And the winner is…

1st Place – Guido della Gatta

I couldn’t believe watching this entry that Guido della Gatta is only 16 years old, he has phrasing and note choice way beyond his years and looks like he is really feeling the music. I like the fact that he uses a different pickup selection for the outro. He also has some great guitar faces, very Bonamassa. It was a really hard decision with so many amazing players but I really think that Guido deserves the MXR Micro Flanger, congratulations Guido! – Guido’s YouTube Channel is GuidoItaly.

2nd place – Vinai Trinateepakdee

Vinai is an exceptionally talented guitar player and this is an absolutely amazing entry. Beautiful melodies, brilliant phrasing but in the end I felt it was just a little too shreddy, even on an acoustic. Make sure you check out his YouTube channel – guitarholy, he is an awesome shredder!

3rd place – bluestrat67

This was an early favourite for me, great playing, feel, vibrato and melodic ideas. Check out the bluestrat67 YouTube Channel.

4th place – Nafis Rahman

I love the dark minor 3rds used in the intro, Nafis helped me work that one out, thanks Nafis! Great playing, nice vibrato and great phrasing. Check out Nafis’ YouTube Channel – Greenwithevil

5th place – Marco De Cave

See how hard it was to pick a winner, I mean listen to Marco’s beautiful phrasing and tone, the open string runs and cheeky ‘Fur Elise’ snippet at the end! Check out Marco’s YouTube Channel – cromadeva.

Honorable mentions
Gabriel Thurner – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRCHxxN19-M
Gabriel has a really nice styles, at times I hear Marty Friedman and other times I hear Greg Howe, then he goes and pulls a Nuno in the middle with the short delay! Great entry.

George Greaves (GGTopGuitarist) – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9WgBA4K76I
Another 16 year old with a bright future, great playing and sure to be a future competition winner!

Mark McGuigan – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umx2NrHGTsQ
Lovely use of natural harmonics and behind the nut bending/vibrato very creative and nice use of developing themes in the A, B and C section before the recapitulation (original theme)