Best Guitarists EVER?

[Sequinox]

Well, in your opinion, who are the best guitarists ever? (Top five)

Really, pretty self explanatory.

My top five (not in any particular order):

Jimi Hendrix (Not a fan of his music, but can't deny his awesomeness as a guitarist)
Alex Lifeson (Self explanatory, if you've listened to much Rush)
John Frusciante (He's the Chili Peppers guitarist, and he's incredible. Not flashy, which is a good thing in my opinion, but try playing Under the Bridge. Much, much harder than it sounds. Plus, the layering...)
Steve Howe (Close to the Edge, Starship trooper)
Jack White (Technique, not so much. But he's incredible with the music he writes. Other than any song that references 'your mother.')

[toasty]

Generally speaking I've always been told that Steve Vai is the best guitarist in the world... I've never actually heard his work so I can't say from personal experience.

[JabberwockySupafly]

Pretty sure this has been done before, but if that thread still exists it would be an epic level necromantic spell that brings it back.

Top Five for me at the moment, and this is pure personal taste:

Joe Satriani
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Les Claypool (Bass is a guitar too)
Tim Sult
André Olbrich

[Froogleyboy]

Jimmi Hendrix (dont friggin question his awesomeness)
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Roger Waters (base is technicly a guitar)

[Mr. Mud]

Well first of all, I'd like to nominate my self as...

BESIDES WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN SAID:
John Petrucci
Chuck Berry
Duane Allman
Eric Clapton (really? No one said Clapton yet?)

[raitalin]

Hasn't been mentioned: Tom Morello

[CDR_Doom]

Doyle Dykes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT9eyWrUVpA&feature=related)

[Froogleyboy]

Hasn't been mentioned: Tom Morello

OMIGOSH! how could i forget him! He rocks.hard. and clapton, how dare I forget him!

[Catch]

1. Robert Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson_(musician))

There is no #2. If it wasn't for him, you'd all be listening to polka.

Edit: Forgot the relevant link.

[Froogleyboy]

1. Robert Johnson

There is no #2. If it wasn't for him, you'd all be listening to polka.

OH GOD! Well, I'm adding him to my pantheon

[Raistlin1040]

Technique wise, it's some shredder from Europe you've never heard of, I'm sure.

My personal favorites?

1. Mick Ronson
2. George Harrison
3. Randy Rhoads
4. David Gilmour
5. Joe Perry

[Innis Cabal]

What? No Yngwie Malmsteen.... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_Malmsteen)


You all make me sad.

[Shraik]

Pete Townshend because he is the best rhythm guitarist ever.

[Raistlin1040]

Keith Richards, man!

[TheBST]

What? No Yngwie Malmsteen.... (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yngwie_Malmsteen)


No. No Yngwie Malmsteen.

After Hendrix, it goes:

Jimmy Page
Django Reinhardt
John McLaughlin
Rory Gallagher

[The_JJ]

Hendrix. Clapton. Harrison I suppose. Page! Why not Townshend and Richards.

But mostly Hendrix.

And Page.

I've got a playlist that goes from Stairway to Little Wing to Ramble On to Sympathy for the Devil to Bold as Love (an insturmental version) to Reign Over Me to Wish You Were Here. And then assorted Beatles and Aqualung, for no real reason.

Hmm... I should add some Clapton to that.

Clapton version of Little Wing?

Ooo, I should add some Doors too.

[Pauwel]

My personal favourites:

David Gilmour
Robert Fripp
Jan Akkerman
Buckethead
Steve Vai

[SilverSheriff]

Angus McKinnon Young.

[averagejoe]

Wait, do you mean best guitarist, or the person who is best at playing guitar? Because if the former, I vote for Kyle Gass, just because he seems like he'd be a cool guy to hang out with. :smallwink:

Slightly more on topic, I've always quite liked the riffs of Carlos Santana. I don't know if he belongs on a top 5, but I think he at least bears mention at some point.

[Starscream]

In no particular order:

Jimi Hendrix
Yngwie Malmsteen
Kirk Hammett
Steve Vai
Eddie Van Halen
Les Claypool

[Jalor]

In no particular order...

John McLaughlin
Buckethead
Frank Zappa
Joe Satriani
Sean Lane

[Mr. Mud]

Hasn't been mentioned: Tom Morello

He's a decent guitarist but... not top 10 or 15 worth, in my opinion.

[Rawhide]

Not listing a top 5, just wanted to throw a spanner in the works.

This is Andy Mckee. He's better than you are at guitar. (http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1732031)

[Woot Spitum]

Joe Satriani
Frank Zappa
Billy Gibbons
Eddie Van Halen
Eric Clapton
Stevie Ray Vaughn

I put Satriani at the top, but the others in no particular order.

[raitalin]

He's a decent guitarist but... not top 10 or 15 worth, in my opinion.

If your talking about technical ability, maybe not. If you're talking about his Hendrix-esque ability to coax incredible sounds from his instrument while constantly forging into unexplored musical territory and expanding the definition of what playing guitar means, then yeah, I put him in the top 5.

Of course I'm largely referring to his RATM work here, Audioslave was too small a box for him.

[RabbitHoleLost]

:: pops her head in::
In no particular order, just mah top five

-Jimi Hendrix
-George Harrison
-Eric Clapton
-Joe Perry

I don't have a fifth off the top of my head.
Now, I'll note that I'm not exactly an expert in the world of guitars. These are just those who's guitar work I enjoy.

[Moff Chumley]

In no particular order:
Frank Zappa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-cEkk-n8OA)-One of the most innovative, intelligent, demanding, and technically skilled guitarists and composers of all time. His work spanned genres from classical to jazz to prog rock to pop, and his bands included greats of all of those genres.
Adrian Belew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gan1keOg9e8&feature=related)-As well as being a fantastic singer and composer, Adrian played for David Bowie, Frank Zappa, and Robert Fripp. He has a couple of stories along the lines of "Well, David played me this guitar track, and I played it back for him. Then he said, "Faster," And I did it. The he said "7/8," and I did it. Then he told me the original track was reversed. And then he hired me".
Steve Vai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnjLyfj8nAg)-Do I even need a reason? The only "shredder" to merge soul and technique truly effectively.
Jeff Beck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ej3BdMpgZw)-The perennially under-appreciated corner of the Yardbirds trio (Which makes sense, considering the other two were Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton), and I still think the most talented of the three. He has more soul and talent than both of them put together, and a much more prolific career.
I don't know who the fifth one is.

[RabbitHoleLost]

Jeff Beck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ej3BdMpgZw)-The perennially under-appreciated corner of the Yardbirds trio (Which makes sense, considering the other two were Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton), and I still think the most talented of the three. He has more soul and talent than both of them put together, and a much more prolific career.


I can't believe I forgot him o.o

[thorgrim29]

Hum..... Hendrix of course, John Prettrucci (also John Myung from the same band for the base guitar), Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Tom Morello (No 1 in the "torturing of guitar" category), Buckethead. And yes Rawhide, he is better then me, I don't even know enough guitar to get laid (http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1904510).

I like Metallica as much as the next guy, but Kirk Hammet doesn't belong here IMO.

[valadil]

Roger Waters (base is technicly a guitar)

It's also spelled bass and Roger Waters was considered barely competent. The man could write but not play. And this is coming from a huge Floyd fan.

My three favorite guitarists are Andre Olbrich, Alex Lifeson, and David Gilmour. I'm still trying to figure out why Alex gets ragged on so much. He's perfectly competent. Just because he's less technical than Geddy or Neil is not cause for all the hate.

[Decoy Lockbox]

My five favorite:

Shinichi Ishikawa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfRGvrfdpds)
Chuck Schuldiner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGmWLQPQmDY)
Tommy T. Baron (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euq2QBPb6HE#t=2m10s)
Jimmy Page (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmIMnAk5Noo&feature=related)
Mohammed Suicmez (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SRD6mjrUMo#t=3m5s)

It should be noted that I have that last clip as my wake-up alarm on my cellphone, and I still haven't gotten tired of it, despite hearing it every morning for the last 2 years.

[eidreff]

No classical guitarists mentioned so far, so I will add John Williams to the list.

Also Andres Segovia was quite a reasonable player.

[leafman]

I'm surprised Eddie Van Halen has only gotten two mentions so far, have so few people heard Eruption (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEBSxP725w)?

[Linkavitch]

My first list is really famous people: Eddie Van Halen, Jimmy Hendrix, Herman Li (I don't care if they sped TtFaF up or not, it's still awesome) whoever wrote Cliffs of Dovr or whatever it's called from Guitar Hero III, Angus Young, and the guy from Metallica.

Next list is from bands I like that aren't as well known:
Ben Kasica (Skillet, check out Whispers in the Dark)
Joseph Milligan (Anberlin, Godspeed/ Feel Good Drag)
Nick Hipa (As I Lay Dying, Comfort Betrays/ The Sound of Truth)

[Raistlin1040]

In no particular order:
Frank Zappa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-cEkk-n8OA)-One of the most innovative, intelligent, demanding, and technically skilled guitarists and composers of all time. His work spanned genres from classical to jazz to prog rock to pop, and his bands included greats of all of those genres.
Adrian Belew (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gan1keOg9e8&feature=related)-As well as being a fantastic singer and composer, Adrian played for David Bowie, Frank Zappa, and Robert Fripp. He has a couple of stories along the lines of "Well, David played me this guitar track, and I played it back for him. Then he said, "Faster," And I did it. The he said "7/8," and I did it. Then he told me the original track was reversed. And then he hired me".
Steve Vai (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnjLyfj8nAg)-Do I even need a reason? The only "shredder" to merge soul and technique truly effectively.
Jeff Beck (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ej3BdMpgZw)-The perennially under-appreciated corner of the Yardbirds trio (Which makes sense, considering the other two were Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton), and I still think the most talented of the three. He has more soul and talent than both of them put together, and a much more prolific career.
I don't know who the fifth one is.

I like Jeff Beck a lot, he'd likely be in my top 10. Adrian Belew...I'd put Robert Fripp above him, but he'd be up there as well.

[skywalker]

No classical guitarists mentioned so far, so I will add John Williams to the list.

Also Andres Segovia was quite a reasonable player.

Django counts.

My top 5, in a particular order:
1. Eric Clapton - Yes he beats out Hendrix. Not quite the psychedelic soundscapes Hendrix could produce, but his breadth of technique is staggering.
2. Jimi Hendrix - Could make sounds you never even thought of come out of that guitar. Machine Gun is his best work in this regard, IMO. He probably would've beat out Clapton if he'd lived.
3. Duane Allman - "Southern Rock is a redundant term, like "rock rock." That's a quote from Duane's brother Gregg. Slide guitar is like a completely different instrument. Would contend if he too had lived.
4. Keith Richards - Because sometimes guitar really is about dirty rhythms and getting laid.
5. Jimmy Page - A visionary in a completely different way from Hendrix.

Summary: I like a bunch of dead and/or old guys. I mean, there are some people who are young that I like, but they can't make the top 5 yet...


I'm surprised Eddie Van Halen has only gotten two mentions so far, have so few people heard Eruption (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEBSxP725w)?

Meh.


My three favorite guitarists are Andre Olbrich, Alex Lifeson, and David Gilmour. I'm still trying to figure out why Alex gets ragged on so much. He's perfectly competent. Just because he's less technical than Geddy or Neil is not cause for all the hate.

It's because most Rush fans are in it for the technicality. I mean, let's face it, unless you share Peart's political sensibilities, you're unlikely to be stirred by the lyrics. I happen to enjoy technicality and Peart's political sensibilities, so I'm just a step ahead. However, the fact that Lifeson can even keep up is amazing.

[Narmoth]

Of the lesser known (now): Uli Jon Roth (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llJKwvcP5qQ), played for Scorpions in the 70s.

[Hannes]

I like Iced Earth's Jon Schaffer, for his great right hand technique and songwriting skills, but that's just my opinion.

[valadil]

It's because most Rush fans are in it for the technicality. I mean, let's face it, unless you share Peart's political sensibilities, you're unlikely to be stirred by the lyrics. I happen to enjoy technicality and Peart's political sensibilities, so I'm just a step ahead. However, the fact that Lifeson can even keep up is amazing.

I like Peart's writing 95% of the time. I don't always care for the message, but the way he says it is usually clever and interesting.

What I love about Rush is that they can be technical without loss of soul. I find Dream Theater hard to listen to because to me they only sound technical.

[Nameless]

Well, in your opinion, who are the best guitarists ever? (Top five)

Really, pretty self explanatory.

My top five (not in any particular order):

Jimi Hendrix (Not a fan of his music, but can't deny his awesomeness as a guitarist)
Alex Lifeson (Self explanatory, if you've listened to much Rush)
John Frusciante (He's the Chili Peppers guitarist, and he's incredible. Not flashy, which is a good thing in my opinion, but try playing Under the Bridge. Much, much harder than it sounds. Plus, the layering...)
Steve Howe (Close to the Edge, Starship trooper)
Jack White (Technique, not so much. But he's incredible with the music he writes. Other than any song that references 'your mother.')

Jimmy Page? Alexi Lahio? Steve Vai? Eric Johnson? D:

[Jalor]

I like Peart's writing 95% of the time. I don't always care for the message, but the way he says it is usually clever and interesting.

What I love about Rush is that they can be technical without loss of soul. I find Dream Theater hard to listen to because to me they only sound technical.

True, his writing is consistently good. Except for Dog Years.

But still, he hasn't written anything political since, what, A Farewell To Kings?

[skywalker]

I like Peart's writing 95% of the time. I don't always care for the message, but the way he says it is usually clever and interesting.

What I love about Rush is that they can be technical without loss of soul. I find Dream Theater hard to listen to because to me they only sound technical.

I will agree with that. It's harder for some people to find soul in a message they don't agree with, however.


True, his writing is consistently good. Except for Dog Years.

But still, he hasn't written anything political since, what, A Farewell To Kings?

Permanent Waves was three years later, rather political as a whole, and there have been smatterings since. I think he just got a bit more figurative about it.

[Jalor]

Permanent Waves was three years later, rather political as a whole, and there have been smatterings since. I think he just got a bit more figurative about it.
Freewill was one song. Not enough to make the album "rather political". Sure, there aren't many songs on Permanent Waves, but only one is political at all.

[DraPrime]

John Petrucci


Very much so. John Petrucci is simply god, and there is no debating it. Now as far as rhythm guitarists go, I'd like to nominate John Schaffer. That man is...incredible.

Oh yeah, and Marty Friedman is also fantastic. It's a shame that no one has mentioned him yet.

[Nevrmore]

Five words:

Com. For. Ta. Bly. Numb.

[Jinura]

Well here are my favorites.

Hendrix is the old guitar spirits possessing a man ( now that's stupid! )
Jimmy Page A lot of Zeppelins stuff is insanely hard to play, IMO and he's just awesome.
Brian May Maybe not top 5 stuff, but still being insane Queen fan and he's done some pretty awesome guitar playing.
Eric Clapton Like his some of his music, and pretty damn good guitarist.
George Harrison One of the more underrated guitarists.

[Nameless]

:smallfurious:
Five words:

Com. For. Ta. Bly. Numb.

Best. Solo. EVER.

[Killer Angel]

Agree on many names (Hendrix, Clapton, Vay, etc).
Add another still unmentioned (seems strange to me): Mark Knopfler.

[Narmoth]

Agree on many names (Hendrix, Clapton, Vay, etc).
Add another still unmentioned (seems strange to me): Mark Knopfler.

Mostly because he's a much better composer than he's a great guitarist.
He is good enough to play what he composes, but his technical skills aren't really comparable to more technical guitarists like steve vai or yngvie malmsteen.

[Siosilvar]

C'mon, 49 posts and nobody's mentioned David Evans/The Edge?

[Killer Angel]

Mostly because he's a much better composer than he's a great guitarist.
He is good enough to play what he composes, but his technical skills aren't really comparable to more technical guitarists like steve vai

Agree on this, it's amazing when plays Dire Straits' songs, but technically imo it's not even (probably) in the top ten.
Also: the discussion is only on technique, or involves also the badassery on stage?
'cause in this case, Angus Young is definitely worth a mention...

[Sequinox]

Well, not only technical skill, I guess I should mention, because then Jack White wouldn't make the list. But how much you like their work and the writing piece is just as important as how technical they are.

I guess I should say that I didn't mention Van Halen because I really don't like the music I've head by them. Incredible guitar playing is not the only factor in a song. (Emphasis on THAT I'VE HEARD BY THEM; I'm sure there's some stuff that I'll like... I wanna hear some of their spacy music, as I've only heard their first few albums.)

[Sequinox]

C'mon, 49 posts and nobody's mentioned David Evans/The Edge?

He nearly made my list...

[Matticus]

Top of my list is John Petrucci.
Honestly, I saw a G3 video with him and Satriani playing. Satriani played his guitar amazingly well; Petrucci did it better and looked effortless about it.
The rest: Eric Johnson, Tom Morello, and I think this guy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Gildenlöw) is pretty good.

[smellie_hippie]

David Gilmour: His solos are the most amazing sounds, especially since he writes them vocally rather than technically. Making a guitar sing is a beautiful thing...

Stevie Ray Vaughn: One of the greatest blues guitarists to ever live. I personally think his covers of Jimi hendrix songs were better than Jimi's...

B.B. King: another of the greatest blues gutarists to ever live.

Eric Clapton: Electric or acoustic, this man just has it down.

Trey Anastasio: I love his improvisational work. You don't have to love phish for their lyrics... they're garbage. But this man's guitar work is phenominal.

[skywalker]

Technical skill is totally overrated.


Stevie Ray Vaughn: One of the greatest blues guitarists to ever live. I personally think his covers of Jimi hendrix songs were better than Jimi's...

The problem, of course, being that SRV never would've had a clue those sounds existed if Jimi hadn't made them first. I'm a big SRV fan as well, but you gotta respect the originator. SRV was also recording with better equipment, in an environment that was more conducive to minute long solos, etc.

But yes, SRV's Little Wing, along with Voodoo Child (or Chile or whichever) is better, strictly speaking.