Homepage Forums Guitar Discussion Guitar 15 Best Guitarists

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  • #35492
    talljackhole
    Participant

    Heres the top 5 best guitarists ever in my opinion followed by ten more in no order
    1. Jimi Hendrix
    2. Steve Vai
    3. Joe Satriani
    4. Steve Ray Vaughan
    5. Eric Clapton
    Jeff Beck
    Frank Zappa
    Jimmy Page
    Randy Rhoads
    Eric Johnson
    John McLaughlin
    Frank Marino
    Eddie Van Halen
    Ingwie Malmsteen
    Adrian Belew

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    • #66229
      lee_UK
      Participant

      [quote=”1bassleft”]I had no idea Lee worked with Brian Eno. Third Uncle is a fave of mine; is that Lee’s SG I hear :?:[/quote]

      I would never air my SG for Eno.

    • #66218
      bandarito
      Participant

      Andy Timmons and Adrian Vandenberg should be on my list. They are among the under rated guitarists but they are one of the bests

    • #66197
      1bassleft
      Participant

      I had no idea Lee worked with Brian Eno. Third Uncle is a fave of mine; is that Lee’s SG I hear ❓

    • #66211
      Michael
      Participant

      Remember when I said David Byrne and Lee had an emotional breakdown?

      Speaking of which, you can listen to his and Eno’s new album at http://www.everythingthathappens.com/

      I saw over on HC a thread about ‘Which Of Today’s Artists Will Be Tomorrow’s Influences?‘… worth a loook.

      Random picks from that thread:

      Death Cab for Cutie
      Flaming Lips
      Jack White
      John Mayer

    • #66227
      1bassleft
      Participant

      For some reason, Gilmour is mentioned extensively in this thread (certainly by me) and yet the typeface is invisible. Trust me, the Floydster has often, and deservedly, been credited.

    • #66213
      StarcasterMan
      Participant

      Hello! Joe Satriani is much better than Vai, although Vai is still awesome. The Satch taught Vai!

    • #66210
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Did anyone mention new kid on the block Joe Bonamassa?

      And Billy Gibbo was metnioned on page 6 by someone, im sure Gilmour was too.

    • #66201
      mtbrider59
      Participant

      Whoops, forgot about where it all started- the blues so the list should also include: Robert Johnso, Muddy &BB.

    • #66181
      mtbrider59
      Participant

      Amazing to me that I didn’t see anywhere in this thread mention of:
      Billy Gibbons, supposedly Hendrix’s favorite
      David Gillmour-just take a listen to Wish you were here or Dark side
      either of the Boss’s playing mates: Little Stevie, or Nils

      or for a total unknown but unbelievable shredder try Ry Kihn(yes Greg’s son )

    • #66207
      Tim
      Participant

      Completely personal opinion but I Youtubed him and, seems kick-ass, not fast in comparison to the usual G3 fodder but more emotive…working with Jonas Hellborg helped of course…again not my style but he has his own range of Warwick…everything! and he’s rather good too.

    • #66177
      knekkas
      Participant

      I think it has to be something in the nordic air. Did you know that IA Eklundh from Freak Kitchen is considered for a G3-tour? Check http://www.guitarizmo.com, a site seemingly under construction, but boy can he play!

      //Steve

    • #66175
      DRockMonolith
      Participant

      These are my top 15

      Shawn Lane
      Jimi Hendrix
      Paul Gilbert
      John Petrucci
      Yngwie Malmsteen
      Michael Angelo Batio
      Rusty Cooley
      Guthrie Govan
      Goncalo Pereira
      Steve Vai
      Tony McAlpine
      Steve Morse
      Shane Gibson
      Paul Waggoner
      Michael Romeo

    • #66216
      Pat McCunny
      Participant

      [quote=”Michael”]Cheers Pat, just spent half the morning browsing Dave’s pick of the month section 🙂

      RawBlues, not really my thing but undoubtedly fine stuff.[/quote]

      Glad you liked it Michael, it’s a good site. I love the Fano, and the Schecter Telecaster interested me, being a bit of a telecasterphile. I didn’t list my guitarists in my last post so here goes:

      The XTC boys
      Zappa (the Shut Up N Play Yer Guitar albums are fantastic)
      Johnny Marr
      Pete Townsend (I love the white jumpsuit/burgundy SG era – circa 68/69 – Woodstock/Isle Of White) his stage prescence was amazing.

    • #66208
      Michael
      Participant

      Gilmour usually gets in by default, because who can deny he isn’t in the best. So you will find people ignore him sometimes in these sorts of polls to give the underdogs a chance. Rightfully so.

      Some fool even suggested David Byrne deserved to be in back in the day…

    • #66172
      silasvb
      Participant

      here’s my top five.
      1. Izzy Stradlin
      2. Joe Perry
      3. David Gilmour
      4. John Squire
      5. john Fruciante
      I cant believe how few people have mentioned Glimour (who is usually right at the top at these sorts of lists) and also i think that John Squirte (Stone Roses) is completely under rated (listen to the slide work for ‘love spreads’)

    • #66231
      1bassleft
      Participant
    • #66185
      allbros1a
      Participant

      My 15 favs… let me see, other than the obvious, let me see, Clapton, Beck,Hendrix, Page, J.Mclauglin, Carlos, Roy Buchanan, SRV, Duane Allman, Dickey Betts, Robet Fripp, Lary Carlton, Pat Metheny,and last but not least is a player out of Atlanta. His name is Barry Richman. When any of the living players hit Ga. , this guy is there. If you EVER GET THE CHACE YOU NEED TO CATCH THIS MAN. HE IS JUST UNBELIEVEBLE. He is the guitars players player. Check him out without fail. Allbros1a

    • #66215
      noodle69
      Participant

      no particular order – and this is just my faves that i listen to :

      zappa
      carl bowry
      django rheinhardt
      satriani
      john butler
      steve hillage
      vai
      eddie hazel
      hendrix
      frank iommi
      santana
      mike keneally
      john squire
      jonny marr
      eddie stevens

      oh yeah and there’s me !! 😈

    • #66225
      Michael
      Participant

      Cheers Pat, just spent half the morning browsing Dave’s pick of the month section 🙂

      RawBlues, not really my thing but undoubtedly fine stuff.

    • #66214
      Rawblues
      Participant

      To me, Paco de Lucia is the best in any genre. For those who don’t know, he’s a flamenco guitarist, and I can’t think of anybody alive or dead who has bettered him. Right-click and “save as” this link to have a listen if you’re interested.

      http://avi.alkalay.net/music/Paco_De_Lucia_-_Monasterio_De_Sal.mp3

      I was lucky enough to see him playing this one (note perfect) about 15 years ago. Made me feel like burning my guitar!!

    • #66206
      Pat McCunny
      Participant

      [quote=”bcinematic”]Most of my Top 5 are based more on their amazing songwriting abilities and uber-solid rhythm playing than their “shredding” talent – though most of them have laid down some tasty solos over their careers (though it is doubtful any of them would have been described as “shred”). Again, as others have said in previous posts, there are 1001 ways to describe “best,” these are my highly subjective picks:

      1. Paul Weller (The Jam, Style Council, solo)
      2. Andy Partridge (XTC)
      3. Bernard Butler (Suede)
      4. Bill Frisell (monster avant-garde creative genuis…and nice guy)
      5. The Edge – definitely NOT a “shredder,” but truly original.[/quote]

      It’s nice to see Andy Partridge getting a mention as he is one of the most underated and imaginative guitarist/composers around. But let’s not forget AP’s fellow XTC guitarist Dave Gregory who added some wonderful touches and solos (check out the ‘old-fashioned’ one in the Oranges and Lemons track ‘Pink Thing’ or the screeching stratospheric one in Nonsuch’s ‘That Wave’ and to hear them duelling with their very distinct sounds listen to the end of the Nonsuch track ‘Books are Burning’). I could list scores of must hear XTC tracks but I advise anyone not familiar with them to check them out. By the way Dave Gregory has a great guitar site at http://www.guitargonauts.com where he has photos and discussions about his vast array of guitars. It is interesting reading if you are into that sort of thing. He hs some real beauties.

    • #66183
      SolPhilcox
      Participant

      I think the time when one gets the ‘telecaster bug’ is about the same time one realises that steve vai is NOT the greatest guitarist in the world because he can play 21 notes in a second. Heres my list for anyone who cares:

      1) Stevie ray vaughan
      2) Jimi Hendrix
      3) Prince/The Artist
      4) Brent Mason
      5) Paul Gilbert
      6) David Gilmour
      7) Billy Corgan
      8) Robben Ford
      9) Albet Lee
      10) BB King

      Whoever thinks Prince is mediocre (you know who you are) you need a reality check. I dont think you have heard th unreleased ‘undertaker’ Cd In which the great (little) man Lets rip with The NPG. No keyboards, No female backing singers, No 80s electro pop just Bass, drums Prince, his incredible voice and picking blues chops of doom. I doubt this wont put a smile on the face of any guitarist no matter how experienced.

      Listen you knobites!

    • #66223
      mrblanche
      Member

      Just had an interesting read-through of this thread. OK, I’ll admit to not knowing a lot of the younger guys, so I won’t pass any judgment there.

      Keith Richards is obviously still doing it, although now he’s just doing it on 5 strings and an open G.

      John Lennon described himself as “just a rhythmer.” Probably accurate.

      I saw David Gilmour mentioned, and I think he’s very good. He admits himself to a “lack of technique,” but I think he’s about as good as they come in using a melodic line to put the finish on a song.

      Ah, and Chet Atkins. Someone said in the 50’s and 60’s there was little instructional material, but heaven knows he did plenty of it, and taught a generation to play guitar. And he was still capable of holding his own; if you haven’t heard the album “Neck and Neck” with Chet and Mark Knopfler, then you haven’t heard guitarists having fun.

      And speaking of Knopfler…was he mentioned yet?

    • #66167
      Powerslave214
      Participant

      For me, Joe Satriani takes the #1 spot. WAAAYYYYY too many people dismiss him as just being a shredder. His melodies are killer.

      But….

      There are some rather damned good players not yet mentioned here.

      Alan Holdsworth

      Ty Tabor

      And for heaven’s sake, no mention of either Steve Morse or Alex Lifeson? 😯

    • #66203
      glw
      Participant

      [quote=”lee_UK”]… but Poison Ivy from The Cramps??? have you gone mad!! 😆 The Cramps!!!![/quote]

      She’s great at what she does, that whole Rockabilly thing. Sure, she plays some simple licks but they’re very effective.

      Beats the Shite Whipes any day.

    • #66209
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Great choices from bcinematic and glw, i like the 5 from bcinematic, Paul Weller is my all time Fav artist but not guitarist, i grew up with The Jam and saw them live on 2 occasions and was into the whole Jam scene in the mid 70’s to early 80’s, he’s a fantastic song writer but wouldnt be in my top players, and glw Mick Ronson ex spider, was a great guitarist, but Poison Ivy from The Cramps??? have you gone mad!! 😆 The Cramps!!!!

    • #66221
      HigherPerspective
      Participant

      What ever happened to Angus young?

    • #66169
      glw
      Participant

      I’m not really into all the obvious yawn-worthy players. Guitarists I like include:

      Bill Nelson
      Adrian Belew (King Crimson, Bowie, etc)
      Captain Sensible (The Damned)
      Daniel Ash (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets)
      Wayne Kramer (MC5)
      Jan Akkerman
      Mick Ronson
      Poison Ivy (The Cramps)
      Doggen (Julian Cope, Brain Donor)
      Marc Bolan
      Link Wray
      Dick Dale

      and probably quite a few others who I’ll think of later and say “Oh yeah…”

    • #66199
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Prince no better than Noel Gallagher? Ouch, Lee, even I play better than Noel – without switching to a 6-string 😆 . HST, I don´t think that TAFKAPNKAPA would make many top 15s. Johnny Marr is a decent call, though. I love that acoustic arpeggio he did for an “Electronic” song that was, I think, called “For You”.

    • #66195
      bcinematic
      Participant

      Most of my Top 5 are based more on their amazing songwriting abilities and uber-solid rhythm playing than their “shredding” talent – though most of them have laid down some tasty solos over their careers (though it is doubtful any of them would have been described as “shred”). Again, as others have said in previous posts, there are 1001 ways to describe “best,” these are my highly subjective picks:

      1. Paul Weller (The Jam, Style Council, solo)
      2. Andy Partridge (XTC)
      3. Bernard Butler (Suede)
      4. Bill Frisell (monster avant-garde creative genuis…and nice guy)
      5. The Edge – definitely NOT a “shredder,” but truly original.

    • #66224
      vitaminE
      Participant

      Not to be overlooked – J. Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age are far more creative and talented than some of the guys listed in the previous 8 pages. Also despite having gone totally insane and despite having recently produced a bunch of questionable material, Dave Navarro circa Jane’s Addiction was an outstanding guitarist.

    • #66173
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Prince?? thats pushing it a bit, he’s very mediocre, on the same level as Noel Gallagher, look at the post heading it says ’15 Best Guitarists’ i can think of a couple of thousand that come before Prince, including myself! 😆

    • #66226
      gazzla
      Member

      We can’t forget johnny marr from the smiths -he shyed away from doing solos but that was his appeal.
      mark knophlor is also a ledgend in a different context.
      jerry garcia- now theres a gutarist.

      This is a corny one but i always thought Prince to be under-rated. 😉

    • #66179
      BLS_Berserker
      Participant

      [quote=”aeromaniac”]hey just confirming,
      did anybody utter the name zakk wylde?? and many unsung heroes are there, phil collen of def leppard is one unsung hero. some minor names come to mind, tracii guns, vince neil also.[/quote]

      Yeah on the 4th page, Zakk’s in the top 5 in my book. Some times I think people just don’t like him out of envy or something. Picking up a guitar at 15 and playing for Ozzy at 19, I think there are what, 0 people that have done something like that besides him. No one is realy talking about current hero’s like the late Dimebag Darrel, one mentino of John Petruccie(how ever it’s spelled) Alexi Laiho, and Not much on Randy Rhoads, or Toni Iommi and he had fake finger tips, and frankly invented heavy metal. Glad to see Micheal Angelo Bato was noticed.

    • #66189
      aeromaniac
      Participant

      hey just confirming,
      did anybody utter the name zakk wylde?? and many unsung heroes are there, phil collen of def leppard is one unsung hero. some minor names come to mind, tracii guns, vince neil also.

    • #66200
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Whatever Michael plays can be considered to be ‘Shredding’ like you say, its very fast playing/picking.

    • #66010
      aeromaniac
      Participant

      hey lee fine lol i never knew about michaels wig woh oh, anyway sorry for asking but what is shredding? i guess its speed picking, and what is widdling and spandex approach pls lemme know brother cause i might have different terminologies in my mind for them.

      ram

    • #66040
      next_2_nothing
      Participant

      Chris Cheney from The Living End
      Brian Zetser from The Stray Cats
      i rekon they are awesome

    • #66014
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Hey Aeromaniac ive been banging the drum for Michael Angelo for weeks and weeks on here, check out his own website on http://www.angelo.com he’s a real deal shredder, nobody can widdle like michael.
      (have you also checked out his wig??, he is as bald as a coot under that artificial fluffy beaver).
      I dont normaly go for shredding but i like Michael for his Spandex approach to the world of widdlers, he never lost the faith and he never ever hung up his cod peice. Respect. 😆

    • #66031
      aeromaniac
      Participant

      hey lee uk, before u say ” a good call on the rest” especially Joe Perry, now u say he is “right up there” thanks for the respect, and i recommend all the users to get to know about these guys if they already dont know “scott morris” u can see him in http://www.guitartabbooks.com , micheal angelo battio u can see his works in http://www.metalmethod.com and u can also search for his own sites in http://www.google.com as well has a hell of a lotta guitarist archives in http://www.stetina.com

      bye
      ram

    • #66035
      rayc
      Participant

      Since the topic does not say that it is restricted to one genre, how about Chet Atkins and Merle Travis? Has anyone mentioned Jeff Baxter?

    • #66028
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Joe Perry is well up there, also we havent mentioned Rich Robinson of the Black Crows, and once again Gilmour, because he deserves more than 3 mentions.

    • #66038
      aeromaniac
      Participant

      [quote=”lee_UK”]aeromaniac, we hang our heads in shame… 😥
      i think Slash was mentioned but a very good call on the rest, especialy Joe Perry.[/quote]

      I THINK U havent heard joe perry enough he replaced richie blackmore as the top guitarist when get ur wings was released in 1972 and can dish out both normal and slide guitar well and even slash was influenced by him and jimmy page highly rates him, so no doubt and ur the only one who feels, the whole blue army is behind him.
      amen

    • #66029
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Nope, Alexis wasn’t “up there”, but a great student and, as you say, champion of British blues. The thing I liked about him was; 60-something, radio DJ, but he’d still do “Bridge Street Arts Centre” somewhere in the Midlands and play and talk.

      If I may skew off-topic, I get fed up with bands “exhausted” after playing maybe 7 dates in a country. All at ‘binoculars’ arenas, £60 a ticket. I remember bands playing the venue in your home town. You didn’t get a coach, you didn’t pay more than a tenner, and you had a reasonable chance of stealing a dropped plectrum and displaying the ‘trophy’ to all your mates at school/college the next day.

      Kinks, Hawkwind, etc etc. Happy memories. OK, rant over. 😳

    • #66006
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Alexis was also the champion for the Rolling Stones, (not too sure about his inclusion into the Best guitarists though) without him there would have been no Greatest rock’n’roll band in the world, i think i bust a button on my trousers, hope they dont fall down, you dont want my trousers to fall down now do you? and if there was no stones then there wouldnt have been a Johnny Depp character for pirates of the carribean, a crackingly funny swashbuckling romp for all the family, and i beleive the riffmaster Keef makes an apearance in Pirates 2?

      And, whay has nobody mentioned HANK MARVIN??
      (incoming…baton down the hatches)

    • #66041
      1bassleft
      Participant

      As the pages of this thread roll nicely along, I (re?)mention someone for two good reasons:

      1) He made the entirety of Metallica do that “Ooh, look – it’s him” schoolboy thing.
      2) Beavis + Butthead made no sarky comments but just air-guitared through “Paranoid”

      Tony Iommi, of course. Oh, Reasons to be Respectful (part 3); I have a variant of the Laney Supergroup head. A fine amp that’s ludicrously cheaper than the Marshall Plexi (and almost as good).

      A mention to Alexis Korner, whom I had the pleasure of watching before he died. A great blues player, but also a man who did for blues on British radio what John Peel did for punk/”alternative”. Hard to believe that BBC radio had a slot (albeit Sunday night) for blues, but they did back in the 70s and early 80s. The show went with him, sadly.

    • #66045
      lee_UK
      Participant

      aeromaniac, we hang our heads in shame… 😥
      i think Slash was mentioned but a very good call on the rest, especialy Joe Perry.

    • #66036
      aeromaniac
      Participant

      well well, i respect the best guitarist list but how can anyone forget,
      Joe Perry Of Aerosmith and brad whitford,
      and Slash of GNR
      and rudy schenker of the scorpions
      and richie sambora of bon jovi

    • #66015
      bulsara
      Participant

      Being an Aussie I have to mention Angus Young. May we never forget Bon!!!

    • #66024
      1bassleft
      Participant

      😆 Yep, 1965, but quite a bit to the SE of London, Lee. Perhaps you were found at the rail station, in a handbag (wrt Oscar Wilde) 🙂 ❓

      If we were separated at birth, I suspect it would be the “6+4” model. I was the one, two strings short of a full set, that nobody took any notice of unless I actually unplugged and went home (“where’d the bass go?” 😆 ).

      If I didn’t mention Ronson here, I have in a “Marshall Major” thread. The guy needed a 200W valve Marshall – ’nuff said. Anyhoo, swapping my bottleneck and dead dog for a bobble-hat and tar-encrusted bong, here’s another name:

      Steve Hillage. Not, I know, the most gifted of technicians and – if you don’t like a tape echo – a real, “You’re kidding” candidate, but bear with me. Immense influence amongst the beard-sporters, always accompanied by great musicians, wonderful loops and riffs (“The Glorious Om Riff” – top title, man) and, with the four-disc “Live Hillage” album, one of the very best live recordings committed to vinyl. I put Hillage on the tape player on a college coach back from London. All these wedgy-haired Flock-of-Seagulls types walking up the aisles saying “Who’s this playing, it’s brilliant!” I was dying for a pic of the kaftan-clad hairy goon to frighten their fashion sensibilities with 😛

    • #66008
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Oh and has anyone mentioned Mick Ronson??? (Bowie-Ziggy era) and also Mick Ralphs and Paul Kossof? and then of course Gary Moore?

    • #66033
      lee_UK
      Participant

      How come you are the only one that can read my humour Bass? maybe we were twins seperated at birth, kind of a Double neck Zepelin SG split down the middle to create 2 great guitars! of course i would have been the 6 string with the higher output potted pickups in standard wiring mainly played on the bridge, whilst you would have been the mellower middle of the road liberal 12 string, all jingly jangly and happy go lucky, pickups reverse wound… 😆 …
      was you born in Bow East London in 1965??

    • #66017
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Don’t panic 😯 , Lee was having a joke swap and I was half expecting some serious buckets of dung over my head 🙂 . HST, did my US cousins get treated to BM’s “Everything I do is Driven by You” song, taken from a Ford car ad? Sortof Queen with a ‘failed audition’ singer vibe.

      No, I’m only gently knocking Brian. For those interested in the tone, which is distinctive (and I don’t mean that in a “wearing a fez in the supermarket” way) it might be worth a look at http://www.watfordvalves.com and clicking on the ‘test reports’ for the EL84/6bq5 valves/tubes. BM got quite involved in their testing as his uber-boost on the treble puts them under a lot of strain. Quite interesting for valve-nerds like me.

      Also, hanging around the library, I picked up some guitar book with a subjective “50 best guitarists” chapter. Many already mentioned here (gratifying to see Joe Pass and Pat Metheny mentioned – not all blues/rock) but one or two I smacked my forehead and thought “Gawd, yeah, shoulda mentioned him!”

      Wrinkly old guys like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker (really like JLH’s output right from his beginings) but also… Robert Cray. How come I forgot him? I remember listening to some Clapton concert in the car and I kept saying to Mrs Bass “That other guy’s the d’s b’s – sounds like Robert Cray.” Mrs Bass reckoned he was much the better player. Sure enough, after a while, EC introduces Cray to the audience. Considering how little time I listen to that stuff, it says a bit that I could pick him out so quickly.

    • #66021
      canajian
      Participant

      I have been impressed over the years with Many guitar players.. everyone on your list has special gifts…
      There are MANY more… Lately I`ve been impressed with Brian Setzers chops…

    • #66030
      bulsara
      Participant

      Well said!! 😀

    • #66039
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Although i think he is a great guitarist he also just cant let the ‘Queen’ thing go, it’s like he is desperatly trying to hold on to the former glory days, and keeps regurgitating old records into new ‘Queen collections’ i think he and Freddy Mercury were Queen, and when Freddy died he had nothing left to say, and without doubt the best Queen era was Pre-Live aid, most of the stuff that came after that in my opinion was bland.
      I have seen Brian May do a guitar clinic a couple of years back, and he really is a great player, he explained between him and his guitar tech how he got his sound, it was very interesting, and he is a great player, and i think queen were a great band up until Live Aid.

    • #65993
      bulsara
      Participant

      Please guys and gals no more bickering, just appreciate Brian May for what he is, a great guitarist/songwriter who had the privilege to work with Freddie, Roger and John.

    • #65995
      lee_UK
      Participant

      That man (Brian May) is a tonal genius, his tone is unique and instantly recognisable, how could you describe his tone as ‘immense, sucking noise’ ? he is the rock of British Rock, the constant, everything about him breathes Rock, his hair, guitar, Vox Amps, Delays, Black drainpipe trousers, waitcoat and cloggs, i think you need to retract that statement Bass, before it gets you into deep trouble. 😆

    • #66022
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Back in the early days of that ‘heated’ discussion about tone, I said something like,

      “Surely you can’t mean anyone who gets a Red Special and a Top Boost AC30 will immediately sound like Brian May?”

      I was too chicken to follow it up with, “If you could step on a pedal that produced an immense, sucking noise – THEN you’ve nailed the Brian May sound 😆 ”

      but I’ve just done it here. Running for cover… (semi) joke, guys… don’t hit me too hard 🙂

    • #66011
      lee_UK
      Participant

      He is and he was on 2 occasions!! a 3rd nomination wont hurt though, and did i mention Michael angelo and his famous unique guitar? and even uniquer wig? check him out on his website http://www.angelo.com/
      have a look at his pictures over the years, his hair looks exactly the same throughout the years, but that doesnt take the edge off of his talent.

    • #66043
      bulsara
      Participant

      Isn’t Brian May worth a mention?

    • #66037
      Fredrum
      Member

      Very interesting posts by all, might I say. There were quite a few names I haven’t heard. I try to look into some of them. There were a few that wern’t mentioned that I feel might have been overlooked. Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Bo Diddly, Andres Segovia, Johnny Cash, David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, Robert Smith from the Cure, Mike Ness from Social Distortion, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Glenn Tipton and KK Downing from Judas Priest, Chris DeGarmo and Michael Wilton from Queensryche, Alex Skolnick from Testament & Savatage, Diamond Dimebag Darrell from Pantera & Damageplan, Jim Matheos from Fates Warning, Ishahn from Emperor & Peccatum, Trey Azagthoth from Morbid Angel, Eric Hoffman from Deicide, Anders Bjorler from At the Gates and The Haunted, Chuck Schuldner from Death & Control Denied, and James Murphy from Death, Cancer, Obituary, Disincarnate, & Testament are a few of the guitarist that have made an impact on each of their musical genres. Top fifteen material? Who knows? It’s all a matter of opinion. Any thoughts?

    • #66003
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Drats. I was going to applaud the McL post, but got beaten to it. Others who’ve taken over his spot have complained (in interview) about how difficult it was. Again, more a case of capturing subtle nuances (that made the song) rather than speed-shred replication.

      As for Sir P on bass, I’m impressed with the zap on his ‘melodic’ qualities. He’s not the “video technique IV” type of bass player, but what he does/did has a very fine fingerprint. To me, and I’m skewing the topic slightly, it’s very obvious how much influence he had on any Beatles song (some more, some less). As with guitar, I rate a bass player higher for their contribution to great songs over a 180bpm slap technique.

    • #66005
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Good post Ray forgot all about John McLaughlin, inspired choice.

    • #66019
      rayc
      Participant

      All good picks. A few I did not see who I think would be worth mentioning:

      Django Reinhardt
      John McLaughlin
      Wes Montgomery
      Andres Segovia
      Julian Bream
      Maury Mulheisen (Jim Croce’s lead guitarist)

      And I am not seriously suggesting him for top five or anything; But Paul Simon can play.

    • #66044
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Dont know about great guitarist (6/12 string) but Paul was certainly a great bass player, his bass lines were some of the most melodic ive ever heard, and as for lack of good gear, i think the less you have to work with the more creative you get, and whilst good guitars and amps in the UK were very very thin on the ground in the 50’s/60’s, its even more suprising that 98.76% of the very top guitarists came from England. (cue the national anthem)

    • #66004
      youngwasp
      Member

      [quote=”talljackhole”]John Lennon is cool. I presonally don’t know how great of a guitarist he is though so I can’t really say anything about him. But I do know, stuff about kaki. And although I may have not heard lots of types of genres, I can say that I haven’t heard anything of her style or skill on acoustic ever. But of course, I admit, I’m not that old either. But still.[/quote]

      I think you meant ‘was’.

      Neither John nor Paul were great guitarists at the time of The Beatles. George was unquestionably the most accomplished of the three (yes I know there were four, but he was a drummer). In fact, George routinely introduced a new chord/series of chords to John and Paul and it was that new ‘sound’ that often prompted them to write a song around it/them.

      It is often easy to forget/dismiss/not even consider that the 50’s/60’s were almost completely devoid of instructional material. There was sheet music of course, but no internet, no tab sites, NO tab, just a couple of books (such as Bert Weedon’s Play In A Day) and certainly no cheap ‘good’ guitars. It is quite astonishing that guitarists of any memorable quality emerged from that era at all.

    • #66007
      fatstrat79
      Participant

      Message to ‘Queenfan’ I forgot about Brian May. what a player and songwriter. Good choice buddy! ________ [URL=http://www.suzuki-tech.com/wiki/Suzuki_G_engine]Suzuki G engine specifications[/URL]

    • #66020
      queenfan
      Participant

      The best guitarists are obviously a matter of personal preference and opinion.My favorite is Brian May of Queen.He has alot of talent to have written many songs as well as Freddie(RIP).In anycase,how many guitarists can claim to have custom made their own guitar as a teenager no less.He made his “red special” himself,and his skill playing it is just as impressive.

    • #66046
      talljackhole
      Participant

      it is a pity for my other thread, but, u cant have everything. really though, its nice to see so many people agree on opinions and such for this thread. and its nice to get different views too.

    • #66012
      lee_UK
      Participant

      just like Val Doonican, Emo Rocks……. But Gently. Check out ‘Daybreak’ a nice gentle rock adventure, in your favorite rocking chair, with pipes and windy breaks, its all there…and so much more.
      Keep Rocking out Emo.

    • #66047
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Don’t go to “Guinness Book of Records” just yet though, TJH. I looked up a Trace Elliot valve bass amp and found a forum thread (valves vs SS for bass amp kinda thing on talkbass.com) that started in 2000 and had its last post in 2003 😯 ❗ 😯

      Anyone know a longer time-thread, or are bassists king of the anal?

      BTW, a pity your “future legends” thread died out, TJH. To me, it’s more interesting to debate the recent/current players than to do that “#1 = Jimi” thing.

    • #66018
      talljackhole
      Participant

      Another thing –

      Nice debates and opinions in here too. Surprising that no one has gone off the hook and stooped down to call others stupid and such just because of a difference of opinion.

    • #65997
      talljackhole
      Participant

      It’s amazing how long this thread has been going since I’ve started it at least a month ago. Nice Job!

    • #66032
      fatstrat79
      Participant

      So many to choose from.

      Yeah Steve Vai is technically amazing however as much as I do enjoy his music…seems somehow to lack soul or feeling, you just know that he played it and it just happened. Malmsteen…boring! Same solo every time.

      Ever heard of John Petrucci from Dream Theatre, now I know that Dream Theatre are not every bodies cup of tea, but bloody hell what a player, there’s soul, heart, power, technical bits, loads of shred. It’s interesting, demanding to play, wonderfull to listen to. He paints a wonderful picture with the melody that flows from him. It’s so natural. I also admire players such as Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Les Paul is another Favorite. Albert Lee (I kick my self) Steve Howe is a really adventurous player. Anyone forget Alex Lifeson from Rush another great guitarist. Mark knoffler…wonderful! Adrian Smith from Iron Maiden is another who can shred technically and melodically (for those who are unconvinced listen to Iron Maidens Stranger in a strange land from the Somewhere in Time Album and listen to his guitar solo!) Jimi Hendrix I found a little…I dunno he was great and always will be, but not hugely to my taste. Tom Morello from Rage against the Machine/Audioslave is another really imaginative player. Slash? and finally me, well why not…blow your own trumpet once in a while!!! ________ [URL=http://girlfriendpics.org]girlfriend pic[/URL]

    • #66026
      lee_UK
      Participant

      15″ over to tright and he STILL did’nt mention Peter Green. 👿

    • #66034
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Truckstop,
      Next time you “name but a few”, can you put a space after the comma? I hate it when a thread-post stretches the window. I’ve only got a 15-incher (no sniggering at the back, you people). 🙂

    • #66001
      jay667
      Participant

      speed just dont do it for me no more baby

    • #66009
      jay667
      Participant

      Zakk Wylde has got to be worth a mention who opted for the picking every note aproach to guitar playing and can still give these guitar shredders a run for their money when it comes to speed, even though im not a massive fan of his music I know he is bloody good.
      Also check out Rodriguez-Lopez for energy and origionality. 😈

    • #66013
      truckstopjesus
      Participant

      Page,Beck,Clapton,Iommi,Allman,Bettes,Hendrix,Townsend,Garcia,Rhodes,Dimiola,Esteban,Kotzen,Wylde,Buckethead,Satriani,Vai,Van Halen,Walsh,Frueshante,Waters,Guy,Mustain,Hettfield,Hammet,Malmstein,Roth,Gilmour,Slash,Dimebag,King(BB. AND Kerry)Hannemen,Harrison,Petty,Dylan,Anastatio,LaLonde,Poland,Friedman,Saraceno,Morello,Smith,Murray,Mcready,Lee,West,Cantrell,Setzer,Ramone,Dale,Moore,Perry,Stradlin……..Just to name a few.What is a great guitar player?There are alot of differences in the styles on this list,but I think they are all great.Tom Petty can get as much emotion out of his guitar as Zakk Wylde just in a different way.

    • #66027
      guitarhand2
      Participant

      Like Les Paul said, its not how fast you play but playing the right note at the right time. Jimi is #1 without a doubt. To me it is his subtle use of melody that often goes over looked. There are windows in his music, spaces and rests that make the lead have some emotion. Subtle notes that make the song, its as if he isn’t thinking about what he plays, he just listens to it happening. I rate John Fogarty up there as well, some of his recent releases of early CCR stuff is flat out amazing. Check out the leads on “I heard it throught the grapevine” or “I put a spell on you” on his CCR Revisited.

    • #66016
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Blatent advertising, how do you sleep at night??

    • #66042
      jgriffin187
      Participant

      Keith Urban

      Another good source for Gibson guitar info:

      http://www.GoFretYourself.com

    • #65999
      lee_UK
      Participant

      I kind of switch off if the beat goes above 120bpm, i think thats my ‘red line’ my limit. If you want to listen to a real speed king get Ywengie on the ipod, ive never been into that kind of music, the album that made me pick up a guitar and want to learn is ‘Never mind the bollocks’ by The Sex Pistols, raw energy, Steve Jones guitar is outstanding, nothing fast, nothing flash but it was so powerful, i’d never heard anything like it, and when it was released you couldnt get a copy it was banned, i remember my Dad bringing home a copy he’d got in central London, those songs are just as relevent now as they was back in 76’/77′ , now that was a year.

    • #66023
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Thrasher, not meaning to knock anyone’s op but…

      “Flight of the Bumblebee” is bad enough on violin. An electric guitarist’s “interpretation” of Ripya-Korsetsoff gives me the shivers. Reminds me of that 1970s “Symphony for piano, bass and drums in Emin sus7” stuff that Keith Emerson was fond of (preferably in pi-r-squared time signature).

      Fair enough, I can’t play it, so I’ve got a chip on my shoulder, but it’s not my idea of music. I’m with Mark E Smith; “We fought a war to stop this.”

    • #66025
      lee_UK
      Participant

      300bpm?? wow, id love to have that on Vinyl LP, i’d take it round my old Nans house and give it a spin on her old 78, that should take that solo up to a more respectable 712bpm !! now thats rock’n’roll whooa.
      You still cant beat Ywengie for a sheer alround fruitball speedking, if your man can play it at 300bpm the Swedish fruitbat could play it at 600bpm and backwards too while making love to a Marshall TSL100. Man is a pure genius in pure spandex and lycre, where would we be without him??

    • #65859
      Ibanthrasher
      Participant

      Oy what about Garry Hoey, and Erno Vuorinen from nightwish, Timo Tolkki from Stratovarius, and John Petrucci from Dream theater… I mean have you ever heard the live solo of him playing flight of the bumble bea at like 300bpm??

    • #65849
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Guaranteed to force me to post, Lee 😉 . I remember on UK TV a while back they did a long prog on John Mayall and he recently had a (was it 70th birthday?) gig and they were all there, playing.

      TV again, but Channel 4 in the UK runs a weekly ‘top ten’ and they did “Guitar Gods” or “Heroes” or something. Carlos was in there, but they did go on about how barmy he is. Maybe all that “I meet aliens, me” talk puts people off. I’d put up with it if he wanted to come round my house for a yak and a jam. Richie Blackmore was also in the Ten, and I don’t know about that. I’ve never rated him especially (of course, he can play. I’m not daft, I mean in the upper stratosphere of all time top 10).

      Good call on Peter Green, BTW

    • #65877
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Oh and was anyone jammy enough to get tickets for the Cream reunion??
      ive seen them going for £500+ a pair on ebay. pity Eric doesnt use a wireless guitar setup, otherwise id have been down there with my ES335 and my cloning wireless system and wiped him out on the PA and played all his solo’s for him!! just like i did with Angus.

    • #65872
      lee_UK
      Participant

      Also of the Bluesbreakers spawning ground came such greats as Mick Taylor, later going on to join the Stones after the sacking and subsequent death of Brian Jones, Mick added a fantastic edge to the stones, many of their greatest records were recorded while he was the resident ‘2nd’ guitarist, also did anyone mention Peter Green??? if not then i think we should all bow our heads in shame, Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, and later on his Splinter group, If anyone had a Blues touch on guitar it was Greeny.

    • #65867
      talljackhole
      Participant

      Eric Johnson is splendid. Carlos Santana is also good. I am not very knowledgable of his technical abilities, but I know he has a distinct sound and he (from what I have read) puts his creativity into his music. So he is up there, but in my opinion, I don’t really think he is one of the 15 best guitarists ever. As far as listening goes though, he’s on my list. Players that can make songs and compose and play songs that put you in a certain mood or make you feel something are definitely worth something especially if they are real good as a guitarist.

    • #65891
      xoxorose
      Participant

      I don”t play so I can only judge by what I hear. If I can close my eyes and it can take my head away and make me feel high then they rank on my list. ( and I don’t take drugs) I stumbled on this site trying to find some more of the greatest of the greats that I may not of hear of and 4 of them are new to me so thanks, I will have to check them out. Satriani, Hendricks and Eric Johnson would be on the top of my list speaking as a listener. I am surprised not one has mentioned Carlos Santana.
      He would also be on the top of my list. If anyone has any suggestions to add to my listeneing please it would be welcome by the way. I also noticed the age group on the list . It is also is my opion that todays musicians don’t cut the mustard whether it is ability or lack of pushng the limit.
      For those of you that play,, keep at it,, we need some new blood on that list.

      xo

    • #65875
      talljackhole
      Participant

      I’ll be sure to do that. Thanks. Also, my Uncle has an extensive record collection from the 60’s 70’s in which he has all the greats such as the Yardbirds, Beck when he went solo, Zeppelin, Mothers of Invention, all four albums by Hendrix while he was still living, and much more like Cream and so on…

      But so I can get my Uncle to record those records onto cassette because I have a portable cassette/radio player that I use.

    • #65882
      1bassleft
      Participant

      TJH, next time you’re in the supermarket, see if there’s one of those “Best of The Yardbirds” CDs that are often less than a fiver. Early Clapton, Beck and Page (chronologically speaking) playing to be found. Their manager certainly managed to find useful replacement guitarists…

    • #65884
      talljackhole
      Participant

      When you say Keith Richards, well I know him, I (apparently) didn’t know his nickname. Or rather, I’ve probably heard of it but forgot about it.

      And thanks for the info on the Bluesbreakers members and whatnot. But yes, when I think of the best players back from the 60’s, I indeed do think of Clapton, Page, Beck, Richards, Hendrix, Zappa, and the rest that you mentioned but I have left out. Which means the only two that were not associated with John Mayall and his Bluesbreakers were Hendrix and Zappa. But of course, not being born until many moons after these players, I could be wrong on what I’m saying.

    • #65835
      hayseed4u
      Participant

      Keef would be Keith Richards of ” Rolling Stones” . They almost singlehandedly kept the repetoire of the early 20th century American Blues artist alive and breathed new life into the careers of the ones still alive. They along with “John Mayal and the Bluesbreakers” revolving lineup that spawned the Yardbirds, Spencer Davis Group, Ten Years After and many others. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Alvin Lee and many others were either directly involved with the Bluesbreakers or affilliated with it. While Mayal himself wasn’t as talented as the artist he brought together he did have the detirmenation and drive that few starving artist ever muster. Back in the days of 12 inch vinyl the liner notes of his LPs were a virual how to of how to record, engineer, produce your own records. In my opinion he is one of the unsung heros of the Indie music.movement.
      These threads indeed have legs.

    • #65894
      talljackhole
      Participant

      Obviously, being relatively young (a “teenager” still) I do not have the knowledge of everyone else posting replies in here, so don’t ridicule me for not knowing who keef is. But what band is he in/what genre or style of music does he play?

      And also, back to Townshend, I agree that he is one of the better guitarists, I forgot to mention a reply on that earlier.

    • #65861
      lee_UK
      Participant

      these threads usualy have the legs to run and run and run, im not going to comment on this top 15 til everybody recognises Keef as top 5 material.
      And when will we see a life story in film of Keef played by johnny depp?

      ‘i think i bust a button on my trousers, hope they dont fall down, you dont want my trousers to fall down now do you?’

    • #65853
      1bassleft
      Participant

      ps, of the “semi-new boys”, I think Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead has paid his dues. Amongst many great pieces (eg a very “George Harrison” like job for “Just”) there’s the instantly recognizable CHUKKA, CHUKKA, “but I’m a Creep…”

    • #65876
      1bassleft
      Participant

      Unbelievably, this has become a mature, reasoned thread. “top ten guitarists” threads often descend into childish name-calling. Townshend was very much in my mind when I posted previously. Not a soloist in the usual sense, but what a defined guitar sound! However difficult he may be to work with in a personal sense, I’d put up with it for those incredible foundations that truly good (Entwhistle, Moon, Daltrey) musicians can put their layers on. A great.

      SB, I think you’re right in one sense. Boy-bands and Pop/American Idol have suffocated good guitar bands for a while. OTOH, good guitar is out there but I think people naturally wait awhile before conferring ‘legend’ status. Perhaps we can do “current guitarists most likely to…” thread?

      Finally, I’m back on the Renaissance vs Impressionist point. If you lean Jazzier, Joe Pass and Pat Metheny spring to mind. OK, Pass goes for clusters and some people might think Metheny never found the adjuster knob on his chorus, but they’re another two players whose gorgeous sound I can hear in my head, clear as a bell, even if I haven’t listened to a recording for a while. Perhaps I’ve just stumbled on my definition.

    • #65893
      talljackhole
      Participant

      I read an article on how to play like Dicky Betts in a guitar magazine i picked up the other day. He seemed pretty good from what I read.

    • #65887

      You guys have neglected to metion Dicky Betts of the Allman Brothers. He is with out a doubt up there in the top 5

    • #65881
      talljackhole
      Participant

      John Lennon is cool. I presonally don’t know how great of a guitarist he is though so I can’t really say anything about him. But I do know, stuff about kaki. And although I may have not heard lots of types of genres, I can say that I haven’t heard anything of her style or skill on acoustic ever. But of course, I admit, I’m not that old either. But still.

    • #65865
      hayseed4u
      Participant

      Kaki seems to be the latest darling in “Acoustic Guitar” and some of the other more mature guitar magazines. Gave her CD a spin last time I went to a music/book shop. While I liked what I heard, I was already pushing my budget and opted instead for John Lennons “Acousitic” CD that Yoko has released. Pretty nice, the lyric sheet also has the chords on it. When was the last time you saw that? Put it in the scanner and enlarged it to a size my 53 year old eyes could see. Been several decades since the last time I played any of his tunes.

    • #65870
      SB
      Participant

      Hey talljackhole,

      As an over 40 player I think you have compiled an admirable list. Of course anytime you choose the “best” of anything you’ll certainly encounter disagreement but all the guitarist you have chosen are worthy players. It is curious that no guitar players that have made their name in the last 10-15 years have made the list. Interesting commentary on the role of the guitar player in contemporary music wouldn’t you say? Cheers, SB

    • #65829
      talljackhole
      Participant

      i agree. if i go to a concert, i want to see what they are capable of talent-wise, and i’d much rather see THEM play instead of a song made more in mind of getting good sales. plus, when great guitarists play onstage and it turns into a jam session, it’s so much sweeter. and although i’ve never heard of half of the guitarists you just mentioned, i do know there’s a great femal acoustic guitarist by the name of Kaki King. Look her up, her music is incredible.

    • #65874
      hayseed4u
      Participant

      Hendrix
      Stevie Ray Vaughn
      Yeah they gotta make the list. Hard to beat those guys for melody and swing. Then there are those finger picking electric guitarist like
      Jorma Kaukonen
      Gatemouth Brown Jorma’s work with the Airplane and Hot Tuna kept me mesmerized at the front of the stage many nights. There ain’t nothing wrong with the ones whose work center around chords.
      Pete Townsend
      Nancy Wilson As far as I’m concerned she is a guitar god. Plus I just dig girls that play guitar. She ain’t the only one but she is tops on my list, if for nothing else the sheer volume, db’s and longevity when it come to female guitarists. Then there are those that write tunes that just stay in your head forever.
      John Fogerty
      Steve Miller
      Ian Anderson, yeah he may have played flute on stage but in the studio recording the music most of the guitar work is his.
      Keith Richards didn’t think I’d ever tire of watching him play untill ticket prices froze me out. Then there is the team of
      Young and Sampedro who sometimes can’t put three chords together. But it’s so much fun to watch trying to guess when Neil is going to smash “Old Black” over Sampedro’s head. You had
      Jimmy Page on you list, he’s on mine also. There is so much more than technical proficiency in rating guitarist. If I ever go to see a performance and what I’m hearing is the same as I get if I was at home with a studio cut and produced CD in the player I feel like I’ve wasted my money. I don’t want to hear the producer and engineers version of the tune. I want it the way the artist on stage feel it in their gut, same as I do when I’m playing.

    • #65827
      talljackhole
      Participant

      I’m listing the top 15 guitarists with best technical skill i suppose. If you consider “shredding” to be a major attribute, then yes, Malmsteen, Vai, and Satriani would be in the top 15. But if talking more of innovation and originality, the former three would be dropped in my opinion. I personally think some of the better guitarists are not the “shredders” but rather the ones who know much technically, and can put their heart into their own, composed songs.

      And yes, I thought about adding Fripp. You really can’t give any of these guitarists an order. They’re all good in their own genres.

    • #65897
      1bassleft
      Participant

      TBF, there are some interesting choices there. I doubt if many under 25s know Mahogany Rush from a Walnut Whip, and Belew’s an innovative player so there’s a horse for a course.

      Trouble is, it’s a bit like “top ten painters”. Do you go Renaissance, Impressionist, Pre-Raphaelite or Darren, who did a good job of the hall, stairs and landing and charged less than a ton?

      FWIW, I (typical bass player I suppose) prefer a guitarist that can conjure up good songs, as well as just widdle a bit. On that basis, Vai, Satriani and Malmsteen drop off the radar. Page is not the best string-licker by any stretch, but he’s got some humungous chords and tone to play with. Zappa moves up, and Fripp takes one of the vacant spots.

      And, although he’s post-golden-age, and has more delays than a Euston Station noticeboard, I’d have to consider The Edge. I know, I’m gritting my teeth too, but there’s no denying his position in defining ‘guitar music’ for the last couple of decades.

    • #65880
      lee_UK
      Participant

      sounds like you are under 25 years old?? well, at least you have No1 correct

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