I wanted to take time and recognize some of the really excellent guitar blogs out there, and in doing so, ultimately thank the people who’ve done an absolutely outstanding job in providing the best quality content about guitar on the web. Plus, it’s just downright fun giving away and receiving awards.
Criteria
These blogs were selected based on four main criteria: (1) content quality, (2) content consistency, (3) design, and (4) voice. By content quality, we’re referring to the quality and level of comprehensiveness of the information on the blog. By content consistency, we’re referring to how often the blog is updated with new, fresh, and unique content. By design, we’re referring to the overall look, feel, and usability of the blog. And by voice, we’re referring to that unique element and tone that sets a blogger out from the rest.
Contributors
Truth be told, there are many excellent guitar blogs out there, too many to feature all in this post (and probably some that I’ve overlooked). Many were nominated by the members of the Guitar Bloggers group at Guitar World. So, if you’re blog didn’t receive an award or get mentioned, don’t take it personally, just shoot me an email, so I can keep you in mind for the future.
Without further ado, I proudly present to you the 2010 Guitar Blog Awards in the following five categories: Guitar Instruction & Lessons, Guitar Gear & Reviews, Guitar News & Information, Other Guitar Related, and New & Upcoming.
Did your blog win an award? Tell the world by installing an awards badge on your website.
As the name would imply, blogger Christopher Davis focuses primarily on classical guitar studies. His posts are concise, yet very informative, which means there is something to be learned even if you don’t study classical guitar. You’re not getting lost in a bunch of clutter, which makes his lessons very easy-to-follow and one of the best guitar resources on the internet.
Over the past decade, Christian worship music, from artists like Hillsong United, David Crowder Band, and Phil Wickham, has become increasingly popular. Kenny of Guitar Praise has done an excellent job of demonstrating through the use of video and tablature how to play about ever worship song imaginable. In the process, he’s developed a vibrant forum community where other guitar players come together to support and help each other.
If you’re reading Not Playing Guitar, then you’re probably not practicing guitar. The “gold” of the website lies in it’s excellent source for information on playing guitar. Over the past few years, Gary has built a strong base of content featuring tips on how to play guitar, riffs, lessons, and other guitar related information.
Honorable Mentions
Brendan Delumpa, or “GoofyDawg,” of Guitar Gear blends a unique and personal tone into each of his posts, while remaining extremely informative and knowledgeable. You can tell he has a passion for playing guitar, and of course, gear. His reviews are honest and straightforward and written from a hands-on analysis with the product.
Peter Hodgson from iheartguitar turned me towards Lone Phantom. He said it best by saying, “Lone Phantom is doing some freaking awesome things at the moment.” Not only are the reviews written with excellent hands-on analysis, but there is some crazy information about modding different types of pedals. Sweet.
For those of us with G.A.S. (gear acquirement syndrome), Gear Vault might be a bad idea, only because it is one of the most up to date resources on the latest gear for guitar, including pedals, amps, and microphones. The blog is extremely easy to navigate too, which makes it very easy to find what you’re looking for.
Honorable Mentions
I Heart Guitar covers a little bit of everything, yet does so really well. From news, interviews, gear reviews, music reviews, and lessons, it’s all there done with a high level of quality, which makes it one of the most authoritative guitar blogs out there.
While covering the latest news in the world of guitar, regular updates are interspersed with reviews, videos, and helpful tips and information about owning and maintaining a guitar. Posts are written in a personal but informative tone. You’ll also want to be sure to check out the guitar gallery too.
Guitar International is a fairly new online guitar magazine just starting up in the past year in September 2009. For being so new, Guitar International has set itself apart with regular artist interviews (check out their interview with guitar sensation Orianthi) and the latest news in the guitar world.
Honorable Mentions
Guitar Lifestyle, Red Dawg Guitar News, The Guitar Channel, Truth in Shredding
If you just go to the MuzicoSphere.com home page, you might be a bit confused because everything is in french. Rest assured though, if you click the english icon, you can see the blog in english. You can expect fresh content about geeky music things, pictures of cool guitars, reviews, contests, and videos.
Guitar Kadia is all about stories centered around guitar. The blog is primarily driven by video, including interviews, performances, stories, and more. You won’t really find long written articles. As a songwriter, I particularly enjoyed the GuitarKadia Sessions that feature artist interviews and performances.
Guitar Vibe has a little bit of everything surrounding guitar, including book reviews, film reviews, gear information, news, lessons, videos, and more. Blogger Zack Urlocker’s personal tone met with quality information makes Guitar Vibe a great read.
Honorable Mentions
The Daily Guitar has two main goals: inspiration to practice your guitar daily, and then, to grow a community of guitarists. The blog is filled with quirky, but inspiring news about guitars and guitar players, and then, gear reviews and tutorials.
Fretter Verse was created to look at all aspects of playing guitar, hence, the slogan: “For the Love of All Things Guitar.” The posts are creative and well-written, which shows from an active readership through the comments and interaction.
As the name would imply, this blog is all about guitar tone and all that goes into dialing in the perfect tone. Blogger Romain Bigeard compares effects pedals and writes up some detailed how-to articles about using effects pedals, all with sound samples and video.
Final Remarks
Congratulations to all the winners. I believe these are some of the best guitar blogs out there. So thank you to all of you who contribute and pour yourselves into creating the most excellent guitar content on the internet.
If you’re blog won an award or received an honorable mention, let your readers know by installing a badge on your website.
Thought another blog (or even yours) should have made this list? Maybe I don’t know about it. There are a lot of other very excellent blogs out there, so drop me an email and introduce yourself. I love meeting other bloggers.
Related posts:
About Brett McQueen
73 comments
Cool! Thanks for the mention!
jp
Cool… Thanks for ranking me 1st in the Other Guitar Related section. :)
Thank you for the mention! I am thrilled to have made it into the top three!
Cool thanks for the mention… reminder to oneself! Work harder on the blog!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
-CD
Hey thanks for the honorable mention!
Thanks so much for the award. It is a real surprise for me, I really appreciate it.
Hey, well done guys, these blogs are all top notch and well deserve it. Keep it up.
Thanks so much, Brett! I am honored to be among such great guitar bloggers. Makes me want to work even harder now. :)
OK, OK, OK, I know, I’ve got to get the design updated. Thanks for pointing it out, and thanks for the award. Wow!
Gary
Thanks for the great list. Some really great blogs listed. I added the award badge to Gear-Vault.com.
Keep rocking!
I would like to congratulate stratoblogster (Jp, thanks for all the press release style posts) Laurie Monk, (for mirroring my mass emails on his blog…THANK YOU!) And billy penn at 300 guitars (Billy, guitars are on their way to you I promise) for his patience and generosity of his guitar gear knowledge.
You guys rock!
best,
kelcey
customguitarboutique.com
Hello!
Thanks for the honorable mention! Hope to make it in the top 3 next year. Thanks for letting me know about it.. you have a great site here.
hank
EffectsBay.com
Cool! Thanks for the blog!
Wow! I’m VERY honored with the award! Thanks so much for the recognition!
GoofyDawg, GuitarGear.org
Hi!
I am Francesco Teopini, and I am a classical guitarist who wrote a song for the Guitar Idol Contest
I would like you to tell me what you think about my playing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9r8xen6QU
Whoa, never saw this coming! My blog is listed amongst some of my favorite informative, helpful, and constructive websites … Sincere thanks for the mention and for compiling a lot of really great content into this list. This is definitely a motivator to “up my game” and make it even better for 2011, and avoid the usual snarky, immature ranting. (Then again, that might be what got me here in the first place …!)
Thanks for the award, we really appreciate it. And congrats to all the other winner and honorable mentions, must have been a tough decision with all of these great sites out there!
Sorry for the late thanks..
I did thank you by email but just wanted to say thank you publicly.
Feeling real good right about now! :)
great blog, how can i get my site a mention?
I found a great list of guitar blogs here… if you gonna make the 2011 Guitar Blog Awards, I’ll be glad if you will take my blog in consideration too, thanks!
What a list! Thanks for providing a great resource. I hope you’ll keep an eye on The Acoustic Version – http://www.theacousticversion.com – between now and the 2011 Guitar Blog Awards!
Its veri nice. tks
Found 3 blogs I’ve never seen. Thanks!
A great list, but you have forgotten one blog that happens to be very good. I have learned so much from the following url. It has definitely helped me move from an intermediate to advanced player.
The Everyday Guitarist
Great list Brett and thanks for sharing…BUT…I don’t see Jazz Guitar Life anywhere on this award list…:) Take care and all the best.
Lyle
Wow! What a great blog!
.Its veri nice. tks.
Congratulations to the guitar blogs that are included! More Power. Hope this year you’ll feature blogs about Cebu guitars.
Criteria: (1) content quality, (2) content consistency, (3) design, and (4) voice
Maybe bulletcable.com for 2011?
This is a great lists which I can follow some on this thanks and looking forward for your next post.
awesome blog mine is similar so keep up the great postings
I hope in your next promo I would be able to win :)
Thank you for Review
Your list of the best guitar blogs for different areas is sure informative. You have provided the general public of a great resource when wanting to be informed about certain guitar related concerns or information. Thanks!