Who do you think the best guitarist is / was?

I'll stand by these:

David Gilmour, for his perfect expression

Tony Iommi, for all those bitchin riffs

Michael Hedges, for his acoustic mastery (Taproot)

Randy Rhoads, for "outclassing" everyone

Adam Jones, for making me believe in magic once more.



I'd also like to recognise Buck Darma, Pat Travers, Ronny Montrose, and Robin Trower. Without these guys on the classic rock stations, radio is worthless.

Originally Posted by: RazboHaha...Cookie monster...

I concur he is an animal

And my little bald headed yellow friend beside my name is a shredding machine.

i think id have to go with frampton. Not the best ever, but one of my faves. santana was awsome too.

Originally Posted by: RazboOddly enough, Hendrix & SRV would be at the top of my list. But also Page, Santana, EVH... Hard to really nail it down.

I would have to agree, maybe I would have to say my favorite best guitarist right now would be John Petrucci and Jeff Skunk Baxter. I never realized until recently that JSB was with Steely Dan, thought only the Doobie Bros.

The one guitarist who made me want to pick up a guitar is Black Sabbath's TONY IOMMI. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY riffs like the Godfather. Not a bad soloist, either.

The next nine faves, in no particular order, are:
Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
Ritchie Blackmore (ex-Deep Purple, Rainbow)
Tom Warrior (Hellhammer/Celtic Frost)
Mantas (ex-Venom)
Johnny Winter (blues)
Angus Young (AC/DC)
Michael Schenker (ex-UFO, MSG)
Rory Gallagher (blues rock)
Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)

honorable mention: Randy Rhoads, Tommy Bolin, Steve Howe, Steve "Lips" Kudlow, Joe Satriani

Such a hard question!! I'll never choose just one, so here's by category:

Riffs - Iommi
Revolutionaries - Hendrix and Van Halen
Bad ass - Dimebag
Tastefulness - David Gilmour


SRV, Clapton, Rhodes, Sartiani, Slash, Zakk Wylde, are all on there somewhere too!

I'm sure most of you haven't heard of most of the people on my list of top guitarists.

1. Larry "Ler" Lalonde of Primus
2. Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin (Derp)
3. Joseph Mascis of Dinosaur Jr.
4. Christian Andreu of Gojira
5. Axel Ritt of Grave Digger
6. Michael Weikath of Helloween
7. Janick Gers of Iron Maiden
8. Willie Adler or Mark Morton of Lamb of God
9. Frank Piegaro of Star F*cking Hipsters
10. Brent Hinds or Bill Kelliher of Mastodon
11. David Gilmore of Pink Floyd

Yea, thats pretty much it.

I don't think who is the "best" can be answered.. musicians are artists ...who was the best painter? Bob Ross ?

Jimi Hendrix
Richie Kotzen

Couldn't pick between them ;D

Alive; Kirk Hammett: not only is he a great shreder, but he also so capable of any style of music. He does great blues harmonies and wonderful clean balads. He can also throw in a great jazz solo here and there.


Dead; Jimi Hendrix: just a great overall LEGEND!!


R.I.P Jimi and Long live Kirk Hammett!!!

Please letss not forget BB King and on the Rock side Randy Rhodes

Well I know my personal fave is judged more on his political stances and advocacy for gun and hunting rights, but really I have to go with Ted Nugent.

However for shear attitude I pick Ted.

Not saying he is the best. How does one judge that? Fastest gun in the west...It's relative.

But for listening pleasure as far as what I like Ted Nugent does it for me.

There are however dozens others I like, and lots more I don't like.

Some other notables on my list.

George Harrison
John Lennon
Paul McCartney...as innovators they changed the face of modern music, and they still influence people today. All three of them could play lead, and did in fact all play leads on Beatles songs

Eric Clapton...I only recently came to appreciate Eric, but he certainly is enjoyable to listen to.

Jimi Hendrix...Not much you can say about this legend.

Don Rich...I would be surprised if this even shows up as a blip on most radars, but he was the lead player for The Buckaroos.

Chet Atkins also is on my list.

I could go on...there are dozens of players that I like...Hard to pick a "best".

On a completely different note...I will personal boycott The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, until Ted Nugent is inducted. He actually deserves to be there three times...Amboy Dukes, Solo Artist, and Damn Yankees...of course this would tie him with Eric Clapton, and we could NEVER have that.

Lets not forget Skydog Duane Allman, he made the guitar talk and cry like no one else. I can just imagine what he would have done if he was still here
The best two guitarest in the same band were Duane Allman and Dickey Betts

I have no idea who most of the players in my favourite bands are. I'll just list the band if I don't know the guitarist:

1. Green Day - Nice steady rhythm with menacing riffs
2. Tallan Latz (He's essentially 10 years old at time of writing, and I don't know if he's in a band or not) - Crazy riffing madness and steady playing
3. Crush 40 - Speed demons with preciseness at the same time in their songs
4. All Ends (Only know of one song called With Me) - Consistent playing of the guitar

Jun Senoue's also in there somewhere, and more.

This is a great way to narrow a huge field of choices. I would have to take Jimmy Paige & Alex Lifeson. Paige palys like I can never hope to,, and Alex plays like I hope to someday.

Slash
Hands down.

Tho i like plenty of guitarists

Tom Morello.

I just joined here at guitartricks, and I thought I'd toss my $.02 in on this topic. I am a rock guy, but I have to give kudo's where they belong, and the best guitarist I have ever heard is Pepe Romero. With that said, my favorite guitarist would have to be Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple). Again, just my $.02.

Joe Bonamassa is now one of the top guitarist in the world. This man is great and has been playing since he was 4 years old. He played with B.B.King @ the age of 12. If you have never heard him you must check him out. He is 34 now so he has been playjng for most of his life. The man is blessed

Originally Posted by: johnnyrock1Joe Bonamassa is now one of the top guitarist in the world. This man is great and has been playing since he was 4 years old. He played with B.B.King @ the age of 12. If you have never heard him you must check him out. He is 34 now so he has been playjng for most of his life. The man is blessed

He's definitely on top right now, that's for sure.