US session guitarist and songwriter Mason is best known for his work in country music. Discovered by Chet Atkins, he went on to play with artists such as George Strait, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain and Neil Diamond.

Mason owns numerous guitars but frequently plays a Joe Glaser-modified 1968 Fender Telecaster that has featured on countless sessions for the last 15 years. Glaser and Mason have since collaborated on the Valley Arts Brent Mason Signature Custom Pro.

This distinctive Tele features an old Gibson mini-humbucker as the front pickup, a Seymour Duncan Hot Strat Stack as the middle pickup and a Duncan Vintage Tele Stack at the back. One unique modification is the blend control. In the back position this enables you to dial in however much of the middle pickup you want.

Watching Mason put the guitar through its paces, it’s abundantly clear why he is a first-call guitarist on the Nashville scene, and a shoo-in for this list.

Your votes:

"John 5? And no Brent Mason? What are you people smoking?" (Thanks, wrriggin)

"Brent Mason." (Thanks, ZombyWoof)

"No Brent Mason? for shame!" (From Sam via Facebook, thanks)

Next: Robyn Hitchcock