So...who's the best guitarist?

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).

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.

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

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Originally Posted by lee551

malmsteen (swedish, not welsh)

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:whoosh:

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...

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

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

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Originally Posted by lee551

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

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YES, finally someone that agrees :D lol

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

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

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Originally Posted by Chewie UK

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Originally Posted by lee551

malmsteen (swedish, not welsh)

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:whoosh:

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

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Originally Posted by cpt_azad

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Originally Posted by lee551

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

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YES, finally someone that agrees :D lol

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

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

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who couldn't agree that tom morello pwns? :O

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I think Leo Kottke deserves a mention.

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

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Originally Posted by Damnatory

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

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

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Originally Posted by lee551

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Originally Posted by Damnatory

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

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

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:lol::lol::lol: 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 :(

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...

The Edge.

He's got a cool name, he must be good.

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Originally Posted by DorisInsinuate

The Edge.

He's got a cool name, he must be good.

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And Slash?

He must be bloody good, then...:)

Slash is a bad name :no2:

Where I come from it means to have a wee.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FkJIlCBoZI&search=blackened

irrelevant? probably.

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Originally Posted by DorisInsinuate

Slash is a bad name :no2:

Where I come from it means to have a wee.

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It follows, then, that you believe him to be a rather pissy guitar-player. :)

Slash and the Edge are not great they are just in well known bands.

As an ex muso from way back I always think that a great guitarist is one that invents their own style (sound) and is instantly recognisable.

Eg

Carlos Santana
Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopfler

As for speed

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After was pretty fast.

Regards

Digby

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Originally Posted by digmen1

Slash and the Edge are not great they are just in well known bands.

How true.

As an ex muso from way back I always think that a great guitarist is one that invents their own style (sound) and is instantly recognisable.

Eg

Carlos Santana
Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopfler

As for speed

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After was pretty fast.

Regards

Digby

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I'll ad my sentiment to yours, as re: Knopfler.

He throws off a new noodle of some type every time he plays.

I am an avid fan. ;)

I agree with all the above guitarists being great. and I would like to add Allen "robot" Van Wert. http://www.musichopper.com/

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Originally Posted by j2k4

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Originally Posted by digmen1

Slash and the Edge are not great they are just in well known bands.

How true.

As an ex muso from way back I always think that a great guitarist is one that invents their own style (sound) and is instantly recognisable.

Eg

Carlos Santana
Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopfler

As for speed

Alvin Lee of Ten Years After was pretty fast.

Regards

Digby

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I'll ad my sentiment to yours, as re: Knopfler.

He throws off a new noodle of some type every time he plays.

I am an avid fan. ;)

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My boy had been learning guitar for about a year when I got the Live Aid DVD set for Father's Day.
The first thing I watched was Queen, then showed him Dire Straits performance of Sultans Of Swing. He was suitably impressed.
:)

I wouldn't say THE best, but John Petrucci is pretty good.

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Originally Posted by Chewie UK

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I'll ad my sentiment to yours, as re: Knopfler.

He throws off a new noodle of some type every time he plays.

I am an avid fan. ;)

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My boy had been learning guitar for about a year when I got the Live Aid DVD set for Father's Day.
The first thing I watched was Queen, then showed him Dire Straits performance of Sultans Of Swing. He was suitably impressed.
:)

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You're kidding.

My daughter got me that set last Father's Day and the first thing we watched was the Queen performance as well as Dire Straits.

She and her husband were blown away, which was good, 'cuz the rest of the DVD is crap, due to the sound issues that cropped up.

I don't know how to rate BEST guitarist, but one that I think deserves mention above some of these guys is John Frusciante. I quite like his work. Some of his solos are up there with Hendrix, and I might say that some are above that level. The song "Hey" on the first disc of Stadium Arcadium is quite tasteful and pleasant.

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Originally Posted by tsantsa

The song...is quite tasteful and pleasant.

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Tasteful?

Pleasant?

Okay...:huh:

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Originally Posted by j2k4

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Originally Posted by tsantsa

The song...is quite tasteful and pleasant.

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Tasteful?

Pleasant?

Okay...:huh:

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Lawl.

Solo's aside, I find Kirk Hammett and (especially) James Hetfields performances in Fade To Black the most impressive work I've yet to encounter. That main acoustic (and the electric riff[s] for the chorus) part for the verses is just absolutely beautiful. Doesn't make them the best guitarist(s) per say, but none the less inspirational.

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Originally Posted by cpt_azad

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Originally Posted by j2k4

Tasteful?

Pleasant?

Okay...:huh:

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Lawl.

Solo's aside, I find Kirk Hammett and (especially) James Hetfields performances in Fade To Black the most impressive work I've yet to encounter. That main acoustic (and the electric riff[s] for the chorus) part for the verses is just absolutely beautiful. Doesn't make them the best guitarist(s) per say, but none the less inspirational.

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Yes, yes, that's all well and good, but are they tasteful?

More importantly, are they pleasant?

We have criteria to meet here...;)

Although I can appreciate the technique exemplified by many guitarists (Vai, Satriani, etc.) and the sheer dexterity employed by others (although a few black beauties and lots of spare time can result in flawless speed), for just plain ole musicality it's hard to beat David Gilmour or Mark Knopfler.

Subjugating technique to the requirements of the song is a real mark of genius.

Joe Satriani anyone?

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Originally Posted by clocker

Although I can appreciate the technique exemplified by many guitarists (Vai, Satriani, etc.) and the sheer dexterity employed by others (although a few black beauties and lots of spare time can result in flawless speed), for just plain ole musicality it's hard to beat David Gilmour or Mark Knopfler.

Subjugating technique to the requirements of the song is a real mark of genius.

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A point I've struggled to make.

I think I'll go listen to Monte Montgomery play When Will I, and let the day unfold as it will...:)

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I think I'll go listen to Monte Montgomery play When Will I, and let the day unfold as it will...:)

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Enjoy your day and my best to SWMBO.
Try not to end up like the folks in your email....

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Originally Posted by clocker

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I think I'll go listen to Monte Montgomery play When Will I, and let the day unfold as it will...:)

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Enjoy your day and my best to SWMBO.
Try not to end up like the folks in your email....

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Oy.

I got that from my Dad; I can't believe it.

Do your best to avoid a similar fate and greet your folks for me?

Mrs. J. sends a hug.

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Originally Posted by cpt_azad

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Originally Posted by j2k4

Tasteful?

Pleasant?

Okay...:huh:

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Lawl.

Solo's aside, I find Kirk Hammett and (especially) James Hetfields performances in Fade To Black the most impressive work I've yet to encounter. That main acoustic (and the electric riff[s] for the chorus) part for the verses is just absolutely beautiful. Doesn't make them the best guitarist(s) per say, but none the less inspirational.

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people like to take shots at hammet because he seems to only solo in one key (e minor if memory isn't playing me). holds some truth i guess. he's very accomplished nontheless.

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Originally Posted by lee551

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Originally Posted by cpt_azad

Lawl.

Solo's aside, I find Kirk Hammett and (especially) James Hetfields performances in Fade To Black the most impressive work I've yet to encounter. That main acoustic (and the electric riff[s] for the chorus) part for the verses is just absolutely beautiful. Doesn't make them the best guitarist(s) per say, but none the less inspirational.

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people like to take shots at hammet because he seems to only solo in one key (e minor if memory isn't playing me). holds some truth i guess. he's very accomplished nontheless.

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True enough, but I don't wonder at that, as everybody and their brother has a guitar and seeks to emulate whichever hero strikes them.

We haven't any shortage of prospects.

As Clocker notes, apart from singular performances (everybody has one), the ones who set themselves apart do it ALL THE TIME.

Call the others 'tweeners'.

Speaking of that upper-second-echelon group, I nominate Joe Perry and Alex Lifeson.

Lifeson has a catalogue of riffs to be proud of, and Perry is as much responsible for Aerosmith as Steve Tyler.

I still think his work on Train Kept a Rollin" is absolutely sterling.

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I still think his work on Train Kept a Rollin" is absolutely sterling.

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I agree but why not go the source?
Jeff Beck's original Going Down is a veritable catalogue of riffs,techniques and adrenilin for the aspiring beginner.

While I'm at it I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up Roy Buchanan.
The Messiah Will Come Again is pure longing trapped on vinyl.

i'm always reluctant to start naming classic rock guitarists because that becomes a loooong, slippery slope of mandatory name dropping.

alex lifeson; did you ever hear about that fight him and his son got into? i think it was in florida over new years. :lol:

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Originally Posted by clocker

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Originally Posted by j2k4

I still think his work on Train Kept a Rollin" is absolutely sterling.

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I agree but why not go the source?
Jeff Beck's original Going Down is a veritable catalogue of riffs,techniques and adrenilin for the aspiring beginner.

While I'm at it I'd be remiss if I didn't bring up Roy Buchanan.
The Messiah Will Come Again is pure longing trapped on vinyl.

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Right again.

People forget Buchanan.

Even worse that they forget Beck.

Lee551-

Us old farts drop names 'cuz we can't hold onto them anymore.

Yes, I heard about the fight.

Sounded like a true clusterfuck; I don't know that it is resolved even yet.

I gather there was an overzealous young cop involved...

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Originally Posted by lee551

i'm always reluctant to start naming classic rock guitarists because that becomes a loooong, slippery slope of mandatory name dropping.

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Originally Posted by j2k4

Us old farts drop names 'cuz we can't hold onto them anymore.

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There is also the "been there, heard that" syndrome in play.

Unless you were there (and I know most of you weren't), it's impossible to describe the first time you heard Hendrix's Foxey Lady or Page's Whole Lotta Love or even Knopfler's Sultans of Swing- nothing you'd ever heard before sounded like them.
There have been great practicioners of the art since them of course, but very few elicit the "Holy shit!" response as you realize that you've just stepped over the edge and risen to a whole new plane.

I also think it's worth noting "great bands" rarely feature a "great guitarist"*.
After all, the Beatles featured two completely mediocre players (who really wants to emulate Gearge Harrison?), yet they are without doubt a great band. The Rolling Stones only had a good guitarist during the brief period that Mick Taylor was a member- (Get Your Ya-Yas Out shows that they absolutely could be the "Greatest Band in the World" live on stage).


*Clearly, there are exceptions- Led Zepellin and Pink Floyd spring easily to mind.

And, as long as I'm rambling...I think it's odd that Clapton is rarely mentioned in recurring threads like this- even by me.
Popularly reckoned to be a master, I consider him to be more of a workman than a pioneer. Just goes to show I guess that simply hanging in there is it's own reward.

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Originally Posted by clocker

And, as long as I'm rambling...I think it's odd that Clapton is rarely mentioned in recurring threads like this- even by me.
Popularly reckoned to be a master, I consider him to be more of a workman than a pioneer. Just goes to show I guess that simply hanging in there is it's own reward.

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If memory serves, I think he made an album not too long ago called Journeyman.

Apt that he chose that particular descriptive, huh? :)

SRV fo sho

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Originally Posted by bosko1978

SRV fo sho

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Fo sho 'nuff.

I miss him.

Guitarists who have inspired me, in no particular order, include Mark Knopfler, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore, Eric Johnson, Dave Gilmour, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen.

They've all got their own individual styles and flair, but of them all, I would have to choose Mark Knopfler as my favourite.