Guitar Tricks - Which 3 guitarists have most inspired/influenced you?

Superhuman

10-18-2007, 08:56 AM

New thread, different to the who is your favourite or who is the best or fastest etc.
So which 3 guitarists have given you most inspriation to get to where you are now and influenced you in your development as a player?

Mine are:
1) Jason Becker (single most important influence for me for injecting feeling into 'shred')
2) Marty Friedman (for his unique sound and exotic scales)
3) Joe Satriani (more so than Vai for me, memorable hooks, cool tones and well contructed pieces)

SophieM

10-18-2007, 12:09 PM

Probably something along the lines of:

1) Joe Pass
2) Wes Montgomery
3) Pat Metheny/Al Di Meola

These aren't necessarily the people who have influenced me the most though.

hunter60

10-18-2007, 02:28 PM

Hmm. Interesting question.

1) Stevie Ray Vaughn

2) B.B. King

3) Eric Clapton

I would have to say inspired more than influenced since I can't play anything close to the way these guys play/played. :D

hunter1801

10-19-2007, 04:12 PM

1) Kirk Hammet (He's the reason I even began to play guitar or get into metal)
2) Marty Friedman (very unique way of playing, and hes basically a genious)
3) Yngwie Malmsteen (one of the first shredders I saw. Started my transition into sweep picking/speed playing)

light487

10-19-2007, 07:02 PM

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. David Gilmour
3. Angus Young

There are others.. but these 3 would have to be the top 3.

earthman buck

10-20-2007, 12:53 AM

1. Kurt Cobain
2. Chet Atkins
3. Thurston Moore & Lee Ranaldo (of Sonic Youth, you can't really have one without the other.)

Yeah, I'm all power-chords and lazy fingerpicking and unusual harmonic tunings. That's me.

ren

10-20-2007, 07:49 AM

1) Joe Satriani
2) Richie Kotzen
3) Eric Clapton

Clapton for inspiraing me to pick up a guitar all those years ago. Satriani for showing me what I could really be doing with it, and Kotzen for doing it different. Fourth place would have gone to Vinnie Moore....

My answer would probably be different tomorrow... so many amazing players. Satch comes in at number one for having total command of the instrument and playing with feel.

jamesplaysgitar

10-20-2007, 08:53 PM

1. Paul waggoner ( the guitarist and musical genius behind between the buried and me)
2.dusie waring (also of between the buried and me)
3. christopher bradley (of beneath the massacre)

dvenetian

10-20-2007, 09:01 PM

Denny Tryon

10-20-2007, 09:31 PM

Ry Cooder

Duane Allman

Tony RIce

la'guit

10-21-2007, 04:57 PM

Um ......

Jimi Hendrix is the main, but i can't pick the rest because its a number of great guitarists and a very open subject.

Superhuman

10-22-2007, 05:47 AM

My Inspirations;
1. Michael Schenker
2. Randy Rhoads (RIP)
3. Dave Murray

Schenker was the first guitarist that I saw Live in Concert. Soon after I saw EVH, which was insane, but then seeing Rhoads took on a different turn because he was an underdog playing for a Huge "Ozzy" Name and just shocked everyone with his natural Talent.... Mouth dropping talent.....
Murray = (Just plain sweet)......

+1 for both Randy Rhoads and Dave Murray. Rhoads was amazing and definitely one of the great pioneers. Everything he played was brilliant. Murray is one of those under rated guys, his solos are so well constructed and memorable, very melodic. My favourite Maiden album for song structures consistant quality and especially production has to be 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' - have to admit Adrian Smith complimented Murray perfectly. I just went off Maiden after that album, like they lost the 'greatness' that got them to the top of the pile.

Edit: 'I must spread around some rep before giveing it to Dvenetian again...'

dvenetian

10-22-2007, 01:21 PM

+1 for both Randy Rhoads and Dave Murray. Rhoads was amazing and definitely one of the great pioneers. Everything he played was brilliant. Murray is one of those under rated guys, his solos are so well constructed and memorable, very melodic. My favourite Maiden album for song structures consistant quality and especially production has to be 'Seventh Son of a Seventh Son' - have to admit Adrian Smith complimented Murray perfectly. I just went off Maiden after that album, like they lost the 'greatness' that got them to the top of the pile.

Edit: 'I must spread around some rep before giveing it to Dvenetian again...'
I agree with you after "Seventh Son", they got off track with some of what made them so unique. I do like some of new tracks off their latest "A Matter of Life and Death" Album. Some of that "Greatness" shines on that album.
Hopefully they go in that direction again........

2bitt

10-27-2007, 11:00 AM

1) slash
2)angus young
3)joe perry

all amazing but slash was the one who made me want to pick it up. he is self taught so he doesn't have a "style" and wrote rock songs in all sorts of genre's "sweet child 'o mine" is a country style etc.

theseventhson

10-27-2007, 11:45 AM

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jack white
3. John Lennon

granted these are more singer songwriter guitarist but its the whole sha bang from each of them that makes tehm so good :cool:

thefirstmaggot

11-20-2007, 04:04 PM

i would have to say that mick thompson, james root and kramer vanguard are my major inspirations to play guitar and always will be.

JustinArmstrong

11-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, and Paul Gilbert.

light487

11-21-2007, 04:21 AM

hehe..

I'm going to have change one of my influences to Eric Johnson now. My music style is really sounding like him now.. I've had a few people say to me and I didn't realise until I compared it myself.

Superhuman

11-22-2007, 06:48 AM

If you like fast, technical guitar with lots of exotic scales, whammy bar, sweep picking, crazy legatto etc that manages to stay uber melodic with excellent sound production, check out 'Imhotep' by David Valdes. Brilliant second release, his first cd 'Paradise Lost' is the best all round instrumental cd I've heard since Jason Beckers 'Perpetual Burn'. And 'Imhotep' is even better.
This guy is going to be huge, I highly recommend both of his cd's to anyone interested in instrumental guitar - not just a load of arpeggio sequences lifted from Bach and Malmsteen, this guys playing is really interesting and progressive. Check him out on youtube to see that he can actually play as cleanly live as he does on his cd (which is insanely clean for the level of difficulty and techniques employed). I havent bought an instructional dvd in a LONG time but I'm thinking of getting his, they are so cheap and seem to have the basics for all of the runs and sequences he uses.
Here's his website, loads of sound bites and vids etc:
http://davidvaldes.net/videoenglish.htm

Kevin Taylor

11-22-2007, 10:45 AM

jeez... not one person mentions Van Halen??

This is going back aways, but the first album totally influenced my playing technique... not to mention the cleanliness of his playing.

And the tapping was a complete mystery that I had to learn.

R. Shackleferd

11-22-2007, 12:53 PM

1. Jimmy Page
2. Billy Gibbons
3. Francisco Tarrega

It all started with listening to old Zep albums, and loving the variety of styles, tunings, and tones (as applied to both acoustic and electric).

I just love Gibbons simple approach to songwriting and lead playing. Actually I guess a lot of what he does is harder than it sounds (as it should be). For instance, him being a master of pick harmonics, or other things that more than anything come down to "feel".

And Tarrega (Spanish classical guitarist, late 19th century) brought the classical guitar to the forefront. Great voicings, techniques, and overall melodic compositions. Sure, I can't play even a 1/4 of his work, but it's good to have goals!

dvenetian

11-23-2007, 02:55 AM

No doubt that VH debut was a shear masterpiece. Roth even kicked on that album. Roth also took some "wind out of the sails" with some of his sillyness on following releases, which effected the band as a whole. Eddie became the staple keeping things alive. That was until I heard Randy Rhoads make his debut. His phrasing ability alone was unheard of. Now add in the incredible, clean and articulate genius of composition that he created was just an unstoppable monster. Suddenly I became aware of how much EVH resorted to using effects, tricks and gimmicks as part of his overall style.
Rhoads played live the same as what was created in the studio. The best guitarist I have ever seen......I've seen both of them play live.
Eddie is an incredible artist that created a signature style, truly a genius with effects. Rhoads was a phenomenon. Not one artist in 25 years has reincarnated his legacy. Guitar Tappers are a dime a dozen these days and have beaten the technique to death...............

Kevin Taylor

11-23-2007, 04:50 AM

I gotta say that evh first album was the one that totally blew me away.
I can still remember going over to a friends house and he threw it on and I was totally dumbfounded.
First thing I did next day was go out and buy my own copy and a Marshall stack, then spent 2 years learning how to play it on my Lloyds turntable on 16rpm trying to figure it out. I finally got tickets to their show at Maple Leaf Gardens (back row up against the wall with a pair of my dads binoculars that kept steaming up). I spent the whole show waiting to see how he did the tapping part and by the end of the show it was so hot I was sweating my butt off.
It was worth it though cause it was the only way I could figure out how he did it.

Kevin Taylor

11-23-2007, 07:58 PM

Sasuke199

11-23-2007, 10:59 PM

Angus Young (knew about him long before I started)
Slash (#1 Baby!!)
Randy Rhoads (R.I.P :( )

These three are my definite influences.

jimmy navarro

11-24-2007, 01:38 PM

1. Jimmy Page
2. John Frusciante
3. Dave Navarro
4. Ace Frehley

dvenetian

11-27-2007, 12:48 AM

And I gotta disagree with 'tappers being a dime a dozen"
Some guys have taken the whole tapping thing to new levels with 8 finger tapping, chord tapping and multistring tapping that goes way beyond what EVH ever did.
Maybe the "dime a dozen" statement was a bit harsh and insensitive. True, some have taken the technique to a different level with great talent and deserve recognition. They created something original where others just sound basically the same overall.

maestro shaz

11-27-2007, 06:57 AM

1. Joe Satriani (Always and Forever)
2. Steve Vai (Cos' he's a ****ing weird when it comes to composition)
3. Yngwie J. Malmsteen (The man who taught me sweep :cool: )

However, I would've added Santana in there, cos I listened to him since I was born when my father played his songs. But there is no Santana in my playing but, I ****ing love him....

Yeah...

Shaz

turkeyjerky214

11-27-2007, 03:09 PM

Inspired:
Eddie Van Halen
Billy Joe Armstrong (cut me some slack, I started playing in '95 and I was 11)
David Gilmore

Influenced:
Jimmy Page
Slash
Eric Clapton

I broke the two up because while I was inspired to start playing guitar by Eddie, Billy, and Dave, I don't play anything like any of them.

The other three are the people I actually play more like, or in Slash's case aspire to play like.

leetyguy

11-28-2007, 09:26 PM

1) slash (inspired me to develope a distinct tone)
2)ritchie sambora (first to inspire me to play guitar)
3) angus young (taught me simple can be the best way to aproach writing)

Geeetar4Life

11-29-2007, 12:53 PM

I honestly can't narrow it down to three....so here are the main guys that influenced me.

Hendrix
Eddy Van Halen
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton
Satriani
John Mayer

Yeah...those are the top ones.

polansky

12-02-2007, 08:54 PM

Fist cuase for him I started playing guitar...

Dimebag Darrell

Second, cause I think that he can play anything from rithm to lead like no one else...

John Petrucci

And third is a tie...

Satch and Vai... no words to explain what they do with music but it's just amazing in every sense... composition, skills, feelling, damn I just hate them for being so good.

Weslaba

12-02-2007, 09:59 PM

1)Derek Trucks
2)Doyle Bramhall II
3)John Mayer

CFH333_RIP_DIME

12-03-2007, 12:24 AM

1.) Dimebag Darrell-i Think Hes The Greatest Guitarist Of All Time And He Needs To Be Added On The By Inspiration Column.

2.) Zakk Wylde-the Wylde Man

3.) Kirk Hammet - Metallica!!!!!

Oh! And You Guys Need To Add Randy Rhoads On The By Inspiration Column As Well.

Like A Great Man Once Said "getcha Pull!!!!"

Dont Forget To Have A Drink For Dime On Dec 8!!!!!

BJoy

12-05-2007, 11:07 PM

Matt Bellamy (Listen to some MUSE and the reason will come to you)
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (Listen to some TMV and the reason will come to you)
Slash (Unavoidable)

playerwannabe

12-06-2007, 02:24 AM

Its hard to pin it down really. I have always wanted to play guitar so it is hard to narrow it down. The 3 that really got me motivated to actually go buy a guitar and try to play the dern thing:
1. Ted Nugent
2. Mark Tremonti
3. Kirk Hammett

I can't say they really influenced me as far as style of music goes. They definately made me say (as I was playing air guitar) "I wish I could do that"!

sreeja

12-07-2007, 05:44 AM

My 3 favorite guitarists are
Wes Montgomery
Jason Becker
David Gilmour

pizza_nif

12-12-2007, 03:56 PM

cody votolato, chris arp & jim martin

Fenderalltheway

12-23-2007, 05:24 PM

Hmmm...

1. John Frusciante
2. David Gilmour
3. Brian May

u2andwho

12-23-2007, 06:38 PM

1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Pete Townshend
3) Eric Clapton

I have alot of others, but these three stand out the most for me!!

jkuervo

12-24-2007, 08:59 AM

Toni Iommi
Dimebag Darrell
Slash

dashboy77

01-01-2008, 02:58 PM

1) Eddie Van Halen
2) Vito Bratta
3) Slash

Morristan

01-05-2008, 12:22 PM

Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton

dreamstate

01-06-2008, 01:03 AM

Hi, new guy here so I guess I'll join the party with this thread.

If it were the 3 I'd have to say EVH, RandyRhoads and TonyMacalpine are the one's that probably influenced me the most on how I play the guitar. Jason Beckers in there somewhere too.

dreamboatkaren

01-06-2008, 02:21 PM

Hello,
This is my first post on this board. I've been playing on and off for about 30 years now. I hope to learn something new and fresh while I'm here.
My three guitar influences

1. Nancy Wilson of Heart (She is an AMAZING acoustic player!)
2. David Gilmour
3. Roger Fisher formally of Heart

Okay, that's my 2 cents! :D

Karen

lockwolf

01-07-2008, 11:19 PM

1. Billy Corgan (I'm a huge Pumpkins fan and seriously hes part of the reason I keep going)
2. David Gilmour (One of the best guitar players ever! Also, he uses the Digitech Whammy pedal a lot better than most guitar players. Listen to Marooned or The Blue to get what I'm talking about)
3. Matthew Bellamy (What else do I have to say?)

ZakJenkins

01-08-2008, 05:22 PM

1. Tommy Emmanuel (Outstanding Musician, amazing grasp of phrasing and melody.)

2. Oli Herbert (Brilliant Theorist, and Innovative player.)

3. Tom Morello (Nifty little bugger, ain't he?)

oib111

01-08-2008, 06:22 PM

Oh my god, too many, cuz I Like so many sytles of music I have so many influences on guitar lets see. My first influences evr were prolly Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. But I have Kurt Cobain, Angus Young, Miles Davis, Van Halen, Jimmy Page, um, Paul Simon and Garfunkel, and more just can't think of em right now. But what got me into playing, I think it was when I first saw, School of Rock, I remember watching the 11 yr old play guitar and I started playing.

bobfarabaughjr

01-09-2008, 02:02 AM

1. Carlos Santana
2. Marc RIzzo
3. B.B. King

Drew77

01-09-2008, 01:42 PM

1. Frank Zappa
2. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez
3. Robert Fripp, and if not him then he has definitely heavily influenced the people who would be more direct.

All of them have influenced me much more than just guitar playing but I have definitely been influenced most on the guitar by these guys. They are gods all.

matt743

01-10-2008, 08:43 PM

my three are
1)dead dime bag darrell
2)buckethead
3)slash

nathanael hale

01-13-2008, 11:26 AM

Jimi hendrix,john sykes,gary moore,more to list.....

Blackmore16

01-14-2008, 03:08 PM

I was mostly influenced by David Gilmour, Ritchie Blackmore and Eric Clapton.

DAMAGED ONE

01-14-2008, 03:16 PM

Kiss
Ted Nugent
Judas Priest
Boston

jessewakeman

01-18-2008, 04:21 PM

Jimmy page

Dimebag Darrel

Steve vai

cause they all pretty much kick ass

bmyatt

01-18-2008, 08:56 PM

Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kirk Hammet, and though hes not famous or nothin Benoit Nadeau has inspired me a ton the last couple weeks, i havent played much in the last 3 years, but my dad showed me guitartricks, and Benoit's metal lessons have been rather inspiring, and have me playing again!

looneytunes

01-23-2008, 10:53 AM

No particular order. More than just admiring their talents, I admire them as human beings. This is first what attracted me to their music.

Doc Watson
Tony Price
Chet Atkins
Tommy Emmanuel (New Inspiration)

spychocyco

01-24-2008, 02:29 AM

Like many children of the 1980s Randy Rhoads is the reason that I picked up a guitar. That little circular lick in the solo for "Over the Mountain" is still one of my favorites, and when I finally figured out how to play "Dee" all the way through, that was the only thing anyone that came near me heard played for a solid three months. :D

The two guys that have probably most influenced my playing, though, are Tony Iommi and James Hetfield. I'm not a noodler. I'm a rhythm guy. I love a big, heavy slabalicious riff. To me, that's the backbone of the song, and the other stuff, while often impressive, is like icing.

Of course there have been tons of players who have inspired me over the years in one way or another (Dime, Zakk, Criss Oliva, Nuno, SRV, Jon Schaffer, Brian May, Jeff Waters), but if I had to limit it to three, I'd say those are the guys.

spychocyco

01-24-2008, 02:31 AM

Tommy Emmanuel (New Inspiration)

He's come through here several times in the past five or six years, and I've had a chance to see him play a couple of times. It's not really my style of music, but that guy is amazing.

Glimmer Twin

01-29-2008, 11:37 PM

My heaviest influences would have to be:

1) Keith Richards

2) Eric Clapton

3) Robert Cray

.... now, if I could only play as well as them .... :D

Keep Jammin !

Glimmer Twin

MELodICspEEd

02-01-2008, 06:25 AM

Mick Ralphs, David Gilmore, Ace Frehley

andett

02-06-2008, 11:14 PM

I just couldn't pass this up. My three biggest inspirations/influences:

Jimmy Page makes rock guitar an instrument of composition. Was, is and always will be what i strive for.

Carlos Santana makes a guitar talk, laugh and cry...usually in the same solo.

Eric Clapton...need I say more?

Sorry I had to leave off SRV, Duanne Allman, BB King and a host of others, but these three have had the biggest impact on me.

wylde4guitar92

02-23-2008, 01:26 PM

Zakk Wylde- his overall versatility and soul that goes into his solos is amazing...from ozzy, the pride and glory...and BLS...hes is a great musician

John5- great metal guitarist-definatly the most underrated...he can play the blues and bluegrass on the guitar like no other

Eric Clapton- just the overall sound he gets from his guitar really turns me onto him

99north

02-24-2008, 11:31 PM

The three guitarist that influence the way I play and learn are:

William Aura of 3rd. Force
Jeff Golub of Avenue Blue Band
Miles Gilderdale of Acoustic Alchemy

These guitar players are so talented and play licks and twists that make you drool!

Absolutly a life times worth of learning for me,,,

"So much music so little Time"

Homebrew1709

02-25-2008, 12:12 AM

-Kurt Cobain: The main reason I first picked up the guitar 10 years ago.

-Randy Rhoads: Inspired me to push myself to become a better player.

No others jump out at me as true inspirations but the following have effected me: Hendrix, EVH, Tim Mahoney and Nick Hexum (311), Peter Wichers (Soilwork), Avenged Sevenfold, Children of Bodom, Third Eye Blind, etc.

DreamForce

02-26-2008, 09:02 PM

I've only started so the number 1 inspiration for me to play guitar, who also is a heavy influence is

Herman Li - DragonForce

John Petrucci, Kirk Hammet, are other inspirations and influences for me.

Although these are my top three, I think that the top ten (out of one hundred) best guitarists of all time on rolling stone magazine are my biggest inspirations.

killwhitneydead

02-29-2008, 03:47 PM

1) Steve vai

2) Yngwie Malmsteen

3) Herman Li

pyromaniacjake

03-14-2008, 05:12 PM

1.) zakk wylde (black label society)
2.) Blasphemer (Mayhem)
2.) Infernus (ex. gorgoroth)
3.) Mick Mars (motley crue)
3.) Euronymous (mayhem (deceased))

hehe i couldnt decide :P
ALL HAIL ZAKK

Lao_Tzu

03-14-2008, 09:58 PM

Satriani- genuis (or just a very hard focused guy u decide) his tone and technique subtleties are amazing and hes such a nice human being to.

david gilmour- for pure wierdness and feel and great songwriting about how life is in general.

john frusciante. this guy made me pick up my guitar when i saw him live at hyde park i closed my eyes and took in everything he was saying to me musically. it was a life changing moment.much love to john.

santana- to remind me to let go and jam once and a while. and trust ur musical instincts.

and of course steve vai reminding me to push my limits with extreme amounts of practicing and theoretical understanding. and having a kool cheecky look lol

Guitardude61951

03-17-2008, 04:54 PM

Well, no guitarist made me pick up the guitar. The three that stick out for me:

1. Joe Satriani
2. The guitarists of In Flames
3. Buckethead

naruto41

03-29-2008, 06:31 PM

I can only name 1 that I can remember and its Angus Young.

MrGrimm

04-08-2008, 01:13 PM

1)Daron Malakian
2)Synyster Gates
3)Kirk(the one and only)

FingerSpasm

04-12-2008, 10:19 AM

I played lots of air guitar in the 80's listening to Maiden, Priest, Scorpions, AC/DC etc etc. And we will not even talk about the beer that was consumed while doing this. But since I picked up a real guitar 4 years ago and started playing these 3 are the ones that are inspiring me right now.

Paul Gilbert - Not his old stuff. Mainly his last 2 albums. Get out of my Yard and his new one just released. Silence followed by a Deafening Roar.

Vinnie Moore
Gary Hoey

Honorable Mention to:
Joe Stump - He is accused of being a Malmsteen clone and this may be true but I like his stuff better.

Blues Saraceno
John Petrucci - Was suprised that his name did not really come up on this thread unless I missed it somewhere.
John 5 - The guy plays country licks in Metal songs! He has developed his own style for sure.

FingerSpasm

04-12-2008, 10:27 AM

Fenderalltheway

04-12-2008, 03:35 PM

I know I've posted before, but I think I should post another one seeing as my influences have changed. Sorry, but I couldn't do only 3.

1. John Frusciante.
2. David Gilmour
3. Jimmy Page
4. Angus Young
5. Johnny Greenwood

Mix of modern/alternative (Like chili peppers and radiohead) and classic rock, like AC/DC, zeppelin, and Floyd.

JJ777

04-12-2008, 06:20 PM

Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
John Petrucci
Stevie Ray Vaughan ok so thats 4 so sue me

BeskarKomrk

05-03-2008, 01:45 AM

1)Kirk Hammett/James Hetfield (Metallica in general)

2)Dave Murray/Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden in general)

3)Matt Heafy/Corey Beaulieu (Trivium in general)

Metallica was what really got me into guitar. Without them, I don't what I'd be musically. Iron Maiden taught me about triplets, and Trivium taught me that music is a way to channel emotions and opinions. And being really loud and angry.

head_creeps

05-03-2008, 05:59 PM

I THINK my three would be;

1) Slash. 'Appetite.....' changed my life in '87 and is still my all time favourite album!!

2)Joe Perry. Early Aerosmith has some of the dirtiest, sexiest riffs around.

3) Jerry Cantrell. His riffs are just pure filth, you can't help but groove to 'em!!

For me a great guitarist doesn't have to be the most technically proficient or be able to play 100 notes a second, a great guitarist is one that makes me wanna have sex, dance and drink Jack (in any order!!!).

head_creeps

Silimtao

05-04-2008, 01:15 PM

My picks change often, but for now, here's my list.

1. Roy Buchanan- made me want to buy my first "real" guitar", a 1975 or '78 white Telecaster (now yellow with age).

2. Santana- beautiful tone, melodic lines with soul (but he always disappoints me in concert, and hasn't really grown over the years.)

3. I can't pin down #3, so I'll list a bunch of players I admire and listen to:

Dickie Betts, Duane Allman, David Gilmore, Keith Richard (always overlooked as a rhythm player), Gary Moore, Chet Atkins, Henry Garza of Los Lonely Boys- he sounds like a mix of SRV, Santana & Dickie Betts to me. Oh, how can I forget Mark Knopfler- amazing player.

The "new breed" of players (for me): Zakk Wylde, and shredders who's names I don't even know. As for Satch- first read about him in Guitar Player, bought his first album (on cassette tape), didn't do anything for me- maybe I should revisit him, along with Vai, Petrucci and Malmsteen. These guys seemed to have raised the bar on speed and technique, but they don't make me feel anything in my heart. Guess I'm just an old, R&R, blues kind of guy.

And of course, Hendrix. I never tried to emulate him or play much of his stuff, but he'll always be in a class by himself, imho.

Xaisoft

05-05-2008, 09:02 AM

1. Jeff Beck who should be listed under By Insperation.
2. Eric Clapton
3. I can't think of a 3rd one, it's a tough choice.

Silimtao

05-05-2008, 09:38 AM

Yes! Jeff Beck! How could I have forgotten him?

Xaisoft

05-05-2008, 11:20 AM

Eric Johnson is an influence as well.

dancingskeleton

05-05-2008, 07:06 PM

Daron Malakian
Paul Gilbert
Buckethead

angerismygift13

05-08-2008, 08:34 PM

I would have to say:
1) Tom Morello (Do not say "the guy on guitar hero", He's from Rage Against the Machine!!!) :mad:
2.)Tony Iommi (Crazy solos, love the creativity, Black Sabbath)
3.)Angus Young (AC/DC, amazing guitarist who is not usually recognized with big names (Hendrix, Clapton, etc.)).

P.S. I don't accept CRITICISM!!! :p

ilovewhitesnake

05-17-2008, 08:35 AM

Difficult choice, but:
Mark Knopfler (the first kind of guitar I ever really listened to, age 13)
Gary Moore (love the screaming blues solos - Parisienne Walkways)
Bernie Marsden + Micky Moody (some of Whitesnakes earlier stuff has some awesome soloing between these guys, so can't just leave one out. Brilliant hard rock/blues combo - listen to Love Hunter and Ready and Willing albums)

There are so many more, but this is it to 3!

Superhuman

05-19-2008, 11:03 AM

Already pitched in my top three players before but here are my top three players from the GT site - each one have added something to the way I listen to music and have technique worth learning from:

In no particular order:

1. Maestro Shaz
2. Ren
3. Frank Axetell

Spedzar

05-29-2008, 05:20 AM

Yeah, many if not most of those previously listed and a few others that I think deserve a special mention...

Ed Wynne: :confused:
My absolute favourite guitarist for the last 15 years. Do a search of the band "Ozric Tentacles" and be prepared to be amazed. ;)

Peter Frampton:
First guy I ever remember that really made me fall in love with the guitar (aged 5).

Steve Morse:
Amazing guitarist and also how I first found out about Eric Johnson (On the album "Stand Up").

Al Dimeola and John McLaughlin:
2 absolute geniuses of guitar - let's just say Yngwie wasn't exactly the first "shredder".

Jeff Beck:
I don't recall seeing him on anyone's list - nearly 40 years later and he's still pushing the limits.

Alex Lifeson:
Original sound and original technique from one of the most original bands you will ever hear.

Paco de Lucia:
Killer right hand! Actually, killer everything now I think about it...

Michael Hedges (RIP):
Redefined acoustic guitar playing.

Allan Holdsworth:
Learn how to stretch your fingers and improve your legato technique from him and grab a synth while you're at it.

Jose Gonzales:
Try playing the guitar like that and singing at the same time.

Jeff Martin:
I saw The Tea Party live 3 times in the 90's and that man certainly knows how to weild an axe (amongst other things).

Geez there are countless others - you could spend the next decade listening to different guitar players and still discover new things...

As for GT, well I haven't been here very long but from my listening post experiences I can highly recommend these guys:
ToneZappa
Frank Axetell
Maestro Shaz

Silimtao

06-01-2008, 10:27 PM

Good picks, Spedzar. Yeah, Beck was mentioned. I think he belongs in the unbelievably underrated guitar players list along with Frampton. I saw Frampton with Humble Pie as a kid, and they knocked my socks off. I didn't realize Frampton was with Humble Pie until years later, during his rock/pop stage. I think he was only 21 or so when with HP.

I can't remember how I discovered Steve Morse, but I thought he was a killer player. Then he joined the Dixie Dregs, and thought, wtf?

Paco- 'nuff said.

McLaughlin- ahead of his time. I liked DiMeola's first album. That's when I discovered Paco. DiMeola made me want to be a speed demon, but I'm not a shredder.

I have a coupla friends that are die-hard Holdsworth fans. I just don't get him. Maybe he's like McLaughlin was to me before I "got" him. Dunno, he just doesn't do much for me. Maybe too jazzy?

Aryon

06-09-2008, 03:50 PM

Mine are:

1) Angus Young (solo playing, I like the blues and rock&roll roots)
2) Jimmy Page (very interesting riff-builds and so on..)
3) Ted Nugent (like the others, and especialy his moves :D )

Xaisoft

06-11-2008, 03:13 PM

I have been listening to a lot of Mark Knopfler lately and I have to say I really dig his style.

Silimtao

06-11-2008, 06:59 PM

I have been listening to a lot of Mark Knopfler lately and I have to say I really dig his style.
Yeah, Knopfler is great and highly underrated imo. Didja know he wrote movie scores also? Cal, Local Hero, Princess Bride, Last Exit to Brooklyn are among them.

gtosteve65

06-12-2008, 07:24 PM

Well for me it was

Slash: Gun's N' Roses
Phill Collen: Def Leppard
Steve Clark:Def Leppard

:D :D :D

Hjorvard

06-14-2008, 03:33 AM

I couldn't narrow it down to three so here's a list:

Marty Friedman
Jason Becker
Alex Skolnick
Jeff Waters
Andy Larocque
Pete Blakk
Hank Shermann
Michael Denner
Mike Wead
Chuck Schuldiner
Trey Azagthoth
John Petrucci

longliverock83

06-19-2008, 11:01 PM

mmmmmm 3 ispirations/ifluences..........

1. (R.I.P) Randy Rhoads (R.I.P)
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Angus Young

ChipShank

06-20-2008, 10:38 AM

Too hard to name just 3..I'll have to break it down into time periods. LOL

Early years (Before I started playing):
Leo Kottke (Parents influence)
Kiss
ELO/Blue Oyster Cult :)

Early/Mid 80's:
Randy Rhoads
Eddie Van Halen
Jeff Loven (guitar teacher at that time)

Late 80's:
Dimebag Darrell
George Lynch
Jason Becker

Early/Mid 90's (Proggy Metal era):
John Petrucci
Michael Wilton/Chris Degarmo
Frank Aresti/Jim Matheos
Craig Locicero/Tim Calvert

Late 90's (the bleak years):
Korn
Staind
Godsmack :rolleyes:

Today:
Marty Friedman
Chris Poland
Eric Glass

dougjt

06-21-2008, 12:42 PM

Right now it is

Dave Mustaine

Steve Vai

david gilmour

Quite a spectrum I know, but I like just about everyone who can play a guitar well. Lately I cant stop listening to Holy wars and a tout de monte but I cant quite play that kinda stuff yet :( . I didn't realize how good a guitarist mustaine was untill i really listened to him

Chiefnaut

06-26-2008, 09:38 PM

1 Alexi Laiho

2 Randy Rhoads

3 Dimebag Darrell

4 Zakk Wylde

guitarchick222

06-30-2008, 01:52 PM

1) Mark Tremonti (if you dont agree, go to fret12.com and watch him..)
2) Michael Angelo Batio
3) Rusty Cooley
..i had a different three before i watched them share their wisdom in the preveiw of "THe Sound and the Story" DVD..they are truly guitar gods.

norseindian

07-01-2008, 07:26 PM

Satch
Pau Gilbert
Petrucci,
Bill MIze
Cal Scott
IN Flames guitarist. ( good songs/ band guitarist)
Distrubed - dont know his name
Godsmack. - his either

yeah. these guys can rock it out

The N.I.

musicizlife

07-04-2008, 10:21 PM

I absolutely LOVE Alex Lifeson from the rock group Rush!!!!! I just saw them live 2 nights ago! :D ;) :) :p lol

Chicagoalleykat

07-05-2008, 05:47 PM

I dont really have anyone that really made me pick up the guitar and start playing but I'll list some guys I like in no particular order:
*Muhammed Suicmez -He wasn't even mentioned yet I dont think :P Plays for Necrophagist.
*Luca Turilli = teehee giggle :P Just love the "Warlords Last Challenge" solo in the song 'Gargoyles, Angels of Darkness.' I like a bunch of others as well. Its all good and lovely. He plays in Rhapsody of Fire.
*Guthrie Govan = omg almost forgot him but hes quite amazing! Great person as well.
*Yngwie Malmsteen =...what can I say :P

liamhart

07-10-2008, 02:17 PM

1)Steve Vai
2)John Petrucci
3)Steve Morse

kmartsolf

07-26-2008, 02:35 AM

Michael Hedges

Keller Williams

Warren Haynes

light487

07-26-2008, 05:46 PM

Steve Vai definitely is my #1, David Gilmour my #2 and Jimi Hendrix my #3. I think in my original post in this thread I mentioned that I couldn't really narrow it down to just 3.. but when I really think about it these are the 3 that I know have inspired me, may be not influenced.. but definitely inspired. Vai and I have a lot in common when it comes to personality and how we approach music, I am not saying I am the same as him or anywhere near as good as he but after spending some time reading up about him over the years, I have come to realise we are, at least in some part, kindred spirits when it comes to music.

David is still amazing me to this day. I buy the same guitar string brand that he does; I have the same pickups he does and I definitely prefer a strat guitar. I aspire to be as cosmic and spacey as he is when I am soloing over my own stuff and listening to him always inspires me to pick up my guitar and play.

Hendrix.. well.. I just feel he has helped me become confident about myself in places that I was not confident about. Singing, playing rhythm, going crazy (on the guitar) and generally taking ownership of my own music. Though I have to admit that Vai has taken over the role of the latter in recent times.