine, José Ramírez

Bronze (tie)–Alvarez , Cordoba

With the ever-increasing popularity of nylon-string guitars among players of various styles, it's no surprise that a lot of different nylon-string manufacturers received votes in this category. There were ties for each of the awards, with the Gold going to Martin and Yamaha Corp. of America. Martin may not be the first name associated with nylon-strings, but a large number of votes for the company's discontinued collaboration with luthier Thomas Humphrey (the C-1R and C-TSH models) earned it the award. Yamaha has been a favorite among classical players of all levels, and accordingly, instruments from throughout the maker's line received votes. But it was the company's APX series of hybrid instruments that really stood out in the balloting.

José Ramírez and Takamine tied for the Silver award. Ramírez' 1a model has long been considered a standard for concert performers, and it was frequently mentioned in the survey. Takamine's 132 series encompasses a variety of instruments, including several with electronics and a cutaway, and the guitars' reputation as workhorses no doubt helped garner votes. Alvarez Guitars and Cordoba share the Bronze award, in particular for the Yairi lines (Alvarez) and FCWE Gypsy King signature model (Cordoba).

12-STRING GUITARS

Gold–Taylor Guitars

Silver–C.F. Martin and Co.

Bronze–Guild

Taylor has been credited with reawakening Leo Kottke's interest in the 12-string guitar, and an overwhelming number of votes for the fingerpicker's signature model helped the company win the Gold award. Dreadnoughts are Martin's specialty, and a large number of votes for the D-12-28 (a 12-string version of the D-28) secured the company a Silver award. Guild 12-strings have achieved cult status since their introduction in the 1960s, and this category just wouldn't feel complete without an award going to the Fender-owned brand. Always a favorite, the F-212 XL model was frequently mentioned.

SMALL GUITAR-BUILDING COMPANIES

Up to 1,000 Instruments Annually

Gold–Collings Guitars

Silver–Santa Cruz Guitar Co.

Bronze (tie)–Breedlove Guitar Co., Rainsong Graphite Guitars

Up to 500 Instruments Annually

Gold–James A. Olson Guitars

Silver–James Goodall Guitars

Bronze (tie)–Froggy Bottom Guitars, Kevin Ryan Guitars

This category was initially defined as companies making up to 1,000 instruments annually. But due to the large number of votes received by both small factories and small single-builder shops, we decided to add a second category for instruments by manufacturers who build up to 500 instruments each year.

Long a favorite among steel-string guitar connoisseurs, Collings Guitars came in at the top of the first category. There were votes for models throughout the Austin, Texas—based company's line, but its renowned dreadnoughts appeared to edge out smaller body styles. A direct competitor in the marketplace, the Santa Cruz Guitar Co. garnered the Silver award. Once again, votes were divided throughout the company's line, but the affordable PW (prewar) dreadnoughts and OMs received wide recognition, as did the coveted Tony Rice Signature Model. The Bronze award is shared by two companies with reputations for bucking tradition. Breedlove's unique designs and signature sound has made its guitars favorites among fingerstylists, and RainSong's pioneering use of graphite in guitar construction earned the company acclaim.

As the superstar of the individual luthier scene, James Olson took home the Gold award in the second category for his prized flattops. Goodall Guitars have long been a favorite among players, as reflected in the company's Silver award. Froggy Bottom and Kevin Ryan share the Bronze award, reflecting each maker's commitment to building the finest individually made guitars possible.

OTHER STRINGED INSTRUMENTS

Gold–Gibson Original Acoustic Instruments

Silver–Deering Banjo Co.

Bronze–Fender

It goes without saying that Acoustic Guitar readers and other Players' Choice voters are primarily into acoustic guitars. But many also enjoy picking on other instruments, as represented in the many votes received in this category. The mandolin is a logical second instrument for a guitarist, and nobody is better known for mandos than Gibson's Original Acoustic Instruments division, resulting in its Gold award. Six-string banjos are an ideal way of getting a new sound without having to relearn the fingerboard. The Deering Banjo Co. has been advocating this type of instrument for years, and it earned the Silver award. Fender took home the Bronze award, thanks to a large number of votes for the company's classic Jazz and Precision basses.

Recording Gear

MULTITRACK RECORDERS

Gold–Roland Corp.

Silver–Tascam

Bronze–Yamaha

Home recording is more popular than ever, with digital technology allowing musicians to get into the game at various levels of complexity. A newcomer to this market a few years ago, Roland's incredibly popular VS series of hard-disk recorders resulted in the company's Gold award. Roland's subsidiary Boss also received many votes, and the affordable BR-8 recorder was mentioned frequently. Aside from guitars, few pieces of equipment have been as coveted by guitarists as Tascam's line of Portastudios. From ultra-affordable four-track cassette recorders to sophisticated digital machines, the line is widely recognized for giving musicians the tools to successfully record their own ideas, resulting in a Silver award. Yamaha is no stranger to this field, and the company's slick AW4416 hard-disk recorder received many votes, helping Yamaha to win the Bronze award.

COMPUTER-BASED RECORDING SYSTEMS

Gold–Cakewalk

Silver–Digidesign

Bronze–Steinberg Media Technologies

Recording music on a home computer has become increasingly popular, and many acoustic guitarists are taking advantage of the opportunities. We left this category open to votes for both software and hardware, and while hardware didn't go unnoticed, the software arena received the most attention. Cakewalk received the Gold award, with votes spread throughout the company's digital recording offerings, from the entry-level Guitar Studio to the high-end Sonar packages. Digidesign's Pro Tools has set the standard in the professional recording world, and the company's entry-level Digi 001 hardware/software combination has quickly established itself in home studios, helping Digidesign win a Silver award. Steinberg Media Technologies' various Cubase packages are popular among both Mac and Windows users, and enough acoustic musicians are hooked on the software's capabilities to garner Steinberg a Bronze award.

MICROPHONES

Gold–Shure Brothers

Silver–AKG Acoustics

Bronze–Neumann USA

Sooner or later, most guitarists need to invest in a microphone, whether for live performance or recording. Shure Brothers' line of SM57 and SM58 dynamic mics are ubiquitous in clubs all over the globe, making the Gold award a well-deserved recognition. AKG Acoustics' affordable C 1000 S condenser mic has become a favorite among acoustic musicians, and myriad other models also contributed to the company's Silver award. Neumann USA is the Mercedes-Benz of microphones, and not just because of the company's German heritage. Neumann makes some of the finest mics available, and the company has had particular success among acoustic guitarists with its KM 184 small-diaphragm condenser mic, which received the bulk of the votes contributing to its Bronze award.

EFFECTS

Gold–Roland Corp.

Silver–Digitech/DOD

Bronze–Line 6

Effects like reverb, delay, and chorus can be used to add realism to a recording or fuzzed-out craziness to a performance. Roland's compact Boss foot pedals are probably the most widely known guitar-specific effects, and there were numerous votes for a huge variety of these stomp boxes, resulting in Roland's Gold award. Digitech/DOD wasn't far behind with its vast line of DOD pedals, and it took a Silver award. A relative newcomer to the field, Line 6 has almost single-handedly defined amp modeling, and the company's POD digital modeling preamp has become an integral part of many guitarists' rigs. Although primarily associated with electric guitars, the kidney-shaped won-der was crucial in winning Line 6 the Bronze award.

MIXING BOARDS

Gold–Mackie Designs

Silver–Behringer

Bronze–Yamaha

With uses in both live performance and home recording, mixing boards have become an important piece of equipment for many musicians. Mackie Designs dominates this market, and many acoustic guitarists have difficulty imagining life without the company's compact VLZ series of mixers, resulting in a Gold award. Behringer received the Silver award for its mixers, which offer astounding value for low prices. And Yamaha's Bronze award was the result of votes for such digital studio mixers as the 02R as well as the EMX series of PA mixers.

Performance Gear

AMPS

Gold–Fender Musical Products

Silver (tie)–Crate , SWR Sound Corp.

Bronze–Marshall

A good amp is an important part of many guitarists' stage rigs. Fender Musical Products won Gold in this category in a landslide victory. While many readers voted for such classics as the Deluxe or Twin Reverb, the Acoustasonic line propelled Fender to the top. Crate and SWR Sound Corp. tied for the Silver award, with Crate's CA-125 and SWR's California Blonde being popular choices in the polls. Rock 'n' roll wouldn't be the same without Marshall amps, and it appears that the British company is also a favorite among acoustic pickers, resulting in a Bronze award.

PREAMPS

Gold–Fishman Transducers

Silver–L.R. Baggs Co.

Bronze–Yamaha

If you use a pickup in your acoustic guitar, a good preamp is practically a necessity, and many current models also function as direct boxes, equalizers, blenders, etc. Fishman Transducers is without a doubt the most widely known manufacturer of acoustic amplification products, and with several preamps at a variety of prices, its Gold award is well deserved. L.R. Baggs Co. has long impressed pickers with specialized solutions to acoustic-specific amplification problems, and the company's Para DI has become a favorite among many acoustic players, helping earn Lloyd Baggs and his crew a Silver award. Yamaha only recently began manufacturing aftermarket acoustic amplification products, and its mic-modeling AG Stomp is an instant success that helped garner the company a Bronze award.

PICKUPS

Gold–Fishman Transducers

Silver–L.R. Baggs Co.

Bronze–Seymour Duncan

Pickups have eased the lives of performers everywhere, and current designs are better than ever. Fishman wins a Gold award in this category, reflecting the popularity of both the company's factory-installed and after-market equipment. The under-saddle Acoustic Matrix design was the most popular with the voters, and the magnetic Rare Earth series was also mentioned frequently. L.R. Baggs receives the Silver award, with its new iBeam and sophisticated Dual Source system high in the tallies. Seymour Duncan's votes were split among the company's electric guitar pickups and those designed for acoustic instruments, with the inexpensive Woody and the high-end MagMic receiving enough votes for a Bronze award.

Accessories

STEEL STRINGS

Gold–W.L. Gore/Elixir Strings

Silver–C.F. Martin and Co.

Bronze–J. D'Addario and Co.

Most guitarists develop a fierce loyalty to one string brand or another. Developed by the folks who brought us Gore-Tex, Elixir Strings pioneered the concept of coating strings for extended life. Approval by musicians has been overwhelming, and this year Elixir took the Gold in this category. Martin does more than just make strings for its own instruments, and its Silver award proves the popularity of the company's strings. J. D'Addario and Co. is the world's largest maker of strings for musical instruments, and its Bronze award is indicative of its incredibly broad range of string offerings.

NYLON STRINGS

Gold–J. D'Addario and Co.

Silver–Savarez

Bronze–Albert Augustine

Classical guitarists have little technology between their guitars and their listeners' ears, so their choice of strings is critical. D'Addario's Pro-Arté nylon strings have been the favorite of many top performers, resulting in D'Addario's Gold award. The Silver award goes all the way to France, indicating Savarez' popularity with players everywhere. As the first manufacturer of modern nylon strings, Albert Augustine has an important place in guitar history, and this year the company received a Bronze award.

CAPOS

Gold–Kyser Musical Products

Silver–The Shubb Co.

Bronze–Dunlop Manufacturing

A good capo is something no guitar case should be without. Kyser Musical Products' spring-loaded mechanism has made it a favorite among players who need to change positions on the fly, winning it the Gold award. The Shubb Co.'s ingenious clamping action makes it as attractive as it is practical, and Shubb was rewarded this year with a Silver award. Dunlop Manufacturing, the Bronze winner, makes an entire family of capos at all prices.

GUITAR CASES

Gold (tie)–Calton Cases, SKB Cases

Silver–TKL Products Corp.

Bronze–Mark Leaf

One of the most important accessories you can buy is a good guitar case. The Gold award in this category went to both the popular SKB brand and road warrior—approved Calton Cases. TKL Products Corp. won the Silver for its varied offerings of all kinds of instrument cases, and the extra heavy—duty Mark Leaf flight case took home the Bronze award.

ELECTRONIC TUNERS

Gold–Korg

Silver–Boss

Bronze–Intellitouch

Playing in tune is critical, and a little electronic help goes a long way. Korg invented the compact guitar tuner back in the '70s, and its continued popularity propelled the company to win the Gold. Roland's Boss tuners are another frequent favorite, resulting in the company's Silver award. The small OnBoard Research company has found success with the Inellitouch, an innovative product that clips onto the guitar and has become a common sight everywhere guitarists congregate, winning it a Bronze.

INSTRUCTION MATERIALS

Gold–Homespun Tapes

Silver–Mel Bay

Bronze–String Letter Publishing

Learning new songs, arrangements, and techniques is what makes playing the guitar fun, and there has never been as much high-quality instruction available than there is today. Homespun Tapes' classy line of videos won the company the Gold award, Mel Bay's giant line of books won Silver, and String Letter Publishing (publisher of Acoustic Guitar) has its own line of books that took the Bronze.

COURSES/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS/CAMPS

Gold–Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps

Silver (tie)–Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp, National Guitar Workshop

Bronze–Taylor Guitar Workshops

Books and videos are great, but nothing can beat individual instruction to accelerate the learning curve. This category encompasses a wide variety of possible educational scenarios, but a week spent in guitar heaven with a faculty of professional players appears to be a favorite way to spend a vacation, with a Gold award going to Steve Kaufman's Acoustic Kamps, and the Silver being shared by Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch Guitar Camp and the National Guitar Workshop. The Bronze award went to Taylor Guitars' series of in-store workshops.