Who is (or was) the worlds best guitarist?

[Flibble12345]

I'd have to go with either Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman or Jason Becker...

[guitarholla]

if you are basing "best guitar player" on popularity then maybe all these names will work. but on sheer talent you gotta have 1.michael angelo 2.jason becker 3.buckethead 4.yngwie malmsteen 5.steve vai 6.eric johnson 7.shawn lane 8.chris impeliterri 9.john petrucci 10.Paul Gilbert . (not necessarily in that order)

[guitarholla]

different styles?? Ever heard of Buckethead

[Steel2Velvet]

Hendrix credited Les Paul as his major influence. Prior to Les Paul, guitar was regarded only slightly above the harmonica as an instrumental force. The guitar was associated with country/western music as a rythmn instrument and was felt to have no real place in serious music. Les Paul innovated and made popular the style of picking individual notes from out of chord structures much as the Latino guitar stylings of the time, but folded with jazz and country runs and placed within popular tunes. He made the lead guitar appealing and acceptable. Les was also the first guitarist to popularize playing through an amplifier. All the others mentioned in this thread built upon his foundation. Does this make Les Paul the greatest? No. But it means the rest are indebted to him.

[Danielj]

I dont think it does. When people say Best Guitarist, you should put aside all this crap about being influential and crediting others.

Jimi Hendrix was and always will be IMO the most talented and original guitarist ever.

[Lizzie]

GO JIMI!!!

I definetly think of him as the best guitarist that ever lived. The best living one would probably be Eric Clapton or Buddy Miller.

~Lizzie

[Endymion]

Any list of guitarists that doesn't include Frank Zappa is incomplete.

[Are Fridtjof]

Mark Knofler was once voted in on a top 10 guitarist list. He then replied that Norwegian guitarist Øystein Sunde should also be granted a spot on that list. You should check him out, even though you can't understand a word he's saying.

Mark Knofler's cool

But my vote's for Stevie Ray Vaughan

[Kevin]

Oh, you're all sadly misinformed. Most sources agree that it was Raymond of Toulon (1173 - 1224). Though his debut performances were unheralded, most reviews agree that his concert in support of the Third Crusade (1198) was "simply sublime, a real tour de force; who wouldn't want a go at the heathen after a show like that ? Hold me back cardinal, I may just have to bang my head" (Innocent III, Pope) .

[Steel2Velvet]

Oh, you're all sadly misinformed. Most sources agree that it was Raymond of Toulon (1173 - 1224). Though his debut performances were unheralded, most reviews agree that his concert in support of the Third Crusade (1198) was "simply sublime, a real tour de force; who wouldn't want a go at the heathen after a show like that ? Hold me back cardinal, I may just have to bang my head" (Innocent III, Pope) .

Wasn't Raymond the guy who drew and quartered his guitar after each performance?

[edna]

I like Felix Papallardi... I listened to a Mountain record this morning... he might not be the best but he rocks...

Of course, jimi, Eric, Santana, Harrison, and mainly Mick Taylor. And david Gilmour.

[Ringrrl]

i would say either clapton or harrison. eric is a god, and george had some really awesome riffs. i don't think he gets enough credit as a guitar player. i personally like Wah wah's guitar stuffies

[pinkgirl]

ok i see everyone's opinion on who they think is the best quitar players and there are a lot of them, but how come no one has mentioned ROBIN TROWER. he's awesome maybe not the best but really close. thats all i wanted to say

[EasyRider]

I agree......Robin Trower is awesome.

[Danielj]

Yeah but he sucks at guitar. What can he play like 3 chords if hes lucky?

Dave Gilmour

Jimi Hendrix

Stevie Ray Vaughn

[prince_of_peace]

i'd say the best guitarists are david gilmour, jimmy page, robby kreiger, george harrison.... i can go on and on.

anyway, who the hell is robin trower?

[TenYearsGone]

Anyone who ever played a Stratocaster knows Trower

[RonJonSurfer]

anyway, who the hell is robin trower?

Mr. Trower spent some time in Procol Harum...he put out one classic solo album...but what an album..Bridge of Sighs. Few can play like him...he sounds like Hendrix without imitating him...I've seen him 3 or 4 times, the most recent in New York a couple years back...still amazing. :guitar:

[SgoXawayE]

What about adrian from iron maiden? or is this just classical?

[cindy17838]

I will continue my promotion of Eric Johnson that only Jayson has validated. Others on my list include Angus Young and Sir Eddie.

[_Jayson_]

Eric Johnson is very underrated, as Cindy and I seem to be the only ones that have heard of him.

So give these a listen:

Cliffs of Dover

Last House on the Block

And watch this.

On another note, I'll continue my promotion of Living Colour's Vernon Reid .

You can watch some more Living Colour videos here

[TenYearsGone]

Eric Johnson is very underrated, as Cindy and I seem to be the only ones that have heard of him.

Hey - here's another vote for EJ :: :: I've seen him twice and I was just listening to his "Venus Isle" CD on the way to work today. I've been a fan since I first heard CLIFFS about 12 years ago.

[edna]

Funny, we got exactly the same thread up!

[Karhul]

Do you mean guitarists that are alive or dead or both?.

[fidelityfiend]

I think they meant REAL guitar players - I'm afraid that would eliminate anyone from Linkin Park, Limp Biscuit, and any and all other "rap-rock" wannabees.

I can't limit myself to "a" favorite, but lately it's been Buddy Guy.......