"For me to be myself, I have to play a Les Paul. I plug it in and it sounds like me - exactly the way I’m supposed to sound. Anything else just doesn’t make sense," says Joe Bonamassa.

Now we know what you’re thinking: ‘how can anyone who makes the cover of Guitarist twice within the space of a year be called an unsung legend of anything?’ And you’re right. The fact that one of today’s brightest stars of blues rock doesn’t get more credit is a travesty. Luckily, despite the populists, any guitarist worth his weight in strings knows that Joe Bonamassa is the man.

Plus you couldn’t mistake that signature Goldtop if you tried…

Your votes:

“Joe Bonamassa.” (Thanks, bbcoz)

"Where is Joe Bonamassa? The man was born holding a Les Paul." (From Oz via email, thanks)

Next: Robert Fripp