best guitarist

[TheNatural72]

Jimi Hendrix

Django Reinhardt

Blind Blake

J.J. Cale

Jimmy Page

Mississippi John Hurt

Jerry Reed

[Shaitan]

Old school: Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa

New: John Frusciante

 

Another vote in the modern era the spaced out (not anymore) John Frusciante - its great to see him off the gear and back in the Chili's after a few years of wondering. Still reckon his best stuff was in Blood Sugar, though

[jimmyjames]

By no means the best of all time, but on of my favorites to listen to is Jack White. He is so amazing on those vintage guitars.

 

Best of all time either Clapton or Hendrix...with Slash thrown in there as a wild card.

[scottyallanb]

Yngwie Malmsteen by far.

[Orlimar1]

What about George Benson? Re-created the smooth jazz sound. Plays crisp clear notes with incredible speed.

[hanknalex]

Jimmy Page

[J-J]

Brian Setzer is awesome !!!

 

I'm surprised he hasn't been mentioned yet... Best Rock'n'Roll, Swing, Jazz, 'Billy guitarist to date!

 

 

 

 

[mizunodude]

Joe Satriani, eddie VanHalen,George Lynch(of Doken) and Vernon Reid(of living color) changed their respective music cultures after they hit the scene so that my vote!

[g8a_golf]

Townshend of The Who....... hendrix was a close second...

[Sixcat]

Steve Vai

[littlepingman]

Al Di Meola, Michael Hedges, David Gilmore and Ben Harper

[DemolitionMan]

Lots of great ones represented here which goes to show it's impossible to name the best or even narrow it down to top 5; especially when you try to compare different genres.

 

But here are some I have not seen mentioned.

 

Rory Gallagher who briefly got everyone to forget Clapton

 

Johnny Marr and Brian May tend to be underrated.

 

If you can get past the Ozzy fanatics, Randy Rhodes was shining for a little while.

 

Pat Metheny has incredible range.

 

Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy should be included in a blues discussion.

 

And to mix it up a bit how about two for the women - Bonnie Raitt and Jennifer Batten

[calc61]

after reviewing my post I would like to add:

Robin Trower

Brian May

[rareguitar]

IMO and I have alot of experience as a pro guitarist and have been in the industry for years.

 

For guitarists, my top 5 are as follows:

 

1. Robert Johnson

2. Robert Johnson

3. Robert Johnson

4. Robert Johnson

5. Robert Johnson

 

It all came from him, all the greats point to him (Clapton, Beck, Page, The Beatles, The Stones, Hendrix, SRV etc...) he is widely regarded by pro guitarists as the landmark figure in the guitar world.

 

Clapton called him "the most important blues musician who ever lived." I would add that he is the most important guitarist who ever lived as well.

 

RG

[b-rose]

Everyone needs to watch this clip at least once to realize the mastery that is Tim Reynolds. (Notice the guitar he is playing by the way)

 

[g8a_golf]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6e8mdm7JKcQ

 

just watch

[rareguitar]

Everyone needs to watch this clip at least once to realize the mastery that is Tim Reynolds. (Notice the guitar he is playing by the way)

 

 

I watched it and thanks for posting it, just my 2 cents but fast doesnt always mean good but to each their own. I didnt hear anything creative in this clip or feel the notes but I can appreciate his technical skill I guess although it wasnt anything you cant see in any guitar center on a Saturday afternoon. Not really in the same league as many mentioned in the thread.

 

RG

[rareguitar]

As I said before the talent level in the guitar world is nuts. Here is a 16 year old kid in his bed room in France playing a sick version of Canon in D.

 

 

But at the end of the day you need to go back to the original innovative players. Anyone can copy Eruption note for note (including me) but can you write it from scratch, that is the real genius.

 

RG

[rareguitar]

And if you ever ask who is the best Beatles inspired Hawaiian Ukelele player, this guy is the best I have ever seen :goirish: :

 

 

UNREAL!

 

RG

[rareguitar]

I know I am wearing it out in this thread but guitars really are my true love. O/T but here are a few pics of my rig and some of my guitars for fun.

 

RG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MrParr1Noid]

To varing degrees we all appreciate good music, and with each age comes a new music style and new artists...........This is what some of the old folk in here might have listened to way back when. I hope you can over look his diminished physical abilities, and find an appreciation for his style.

 

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

 

p.s. I think some of you may have heard of the Gibson Les Paul guitar. Les Paul is 90 years old at the time of this concert.

[kwcsports]

Joe Satriani

Eric Johnson

Mattias Eklundh

[drewspin]

Robert Johnson

Mississippi John Hurt

BB King

Muddy Waters

SRV

Jerry Garcia

Steve Kimmock

Doc Watson

Leo Kottke (in his prime before carpal tunnel)

Stephane Wrembel

Chris Smither

 

Dobro: Jerry Douglas

Pedal Steel: Robert Randolph

[ripsid]

Hendrix!!!! (hell, Zakk named his son Hendrix)

Eddie VanHalen

Zakk Wylde

DimeBag Darrell

John Meyer (listen to his blues solo's amazing)

Charlie Hunter is amazing!!!! He plays an 8 string guitar 3 strings are from a bass and 5 electric.. listen to him he's awesome! you'll hear the bass going, plus an electric lead, and an organ all that is coming from his guitar!

Hendrix cover:

[drewspin]

Some of these crack me up! John Mayer?! Curt Cobain?! Dudes couldn't carry the luggage for the greats! There are thousands better.

 

Try Leo Kottke's 6 and 12 String Guitar album that was recorded when he was about John Mayer's age. Um, yeah. That's the real deal.

 

Dip into a little Earnest Ranglin for some innovative rythyms.

 

Like SRV speed? Go find some Albert Cummings - he was the front man for Double Trouble recently.

[ripsid]

Leo Kotke is amazing! He inspired me to buy my taylor 12..

 

Also, don't put down John Mayer's solo's till you've heard them, he has more skill than his music allows him to play.. and he's not one of the greatest ever either, I added him as one of the new really good players.

 

Loved Nirvana but Kurt wasn't a virtuoso...

 

SiD

[drewspin]

I've heard Mayer's solos. Just not in the same league as the greats. Maybe someday.

 

Try on some BB King Live in Japan / Cook County Jail or a slip into a little Luther Allison Live in Chicago. RIP Luther.

 

From Magic Sam to Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers - I do love the blues.

[sloc69]

jerry garcia... maybe not the best but my favorite

 

agree with buckethead clapton hendrix and tim reynolds

 

trey anastasio

 

chuck garvey

 

dereck trucks

[handdoc]

have to agree with

dimebag darrel

zakk wylde

[formula2tom]

DUANE ALLMAN

JIMI

DEREK TRUCKS

WARREN HAYNES - GOVT. MULE

CLAPTON