The best guitarist.

[IronMan]

i wonder who every1 thinks is the best guitarist. for me i would have 2 say tony iommi. hes just never quits playing, even after losing 2 finger tips. & every1 of his guitar riffs r just awesome.

[newwaytodie]

He may not be the most technically proficient guitarist, but he basically created the heavy metal riff. Awesomely creative guitarist.

[OneEyeRed]

Frank Marino without a doubt

[Atsumi]

David Gilmour.

[The_Future_Breed]

-------> me <-------

[LavatoryLoveMachine]

He may not be the most technically proficient guitarist, but he basically created the heavy metal riff. Awesomely creative guitarist.

Thats a pretty big problem I find in these discussions. What makes you a great guitarist? Technical skill, or musical sensitivity? Definitely, when one is a great musician, that counts more than being a great instrumentalist. I mean, one can play the instrument great, but be completely incompetent in writing interesting music. These discussions never make this point clear.

[Atsumi]

Thats a pretty big problem I find in these discussions. What makes you a great guitarist? Technical skill, or musical sensitivity? Definitely, when one is a great musician, that counts more than being a great instrumentalist. I mean, one can play the instrument great, but be completely incompetent in writing interesting music. These discussions never make this point clear.

The best guitarist would show signs of technical skill and musical sensitivity.

[WiredRacing]

I'm just not big on flashy guitar playing so I'm going to throw Prince's hat in the ring. Though a lot of this opinion could be due to the fact he's ridiculously talented musically and his other abilities may skewer my judgment. Regardless marathon solos shouldn't be the only top tier criteria to consider.

[Saltines]

I don't classify anyone as the greatest guitarist, cause there are so many different styles, it's hard to judge.
I choooooose you, Randy Rhoads.

But, there are many others that come to mind.

Like Eric Johnson...-yeh-
Dimebag Darrell

These are just some of my favorites.

[juiceman23]

slash is my favorite.. but the best? hmm i duno... eddy..jimmy...eric.. all good

[Nilsen31]

I'll just name my favorites, as everyone will just argue.


Jimmy Page, Toy Caldwell, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Dickey Betts

[deputysalty]

Surprised no one mentioned: Jimi Hendrix.

So much soul and passion, and defined rock as we know it.

[trollhammer]

Technicality wise, and musically creative, I would have to pick Michael Angelo Batio.

[LavatoryLoveMachine]

Nice one Trollhammer

[clearGHOST]

For me its a tie between Jimmy Page and David Gilmour, they're both just so damn good.

[caex12]

Not gonna try to pick best, but my favourites are:

Mattias IA Eklundh
Quorthon
Arjen Anthony Lucassen
Jason Becker
Arve Isdal
Jørn Viggo Lofstad

[xenopherus]

Brian May. Plus, he gets extra awesome points for building his own guitar.

[blue_dragonzero]

Clapton, Cale, King, Lifeson, Hendrix.

[guitaristbmh]

For me, I'd have to say Tony Iommi. He's great at his riffs. Hell he kept going even when Ozzy and Dio left Black Sabbath, and the Tony Martin days weren't that bad at all. Soul wise, his solo album Fused, with Glenn Hughes, is amazingly well put together, and it's quite suprising in one track. (I go insane) It's almost like a ballad, almost slightly emo, but in a Tony Iommi way.

[OneEyeRed]

Although I love Iommi, I would have to pass as best. I would have to say Frank Marino.

[Mournblade77]

My choices are

Stevie Ray Vaughn
Jimmy Page
Mark Knopfler
Dick Dale
Tony Iommi
Jimmi Hendrix
Shuggie Otis
&
Muddy Waters

In no particular order

[MundaneSoul]

These are just the guitarists who I personally like listening to the best:

Buckethead
Shaun Lane
Jimi Hendrix
Paul Gilbert
Claudio Sanchez
Travis Stever

[Sleepy211]

ACOUSTIC - Andy Mckee

ELECTRIC - Cliff Burton , Kirk Hammet , Slash .

[acthomas]

acoustic - john mayer is up there
electric - matt bellamy

[blackmageyapo]

Alright, I will throw my hat in the ring. My favorite changed daily, if not hourly, so I'm just gonna go for favorites (no particular order):

Brian May (he didn't just build his own guitar, he built Red Special)
Glenn Tipton + KK Downing
Sam Totman + Herman Li
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Eric Clapton
Steve Miller

I'm also gonna throw a vote in for Angus Young, since he is so darn entertaining.

BTW, why don't you ever see threads about bassists?

[Zthe27th]

K.K. Downing
but Claudio Sanchez is the best of the current bands out there

[battle_axe_of_doom]

ACOUSTIC - Andy Mckee

ELECTRIC - Cliff Burton , Kirk Hammet , Slash .

cliff didn't play guitar :confused:

[Sleepy211]

as per WikiPedia

Cliff Burton
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clifford Lee Burton (February 10, 1962 – September 27, 1986) was a "bass guitarist" best known for his work with the thrash/heavy metal band Metallica from 1982 - 1986. As a bassist he was known for his unique style, which made heavy use of distortion and effects, best exemplified on his signature piece, "(Anesthesia) Pulling Teeth".


i know everyone thinks bass is bass , but its still a bass guitar and he was awsome ! so is flea from the red hot chili peppers and Les Claypool from Primus !

[Eastwood]

WTF? No Zack Wylde? No Yngwie Malsteem? (he may be a *****, but god is he fast)

Zack Wylde is just pure rock goodness...

Yngwie's vocals sucked up the izzazz, but the guitars a blazin'

[Saltines]

WTF? No Zack Wylde? No Yngwie Malsteem? (he may be a *****, but god is he fast)

Zack Wylde is just pure rock goodness...

Yngwie's vocals sucked up the izzazz, but the guitars a blazin'

I dislike Zakk, especially live. Every 5 seconds he does like 12 pinch harmonics.

[Eastwood]

While that is true, his fret work makes me envious, so my nomination is probably more based on me wishing i could shred like that...

[Suffragette]

Daron Malakian!
Great riffs and doing some weirdass singing aswell :D

(SOAD)

[Criss2fur]

Randy Rhoads is personally my favorite

[LavatoryLoveMachine]

The best guitarist would show signs of technical skill and musical sensitivity.

Well, sure, thats what Im saying, but nobody draws a line when talking about it, so they start mentioning names, they start fighting and disagreeing...why? cuz nobody drew a line.

[LavatoryLoveMachine]

acoustic - john mayer is up there
electric - matt bellamy

you dont listen to much music do you? :(

[linemanxx10]

well whoever can write the best song ever created in one sitting and influence the world with his amazing musical talent to form the best rock and roll band ever would imo be the best guitartist, PAGE ALL THE WAY!

other good ones- clapton, hendrix, wylde, satriani

[Saltines]

Well, sure, thats what Im saying, but nobody draws a line when talking about it, so they start mentioning names, they start fighting and disagreeing...why? cuz nobody drew a line.

I just think it's overrall impossible to determine the "best".

Alot goes into it. Mostly style, and technicality as Atsumi stated. I ant think of one way to determine the best guitarist.

[Swamp_child179]

I would have to say either Thomas Erak from the fall of troy, or page

[LavatoryLoveMachine]

I just think it's overrall impossible to determine the "best".

Alot goes into it. Mostly style, and technicality as Atsumi stated. I ant think of one way to determine the best guitarist.

exactly what I was getting at

[MundaneSoul]

Zack Wylde is just pure rock goodness...

Maybe, but I wouldn't call him an amazing guitarist.

[MundaneSoul]

K.K. Downing
but Claudio Sanchez is the best of the current bands out there

My sweet friend, I love you.

[Intellectualdiot]

Long ago, some insightful person suggested that there are a few things which will always be problems for mankind, death and taxes. Clearly they didn't anticipate the arrival of rock music. We're going to be discussing who the greatest guitarist is while our bomb shelters are being bombarded with nuclear fallout.

I won't suggest who the best guitarist is because I legitimately don't have a favorite. But I have a few that I absolutely can't imagine having a compelling conversation without, though they are often overshadowed by their peers. I'll try to keep it short:

Robert Fripp. Frank Zappa. Allan Holdsworth. Django Reinhardt. Skunk Baxter. Jeff Beck. Al Di Meola. Steve Howe. Jan Akkerman. Kevin Shields (who should have wielded as much influence as Jimi Hendrix did on the music of his era). Fred Frith.

Those are the ones that immediately come to mind, though I'm sure that I'll think of more later.

[King_Toki]

Jason Becker

[acthomas]

you dont listen to much music do you? :(

as a matter of fact i do, i just know who is the best. not a big fan of john mayer but he is brilliant on the acoustic. matt bellamy is just amazing at life.

[PunkRocker66]

Jimi Hendrix! Jimi Hendrix! Jimi Hendrix!

[battle_axe_of_doom]

Robert Fripp. Frank Zappa. Allan Holdsworth.Jeff Beck. Al Di Meola. Steve Howe.

PERIOD <jjjjjjjjjj>

[newwaytodie]

Greg Howe and Django Reinhardt.

[Ron_Sly]

Yeah there's no way to pick just one...but if I had to i'd probably have to say Rhodes. But then Allen Collins was an amazing guitarist.

[Tender-Surrender]

I am gonna just list 10.. in no particular order

Steve Vai
Jimi Hendrix
Dave Gilmour
Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Joe Satriani
Tom Morello
B.B. King
John Petrucci

Again No particular order, and I have a ton more I think are just amazing.. those are just the ones that popped into my head. Although Steve Vai and Jimi will always be on my lists!

[thedoorsdk]

Duane Allman

[deputysalty]

Duane Allman was a spectacular guitarist, particularly in improvisation. I can hear him wailing away at Whipping Post in my dreams.

Stevie Ray Vaughn definately deserves top 10.

[Saltines]

Yeah there's no way to pick just one...but if I had to i'd probably have to say Rhodes. But then Allen Collins was an amazing guitarist.

Rhoads.. gah.

Sorry that just annoys me terribly. Anyone see when Randy Rhoads was inducted into Guitar Cenetrs rock walk and they spelt Rhodes on the plaque?

They have recently fixed it.

[dlisapussy]

Hendrix was the best guitarist, IMO. He was an innovator to backwards music and wild distortions. He also, could play behind his back (I know it's not that amazing) and could play with his teeth. He also played great live, and he was usually on LSD.

[Guitar_Hero_God999]

Jimmy Page

[HolyDiver]

For me it would have to be:Shawn Lane,Dave Martone,Jason Becker,EVH,Randy Rhoads,Michael Schenker,Robert Marcello,Steve Vai,Joe Satriani,Paul Gilbert and Yngwie Malmsteen.

[DrippingMadness]

Pete Townshend in my opinion. If not him, then Jaco Pastorious or John Entwistle. They aren't guitar players, but could do things on a bass no one else could.

[GameWiz68]

STEVE VAI no doubt if no him then YNGWIE MALNSTEEN noone can stand up to those guys

[Th3_Grim_Ripper]

Jimi Hendrix was definately one of the best guitarists.

[taylor198]

duane allman is the best i think
he pretty much invented the slide guitar and reinvented the way a guitar is played

[Jolby32]

You can't have one asnwer to this.
Basicly my top 3 are Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen
With Pagey, Randy Rhoads, and Santana not far behind

[ziggy stardust]

Johnny Marr, Elliott Smith, David Gilmour, Noel Gallagher, and Mick Ronson.

[drummer69]

U Ppl Are A Bunch Of Noobd Jimmy Page And Slash Thats It Dummies Comon Listen To The Riffs

[cuBERT]

I like Daron Malakian.

[Quinarvy]

Herman Li and Sam Totman...

now before I get shot, I really meant to say Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

[fatkid400]

Jimmy Paige by far i think is the best guitarist

[IronMan]

why do u guys really like jimmy page? i really don't thinks he's all that good jus b cus he's the guitarist for Led Zeppelin.

[batsu336]

Wow....hard to qualify because there are so many different styles and tastes.

Best solo guitarist: Joe Satriani

Best guitarist in a rock band: Depends on your favorite bands. Eddie Van Halen, David Gilmour, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmi Hendrix....they are all great for the innovative ways they came up with to play

[ghostfacedre]

Duane Allman

Yeah Duane Allman's way underrated. Hendrix is probably the greatest. Carlos Santana is amazing and underrated too.

[brokentoothpic]

Page and EVH.


Whip out that violin bow, boys :)

[vavasovy]

now i dont anyone will agree with me just because everyone has the same ideas of old school guitarists being the best

my opinion.....greatest guitarist ever.......BUCKETHEAD......there is no doubt about it in my mind


as great as all the other guitarist everyone has named are, buckethead is better.

i think that he is greatly underapriciated
and im not just talking because Jordan is imposible......i really think he is that amazing based on his other music.....Funbus, Botnus, Nottingham Lace, King James, Lurker At the Threshold, the entire Thannatopsis: Anatomize album

[Elnino]

Eddie Van Halen
Slash
Buckethead
Jimmy Page
Tom Morrelo
Jimi Hendrix
Randy Rhoads
Ace Frehley
And of course, Angus Young

[MrGrieves]

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

[Jixzer]

You guys are leaving out a lot of people that can qualify for this list based on your knowledge of genres. Yes, a lot of the artists previously mentioned certainly deserve recognition, but so do guitarists like:

Brad Paisley
Lee Roy Parnell
Vince Gill
Roy Clark
Speedy West
Ricky Skaggs
Lester Flatt
Jerry Reed
Keith Urban

and

CHET ATKINS (who btw influenced more rock guitarists than any other man in history)

[enfurno]

I'd have to agree that Randy Rhoads probably would have been the greatest guitarist had his clock not ran short. His riffs are amazing and they draw you right into the music like a fly into a zapper.

Other than that, there are tons of AWESOME guitarists. Kurt Hammett, Mick, Dave Mustaine, Mark Knopfler, Page, Halen, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc....

The list goes on and on and on. There is no greatest though, never has been and never will be.

[madmoose]

how is it possible to pick one lets make a little list Stevie Ray Vaughn, slash, Dave Mustaine, Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe satranie, Dime Bag Darrel(rip) and Carlos Santana there are just to many to pick from add in different styles and you have a list that is really long I cant pick one its impossible :confused:

[Progged]

The best guitarist would show signs of technical skill and musical sensitivity.

I am going to have to say Michael Romeo (Symphony X) then... He is one of the most technically proficient and prolific composers around. Kind of helps when you study John Williams...

"Borrowed" from Wikipedia: "Romeo takes his influences from a wide range of sources including Shawn Lane, Yngwie Malmsteen, Randy Rhoads, John Petrucci, Al Di Meola, Uli Jon Roth, J.S. Bach, Mozart, John Williams and Frank Zappa, although he draws most heavily from a neo-classical style reminiscent of Yngwie Malmsteen. Despite this, Michael manages to maintain an identifiable signature that sets him apart from other players in this genre by fusing exotic scales and arpeggios (such as the half-diminished, whole tone and Mohammedan scale), non-standard rhythms, and time signatures."

[Dan]

I say Michael Schenker.

[Alphadown99]

I'll just name my favorites, as everyone will just argue.


Jimmy Page, Toy Caldwell, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Dickey Betts

Top five of all time IMHO

Jimi Hendrix
BB King <-Even tho he's not a rocker
Eric Clapton
Dickey Betts
Eddie Van Halen

[Hektic]

There are alot of great guitar players out there and I think they are all great but when it comes down to it when I think of great guitar players the first name that pops in my head is Stevie Ray Vaughan.

[Rev0lver]

there's alot that comes to mind... with different styles of playing its hard to decide

aj minette, thomas erak, omar rodriguez-lopez, jimmy page, david gilmour, etc.

[jimmymadstdnt]

Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Randy Rhodes
Angus Young
David Gilmour
B.B. King
Tony Iommi
Zakk Wylde
Billy Corgan
Kim Thayil
Ritchie Blackmore
Billy Gibbons

I mean this list could go on forever, although undoubtedly the top five there are the top five, just please don't tell me that there is some know-nothing, ignorant, nirvana-loving moron who actually listed Kurt Cobain, I mean artist, yes, guitar player, not by a long shot.

[Bigedubb22]

Jimi hendrix without a doubt. Page and Clapton are tight too, but Van Halen should get credit, because he practically invented tapping.

[DACster]

50 cent, his the god of geetar

[jimmymadstdnt]

Agreed, but Clapton and Page are far and away better than Hendrix, and those two plus Van Halen have had a much more deep and lasting effect on those who came after them.

[jimmymadstdnt]

(did not mean I was agreeing with DACster's moronic comment.)

[LOLOLOLGAIZ_ITS_SEVIN]

50 cent, his the god of geetar

NAW, NAW, IT BE SOULJA BOY TELL 'EM!

[DACster]

man, you know nothin about geetar, hendrix, clapton, page, they all suck, 50 is teh best, his riffs are awesome man

[LOLOLOLGAIZ_ITS_SEVIN]

man, you know nothin about geetar, hendrix, clapton, page, they all suck, 50 is teh best, his riffs are awesome man

SOULJA BOY'S ARE BETTER! HAVE YOU HEARD THE SOLO ON SOULJA GIRL?! ITS LIKE 20 MINUTES LONG!

[Zero82087]

Technicality wise, and musically creative, I would have to pick Michael Angelo Batio.

wow I was waiting to see if anyone would mention him. I'd have to agree fully on this one! Michael Angelo Batio is amazing!

[DACster]

Batio is ****. Seriously, he doesn't have feeling, only plays real fast, he's like a faster version of Herman Li...

Speaking seriously now guys, Jason Becker, if he didn't had got ALS he would probably be the best today

[DoctorWho]

The "best" guitarist? I agree with some here that there isn't such a thing. Different guitarists are better at certain qualities than others. Technically proficiant players usually lack the stylistic abilities of some of the less technical players. So, taking into account the different variations on greatness...

Pioneer of Rock Guitar:
-Pete Townsend- If you've ever seen some of their early performances from the 60's, he came up with most of the sounds and concepts that are still used to this day.

Technically Proficiant:
Toss up between Eric Clapton or Van Halen. Both are masters!

Stylist:
Lindsey Buckingham (part of Fleetwood Mac). If you don't believe me, YouTube "Big Love" the acoustic performance. One of the most amazing acoustic peices EVER!

Future:
Gutiar playing is at kind of a crossroads. These amps, sounds, and guitars have been around for over 50 years and the sound has gotten old. Something new needs to happen if Rock is to stay alive with the invasion of the hip-hop nonsense! New sounds, new concepts, new thinking is needed.
Matt Bellamy (of Muse) really has the edge. Check out some of their live performances and some of the things he is doing with his custom built guitars (lots of custom effect, built in KAOSS Pads, etc). Their album songs sound pretty generic/mainstream, but as a live group they're one of the best out there right now!

All stated is opinion! :-)

[the_frenchey]

hm...my personal fav is Kirk Hammett from Metallica...but I admit he's far from the best (but <3 the solo in nothing else matters omg).
in terms of best...Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix and i gotta say Carlos Santana is pretty damn good.

[osirisbunnyfoofoo]

Well, obviously, everyone's opinion will differ. There's no official 'best'. But, as far as my opinion goes...

In terms of how good the lines sound, I think the best guitar player is Kurt Cobain. In terms of skill, I think it's Eddie Van Halen. But taking into account both of these, I think it's Jimi Hendrix.

[sicksixsyxx]

1. Alexi Laiho (one of the best technical guitarists today)

2. Dave Mustaine (hate his attitude, but love the way he plays)

3. Kerry King (defined the thrash metal sound back in the 80s)

4. K.K. Downing (along with glen tipton, he helped shape the metal sound we enjoy today)

5. Herman Li (blazing freakin fingers...how many people can beat through the fire and flames on gh3?, yeah...enough said)

And to the dude that wrote Quorthon as the best guitarist? Ummm, no.. Hes a pioneer of Black Metal...not a guitar god...

[DethBoxx]

i wonder who every1 thinks is the best guitarist. for me i would have 2 say tony iommi. hes just never quits playing, even after losing 2 finger tips. & every1 of his guitar riffs r just awesome.

Tony Iommi is awesome but he himself would probably give the nod to Django Rheindardt.


I sure hope Frank Zappa has been mentioned in this thread.

[azz the heretic]

Im going to go with Dimebag

[St. Michael]

I gotta go with the Bucket on this one.
Buckethead has always proven (To Me) that he's not only fast and technically masterful, but with songs like Nottigham Lace and Running from the Light (Not to mention Witches on the Heath and The Way to Heaven) that he has an amazing ear for truely amazing music.

And I think that John5 at least deserves a mention. While his stuff with Manson and Zombie are fairly simple, his Solo stuff is incredible.

[caex12]

1. Alexi Laiho (one of the best technical guitarists today)

2. Dave Mustaine (hate his attitude, but love the way he plays)

3. Kerry King (defined the thrash metal sound back in the 80s)

4. K.K. Downing (along with glen tipton, he helped shape the metal sound we enjoy today)

5. Herman Li (blazing freakin fingers...how many people can beat through the fire and flames on gh3?, yeah...enough said)

And to the dude that wrote Quorthon as the best guitarist? Ummm, no.. Hes a pioneer of Black Metal...not a guitar god...


Quorthon may not have been the most technical guitarist, but he could do more with a guitars sound, and put more feeling and soul into it, than most metal guitarists still alive, especially more than some of the ones you posted.

Also, he's a pioneer of Viking Metal as well.

[polishdog90]

I gotta go with the Bucket on this one.
Buckethead has always proven (To Me) that he's not only fast and technically masterful, but with songs like Nottigham Lace and Running from the Light (Not to mention Witches on the Heath and The Way to Heaven) that he has an amazing ear for truely amazing music.

And I think that John5 at least deserves a mention. While his stuff with Manson and Zombie are fairly simple, his Solo stuff is incredible.

Buckethead is amazing. Hes probably one of the best guitarists alive (and still playing/writing). He is technical and he has feeling in his music too.

[Rev0lver]

Future:
Gutiar playing is at kind of a crossroads. These amps, sounds, and guitars have been around for over 50 years and the sound has gotten old. Something new needs to happen if Rock is to stay alive with the invasion of the hip-hop nonsense! New sounds, new concepts, new thinking is needed.
Matt Bellamy (of Muse) really has the edge. Check out some of their live performances and some of the things he is doing with his custom built guitars (lots of custom effect, built in KAOSS Pads, etc). Their album songs sound pretty generic/mainstream, but as a live group they're one of the best out there right now!


you're obviously very limited in knowledge of modern music if you think muse is one of the best out there right now in terms of musical skill. please take a listen to at least a couple of the following bands: the human abstract, between the buried and me, the fall of troy, protest the hero, the mars volta, opeth.

[Glass Pinata]

I vote for Meegs from Coal Chamber, well Glass Pinata now. A little basic but the effect sounds that guy comes up with are amazing!

[jacelep]

A few that have not been mentioned are
Frank Hannon, Phil Collen & Michael Hedges

[Smidget]

Phil Keaggy

[DoctorWho]

you're obviously very limited in knowledge of modern music if you think muse is one of the best out there right now in terms of musical skill. please take a listen to at least a couple of the following bands: the human abstract, between the buried and me, the fall of troy, protest the hero, the mars volta, opeth.

No, I listen to a LOT of modern music but once again this is just personal opinion. I wasn't stating that Muse is one of the best in terms of musical skill. But the guitarist (Bellamy) is doing some very creative and intresting things with his guitar sounds/style that is seemingly becoming more rare in this day and age. This is guitar playing we're discussing right?

And I'm really glad someone mentioned Michael Hedges and Phil Keaggy!!

[Rev0lver]

But the guitarist (Bellamy) is doing some very creative and intresting things with his guitar sounds/style that is seemingly becoming more rare in this day and age. This is guitar playing we're discussing right?



yes, i know, its just that bellamy seems mediocre compared to that bands i mentioned+many other modern bands.

[DoctorWho]

yes, i know, its just that bellamy seems mediocre compared to that bands i mentioned+many other modern bands.

Again, what I stated was PERSONAL opinion.

I've heard some songs from most of the groups in the list you mentioned, I just don't seem to hear/see anything that sounds out of the norm minus Mars Volta (amazing!).

I'm gonna have to check out Between the Buried and Me and Protest the Hero though, haven't heard of them!

[Rev0lver]

Again, what I stated was PERSONAL opinion.

I've heard some songs from most of the groups in the list you mentioned, I just don't seem to hear/see anything that sounds out of the norm minus Mars Volta (amazing!).

I'm gonna have to check out Between the Buried and Me and Protest the Hero though, haven't heard of them!

well, unfortunately people get the wrong impression of the fall of troy by FCPREMIX and their single from the new album. im assuming you probably havent heard much outside of that. thomas erak is an AMAZING guitarist, if you know most of their work. check out the ghostship demos(uses alot of effects on that), and songs like Rockstar Nailbomb!, i just got this symphony goin', and what sound does a mastodon make?

[Wildcat3170]

I'm going to go with.. since i love the band till forever: Slash, his solo's and playing just sounds genuine. It was said once that his guitar solo's made it feel as though he was truly 'talking' or 'expressing' himself through the guitar. And seriously, who else can sprint and dodge security guards while doing a paradise city solo?

Other then that i like Stevie Ray Vaughn a lot as well as Eric Clapton.

[DoctorWho]

I'm going to go with.. since i love the band till forever: Slash, his solo's and playing just sounds genuine. It was said once that his guitar solo's made it feel as though he was truly 'talking' or 'expressing' himself through the guitar. And seriously, who else can sprint and dodge security guards while doing a paradise city solo?

Other then that i like Stevie Ray Vaughn a lot as well as Eric Clapton.

Yeah SCREW Slash! His solo was so awesome in Guitar Hero 3 that I STILL can't pass it on expert!!! :)

Slash is awesome!

[Telecaster]

As sad as it is, I've read every single post in this thread thus far and not a single person has mentioned Keith Richards.

Regardless of whether or not you like the Stones, it's kind of sad that everyone overlooked the man who is known as the Human Riff. Not only did he set the standard for blues/rock guitarists to come (yes folks, he came before Clapton and Vaughan) but the man is STILL TOURING. You can use the argument that he's washed up all you want, but when you're nearly 70 years old and you set the world record for money on a world tour, then you can say Keith Richards is washed up.

You may not think he's the best, and several people have pointed out that there really is no one artist that is THE world standard for guitar simply because we all have different tastes in music, but to deny that the man innovated the way rhythm guitar was played, and to even leave him off the list is disappointing, especially when people like Slash make it ahead of him...

As for my favorites? Richards would be number one, followed by Clapton, SRV, and Kirk Hammett.

Let the bickering and name calling begin...

EDIT: Can't believe I forgot Carlos Santana and Yngvie Maalmstein (I never spell that right...)

[Wildcat3170]

Nothin against KR here.. just never was a big fan of his sound or anything like that. It's all preference, he's not my cup of tea.

People see the rolling stones now to be able to tell their kids they seen em die on stage. I remember the stones at the superbowl.. i think it was. Worst performance EVER.

[Telecaster]

And you also said they weren't your cup of tea so... it's perhaps a little biased opinion.

Like I said, I won't cut anyone down unless they have absolutely no basis for any kind of intelligent conversation, as I'm sure there are a bunch of 10 year olds on here who just say Clapton is the man because 3 other people said he was...

And the Super Bowl performance was by no means one of their best, by any standard, but anyone who went to the Bigger Bang tour will tell you otherwise. That concert absolutely rocked.

[Wildcat3170]

I dont think it was as much KR i didn't like at the Super Bowl, it was Mick Jaggers crappy voice. That was the main thing that has never really attracted me to the Stones, I have NEVER liked his voice.. and probably never will.

[dxduece]

Dimebag Darrell (RIP) hands down. I can't believe he wasn't mentioned more in this thread.

[NoD]

Link to RollingStone List just in case:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5937559/the_100_greatest_guitarists_of_all_time/


No George Thorogood?

[dxduece]

That's gotta be one of the crappiest lists I've seen! IKE TURNER above Eddie Van Halen for God's sake??!??

[Telecaster]

Would have liked to have seen Billy Gibbons on there somewhere, too. I'm not so sure I agree with Duane Allman as number two, he's definitely a top ten, but I don't think a number two...

[Rev0lver]

I dont think it was as much KR i didn't like at the Super Bowl, it was Mick Jaggers crappy voice.

not just the voice, but him himself. did you see when he pumped his fist? LOL JIGGLY ARM FAT.

[DethBoxx]

If you are going to say Keith Richards you might as well say Chuck Berry...who is still touring at age 81, *****es!

[Killbasa]

Don't know if I would call him "the greatest guitar player ever" but I would definitely call him the most commonly forgotten great guitar player...

Joe Walsh!

Come on Harmonix... make with the James Gang!

[wilso126]

there is a band comin through the ranks called featherweight fish fingers. the guitarist is chris atkinson some of his solos will blow your mind

[Manohar_QA]

New Post added

[bojimenez8]

Whoever played the song at the ending credits of GH3 in real life


I bow to you!

[hitman357]

WTF? No Zack Wylde? No Yngwie Malsteem? (he may be a *****, but god is he fast)


see there's the problem- fast doesn't necessarily make you 'great'. Mark Knopfler doesn't play that fast, nor does Keith Richards. But their sound makes them great.

[Hansford]

Its hard to pick just one. SRV, Hendrix, Clapton, and Buddy Guy would be my top four. I guess it depends on style preference really as SRV, Clapton, and Guy are deeply rooted in blues I enjoy their styles. Most great guitarists will say Hendrix was the greatest. He was an innovater who doesn't really have any roots based in any particular style. He just kinda appeared out of nowhere, traveling through time and space to deliver a totally different kind of sound.

[rebonez]

my personal favorites:

Dimebag Darrell
Randy Rhoads
Dave Mustaine
Zakk Wylde
Eddie Van Halen
Eric Clapton
Dave Mathews
Hendrix
Paige
Richards
Buckethead
Tom Morello

[frith]

Wow, 6 pages in, nobody mentioning Tom Morello... he's gotta be the most innovative guitarist of the generation Y :\

[sephiroth702]

Reading through these lists, I can tell that most of you are just picking the guitarists from your favourite bands. Not to say that these people may not musically speak to you personally, but that doesn't make them great guitarists.

That said, I'll do my best to make a short list (I'm bound to forget deserving guitarists anyway):

If we're talking about the most technically proficient player to ever pick up a guitar, that award indubitably goes to Kazuhito Yama****a (see note at bottom). Seriously. No one even comes close. From a technical standpoint, he makes Segovia sound like a four year old who just picked up a guitar for the first time.

If we're talking people who influenced rock greatly, Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, who is more or less Atkins' spiritual successor, are the gods of fingerpicking.

Rock guitar is a tougher question though, as people tend to base their arguments more on influence or "sound" than on ability. You must understand, electric guitar sound is very artificial. Much of a guitarists sound is dialed into their amp (or rack) and comes from the combination of pickups they use (not to mention pickup placement). This is not to say that if you gave two different guitarists the same setup, they would sound the same. However, quality of sound is definitely proportional to the amount of money you have to drop on it.

As far as ability goes, I find there are many very overrated guitarists (Paige, Hendrix, etc.). The only "mainstream" guitarist that I can think of who is very technically proficient is Van Halen.

I'd have to put Buckethead near the top of my list just because of his ridiculous versatility on guitar. According to wikipedia, he has 36 solo albums, of which I've listened to about half of those. In those 15 or 20, I've heard more musical styles than I've heard from any other guitarist. Technically, his right hand is pretty much perfect and his six, seven, and eight finger tapping ideas make me sick (in a good way). He's also pretty spectacular at the slap bass. I'm glad people are waking up to his music since Guitar Hero 2.

Another obvious pick is Jason Becker. He can no longer play, as he has a fairly advanced case of ALS, but by the time he was 22, he already had accomplished more technically than anybody could hope to in their life. He's also probably the single best sweep picker ever. Although I have to say, I personally hate his tone; it's way too harsh.

Steve Vai. No explanation needed.

Shawn Lane. I know a lot of you don't know who he is. He's dead now. He was a giant among men.

Jeff Beck. He's the only person to move me to tears with a guitar (Cause We've Ended as Lovers). The man also has a very keen ear for microtone bends (1/4 step).

Paul Gilbert. I'll admit, his improvising can get really repetitive, but the man is a human metronome. He has perfect right hand form; he the king of alternate picking and probably the most consistent, flawless live guitarist today.

I think I'll stop here, as I could keep naming about 50 more off the top of my head. Yes, I know I left out all the major jazz/fusion guitarists. I'd have to name pretty much all of them.


Wow, the forum won't let me type Y A M A S H I T A (pronounced yah-mah-shee-tah). Racists.

[Wangsandsuch]

If you think Keith Richards is the best then you need to give credit to Chuck Berry.

[starkukraine]

Jake Shimabukuro and Jimmy Page.

Buckethead and Marc Ford.

David Gilmour and Steve Howe.

[Knucklesdude]

For me? I'd say

1) Buckethead
2) Steve Vai
3) Hmm.. Hendrix

[Wangsandsuch]

Jesus is the best guitarist ever. Hands down.

[Rev0lver]

Jesus is the best guitarist ever. Hands down.

nah there's alot better than clapton

[Telecaster]

If you think Keith Richards is the best then you need to give credit to Chuck Berry.

Because they are the exact same person?

Richards is very much a blues guitarist, but Chuck Berry is not the ONLY influence.

Muddy Watters, he is the namesake of the band after all.

As for whoever said people are just picking the guitarists from their favorite bands... wouldn't that be the reason you like them? This is everyone's own opinion... doesn't make a lot of sense to pick someone you don't like.

[Vengeance]

i say Herman Li from Dragonforce is the best guitarist

[Wangsandsuch]

Because they are the exact same person?

Richards is very much a blues guitarist, but Chuck Berry is not the ONLY influence.

Muddy Watters, he is the namesake of the band after all.

As for whoever said people are just picking the guitarists from their favorite bands... wouldn't that be the reason you like them? This is everyone's own opinion... doesn't make a lot of sense to pick someone you don't like.

I only say this because I remember Keith Richards once saying something like, 'I stole every lick I ever played from Chuck Berry'. So I'd say if not for Chuck, Keith wouldn't be what he is today.

[Incoment Troll]

I only say this because I remember Keith Richards once saying something like, 'I stole every lick I ever played from Chuck Berry'. So I'd say if not for Chuck, Keith wouldn't be what he is today.

Ditto to the Max
Your so right on this one bobby

[Rev0lver]

i say Herman Li from Dragonforce is the best guitarist

i say you like hairy balls.

[dirty_bird32]

Eric Clapton is my favorite, but others like Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, B.B. King, Frank Zappa, Brian May, and Eddy Van Halen deserve mention, too.

[MattWhoMattGreen]

Eric Clapton is amazing in concert. Hendrix woodstock performance was great, but was not his best. If you want to see some of his amazing work, check out his tours in Europe. I can not believe no one has mentioned Derek Trucks. He was a child prodigy at a very young age, and is amazing. He fills in for Duane Allman no in the Allman brothers. He also has his own band (THe Derek Trucks Band), and he went on Claptons last world tour with him. Clapton has said he is one of the best guitarist he has ever heard, or played with.

[milkosturtle]

Randy Rhoads and Tony Iommi

[The_White_Hendrix]

Jimi Hendrix, Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, Randy Rhodes, Clapton...i could go on awhile. they all have their own abilities where they beat someone else at. Eddie Van Halen is know more for tapping and Zakk Wylde for his penatonic solos they're all good.

[silvercloud159]

one of the most underrated guitarist i've hear his new stuff sounds great!

[Setsu]

I'm caught between John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Steve Vai. Those are at least my picks.

Oh and Joe Satriani.

[Wangsandsuch]

I'm caught between John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Steve Vai. Those are at least my picks.

Oh and Joe Satriani.

Meh, mindless shredding really.

[alkalinetrio1240]

yngwie malmsteen

[silvergirl]

Stylist:
Lindsey Buckingham (part of Fleetwood Mac). If you don't believe me, YouTube "Big Love" the acoustic performance. One of the most amazing acoustic peices EVER!




AMEN!!!

Lindsey Buckingham

[Wangsandsuch]

AMEN!!!

Lindsey Buckingham

Man I didn't even see him get mentioned earlier, he's a freakin' maniac.

[delong212]

honestly my opinion it would be a mixture of 3 ppl and one the them i will probably get some heat from saying but anyway they are Dimebag Darrell, Zakk Wylde, and Mark Tremonti....and ME hahahaha just kidding i suck lol

[supergnome]

I am definately a fan of synyster gates from avenged sevenfold. He can guitar really well, and when making the music, the solos always sound "in place" with all the songs.

[starkukraine]

Love Lindsey Buckingham... Definitely THE most underrated guitarist.

[Julio_No_Mas]

Eddie Van Halen!

[0tj]

Srv..........

[Fortheloveofgod]

Steve Vai.

[StiffEdub]

1. Johnny Marr - The Smiths
2. Chad Taylor - Live
3. PRINCE - Prince

[zomgrandomtext]

You can't really specify a "best guitarist", it all relies on preference.
for example; Buckethead and Kirk Hammet are completely different, but they're both amazing

[sickboy1138]

Django Reinhardt
Les Paul
Chet Adkins
Robet Johnson
Huddy Ledbetter
and for you rock purrest out there....
Chuck MFin Berry, without whom most any guitarist who came after
wouldnt have had a place to start

[ZosoZeppelin]

Page, Harrison, Clapton, Richards, and Hendrix

[tsohgeht]

Slash is the best, hands down. But then again you got people like Zakk. But some of these newer guys know what their doin, ya know. Like Claudio Sanchez and Sam and Herman from DragonForce. The thing is great guitarists are know not for who is the best, but who they bring to the game and how they did it. I mean Fame speaks for its self, but dont get me wrong there is ALOT of unknown talent.

[zoso15]

hmmmm i say

Buckethead
Eddie Van Halen
Jimmi Hendrix
Jimmy Paige
Randy Rhoads

[ProgNegative]

hm...my personal fav is Kirk Hammett from Metallica...but I admit he's far from the best (but <3 the solo in nothing else matters omg).

Just wanted to point out the solo in Nothing Else Matters is one of the few that Hetfield plays, I'm surprised nobody pointed that out sooner.

Joe Satriani
Randy Rhoads
John Petrucci
Django Reinhardt (glad so many people know of him)
Kirk Hammett (I'm a biased Metallica fan)

Most of the greats are already listed so many times I don't need to put them down, but these are my favorites out of those.

[Karl Hungus]

This is not a matter of opinion. There is no room for interpretation on this one. It has been scientifically proven...

HENDRIX

[kliquid]

I'd go with Duane Allman or Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tim Reynolds is also relatively unknown, but ridiculously amazing.

[Chr1sK]

Thats a pretty big problem I find in these discussions. What makes you a great guitarist? Technical skill, or musical sensitivity? Definitely, when one is a great musician, that counts more than being a great instrumentalist. I mean, one can play the instrument great, but be completely incompetent in writing interesting music. These discussions never make this point clear.

Excellent point. I would think that an innovative, well-rounded musician would deserve more props than one who just plays uptempo scales and a few hit riffs. I tend to believe innovators have greater importance because they establish new standards / approaches to music. The guitar style of a majority top guitar players (Clapton, Page, Richards, Hendrix, SRV, etc.) can be traced back to the innovators. So my most influential / innovative guitar players would be Rev. Gary Davis, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and Chuck Berry. There are so many more but it's hard to put in a box.

[Halenfan24]

Some of my top would be; Stevie Ray Vaughan, Hendrix, Dimebag, Paige, and Halen.

[SpArX]

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Thomas Erak FTW.

[m00p]

Guitar: Jimmy Paige

Bass: Izzy Stradlin (most underrated EVER) n im not just saying that...


Anyways ppl r just gonna pick their fav guitarist. Its not hard. My picks are on pure skill....

[Rastak]

Al Dimeola

[Jones666]

There are way too many to name...Angus Young(my fave but thats my opinion), Dimebag, Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and MUCH MUCH MORE! It all depends on what type of music you listen to

[mrseldowski]

I have to say Buckethead, this guy just never fails to amaze me. He is always comin out with new stuff, he is working on his 50th album, yes thats right 50th. Well a lot of his albums are wierd and short but it still shows how dedicated he is to his music. I can GARANTEE you that there is not a more versitile guitar player out there, this guy does it all, and well. For every person on this planet there is at LEAST 1 Buckethead album that they will enjoy. He has finger-lickin fast songs that just blow your mind and melow chillin songs that entrance you. He may be a weird guy but I think he is a musical genious.

[Razordogz]

Eddie Van Halen, I'd have to say. Or maybe Joe Satriani.

[Tapede]

Michael Romeo

[jayou521]

Mark Knopfler

[zeldazeppelin]

Michael Romeo

why do you feel the need to be a thread necromancer

[neckermanncj]

Tom Morello

[ClassicRockFanatic23]

Eric Clapton

[ArmsAreLoud]

No matter how much I love Kim Thayil, I'd have to say Joe Satriani. His technical ability is almost the the point of Yngwie's, but unlike Yngwie, he has the artistic talent to do more than just show off.

[camero1970]

Eddie Van Halen, I'd have to say. Or maybe Joe Satriani.


Eddie is just fast, nothing special, just like herman lee.. the best guitarist of all time is jimmy paige.. nuff said

[franticfish]

Eddie is just fast, nothing special, just like herman lee.. the best guitarist of all time is jimmy paige.. nuff said
Who is Jimmy Paige ?
I don't know about best but my favourite guitarist is Tony Iommi.

[Insane3]

well whoever can write the best song ever created in one sitting and influence the world with his amazing musical talent to form the best rock and roll band ever would imo be the best guitartist, PAGE ALL THE WAY!

other good ones- clapton, hendrix, wylde, satriani

Page didn't write Tarkus, Moonage Daydream, Hallelujah, Venus in Furs, Moonlight Sonata, Electric Eye or Paranoid Android, did he?

I also think he din't play with Deep Purple, Opeth, REM, Supertramp, Jane's Addiction, Rush or the Who.

My point is there is no "best song ever created" or "best rock and roll band ever".

[Fizzeler]

Duane Allman
/thread

[n4sc4r]

Jeff Beck
/thread
Fixed. ;)

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

Tie between:

Iommi, Page, Duane Allman, Hendrix, Lifeson, and Harrison.

[Fizzeler]

Tie between:

Iommi, Page, Duane Allman, Hendrix, Lifeson, and Harrison.

And Townshend :D

[Julio_Strikes_Back]

And Townshend :D

And May, Blackmore, Hammett, Buckethead, Satriani, Young, Gilmour, EVH, SRV, and Hazel.

[Fizzeler]

And May, Blackmore, Hammett, Buckethead, Satriani, Young, Gilmour, EVH, SRV, and Hazel.

How could I forget SRV :(

[Kush_TT]

John Petrucci ;)

[gmarsh]

probly hendrix, for so many obvious reasons, but ill name a top 3... hendrix, jimmy page, and clapton, thought I do give credit to iommi because after losing the tips of two fingers, and going on it's impressive also he pretty much invented the metal riff.

[limelight_rush]

Anybody but Petrucci and Crapiani

[Bub]

Tony Iommi is a very talented guitarist and yes he practically invented the first riffs of heavy metal. Very influential and definitely deserves a place in rock history.

[Sargehalo51]

Neil Schon...I was always amazed by his stuff.

[Runesmith]

Mick Ronson. The power and emotion he was able to put into a single note was unreal.

[eagles1990]

Tom Morello