Which 3 guitarists have most inspired/influenced you?

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

Eric Johnson is an influence as well.

Daron Malakian
Paul Gilbert
Buckethead

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

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!

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

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

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?

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 )

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

Originally Posted by: XaisoftI 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.

Well for me it was

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

:D :D :D

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

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

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

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

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

1 Alexi Laiho

2 Randy Rhoads

3 Dimebag Darrell

4 Zakk Wylde

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.

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.

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