Most Underrated and overrated

[jessewakeman]

Who is the most underrated and overrated guitarist

overrated is hendrix is because he was given more credit because he died young

underrated is jimmy page because he can play any style of music

[Superhuman]

Don't agree - without Jimmy Hendrix guitar as we know it would not have evolved to the level that it has. Almost every guitar legend from the 70's up was influenced by Hendrix. Jimmy Page was also a great player who could probably do with a bit more of a mention. As far as over rated goes I would have to say Angus Young - even though he is a great player and his riffs are very catchy I don't believe he shoud ever feature in the top 100 lists of all time.
Underated for me would have to be Shawn Lane - I have always heard of him and only recently stumbled across a vid of him on youtube and was completely blown away. I've never seen anything played as fast or as complicated or as unique - plus he was around in the 70's and early 80's - leagues ahwead of his time. Vai, Satch, Petrucci etc have all cited him as one of the best players of all time and as a major influence. I read an interesting quote (I think from Petrucci) "When the modern guitar gods want lessons they go to the music of Shawn Lane" - he was simply THAT good (he died a few years ago unfortunately...).

[Mark U.]

Bill Frisell

His tone is great on every note he plays.

Very versatile and tasteful in his melodies.

[Lemmywyn]

I agree with Superhuman regarding Hendrix. A god to me as a youngster. The reason I picked up a guitar. I loved rock music and the guitar was always mt favourite element, but Jimi made me want to play. Unoveratable in my personal opinion. Jimmy Page is not under rated by anyone I know.

Tough question all the same. Paul Gilbert springs to mind as over rated by some, very skillfull, technically enviable, but WHERE'S THE FEELING ?

Under rated . . you tube search for Anastasia Bardina , I'm sure she's not under rated by anyone who has had the pleasure of listening to her, but she is certainly under known.

ps, Angus ROCKS ! but perhaps his less flambouyant brother Malcolm gets less credit than he deserves, and I'm pretty sure he is the true guitar genius behind AC/DC.

My humble opinions anyroads.

[TexAxe]

Ace Frehley is underrated as a guitarist. His licks are tasty and fit well within Kiss songs. He won't dazzle anyone with unusual skills or proficiency, but his solos are usually tight, somewhat intricate and, many times, melodic within the context of the song. Given Kiss's popularity, I'm surprised more rock guitarists don't acknowledge him as an influence. Also, Elliot Easton of the Cars is very underrated. He says a lot in a solo in a short amount of time. If the Cars were a band that was more guitar-oriented or driven, he would've had a better showcase for his talents.

[spychocyco]

I've never gotten why Angus was considered a great guitarist either. Then again, I'm not a really big AC/DC fan. At the risk of calling down the flames, I've got to say that I've always thought Eddie Van Halen was a little overrated, too. Some of his early stuff is inspired, but later on, particularly in the Hagar era, there just doesn't seem to be much passion there. I seem to be the only guitarist of my generation that wasn't inspired by EVH.

Underrated ... there are a lot of guys out there that I think are underrated. Hard to pare it down to one.
Tony Iommi. Certainly not for his lead work or his technical skills, but in his early days, he was, IMO, the greatest of the riff writers.
Billy Gibbons. I love the tone and feel of his earlier, bluesier stuff. I could sit and watch the guy play all day long.
Jeff Waters. Being Canadian and not one of the big thrash acts of the time, I think Waters got lost in the mix by a lot of folks, but his first couple of records were really inspiring for me.

[earthman buck]

Totally, totally agree about Angus Young being overrated. I'd also have to say Eric Clapton and Keith Richards. *ducks flaming toilet paper* Don't get me wrong, I like AC/DC and Clapton and the Stones as much as the next guy, I just don't think they're all that amazing as guitarists. Especially Keith Richards.

As for underrated, I'd say Nick Drake is the big one. He was quite an excellent fingerpicker, and (as far as I know) one of the first to use really outrageous tunings.

[Superhuman]

Jeff Waters. Being Canadian and not one of the big thrash acts of the time, I think Waters got lost in the mix by a lot of folks, but his first couple of records were really inspiring for me.

+1 for Waters, great guitarist, 'Alice in Hell' was a great album - funny the way he never hit the big scene like some oher lesser players out there.

[Silimtao]

I disagree about Hendrix being overrated. I think he really revolutionized rock guitar, and his influence is still being felt.

I disagree about Page being able to play anything- don't get me wrong, I love Zep (an aside- my very first concert was Zep's first concert in Madison Sq. Garden before the release of the Stairway to Heaven album, and they did Stairway as an encore that blew the roof off. I was about 13, 7th row orchestra. Cost of ticket $7.50 if I remember correctly.)

I liked a lot of the groups Clapton played in, but he's on my overrated list. Great player, but overrated IMHO.

I'd put Mark Knopfler in the underrated list. And Gary Moore, who really can play just about anything. I understand he's considered the godfather of shred. I agree with the comment about Waters. As for Keith Richards, I think he's a GREAT rhythm guitarist.

This is the kind of debate that can go on forever.

[Geeetar4Life]

Overrated - Hendrix. But he is still great and one of the greatest..don't get me wrong

Underrated - Page and I think possibly Angues Young.

[quickfingers]

not going to go on about overrated guitarists (there are too many and we give credit too easily in the guitar world).



however, my three more underrated guitarists have to be buck dharma (blue oyster cult), mark knofler (dire straits), and robert fripp (king crimson).


buck dharma has some of the most unique and talented phrasing i have ever heard, and in many respects could mop the floor with your typical tech-shredder.

mark knofler isn't necesary to defend.

robert fripp was ripping up unconventional time sigs and blending jazz fusion with rock back in the mo'f**kin' sixties. he was a true "prog rocker" if there ever was one.

[quickfingers]

Overrated - Hendrix. But he is still great and one of the greatest..don't get me wrong

Underrated - Page and I think possibly Angues Young.



i think all these guitarists are more than rightfully represented for what they did. only on guitar forums and youtube.com comments are people still ranting on about HENDRIX IS GOD LOLZ


yea, hendrix was sloppy. so was paige and certainly angus was. clapton was sloppy and so where most famous guitarists of yesteryear. i don't see how young is "underrated" at all. people worship ACDC and will continue to recognize him as the man behind the machine. hell, i'm naming my first-born son Angus, so you know i give the credit where credit is due.

[mickholt]

Take your pick for the "OR" players. I could type all day and not finish the list.

For me two of the most "UR" players are Nuno Bettencourt and Chris Hayes. I think nuno gets overlooked b/c of the "hair" and Chris gets lost b/c he played with Huey Lewis and the News.
JMO

MDH

[spychocyco]

For me two of the most "UR" players are Nuno Bettencourt and Chris Hayes. I think nuno gets overlooked b/c of the "hair" and Chris gets lost b/c he played with Huey Lewis and the News.
MDH

In my fickle youth, Bettencourt was one of a series of guitar heroes I had. He inspired me quite a bit during my late high school and early college years (though obviously not enough since I'm 35 and I still suck. :p ) The hair probably has something to do with it, but there's also his lackluster output since then. I've listened to his solo stuff and his last record with Perry Farrell, and I just walk away shaking my head, thinking what he's doing now is a waste of a great talent.

[Silimtao]

... thinking what he's doing now is a waste of a great talent.

Hi- I've never hear of the guy, but check out this Wikipedia post:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuno_Bettencourt

Doesn't seem like the guy is hurting. Any particular CD you would recommend?

[spychocyco]

Doesn't seem like the guy is hurting. Any particular CD you would recommend?

I'd recommend Extreme's second record, Pornograffitti. I can't really recommend anything post-Extreme, because I find it all a bit boring. Maybe someone else can.

[HDJ]

Overrated: Angus Young

Underrated: Steve Morse

[metal axe]

How many of us even now what guitarists deserve to be rated at all?A great guitarist is someone who can surprise you at any moment in a song.If you cant pull something out of thin air,then were not impressed.I know little kids who can shred like anything,but can they play a damn song anyone else wants to hear?Can they play rythem?OVERATED-DIMEBAG DARRELL(sorry,I love pantera) UNDERATED-Frank Gamble,ynwie malmsteen

[metal axe]

How can anyone say hendrix only deserves credit because he died young?Have you ever listened to the non-commercial hendrix?Are you insane?If it werent for hendrix,I dont think any of us would be playing guitar right now,INCLUDING MALMSTEEN!!!!

[conation88]

I disagree that Hendrix was overrated: When asked one time, Les Paul named Hendrix as his favorite all-around guitarist. That's an endorsement on the level of Ted Kennedy's for Obama!

Whew, yea!

-conation88

[turkeyjerky214]

underrated: Neil Schon

those morons at Rolling Stone left him out of their 100 greatest guitarists of all time list simply because they hate Journey. he should easily be in the top 25. just listen to Mother, Father and try to tell me otherwise

[jamesplaysgitar]

overrated- HERMAN LI!!

underrated - paul waggoner

[quickfingers]

overrated- HERMAN LI!!



hahaha, i'm so sick of talking about this guy. people that don't play guitar (but secretly wish they did, the typical guitar hero musicians) think dragonforce is godlike, and they do a good job of portraying that. when someone asks me about herman li i usually break it down like this: he's a good guitarist, but there are millions like him posting videos on youtube. the guy is good, but his tunes are so far above his ability level that it's impossible not to be a bit dissapointed by his true skill. dragonforce should have stayed a studio band and hid behind their albums, then they would still be highly regarded.

[wylde4guitar92]

most underrated is John5 hands down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guitardude61951]

Over rated - KERRY KING!! Sorry, all I hear is wankery for solos, and the same re-hashed riffs.

Under rated - Tommy Emmanuel. I just got into this dude, and NO ONE I've asked has heard of him. His music is truly beautiful.