Best Rock Acoustic Guitarist

[ClassicRockFanatic23]

By this I mean who is the best rock guitarist on acoustic guitar. Let the debate begin! I'll throw my .02$ in later.

[OldFogey]

This guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIu7UA-823Y

With honorable mentions to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgmYNi5Nnsk

and this guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pQ9O1meQo0

2nd sample since first is so short
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrtGQ_0-m0

and a third, my favorite -- Dusty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwhQ-GAuL48

And for those keeping track, that's

1. Steve Morse
2. Steve Howe
3. Eric Johnson

[sg327]

2nd sample since first is so short
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrtGQ_0-m0


I've listened to this one a couple times now. (I like it...kinda grows on ya).

[OldFogey]

I've listened to this one a couple times now. (I like it...kinda grows on ya).

It's actually off Ah Via Musicom -- IMO the best album for guitar in Rock History.

In addition to this and Cliffs of Dover, it has Eric paying tribute to Jerry Reed and Wes Montgomery.

[sg327]

It's actually off Ah Via Musicom -- IMO the best album for guitar in Rock History.

In addition to this and Cliffs of Dover, it has Eric paying tribute to Jerry Reed and Wes Montgomery.

Great stuff...(I listened to that twice last night after you posted it and another couple times already today).

[Keebler]

Can't forget about Eric Clapton. Watching him play acoustic live is breathtaking.

[BhindBluEyes430]

maby not the best but my favorite is Townshend. just because i love the guitars tone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5yymadwxj8

of corse songs like Pinball Wizard, Overture, Behind Blue Eyes, and Love Aint For Keeping are the best examples

[OldFogey]

Can't forget about Eric Clapton. Watching him play acoustic live is breathtaking.


maby not the best but my favorite is Townshend. just because i love the guitars tone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5yymadwxj8

of corse songs like Pinball Wizard, Overture, Behind Blue Eyes, and Love Aint For Keeping are the best examples

I like Clapton and Townshend, too.

But OP asked who was best. Would you say they're best? Or if not -- who do you think is?

[BhindBluEyes430]

I like Clapton and Townshend, too.

But OP asked who was best. Would you say they're best? Or if not -- who do you think is?

I don't think he's the best i know there are many others who can play better and more technically I just love his tone and the fast strums.

The best is probably a lesser known guitarist heavily influenced by classical guitar

Jerry Reed is amazing sadly dident hear about him till he died
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE
But its not technically Rock

[Sayburr]

As far as playing acoustic guitar, Eric Johnson. But, playing acoustic based songs, I really enjoy Neil Young more than anyone else:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acguKXlE2Us

While he is not flashy, he has that "IT" where the mixture of what he does on stage just gives me goose bumps.

[OldFogey]

I don't think he's the best i know there are many others who can play better and more technically I just love his tone and the fast strums.

The best is probably a lesser known guitarist heavily influenced by classical guitar

Jerry Reed is amazing sadly dident hear about him till he died
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni8KBhnebwE
But its not technically Rock

FYI -- I'm not attacking your choice of Townshend -- he does a lot of nice acoustic work. Just wanted to know who you would say is the best if not Pete.

As far as a lesser known guitarist heavily influenced by classical guitar -- did you check out my Steve Morse clip??

I like Jerry, too, but I agree, it's not Rock.

[Eaglediveofsex]

Phil Keaggy

[OldFogey]

As far as playing acoustic guitar, Eric Johnson. But, playing acoustic based songs, I really enjoy Neil Young more than anyone else:

While he is not flashy, he has that "IT" where the mixture of what he does on stage just gives me goose bumps.

Yep, he writes a lot of great acoustic tunes.

Garcia also did a lot of great acoustic work, the whole Workingman's Dead album being a good example. He also played a lot of bluegrass with David Grisman -- together they were known as Grateful Dawg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8GZvoWY9yo

[OldFogey]

Phil Keaggy

Can you try posting again? Link got messed up.

EDIT: Just wanted to make sure I got to the track you had identified, Eaglediveofsex, but yeah Phil is a great guitarist. I tend to forget about him because I'm not so into the music. But this for example is a beautiful tune:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iSiij98VY

[Sayburr]

He also played a lot of bluegrass with David Grisman -- together they were known as Grateful Dawg.

I had not heard of Grateful Dawg, I liked that song and will check them out. As far as acoustic music, Bonepony is my favorite. This is from back in '95. They put on a great show, just an exciting time and with all the shows of theirs I have been to, by midway through the show I have never see anyone still sitting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lglUHRNYO0U

[Cryptic1]

Rock acoustic is kinda hard to come by. Nancy Wilson from Heart is great. Larry Keel is probably the fastest acoustic player I've seen, but more bluegrassy. Michael Hedges was incredible, but sadly he's gone (check him out on youtube if you've never seen him)... Also, Adrian Legg does some impressive stuff, but some of it is kinda slow and mellow.

[OldFogey]

So, OP -- who did you have in mind?

[a21schizoidman]

if it wasn't for the ROCK in the title, I'd say Paco de Lucia


but....

George Harrison the times he played acoustic
Stephen Stills is decent

but

I say Justin Hayward

[OldFogey]

if it wasn't for the ROCK in the title, I'd say Paco de Lucia


but....

George Harrison the times he played acoustic
Stephen Stills is decent

but

I say Justin Hayward

Ah come one, Schiz -- look at the guys, I posted up the thread. You really wanna play Hayward, Harrison, and Stills against Morse, Howe and EJ?

[a21schizoidman]

Ah come one, Schiz -- look at the guys, I posted up the thread. You really wanna play Hayward, Harrison, and Stills against Morse, Howe and EJ?

gah, forgot about Howe, gotta watch the Morse and EJ vids still.... (doin some stuff atm)

[a21schizoidman]

again, not rock, but Chet Atkins would be close to #1 overall

Roy Rogers also is amazing

[DarkSide247]

Not best, but favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7M1Se-p7uk&feature=related

Best would be Steve Howe and Eric Johnson (IMO).

[OldFogey]

again, not rock, but Chet Atkins would be close to #1 overall

Roy Rogers also is amazing

CHET!!!! Beautiful music. Love it.

[OldFogey]

Not best, but favorite:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7M1Se-p7uk&feature=related

Best would be Steve Howe and Eric Johnson (IMO).

Oh -- I'm a NY fan going way back. The first Springfield album any way.

If you like Howe and EJ -- you need to check out the Steve Morse vid I posted. And the Phil Keaggy vids were nice, too.

[a21schizoidman]

Fogey, listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvVOgn4RYKw

saw him on tv after a Robert Plant concert on channel 11

[OldFogey]

Fogey, listen to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvVOgn4RYKw

saw him on tv after a Robert Plant concert on channel 11

Roy's a big favorite out here in the Bay Area. Tons of fun. But if we're talking acoustic blues, Robben Ford did a whole album acoustic that was caught live you should catch. It was called the Authorized Bootleg. Plays just like he does on electric. Just amazing stuff. the AllMusic review:


This is a keeper from the word "go." Recorded live in 1995 (but not released until 1998) at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA, Robben Ford is joined by long-time Blue Line trio members Roscoe Beck on bass and Tom Brechtlein on drums, as well as Bill Boublitz on a baby grand piano. Although nearly all of the songs can be found on other Ford albums (most are from Handful of Blues), one of the things that makes this jazzy recording so special is that Ford is playing only an acoustic guitar. The Ray Charles gem "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" (which you WON'T find elsewhere) is simply beautiful, and on Paul Butterfield's "Lovin' Cup," it's just Ford and his guitar. The brilliance of his playing and the reason behind why so many guitar players put him at the top of their list can be found in Ford's performance on this release, alternating between lead and rhythm. The Authorized Bootleg also has great (albeit laid-back) versions of "When I Leave Here" and "Tired of Talkin'." Highly, highly recommended.

But I have no vid :(

[DarkSide247]

Oh -- I'm a NY fan going way back. The first Springfield album any way.

If you like Howe and EJ -- you need to check out the Steve Morse vid I posted. And the Phil Heaggy vids were nice, too.
I checked out the Morse video. Great listen and a wonderful player. I'll check out the Keaggy video now.

Btw, do you know what guitar Morse was using?

[OldFogey]

I checked out the Morse video. Great listen and a wonderful player. I'll check out the Keaggy video now.

Btw, do you know what guitar Morse was using?

No, I don't. I'll see if I can find something out.

[DarkSide247]

Oh -- I'm a NY fan going way back. The first Springfield album any way.

If you like Howe and EJ -- you need to check out the Steve Morse vid I posted. And the Phil Heaggy vids were nice, too.
I checked out the Keaggy video, also a great guitarist, along with Roy Rodgers.

[My name is Fez]

I'm a pretty big fan of Andres Segovia, actually.

...But then again, he's a classical guitarist, not a rock guitarist. No idea how well known he is around these parts XD

I'd probably have to go with Eric Clapton.

Or Kyle Gass lulz.

[polishdog90]

Idk if you guys have seen this guy before, but he is really great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4
Not sure if you would call it rock music though.

[OldFogey]

Idk if you guys have seen this guy before, but he is really great:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ddn4MGaS3N4
Not sure if you would call it rock music though.

I'm not sure I'd call it acoustic -- you can't do that stuff without amplification, even if it is an acoustic guitar that's being amplified. But he's got a soundhole pickup.

It's cool stuff, but I tend to think of stuff that could be played around the campfire with no electricity around when I think acoustic.

OTOH -- I dug it.

[OldFogey]

gah, forgot about Howe, gotta watch the Morse and EJ vids still.... (doin some stuff atm)

Wanna hear what you think after you've checked Morse and EJ on acoustic, Schiz....

bada bump

[OldFogey]

This has been a really cool thread, I think.

Kind of refreshing to go acoustic.

I think there could be some wicked hard songs for RB from the selections we've looked at here -- finger picked stuff is really hard on a little plastic strum bar.

[a21schizoidman]

Wanna hear what you think after you've checked Morse and EJ on acoustic, Schiz....

bada bump

watched the Morse vid, I liked it, gotta watch the EJ vid, prolly will do it tomorrow at school

[Aniwarp]

I enjoy Edgar Cruz, one of the best performers in the city I live in (OKC)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-GdMdVbG9Q

[Fetus Jr.]

I wouldn't say he was the best guitarist out there, but on a more personal mellow enjoyment I found Elliott Smith to be interesting. Songs like "Angeles" I find beautiful along with "Between The Bars". He may not play fast stuff, but playing fast doesn't mean you are best.

[thedoorsdk]

No love for Keith Richards?
He's not really that well known as an acoustic player, but the kinds of sounds he gets out of the acoustic guitar on Stones records is pretty phenomenal. He's one of the few acoustic guitar players who I think both gives the instrument a unique voice and still retains the balls one generally associates with rock guitar playing. Listen to his work on Wild Horses or Street Fighting Man and you'll see what I mean.
Steve Howe, as mentioned, is amazing.
Also, Alex Lifeson is a wonderful acoustic player. 'Hope' from Snakes and Arrows is a good example. Generally Alex borrows from the same classical style as Howe, but his unique flair for texture and musical color make him stand out.

[The-Hawk27]

I'm just going to say Buckethead is pretty good at it and then leave this link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxdogjQE2u8]

[Eaglediveofsex]

I reiterate, Phil Keaggy, but this tyme I have a video to back up my claim!
Whoops, mine apologies for that video, I thought I DID check all the responses, but I will add Tim Reynolds here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_D5bGwJyfQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9Y5IqW5DU4&feature=related

Thanks for helping me out OldFogey

[OldFogey]

I reiterate, Phil Keaggy, but this tyme I have a video to back up my claim!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3iSiij98VY

Dude -- I already posted this vid -- look up to my response to you.

[jmiscavish]

I really like tommy emmanuel for acoustic guitar.

For regular pop/rock guys, I still like Clapton. I've been big into John Mayer lately.

SRV had an MTV acoustic performance with a 12-string that was EPIC, though. EPIC.

[OldFogey]

I really like tommy emmanuel for acoustic guitar.

For regular pop/rock guys, I still like Clapton. I've been big into John Mayer lately.

SRV had an MTV acoustic performance with a 12-string that was EPIC, though. EPIC.

Tommy is great. And really fun. I just didn't mention him because the question was about rock acoustic guitar.

[Jay31]

Now I don't wanna get flamed for saying this, because I know he isn't the best acoustic player, but I really love Jimmy Page's acoustic playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zISiQ6PqATI

And as mentioned multiple times, Eric Clapton is amazing as well.