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Who is the greatest guitarist of all time?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Who is the greatest guitarist of all time?
Mulva's avatar

Mulva

Senior Member

13,650 posts
Apr 30, 2011 2:48 AM
Jimmy Page.
Apr 30, 2011 2:48am
GoChiefs's avatar

GoChiefs

Resident Maniac

16,754 posts
Apr 30, 2011 3:04 AM
I've always been a Joe Satriani fan.
Apr 30, 2011 3:04am
Trueblue23's avatar

Trueblue23

BASEDgod

7,463 posts
Apr 30, 2011 3:58 AM
Jimi Hendrix
Chuck Berry
Jimmy Paige
Duane Allman
Eric Clapton


No love for Slash?
Apr 30, 2011 3:58am
brutus161's avatar

brutus161

The Navy Guy

1,686 posts
Apr 30, 2011 7:24 AM
Yngwie Malmsteen
Apr 30, 2011 7:24am
V

vball10set

paying it forward

24,795 posts
Apr 30, 2011 8:09 AM
Hendrix
Clapton
Van Halen
Nugent
Vaughn
Apr 30, 2011 8:09am
Skyhook79's avatar

Skyhook79

Senior Member

5,739 posts
Apr 30, 2011 11:34 AM
[video=youtube;lRiw4vZxSj4][/video]


No Ted Nugent yet?
Apr 30, 2011 11:34am
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

Troublemaker

5,529 posts
Apr 30, 2011 12:47 PM
Skyhook, I just had a memory blast from the past, my older brother's friend Mark Chatfield jammed at Legend Valley with Ted Nugent. One of my first heavy metal concerts, I must have been about 14.

[video=youtube;XctUGRHBkBk][/video]
Apr 30, 2011 12:47pm
BigAppleBuckeye's avatar

BigAppleBuckeye

Senior Member

2,935 posts
Apr 30, 2011 1:20 PM
No love for Steve Vai? I don't think he is the best, but he is crazy talented
Apr 30, 2011 1:20pm
dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
Apr 30, 2011 1:38 PM
Many of the guitarists named on here are very good, some great; however, they are popular. Some of the greatest are not as widely known. Some have mentioned all time greats like Andres Segovia, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai. These guys are so technically sound they can play anyone's music. Most the guys listed can not play like Satch, Vai, Segovia, Malmsteen can. It is all a matter of preference. But when it comes to actual skills, these guys are the best of the best along with John Petrucci of Dream Theater, Jason Becker (who sadly can no longer play due to ALS), Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big and Eric Johnson; just to name a few.

Again, it is all subjective, but to listen to these guys, their skills are so far above other popular guitarists like Hendrix, BB King, Slash. Hell I know people that can play better than Slash and BB King.
Apr 30, 2011 1:38pm
tcarrier32's avatar

tcarrier32

Senior Member

1,497 posts
Apr 30, 2011 2:09 PM
dwccrew;755210 wrote:Many of the guitarists named on here are very good, some great; however, they are popular. Some of the greatest are not as widely known. Some have mentioned all time greats like Andres Segovia, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai. These guys are so technically sound they can play anyone's music. Most the guys listed can not play like Satch, Vai, Segovia, Malmsteen can. It is all a matter of preference. But when it comes to actual skills, these guys are the best of the best along with John Petrucci of Dream Theater, Jason Becker (who sadly can no longer play due to ALS), Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big and Eric Johnson; just to name a few.

Again, it is all subjective, but to listen to these guys, their skills are so far above other popular guitarists like Hendrix, BB King, Slash. Hell I know people that can play better than Slash and BB King.

i have to agree with the sentiment of your post. but like you pointed out, its all subjective.

but seriously... ted nugent? wtf..
Apr 30, 2011 2:09pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
Apr 30, 2011 2:44 PM
Django Reinhardt. Easily.
Apr 30, 2011 2:44pm
BGFalcons82's avatar

BGFalcons82

Senior Member

2,173 posts
Apr 30, 2011 6:23 PM
Dammit, speedofsand...you beat me to it!

Mark Chatfield. :) The Godz are gonna roll on you...

I love Terrible Teddy. There is none better for sheer entertainment value.
Angus Young can play the blues with anyone named previously.
No one plays the instrument any better than Eddie Van Halen.
The earlier reference to Roger Waters is valid.
Pete Townshend anyone?
Jimy Paige played plastered every time, so it's hard to recognize how good he could have been.
Clapton is the most over-rated guitar player of all time.
Mark Knopfler was very good at one time.
Apr 30, 2011 6:23pm
A

AcesinCalifornia

Member

67 posts
Apr 30, 2011 7:12 PM
A few more I didn't see mentioned (some other names possibly among the best):

Ritchie Blackmore (by all accounts an ass, but crafted many of the sounds/techniques other hard rock guitarists use, and is very versatile)
Robbie Robertson (a very lyrical guitarist, and great songwriter)
Jeff Beck (has played in a variety of genres, hampered by lack of being in a "great" band for very much of his career, and he can't sing either :)
Steve Marriott (really loved his energy, and a dynamic singer, probably not a "top 10" guitarist, but very good)

I also really love Willie Nelson. His style isn't for everyone, and I wouldn't necessarily call him technically great, but I think his is a singularly unique player.

Agreed with dwccrew, a lot of technically great players don't get the exposure of others (including a lot of session guys who haven't been in regular bands).

And, as some have mentioned, it's all subjective.
Apr 30, 2011 7:12pm
osudarby08's avatar

osudarby08

Senior Member

734 posts
Apr 30, 2011 9:11 PM
dwccrew absolutely nailed it....most of these names are famous people. There are definitely better "technical" players than a lot of the guys named.

I think Petrucci from Dream Theater is absolutely insane
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

As a big metal fan, there are tons of great metal guitarists....I could start a thread just for "best metal guitar player", but Dimebag Darrel was absolutely insane and had a lot of influence on the great players of today. Super cool guy too bad that psycho killed him at the Alrosa Villa.
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Apr 30, 2011 9:11pm
osudarby08's avatar

osudarby08

Senior Member

734 posts
Apr 30, 2011 9:17 PM
tcarrier32;755231 wrote:
but seriously... ted nugent? wtf..

this made me lol and yea I have to agree with you.
Apr 30, 2011 9:17pm
4cards's avatar

4cards

Ohio Chatter Legend

2,551 posts
May 1, 2011 11:00 AM
...my favorite guitar players (no particular order)

1. Carlos Santana
2. Richie Blackmore
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. Gary Richrath (didn't see him mentioned b/4 and made REO Speedwagon rock!)
5. Joe Satriani
6. Jimmy Paige
7. David Gilmore
8. Robin Trower
9. Stevie Ray Vaughn
10. Jimi Hendrix

...NOT... in the list of greatest guitar players of all time

May 1, 2011 11:00am
dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
May 1, 2011 5:53 PM
ccrunner609;756115 wrote:Not one mention of Frampton.

Exactly. He doesn't sniff the list.
May 1, 2011 5:53pm
dwccrew's avatar

dwccrew

Not Banned

7,817 posts
May 1, 2011 5:57 PM
1:57 prepare for your head to explode

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
May 1, 2011 5:57pm
I

I Wear Pants

Senior Member

16,223 posts
May 1, 2011 5:58 PM
Django Reinhardt deserves a second mention even if it's by me again.
May 1, 2011 5:58pm
Mohican00's avatar

Mohican00

Dirty White Boy

3,394 posts
May 1, 2011 6:07 PM
osudarby08;755472 wrote:As a big metal fan, there are tons of great metal guitarists....I could start a thread just for "best metal guitar player", but Dimebag Darrel was absolutely insane and had a lot of influence on the great players of today. Super cool guy too bad that psycho killed him at the Alrosa Villa.
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
To me he's the greatest guitarist of all time with Jimmy Page at #2
May 1, 2011 6:07pm
T

Tiernan

Senior Member

13,021 posts
May 1, 2011 6:13 PM
You're all wrong - ask any of the guys you've already mentioned and they will tell you its Chuck Berry.
May 1, 2011 6:13pm
Dr Winston O'Boogie's avatar

Dr Winston O'Boogie

Senior Member

1,799 posts
May 1, 2011 6:52 PM
Sonofanump;755059 wrote:I've got Hendrix, Clapton and Robert Johnson in that order. I think Led Zeppelin is the boss, but think Page is sloppy live and not a great guitarist.

Good point. Led Zeppelin live was absolutely horrible. Good (not great) songwriters, BORING and lame live show (performance and sound).

My favorite guitarist is David Gilmour.
May 1, 2011 6:52pm
september63's avatar

september63

Senior Member

5,789 posts
May 1, 2011 6:59 PM
Stevie Ray Vaughn, and they were an excellent live show.
May 1, 2011 6:59pm
Trueblue23's avatar

Trueblue23

BASEDgod

7,463 posts
May 1, 2011 8:11 PM
Tiernan;756147 wrote:You're all wrong - ask any of the guys you've already mentioned and they will tell you its Chuck Berry.

Pretty sure I mentioned Chuck Berry.
May 1, 2011 8:11pm
Speedofsand's avatar

Speedofsand

Troublemaker

5,529 posts
May 1, 2011 8:53 PM
Buddy Guy once said that when SRV got in a groove the music just flowed out of his fingers. This is one of those nights, and I was there. On another note, he sends a powerful message about his partying and sobriety in the middle of this song. There are other songs with hotter riffs from the same SRV show on youtube, but this is my favorite.

[video=youtube;vQ8liJYAnco][/video]


oh yeah, thanks Chevy for the free spring break concert. :)
May 1, 2011 8:53pm