So...who's the best guitarist?

[cpt_azad]

Who didn't see this one coming lol.

Honestly there are far too many that I like and try to emulate, all of whom are fucking awesome in their respective "sub" genre's.

Malmsteen, Hendrix (fuck yes), Jimmy Page, Hammet, Vai, Van Halen (no shit lol), Morello (I know what you might be thinking, but this guy IMO is good, really really good), ahh too many to list, but those are the ones that immediately spring to mind (its not in order by the way).

Utmost respect for these guys, best of the best.

Your picks?

Oh ya before I forget, Neil Young lmao M Thomson and J. Root (shit I just signed my own death warrant lol)

edit: And I just know that when I see other ppl's picks, I'm gonna slap myself for not remember their name(s).

[Chewie]

Richie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, Yngywynwgwnwy Malmsteen (he's gotta be Welsh with a name like his, eh?), Slush, Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page, Andy Summers, Angus Young... I'm bored.
Next question.

[lee551]

if best = fastest then it'd be:
rusty cooley (pretty sure he's not human), michael angelo batio, malmsteen (swedish, not welsh), vai, satch, ron thal, paul gilbert

but that's only impressive for so long. it becomes pointless wanking after awhile.

my personal guitar hero is tom morello though. rage against the machine is my favorite band of all time.

honorable mention:
buckethead
dimebag darrell
eddie van halen
ritchie blackmore
devin townsend
andreas kisser
steve gaines/allen collins/gary rossington
zakk wylde
david gilmour
warren demartini
adam jones
kerry king/jeff hammet

[Chewie]

malmsteen (swedish, not welsh)

[j2k4]

I think Leo Kottke deserves a mention.

He is a bit of an acquired taste.

DL the original Airproofing (before his hand problems) or any of the live versions (after the problems) and you'll see what I mean.

Any classical player's skills will knock your socks off.

There are a ton of great players on my list; most of those mentioned here and many many more...

[Damnatory]

Can't believe Satriani wasn't even mentioned...

And to broaden the "guitarist" spectrum, I nominate Les Claypool, for there is ALOT to learn from a visionary basist like him.

[cpt_azad]

my personal guitar hero is tom morello though. rage against the machine is my favorite band of all time.

YES, finally someone that agrees lol

and ya the classical stuff is awesome J2, forgot to mention that.

@Damnatory, damnit I totally forgot about him >_<

[lee551]

malmsteen (swedish, not welsh)

i guess i have a problem telling when people are being sarcastic/serious.

my personal guitar hero is tom morello though. rage against the machine is my favorite band of all time.

YES, finally someone that agrees lol

and ya the classical stuff is awesome J2, forgot to mention that.

@Damnatory, damnit I totally forgot about him >_<

who couldn't agree that tom morello pwns?

I think Leo Kottke deserves a mention.

i feel ya on that one. i've always loved his song 'eight miles high.' that acoustic/folk stuff is comforting sometimes.

Can't believe Satriani wasn't even mentioned...

"vai, satch, ron thal"
i mean the vai/satriani combo is a given in a situation like this; a GIVEN.

[cpt_azad]

Can't believe Satriani wasn't even mentioned...

"vai, satch, ron thal"
i mean the vai/satriani combo is a given in a situation like this; a GIVEN.

hahha, oh man you know what song kicks major ass guys? Voodoo Child from the G3 where they had Malmsteen, Steve Vai, and I beleive satch...aronie...ya. lol That song is fucking intense, what I would give to play like that, so many years of practice ahead of me

[j2k4]

And SRV?

Really, if I've learned one thing about this type of endeavor, it's that any result will be in the form of a list.

I've been a fan of Monte Montgomery for years, and Clocker turned me on to how good Danny Gatton really was.

There are too many to list; I am heartened by the lack of argument here-we all recognize it's a matter of taste, and no less so because we're talking guitarists, of whom we suffer no shortage.

There is a different dynamic to the bassist/drummer/vocalist threads, I think...