A friend of mine and I were having a conversation last night about guitarists. He thinks Eric Clapton is the best guitarist in the world, as far as rock guitarists go. I think it's Eddie Van Halen.
They're "Best" in their respective categories. I say that knowing many will come in jumping on the Claption bandwagon simply because he's been playing for 200 years and it's the thing to do.
Frankly, although I like stuff from both of them they're also both boring as hell when compared to some other artists out there.
atlantamoi
02-15-06, 11:27 AM
I vote the Music Forum.
cdollaz
02-15-06, 11:41 AM
Eddie VH is one of 2 guitarists in the history of rock that I think changed the way rock guitar is played. The other is Hendrix. Obviously many others have made contributions, but those 2 stand out above the rest. That's not to say anything of their talent vs. others, but as far as influence goes no one else is close in my book.
I don't know. Neither do it for me. I find Clapton boring and uninspiring. And though EVH's tapping was a trend setter, it got old fast.
:shrug:
Edit: Spelling
dick_grayson
02-15-06, 12:02 PM
I don't know. Either do it for me. I find Clapton boring and uninspiring. And though EVH's tapping was a trend setter, it got old fast.
:shrug:
I agree, although I'd gladly take EVH any day. I'd still rather have Randy Rhoads or Kirk Hammett than either (or both).
auto
02-15-06, 12:21 PM
How about you put it to a poll?
Hiro11
02-15-06, 12:40 PM
Eric Idle and Eddie Murphy are the greatest guitarists of all time.
wendersfan
02-15-06, 12:51 PM
Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins are the greatest guitarists of all time.Fixed. :D
Nesbit
02-15-06, 12:56 PM
Out of the two I'd say Clapton.
T1000
02-15-06, 12:57 PM
You can't compare those two. They're two completley different guitarists.
Anyway, Vai is better then both. :D
tdirgins
02-15-06, 12:57 PM
I'd probably agree if I wasn't so heavily sedated.
As for Clapton, I have never understood the appeal. His basically ripped off his style from old bluesmen, whil EVH created his own signature style.
PopcornTreeCt
02-15-06, 12:57 PM
I never understood the Eddie love. I mean, Van Halen is like unbearable to listen to.
Holysmoker
02-15-06, 01:11 PM
Eric or Eddie? Between the two I say Eddie. If you make this a poll, you should include other greats like the above mentioned Tony Iommi and Joe Satriani. I also suggest including Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Eric Johnson, Brian May, and even Yngwie "J" Malmsteen.
tommy28
02-15-06, 01:29 PM
Brian May ;)
brizz
02-15-06, 04:14 PM
http://www.dailyvault.com/frankzappa_shutup.jpg
LurkerDan
02-15-06, 04:19 PM
Steve Morse.
LurkerDan
02-15-06, 05:01 PM
http://www.dailyvault.com/frankzappa_shutup.jpg
he doesn't play so well anymore...
Mordred
02-15-06, 05:35 PM
There are different degrees of best. Neither is close although Eddie is certainly a better guitarist than Clapton (songwriter it goes the other way). Besides, Stevie Ray Vaughan gets my vote for greatest guitarist of all time.
If you want to know who's the best at playing their instrument while still sounding musical (I'm looking at you Great Kat), then your choices probably boil down to Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen. Malmsteen was around first, is less "out-there" and was a major influence on Vai so he gets the nod from me. Close behind those two are your Satrianis, Gilberts, Johnsons, Petruccis etc.. All technically (and usually musically) great guitarists, in varied genres.
Of course people will argue that flair just masks poor song writing and will want to mention the di Meolas et al of the classical world. Plus you have your Blues, your 70s rock Gods and all the other genres in which you could reasonably debate greatest guitarist of all time honors.
You really can't knock SRV in any aspect though. He can play a million miles an hour and make it sound just as soulful as when he hits one note and just shakes the hell out of it. If his cover of "Little Wing" doesn't move you, you have no business playing the damn instrument.
JumpCutz
02-15-06, 06:23 PM
There are different degrees of best. Neither is close although Eddie is certainly a better guitarist than Clapton (songwriter it goes the other way). Besides, Stevie Ray Vaughan gets my vote for greatest guitarist of all time.
If you want to know who's the best at playing their instrument while still sounding musical (I'm looking at you Great Kat), then your choices probably boil down to Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen. Malmsteen was around first, is less "out-there" and was a major influence on Vai so he gets the nod from me. Close behind those two are your Satrianis, Gilberts, Johnsons, Petruccis etc.. All technically (and usually musically) great guitarists, in varied genres.
Of course people will argue that flair just masks poor song writing and will want to mention the di Meolas et al of the classical world. Plus you have your Blues, your 70s rock Gods and all the other genres in which you could reasonably debate greatest guitarist of all time honors.
You really can't knock SRV in any aspect though. He can play a million miles an hour and make it sound just as soulful as when he hits one note and just shakes the hell out of it. If his cover of "Little Wing" doesn't move you, you have no business playing the damn instrument.
I agree with you for the most part, except the bit about SRV playing a million miles an hour.
He's a great great guitarist but was not known for his 'speed'. Listen to Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, George Bellas, Todd Duane et al for the 'million miles an hour guys'.
Also I don't think Vai was inspired by Malmsteen as they sound nothing alike.
Malmsteen inspired guys like Tony Macalpine and Vinnie Moore as well as many other neo-classical shredders.
mike7162
02-15-06, 06:25 PM
Jimi.
End of discussion.
BassDude
02-15-06, 06:28 PM
Eric.....but Eric Johnson.
Of the two? I'd say Clapton. Eddie was very innovative, but I don't remember him being able to make his guitar weep like Clapton. Course I never heard Clapton do the hammer on technique either. Hmmm...
JumpCutz
02-15-06, 06:35 PM
There are different degrees of best. Neither is close although Eddie is certainly a better guitarist than Clapton (songwriter it goes the other way). Besides, Stevie Ray Vaughan gets my vote for greatest guitarist of all time.
If you want to know who's the best at playing their instrument while still sounding musical (I'm looking at you Great Kat), then your choices probably boil down to Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen. Malmsteen was around first, is less "out-there" and was a major influence on Vai so he gets the nod from me. Close behind those two are your Satrianis, Gilberts, Johnsons, Petruccis etc.. All technically (and usually musically) great guitarists, in varied genres.
Of course people will argue that flair just masks poor song writing and will want to mention the di Meolas et al of the classical world. Plus you have your Blues, your 70s rock Gods and all the other genres in which you could reasonably debate greatest guitarist of all time honors.
You really can't knock SRV in any aspect though. He can play a million miles an hour and make it sound just as soulful as when he hits one note and just shakes the hell out of it. If his cover of "Little Wing" doesn't move you, you have no business playing the damn instrument.
I agree with you for the most part, except the bit about SRV playing a million miles an hour.
He was a great great guitarist but was not known for his 'speed'. Listen to Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, George Bellas, Todd Duane et al for the 'million miles an hour guys'.
Also I don't think Vai was inspired by Malmsteen as they sound nothing alike.
Malmsteen inspired guys like Tony Macalpine and Vinnie Moore as well as many other neo-classical shredders.
Mordred
02-15-06, 06:40 PM
I agree with you for the most part, except the bit about SRV playing a million miles an hour.
He's a great great guitarist but was not known for his 'speed'. Listen to Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, George Bellas, Todd Duane et al for the 'million miles an hour guys'.
Also I don't think Vai was inspired by Malmsteen as they sound nothing alike.
Malmsteen inspired guys like Tony Macalpine and Vinnie Moore as well as many other neo-classical shredders.SRV didn't usually play extremely fast because he didn't need to, but he was quite capable of it. I've listened to all those guys except for Duane, who I've never heard of, and yes they all play fast.
Vai himself has said that "Marching Out" was an extremely influential album for him and that he was blown away when it came out (which struck me as odd because "Rising Force" is a much better album). Vai did dabble with the neo-classical a bit as well, although he didn't pin it down as his style. Check out the head-cutting duel in Crossroads for some Vai neo-classical. Vinnie Moore also didn't really stick with the style after "Mind's Eye" either. That was an incredible album, but his later work is almost completely devoid of any neoclassical influence.
bballing
02-16-06, 01:53 AM
Johnny Buckland.
zombiezilla
02-16-06, 03:39 AM
Me.
Tscott
02-16-06, 04:35 AM
O(+>
While his guitar gently weeps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOtQzPCqvE)
"Fury" on SNL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hospswwC74k&eurl=)
-eek-
:rock:
The Infidel
02-16-06, 05:06 AM
O(+>
While his guitar gently weeps (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOtQzPCqvE)
I'm a big Prince fan, and although I'd heard he did it, I've never seen that performance before. That was in-freaking-credible. The kind of thing that makes a person who's always claimed to not be a fan step back and say "you know, that wasn't too goddamn bad!"
Giantrobo
02-16-06, 08:21 AM
Guitar mags have long been huge fans of Prince. Even when he does fucked up interviews where he won't talk about his equipment or playing style like other guitarists do in magazines. :lol: Anyway,he's one of the most underrated Guitarists out there. But that has a lot to do with his music genre. Pop, R&B, and Soul fans generally don't give a shit about Guitars.
whoopdido
02-16-06, 10:16 AM
Jimmy Page
Vandelay_Inds
02-16-06, 10:27 AM
Technique is only part of it. Expression and musicality are more important.
On the local sports talk radio station in Dallas (1310), Mike Rhyner tells a great story of Stevie Ray Vaughn auditioning for his band late 70's or early eighties. I don’t remember the exact date.
He tells us the story of Stevie getting dropped off by his mom for the audition. He shows up with a steel guitar that is something you bought from a Sears catalog. He doesn’t have an amp which begins to piss off Mike Ryhner. Also, the band was wondering how this kid can get into the bars that they play in. Steve was around 16 at this time.
Mike begins to ask him a few questions about what type of music he plays. Stevie's response was “I play the blues.”
Now, Mike is really goes batty since this 16 year old, that probably can’t get into the bars, has a crappy guitar, no amp and play “blues.” This is not the person that they need for the band
The eventually start jamming with Stevie and it took no one time realize that this 16 year old, who probably can’t get into the bars that they play in, has a crappy guitar, no amp, plays better than anyone previous in the band or anyone who auditioned for the band.
After playing for a bit, Stevie was asked by Rhyner if he knew any of the poplar rock bands at the time. Steve answered no. Mike’s band at the time played rock cover tunes in bars in Dallas.
This infuriated Rhyner so much that he opened the door and said “NEXT !!!”.
Years later Rhyner’s wife was friends with Stevie’s wife and the couples began to hang out. At this time Stevie was huge and Mike’s band never made it.
It was also eating at Mike how he treated Stevie, so he asked him one day. “You remember when you auditioned for the band?”
Stevie replied “Yup” with a nice smirk on his face.
Mind if you I’m not telling the story word for word but it’s pretty close. Everyone once and awhile Mike will re-tell the story over the air. It’s a great story to hear
My three favorite guitarists are all dead(SRV, Jimi & Danny Gatton).:( My three favorite that are still breathing are Eric Johnson, Lindsay Buckingham & Albert Lee.:)
Michael Angelo (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7043744079476152944&q=michael+angelo) (About 2 minutes in the video, he goes insanely fast)
Michael Angelo's Double Guitar (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-332707454843304441&q=michael+angelo)
Quite possibly....the stupidest thing i have ever seen....in my entire life.
Yep...I checked...it is.
Mordred
02-17-06, 02:49 PM
Guitar mags have long been huge fans of Prince. Even when he does fucked up interviews where he won't talk about his equipment or playing style like other guitarists do in magazines. :lol: Anyway,he's one of the most underrated Guitarists out there. But that has a lot to do with his music genre. Pop, R&B, and Soul fans generally don't give a shit about Guitars.Yeah I definitely agree with that. I pretty dislike most of Prince's work, but he's a badass on guitar. I read an old interview from him in the '80s where he stated that any guitarist who hadn't learned to play Eruption needed to practice more.
smw356
02-17-06, 03:25 PM
greatest living guitarist - John McLaughlin
greatest dead guitarist - Hendrix
and of the two you listed Clapton is leagues above EVH
also what the guy above said about technique only being part of it. Virtuoso skill is wasted on someone who cant make it work musicly. Being able to play lots of boring/dull/stale crap fast doesnt make someone great. Take a look at people like Duane Allman, SRV, Hendrix all three were capable of playing with absolutely blazing speed and technicality if the situation called for it, but musicly they had much much more than that to express. They had unique sounds that had soul and feeling.
The clip posted above is the perfect example of someone who can play fast but has absolutely nothing to say musicly. While he is demonstrating that he has technical virtuosity of the guitar he is also demonstrating that he has nothing to say musicly. He's a robot playing a guitar fast.
Impossible question to really answer. There are many brilliant guitarists.
However, I would say John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Pat Metheny, and John Williams are better guitarists than just about every other one mentioned in this thread - both technically, and especially musically.
Check out John McLaughlin with Shakti, the album Natural Elements or A Handful of Beauty. The most brilliant music and performances you likely have heard. NO ONE can play like Shakti did.
John McLaughlin is probably the most accomplished guitarist I can think of. He has performed with pretty much everyone that's important in Jazz, starting with Miles Davis. He has experimented with so many different styles and been successful in all - from Mahavishnu, to Shakti, to the guitar trio with Paco De Lucia and Al DiMeola.
In my opinion, rock is fun and all, but all the BEST guitarists are in the jazz world.
JumpCutz
02-17-06, 06:32 PM
Impossible question to really answer. There are many brilliant guitarists.
However, I would say John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia, Pat Metheny, and John Williams are better guitarists than just about every other one mentioned in this thread - both technically, and especially musically.
Check out John McLaughlin with Shakti, the album Natural Elements or A Handful of Beauty. The most brilliant music and performances you likely have heard. NO ONE can play like Shakti did.
John McLaughlin is probably the most accomplished guitarist I can think of. He has performed with pretty much everyone that's important in Jazz, starting with Miles Davis. He has experimented with so many different styles and been successful in all - from Mahavishnu, to Shakti, to the guitar trio with Paco De Lucia and Al DiMeola.
In my opinion, rock is fun and all, but all the BEST guitarists are in the jazz world.
I love Shakti and have all three of their releases. Natural Elements is my favorite, but all three are absolutely incredible. I also love MO's 'Birds of Fire' and 'Between Nothingness and Eternity'.
Scott Henderson and Frank Gambale are also great fusion players.
I agree jazz players for the most part have a higher pedigree, but the best players in 'rock' or 'instrumental rock' have some pretty incredible chops these days.
Guys like Greg Howe, Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Brett Garsed etc...are on equal footing with the best jazz players IMHO.
smw356
02-17-06, 09:53 PM
Guys like Greg Howe, Steve Morse, Eric Johnson, Brett Garsed etc...are on equal footing with the best jazz players IMHO.
Walter Trout and Jimmy D Lane are up there as well, as is Robert Randolph (especially considering the sound he gets out of a Peddle Steel)
Sweet Baby James
02-17-06, 10:22 PM
I already mentioned Danny Gatton in a previous post, but I want to give him another plug. I've been playing the guitar for nearly 30 years and I've also had the pleasure of seeing many of the all-time greats perform live(SRV, Robin Trower, Pat Metheny, Paco-John-Al, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Lifeson, Vince Gill, Mason Rufner, etc.) and IMHO, Danny Gatton was the best. He could do it all on his telecaster-country, bluegrass, rock, jazz, you name it. I once saw him on stage with Vince Gill and Albert Lee and he made those two guys look quite pedestrian. Why do so many of the guitar greats have to die at such a young age.:(
Theres the reason i bought my 1st guitar back in high school and along with Randy id put Stevie Ray Vaughan who i got to see 4 times in concert before his death.
Mistoffeleez
02-18-06, 01:24 AM
For soul - Peter Green
For riffs - Iommi
Lara Means
02-18-06, 02:27 AM
http://www.rockstar.it/img/Richie_Sambora.jpg
Giantrobo
02-18-06, 07:09 AM
back in the 70's <b>Ace Frehley</b> was great and he made lotsa kids wanna play, But now he's just sad and I say that having heard him fuck up solos at KISS shows in the past. -ohbfrank-
sataniko
02-18-06, 09:09 AM
Between Eddie and Eric, Clapton gets my vote.
DVDMagic
02-18-06, 09:24 AM
In answer to the mail question: Eric or Eddie, then I gotta say Eric Clapton because I think he offers more diversity in his guitar playing.
As for other guitar players out there.... Richie Samobora (Bon Jovi) has a wide range of style from the rock to the blues to a calming acoustic performance. There's a young kid called Jonny Lang who just blows my mind away. There aren't many albums I'd go and buy on the strength of one song, but he released a song 5 or 6 years ago called 'Lie To Me' when he was only 17 and that was pretty awesome.
Quite possibly....the stupidest thing i have ever seen....in my entire life.
Yep...I checked...it is.
Maybe to you, but I've seen a few clinics with the man, and those videos don't do him justice. What he does is pretty fucking impressive, plus he's a super nice guy.
B5Erik
02-18-06, 12:34 PM
There have been so many great guitarists over the last 35 years - Going back to Hendrix, Blackmore, Trower, Schenker, etc, then moving in to Van Halen, Rhoads, Malmsteen, Vai, Vinnie Moore, Tony MacAlpine and literally dozens of other shredders in the 80's, and then you've got Stevie Ray Vaughan - the best combination of blues and technical ability I've ever heard.
Jimmy Page had style, but was incredibly sloppy. His technique sucked - but that was part of his charm. Ace Frehley had style and soul, but his technical skills peaked out around 1981 and it was all downhill from there.
If we're talking technical skills, then I've got to go with Vai. The things he can do on the guitar were (and still are) amazing.
If we're talking the whole package, then it's simply a matter of taste.
My favorite guitar player of all time is Randy Rhoads.
Rhoads, according to Kelly Garni (Quiet Riot's original bass player, and Randy's best friend) back in the mid to late 70's Rhoads thought Eddie Van Halen was very creative and was coming up with some great new stuff, but he thought it wasn't all that hard to play. According to Garni Rhoads thought a lot of what Eddie did was, "Smoke and mirrors." I'd tend to agree with that. Eddie brought a new vocabulary to guitar playing, but it wasn't all that hard to learn. What Randy Rhoads did was just as revolutionary in its own way, but was much harder for others to learn.
My favorite guitar players include:
Randy Rhoads (as mentioned)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Bruce Kulick
Adrian Smith/Dave Murray (Best Metal Duo)
George Lynch
Steve Vai
Vivian Campbell (from his Dio days)
John Sykes
...among many others.
Turd Ferguson
02-18-06, 01:38 PM
I agree with you for the most part, except the bit about SRV playing a million miles an hour.
He's a great great guitarist but was not known for his 'speed'. Listen to Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, George Bellas, Todd Duane et al for the 'million miles an hour guys'.
Also I don't think Vai was inspired by Malmsteen as they sound nothing alike.
Malmsteen inspired guys like Tony Macalpine and Vinnie Moore as well as many other neo-classical shredders.
Two words: "Rude Mood"
Turd Ferguson
02-18-06, 01:44 PM
On the local sports talk radio station in Dallas (1310), Mike Rhyner tells a great story of Stevie Ray Vaughn auditioning for his band late 70's or early eighties. I don’t remember the exact date.
He tells us the story of Stevie getting dropped off by his mom for the audition. He shows up with a steel guitar that is something you bought from a Sears catalog. He doesn’t have an amp which begins to piss off Mike Ryhner. Also, the band was wondering how this kid can get into the bars that they play in. Steve was around 16 at this time.
Mike begins to ask him a few questions about what type of music he plays. Stevie's response was “I play the blues.”
Now, Mike is really goes batty since this 16 year old, that probably can’t get into the bars, has a crappy guitar, no amp and play “blues.” This is not the person that they need for the band
The eventually start jamming with Stevie and it took no one time realize that this 16 year old, who probably can’t get into the bars that they play in, has a crappy guitar, no amp, plays better than anyone previous in the band or anyone who auditioned for the band.
After playing for a bit, Stevie was asked by Rhyner if he knew any of the poplar rock bands at the time. Steve answered no. Mike’s band at the time played rock cover tunes in bars in Dallas.
This infuriated Rhyner so much that he opened the door and said “NEXT !!!”.
Years later Rhyner’s wife was friends with Stevie’s wife and the couples began to hang out. At this time Stevie was huge and Mike’s band never made it.
It was also eating at Mike how he treated Stevie, so he asked him one day. “You remember when you auditioned for the band?”
Stevie replied “Yup” with a nice smirk on his face.
Mind if you I’m not telling the story word for word but it’s pretty close. Everyone once and awhile Mike will re-tell the story over the air. It’s a great story to hear
That would have been early to mid-70's.
wendersfan
02-19-06, 09:32 PM
http://www.blueshawk.info/images/RT/Wrawick%20Univ%20&%20Richard%20Thompson%207-3-03%20079.jpg
He'd likely be my pick. Tremendous technique, taste, and range of styles. But it's a silly question, really.
Lunatikk
02-21-06, 11:11 AM
Satriani #1
Jason
02-21-06, 08:36 PM
Lots of great choices, and for once, nothing I really disagree with. My votes go to Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, and Zappa.
Vivian Campbell, Bruce Kulick and George Lynch are great too, but just aren't at the same level.
discostu1337
02-22-06, 12:19 PM
4 pages and no BUCKETHEAD>..you guys make me sad. The guy is simply amazing, AND he wears a KFC bucket on his head...no contest!
andicus
02-23-06, 11:58 AM
SRV
I'm biased though, since I just picked up Live at the el Mocambo. Absolutely amazing DVD. A great performance by SRV and Double Trouble.
devilshalo
03-04-06, 03:41 AM
Many have pretty much threw out a lot of greats.. I just wanted to add another.
My favorites: Dan Spitz of Anthrax (although he's weirded out), Dave Mustaine, Adrian Smith, and Sir James Martin of the Faith No More Theologican Center.
I'm not saying they're the best, just my favorites.
Jason
06-17-07, 10:59 PM
http://www.t1music.com/assets/images/Satriani.JPG
wendersfan
06-17-07, 11:46 PM
http://www.blueshawk.info/images/RT/Wrawick%20Univ%20&%20Richard%20Thompson%207-3-03%20079.jpg
BTW, just got back from seeing him for a sixth time. He really is the best guitarist in the world.
Rush guitarist in New Year's Eve fight with deputies
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) --The lead guitarist for the rock band Rush skirmished with sheriff's deputies, spat blood on one and was arrested on New Year's Eve after his son refused to leave the stage at a fancy hotel, authorities said.
Deputies said they had to use a stun gun on 50-year-old Alex Zivojinovich -- known on stage as Alex Lifeson -- for what they described as drunken, violent behavior at the Naples Ritz-Carlton hotel.
Zivojinovich was released from Collier County jail Friday afternoon. Also arrested were his son Justin Zivojinovich, 33, and his son's wife, Michelle Zivojinovich, 30.
Gerry Berry, an attorney representing the Zivojinovichs, declined comment and referred all calls to SRO Management in Toronto. A telephone message left with SRO was not returned Friday.
Justin Zivojinovich said deputies broke his father's nose.
The son said he went on the stage where the house band was performing so he could sing.
"I was singing Happy New Year's, that's all I was doing, singing to the whole crowd. That's all I said, 'Happy New Year,"' Justin Zivojinovich said. "Everyone was enjoying themselves. That's when someone apparently started yelling for one of the security guards. There was no violence on our part."
According to authorities, the scuffle began when Justin Zivojinovich refused to leave the stage.
The guitarist spat blood on a deputy's face and pushed a deputy down a hotel stairwell during the struggle, a police report said.
Justin Zivojinovich disputed that account, saying the deputy tumbled down the stairs as she pushed the guitarist down the stairwell.
Charges against Alex Zivojinovich include aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, and disorderly intoxication.
Rush's hits include "Tom Sawyer," "Limelight" and "The Spirit of Radio."
benedict
06-18-07, 01:32 PM
I think the question is unanswerable.
First off, in their respective fields I suspect that there are more proficient guitarists than the two cited.
Next, I think that estimating a guitarist's ability is so subjective that, even in one field/style, people would give their favourite more weight than someone else whom others might regard having equivalent ability.
Finally, there are so many different styles it would be difficult to find someone equally skilled in all. In view of this, it seems unlikely that a consensus could ever be reached as to who is best overall.
Going off at tangent, the two guitarists named in the poll are both (more or less) alive. Others have chimed in to cite dead guitarists whose current level of skill is either unquantifiable or zero. I know that Clapton, when in Cream, was blown away by Hendrix.
To the mix I add the late Michael Hedges (http://www.answers.com/topic/michael-hedges?cat=entertainment). You can see/hear him here:
To the mix I add the late Michael Hedges (http://www.answers.com/topic/michael-hedges?cat=entertainment). You can see/hear him here:
Yeah Hedges is still considered a brilliant Acoustic guitarist.
SlingshotBandit
06-19-07, 01:59 PM
Someone recalled a story to me about a reporter walking up to Jimi Hendrix once. He asked Hendrix how it felt to be the "best guitarist in the world." Jim looked at the reporter and replied back, "I don't know. You should go ask Phil Keaggy. He's the best guitarist in the world."
I've heard some of Keaggy's stuff. I can't tell if he has superior guitar playing skills, but he kind've sounds like Macca. The story I heard made me curious enough to ask other guitar players that I know. They agree that Phil is "up there" with the best.
Anyone else agree with that?
Otherwise, I always thought the eternal debate was Satriana vs. Vai. (And Malmsteen?) All of whom I don't care for all that much.
Paul Gilbert isn't that bad, though.
Jason
06-19-07, 05:56 PM
Paul Gilbert isn't that bad, though.
Paul Gilbert's a talented guy, but his songwriting isn't that great, and he doesn't have the greatest stage presence in the world. I saw this year's G3 tour, and Gilbert came on first. Decent set, good guitar playing, a lot of fun. John Petrucci came out after the first intermission, and after about 30 seconds I was thinking "why was Gilbert even invited on this tour in the first place?"
JP5683
06-20-07, 04:23 AM
I saw Phil Keaggy once at a Christian conference. He's good, yeah, but I don't really know much about guitar players... There are a bunch of videos of him on YouTube, here's a good one, wait until about 2:20 into the video... there are tons of him from the 70's with long hair too...
Another guitarist I've been told a lot about is Al De Meola. 2 of my friends swear he's the best they've ever heard/seen... Here's a YouTube link for him...
DiMeola is indeed an absolute monster. I recommend his 'Elegant Gyspy' and 'Casino' releases from the mid seventies. No one was playing that fast and clean back then (not even Mahavishnu John). You can't go wrong with anything he's done actually.
shanester
06-21-07, 06:51 AM
No Steve Lukather fans here??. Just because he was in Toto don't hold that against him. -wink- His solo part on Lionel Ritchie's "Running With The Night" is one of my all time favourites plus the guys list of albums he's played on is truly amazing!
wildman1037
06-21-07, 08:24 AM
Steve Vai or Yngwie Malmsteen
sassylaurie
06-21-07, 06:02 PM
Dimebag Darrell
JumpCutz
06-21-07, 08:07 PM
No Steve Lukather fans here??. Just because he was in Toto don't hold that against him. -wink- His solo part on Lionel Ritchie's "Running With The Night" is one of my all time favourites plus the guys list of albums he's played on is truly amazing!
I'm a huge fan of Luke, a great session player and he has a few great solo
albums aside from his stellar work with TOTO.
Check out his live DVD 'Steve Lukather and Los Lobotomys'. Some great playing on that. He also has a live DVD with Larry Carlton.
He is one of the best.
Giantrobo
06-22-07, 08:01 AM
DiMeola is indeed an absolute monster. I recommend his 'Elegant Gyspy' and 'Casino' releases from the mid seventies. No one was playing that fast and clean back then (not even Mahavishnu John). You can't go wrong with anything he's done actually.
Al was one of the 1st guitarists someone said I should listen too when I said I wanted to play. Al is still amazing.
Dr Mabuse
06-22-07, 02:35 PM
Pat Martino...
a master...
Lunatikk
06-22-07, 02:58 PM
Satriani
C_Fletch
06-23-07, 11:21 AM
Let's see:
Eric Clapton
EVH
SRV
Slash(He's back)
Suprisingly John Mayer has some skills - check out his live stuff to really hear him.
Zakk Wylde
Mark Knopfler
Ben Harper
Jeff Healey
Jonny Lang
Kenny Wayne Sheperd
Indigenous
Jimmy Page
Joe Satriani
johnnysd
06-23-07, 01:59 PM
"best" is difficult to answer.
Some think "best" means best technically or best able to shred.
Some think "best" means best musically
Some equate "best" with favorite
For me the best amplified guitarist is Jimmy Page by a big margin. He was techincally strong but not perfect, but he is absolutely brilliant musically, both in writing, solo imprivization, and had to my ears at least the most musical solos and lead guitar parts of any guitarist. When you listen to Page play you never really think that the part could be better, and it is always a perfect fit for the song he is playing. From an overall musical standpoint, Page until he dies is the best guitarist in the world.
If you only want best in terms of ability to play really fast mistake free, or other elements of a purely technical slant than you look at many of the otheres mentioned here.
For unamplified guitar, I think the nod has to go to Andres Segovia. Not a composer but an unbelievably great performer and the REASON primarily that guitar is played at all in the US. As George Harrison once said "he is the grandfather of us all"
In terms of Eddie Van Halen or Eric Clapton they are both very different, and in my view both very overrated. As groundbreaking as "Eruption" was, EVH has always seemed to be a little of a one trick pony, and musically he is no where near as strong as many other guitarists. Both neither of these guys would be near my top.
Yup. The boy can play ANYTHING...any style, any genre, any tempo...and make it sound good.
In addition to his stellar solo work or contributions to duos, bands (Fairport Convention, etc.), and side projects, he has always been in demand as a session musician...instantly recognizable on recordings by a wide range of artists.
Also a good soundtrack composer ("Sweet Talker", "Grizzly Man") similar to Mark Knofler. A real treat to see in concert, too.
Highly recommend his new "Sweet Warrior" CD.
Match
06-30-07, 12:41 AM
Vito Bratta
JumpCutz
06-30-07, 02:14 AM
:thumbsup: Good call Match. One of the most melodic rock/ pop metal players of all-time. Great tone & phrasing and his solos were always impeccably constructed. I wish he was still in 'the business'. I think he's selling computers or something these days.
JAA
06-30-07, 10:46 AM
Vito Bratta
:thumbsup:
A name often lost in the generic labeling of the Big Hair era.
im_ryandick
07-02-07, 08:43 PM
CHRISTOPHER ARP from PSYOPUS!
CRM114
07-03-07, 10:49 AM
FRANK ZAPPA
The poll seems to be closed. The poll also has the word "living" in it where the title does not.
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