The question is easy: Eddie Van Halen is better than Jimi Hendrix as a guitar player. Whichever way you want to spin it, in terms of guitar prowess, be it soulful playing or virtuoso lines--EVH has got Hendrix beat.

If you want to argue over intangible willy nillies like 'who had the most 'it' onstage' or whatever then I can't help you. That's subjective.

Guitar prowess, however, is far easier.

Check out How Do I know When It's Love by VH to hear some soulful playing.

Ain't Talkin Bout Love
Little Dreamer
Feel Your Love Tonight

All examples of soulful playing, even the last one which is a goofy song has a masterful solo that perfectly conveys the song's feel.

Just because Jimi played blues and bent notes all the time doesn't really make him the most soulful guy around. If anything, I think Jimi could have been so much more than what he was in terms of lead playing. His rhythm playing is what really changed Rock music.

Eddie just wins--he has the entire package, whereas Hendrix had the soul but little else beyond that. Eddie has soul and can be funky (check out Outta Love Again on VH II for proof) when he wants to be, and he also can hang in terms of technique--even though he isn't the best.

This doesn't piss on Jimi Hendrix. It's just a fact, Eddie came out after Hendrix and was just a better guitar player. Maybe people like Jimi better--which is why he is always at the top of polls, but that doesn't change the fact that one is a more accomplished guitarist.

Even in terms of influence Eddie and Jimi are at the very least, equal. But influence isn't the same as 'guitar playing.' Chuck Berry had a huge influence, but that doesn't make him a particularly great guitar player.

Oh, and aschleman, how can you hate everything Van Halen has ever done if you haven't listened to it?

Maybe it's just the wording, but sometimes I find people just diss other players because they have their current heroes and won't have that perfect image shattered.

I think a lot of artists' words have really turned people off to virtuoso playing. They hear a lot of guitar players who are not capable of playing at extreme speeds, and so what they do is diss those who can. So all they do is associate fast playing with soulessness--when it's just not true. And their fans regurgitate this drivel and never really listen to these guitarists with a truly open ear.

So. Just wondering if that's the case here.