best guitarist

[Rich71691]

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNZru4JG_Uo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't pick one. Just listen(don't read the crap the people post on there), these are a few. John5 is awesome

Rich

[headcase59]

Just ask Eric Clapton about John Mayer. Read the Rolling Stone article from a couple months back. I've seen JM live twice now and he is amazing. Maybe not considered a great yet but when I'm old and gray he'll be up there.

[Bogeyman82]

I am shocked that no one has mentioned John Petrucci. John Mayer gets mentioned but not Petrucci?!??! Listen to Dream Theatre or the Liquid Tension Experiment. Wow. Petrucci is a virtuoso in the vein of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen. It's hard to say who 'the best' is, but I'm surprised that he didn't get a mention...particulary since someone mentioned Tom Delonge...

[phsgolfguy]

I am shocked that no one has mentioned John Petrucci. John Mayer gets mentioned but not Petrucci?!??! Listen to Dream Theatre or the Liquid Tension Experiment. Wow. Petrucci is a virtuoso in the vein of Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Yngwie Malmsteen. It's hard to say who 'the best' is, but I'm surprised that he didn't get a mention...particulary since someone mentioned Tom Delonge...

 

I'm glad people are giving some credit to John Mayer. He may not be in the same league as the greats but he is well on his way. I have to say I'm a little biased because he is my favorite artist and I've seen him too many times to mention on this forum haha. It's hard to leave him out when he is being acknowledged by Rolling Stone as one of the new guitar gods, Eric Clapton has basically adopted him, and legends like Buddy Guy and B.B. King are willing to include him in their sets at the drop of a hat. He is even playing at Clapton's Crossroads 2 next month if that does anything for you. It's unfortunate that people still judge him by his "Wonderland" days when he has progressed so much as a musician. /rant.

[zojo]

john petrucci.

[trek1500]

Jimmy Page

SRV

Eric Johnson

Roy Buchanan

Jeff Beck

Danny Gatton

Jimi Hendrix

Al DiMeola

John McLaughlin

Carlos Santana

George Harrison

Junior Brown

Rory Gallagher

Joe Satriani

Steve Vai

Tommy Bolin

Joe Perry

[DeaconEsq]

I share most of the "standards" that everyone has already named.

 

I'm surprised no one has named Duane Allman yet though!

 

Edit: Oh sorry...someone already said him.

[kwcsports]

Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Jimmy Page. Nick Drake on Acoustic is AMAZING!!

[imsocrabby]

satriani and carlos santana

[littlepingman]

Nick Drake on Acoustic is AMAZING!!

 

I agree.

 

Pink Moon and Bryter Layter are two of my favorite albums.

 

I am reminded of Elliot Smith when I think about Nick Drake. Both died far too young. And both from apparent suicides. Although, both deaths are very suspicious. Nick Drake from a painkiller overdose that was eventually ruled a suicide. Elliot Smith from two stab wounds to the chest that haven't actually been ruled a suicide, although it is widely believed they were self inflicted.

[Mudders]

Why has no one mentioned Randy Rhodes? (if so then apologies)

 

Anyways:

Satch

Slash

Zakk Wylde

Steve Vai

Yngwie Malmsteen

John Williams (Not the Star Wars the dude, the classical guitarist!)

Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Page

Preston Reed

 

I think that's all me favourites. lol.

[LEgolfer]

newer guys:

 

Jack Johnson

John Mayer

[formula2tom]

rory gallagher was god before clapton was god in europe

[leekgolf]

As a guitarist, I guess my question is how do you define, "BEST"?

 

If it's technical competency, then in electric music, probably John McLaughlin.

 

If it's in musical creativity I'd pick Jimi Hendrix #1, Wes Montgomery #2, Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen tie at #3.

[chippen]

One vote for Phil Keaggy from the 60's.

 

Hendrix was on the Tonight Show in the late 60's and Johnny Carson asked him how it feels to be the greatest guitarist ever. Jimi quickly responded, "I don't know, you'd have to ask Phil Keaggy".

 

I've seen Phil perform back in the early 80's and again last year. There's a little less snow on the roof, but he can sure pound the strings.

[pickerjohn]

Depends on your choice of styles, some wow me with

their playing and I like it (Like Phil), but for me I tend

to lean more to Clarence White/Tony Rice.

SRV rocked my world, also.

[Spin Doctor]

Mel Bay hehe

[pmcg no.6]

Kudos to those wise enough to mention Robert Johnson. I always cringe when I see one of these "Greatest Guitarist" lists. Cuz they always end up being filled with Satriani's and the like. But I always thought you had to think "Who inspired these greats?" Clapton, Page, Beck, Van Halen, Vai etc... I know it's not "Most influential Guitarist" BUT where would these guys be without that influnce? Robert Johnson was a very smart post.

 

I can't pick a "greatest" but I'll throw in a few of my faves that inspired me to play and didn't see listed:

 

1. Brian May (Queen) C'mon. Their early stuff is the sh*t! Great player.

2. Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) My biggest influence.

3. Mick Ronson (Played for Bowie)

 

I'm sure there are more but I sould be working right now.

[Kinger1999]

1. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

 

2.

[pmcg no.6]

2.

 

Ah. I've seen many a player play JerryC's stuff on YouTube

 

Here's a guy I like to watch

. Tried to play this myself until it came to the sweep picking.

[HEMIPHIL]

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just happened upon this thread & just wanted to say that your V & Explorers Kick Word not allowed.

My vote is for Dime. Sadly missed.

[Spin Doctor]

In all seriousness, there really are too many out there to pick just ONE favorite, or even a top 50 list. Shredders are impressive with technical ability and speed, but players who can do that AND make individual notes count while conveying a lot of deep emotion in their music are the ones I would enjoy listening to the most...ie: Edward and Alex's tune "Respect The Wind".

In fairness, I think maybe the players should be broken down into genres, then geographics- country, region, state, city, and streetcorner...great players have flourished in numbers beyond belief...the only other creature that has a comparable success story are the Coyotes in North America....they caught one inside a Quizno's sub shop in NYC not long ago, if I'm not mistaken.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkCSjJ37sGQ

 

 

Here's a good example of why I fell in love with the versatility of the violin (perfected over 300 yrs ago) after playing guitar since I was 11 yrs old.

This guy is playing acoustically-

NO amp, effects, etc. just a wooden fiddle and a bow.

http://www.bobbyyang.com/video/750kb.htm

 

Here is my pride and joy:

[david97434]

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ONLY ONE GUYS TALKED 4BOUTJHON PETTRUCI

 

nobody knows dreamtheater???

listen to hollow years men!!!!

[jdub123]

One person.......... ERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTONERIC CLAPTON

[j2nielsen]

Here is a vote for John Mayer - my generations guitar hero... if you don't think so catch "Neon" from the inside wants out album, anything from the Village Sessions or TRY!, or Lenny from the Any given Thursday album. Since I have never been a blues listener or have no clue who most people on this thread are, I thought I would let you know that This guy has shown me a new level of music with emotion and feeling that I didn't know existed until I saw him play live. I am sure there are many more living and past, but for me Mayer is king.

[KTgolf1]

Great suggestions everyone. Good to hear some 'lesser' known guitar heroes getting some credit. Personal favourites are Rory Gallagher and Pete Townsend. Roberto Y Gabriela are fantastic also, but there best moments tend to be their interpretations of other peoples songs, rather than their own compositions.

 

Also, I remember reading an article from some music mag where Townsend was recalling the preeminant discussion as to who was the best Guitar player in England in the late 60s. He of course was in with a shout, but Clapton was the popular choice. Then Hendrix showed up at the same music festival as Clapton and blew him away!

 

Also, good call on Prince for whoever mentioned him. The wee perv has always had some serious talent!

 

Who said Kurt Cobain? Dear god, the man was the personification of average!

 

For Bass players, I nominate Peter Hook of New Order/Joy Division - The Bass was the lead instrument for many of there best.

[DRGJR72]

I would say :

 

Jimmy Page

Clapton

Eddie Van Halen

Dimebag Daryll( Pantera)

Hendrix

Prince (or the artist formerly known as prince)

Bo Didley

Kirk Hammet (Metallica, One...out of control)

Joe Satriani

Jeff Beck

Carlos Santana

 

DG

[Sean2]

Roy Buchanon

Jeff Beck

[jpalm]

Mark Knopfler

[Jacksonnn]

I remember walking into my first guitar lesson in 1988....

 

Teacher: "Who's your favorite guitar player and if you say Slash close the door on your way out!"

 

 

Tony Iommi could also write a pretty decent riff considering the tops of his fingers got chopped off....