Best guitarist

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

What say you?

Great topic! I can’t pick just one and must categorize…

Best guitarists as in technical skills: Steve Vai, Joe Satriani

Most groundbreaking: Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen

Personal favorites: David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor (John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Rolling Stones), Johnny A

 

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

I can't play any chords or notes, but I have a Srat. Does that count?

You have the guitar. It is never too late to learn.

 

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

Les Paul , isn’t Eric Clapton considered one of the best?

I especially love 60’s era Clapton when he was playing mostly Gibson electrics. His solo on ‘While my guitar gently weeps’ is one of the most tasteful, soulful, blues-rock solos ever!

 

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

Inspired by the greats!

 

[Husker.Wed._rivals]

Inspired by the greats!

View attachment 1161308

If those elephant tusks are real ivory you may have just gotten yourself in trouble posting the image.

 

[JRich52806]

 

[B1G RED]

David Gilmour

period

end of story

Ditto!!!

Melody and feel over speed

Comfortably numb
Time
Wish you were here
Dogs
Shine on you crazy diamond

just to name a few…

 

[skin-tight]

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmy Page are my favorites

 

[The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy_Behind_The_Guy]

If those elephant tusks are real ivory you may have just gotten yourself in trouble posting the image.

OMG no it is just a miniature! I will repost so the focus is just on the guitars and amp

 

[otismotis08]

Ditto!!!

Melody and feel over speed

Comfortably numb
Time
Wish you were here
Dogs
Shine on you crazy diamond

just to name a fewN

No other guitar player can take you on an emotional roller coaster like David Gilmour.

 

[litespeedhuskerfan]

Frampton been mentioned? I have no idea who the best is but when I wore a younger mans clothes, Framptons "do you feel like i do" was the most famous riff on the radio for years.

 

[H2M]

Currently…Derek Trucks, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes.

Older/Deceased: SRV, Richrath, Hendrix

Unknown: Henry Schkeenkluth (Robert Jon & The Wreck). You should check him out.

Excellent list. I would offer Zappa & Townsend

 

[bmb81664]

Alan Holdsworth was the guitarists guitarist. Shawn Lane had out of this world skills. Gary Moore. Al Dimeola. Richie Kotzen. As for shredders, Greg Howe, Tony Macalpine, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie. Omaha's own Michael Lee Firkins is also very talented. Too many to list.

 

[bug]

What say you?

Tommy Tedesco was the most recorded guitarist in the universe. Does that make him the greatest? Who knows?
I liked Terry Kath of Chicago. After his death Chicago slowly morphed into a power ballad group .
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top made me humiliate myself chair dancing and Ernie Isley (Who's that Lady?) made me humiliate myself feets dancing.
Joe Walsh and Don Felder killed on Hotel California, George Harrison on 'Something' and Brian May (Queen) on Brighton Rock... Duane Allman on Layla and Statesboro Blues... Anyone ever see Sister Rosetta Tharpe?

 

[meo1960]

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Frampton been mentioned? I have no idea who the best is but when I wore a younger mans clothes, Framptons "do you feel like i do" was the most famous riff on the radio for years.

Frampton could hang with anyone!

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

Bo Diddley, Lonnie Mack, BB King, and Chuck Berry, (Marvin's cousin) should always be in the coversation.

 

[Scoop123]

Gilmour: I‘ve never done drugs, but I know what they would make me feel like just by listening to him. He takes me to another world and it’s a trip. I have nearly blown multiple speakers riding his wave.

Clapton: perhaps the best

My Fav: Slash

 

[RedHaus]

Man, Alex Lifeson, Don Felder and Tom Scholz getting the shaft.

 

[BobVH5150]

Many don't know the following:
1. Satriani was Vai's guitar teacher for a while in NY.
2. Though Jon Mayer is known for pop radio hits, he is one hell of a live player. Same can be said for Brad Paisely.
3. Sting, known moreso as a fretless bassist and pop songwriter, can play the **** out of the flamenco guitar.
4. Robert Randolph is an amazing pedal steel player.
5. Derek Trucks is a master of sliide guitar.

 

[redwine65]

Everyone naming guys that are insane technical players. (But also name Jimi because they feel they have too, even though technically he wasn't that great)

Give me guys that can write a riff. Rarely that's a guy with chops as well.

Hendrix
Hetfield
Tom Morello
Tony Iommi
Jimmy Page
Angus Young
EVH

if it is about sound jimmy page and angus shoot to the top

 

[redwine65]

Man, Alex Lifeson, Don Felder and Tom Scholz getting the shaft.

it's difficult making a top ten, folks like lifeson, townson, iommi, santana and satriani get left out

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

One thing's for sure, you can't go wrong with anyone mentioned here.

 

[GeorgeFlippin]

 

[YellowLabDad]

Carlos Santana

 

[RBigredMax1]

I’m no expert but this kid seems to be able to strum a few chords.

 

[K Rod]

Dickie Betts.

 

[otismotis08]

These two.

 

[suffocation_]

Depends on what you mean by best.

Kurt Cobain is one of the best songwriters ever (love or hate his music, the impact was undeniable).

Yngwie Malmsteen is probably the most technically proficient to ever exist, but his music isn't really enjoyable to listen to.

I believe the best measure is "who inspired the greatest number of people to pickup a guitar and create other popular music."

To that, I'd have to say James Hetfield of Metallica. Besides being an absolute animal in rhythm playing, his riffing style permeated across 4 decades of music in numerous genres. Some would argue Tony Iommi was more influential, but I'd disagree as his playing was much more blues influenced compared to Hetfield's diatonic riffs.