NationStates Jolt Archive

Who do you think is the greatest guitarist ever? I am cleverly constucting a poll to find the opinion of the masses!

Carlos Santana. The man is a genius.

Jimi Hendrix
Joe Satriani
Steve Vai
Eric Clapton

off the top of me head, in that order too

Jimi Hendrix.

Jimi Hendrix
Joe Satriani
Eddie Van Halen
Eric Johnson
Steve Vai

JASON BECKER DAMN IT


Seconded by Satriani. Other than that, there is no best guitarist. Also, Jason Becker is just an amazing person. Writing with his freaking eyes!

How dare you make us choose!

For a start ure putting Cobain in front of Brian May, Carlos Santana or Slash?

I now feel slightly ill

Eddie Van Halen
Eric Johnson

seconded

shall we add Zakk Wylde for a bit of hells angels fun?


edit: that poll makes no sense. how can you have Vai without his mentor (and superior player)?

Vai is the best on there imo.



But Seriously Jason Becker.

http://jasonbecker.com/

You have *got* to be kidding me. :rolleyes:

The man may have been in a watershed band, but he's no more the greatest guitarist than Chris DeGarmo or Jerry Cantrell. (And below those two, may I add!)

Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Paco de Lucia, Carlos Santana

decent list(except for kurt cobain....what an utter piece of overhyped crap).
unfortunately there isn't one single "best" guitarist.

just off the top of my head i could list probably 100 mindblowing guitarists including some that you mentioned...the problem lies in the fact that while all excellent, many play different styles weather it be angus youngs open blues scales or the classically inspired work by luca turilly(rhapsody). so as a fellow guitar player it is like comparing apples and oranges in a way.


:headbang:

What about Mick Thompson from Slipknot?

Who do you think is the greatest guitarist ever? I am cleverly constucting a poll to find the opinion of the masses!

Steve Vai, besides having a solo career, played in Frank Zappa's band, for David Lee Roth (Skyscraper, his only good solo album, might have been on the other one), and has played with Whitesnake and some other acts.

I saw him with Satriani and Johnson for G3 some years back. Indescribable awesomeness.

I chose Hendrix: the only one on the list that is ridicously virtous, yet enjoyable to hear.Clapton follows a close second, although nowadays I dislike his music.

What about Mick Thompson from Slipknot?

What about him?

What about Mick Thompson from Slipknot?

....:\





Anyways - Jason Becker clips-



http://64.162.150.71/CLIPSpeedMetalSymphony.mp3
http://64.162.150.71/clipair.mp3
http://64.162.150.71/clipair.mp3
http://64.162.150.71/CLIPConcerto.mp3

What about Mick Thompson from Slipknot?
ROFLOL
your kidding right?
mabey if you like playing drum scales on your guitar
:headbang:

seconded

shall we add Zakk Wylde for a bit of hells angels fun?


edit: that poll makes no sense. how can you have Vai without his mentor (and superior player)?

The better question is how you can have a vote without Satriani.

*Explodes from lack of recognition for Jason Becker*




Anyway...if we were talking purely technical...Micheal Angelo and that Fancesco Ferrari guy would probably win, although Jason Becker is up there, as are people like Rusty Cooley, although RC, MA, and FF all are weak songwriters imo.

slash!!!

Who voted for Kurt Cobain on the poll! I know someone did! I can see it in the poll results! :mad:

B.B. King?

Eric Clapton
Jimmy Page
Brian May
Jimi Hendrix
in-that-order

Yngwie J. Malmsteen?

Don't know much about this topic, but the legendary gyspy-jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt does it for me.

Leo Kottke
Randy Rhodes
Chuck Berry
Blues Saraceno

Any other questions?

I was thinking Chuck Berry myself.

Who voted for Kurt Cobain on the poll! I know someone did! I can see it in the poll results! :mad:
I did.
Hendrex is great and Page is great...I picked my favorite three and did enie minie miny moe.

I hadn't really thought about him before, and he doen't get my vote, but what about Les Paul?

Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom is pretty damn good. So is Zakk Wylde. But I'm not sure if they would be considered the GREATEST guitarist of all time......but they sure are great.


Also about Kurt Cobain, he was cool shit (Too bad he killed himself). But if you look up his guitar parts, they are not very hard. I can play a couple Nirvana songs and none of the guitar parts are too advanced. So honestly, as far as guitar playing goes, I believe Cobain is overrated. Though Nirvana is still awesome and so is Cobain.

I think the vote for cobain shouldn't be recognised.

Slash
Brain May
Santana
Satriani (SP?) ( sorry its late)
Clapton

What about Dimebag Darell dammit. The guy was banned from talent shows at the age of ten to give other kids a chance at winning. MAy he be happy drinking JD with all the other lost guitar greats.

I would have to say K.K. Downing or Glenn Tipton.

But out of the list? I don't know.

Paco de Lucia. but of course no one knows who he is. (google it, lazy bastard)

I take personal offence to the fact that Stevie Ray Vaughn was not on that list.
So I'll go drown my sorrows and dissapointment with some Texas Flood and cheap Lousiana Whiskey.

I think the vote for cobain shouldn't be recognised.

Slash
Brain May
Santana
Satriani (SP?) ( sorry its late)
Clapton
I forgot about Slash. Read my earlier post to understand my vote. It was on there...why not reconize it?

Slash has my favorite guitar solo (Sweet Child o' Mine), but I love Santana, and Clapton.

Randy Rhodes may be approaching this group. I've only heard him in Crazy Train but he's pretty darn good in that.

What about Dimebag Darell dammit. The guy was banned from talent shows at the age of ten to give other kids a chance at winning. MAy he be happy drinking JD with all the other lost guitar greats.

Not my style of music but *raises beer* may he rest in drunken mayhem

What about Dimebag Darell dammit. The guy was banned from talent shows at the age of ten to give other kids a chance at winning. MAy he be happy drinking JD with all the other lost guitar greats.


I forgot about him....he was great too (So was Pantera). Too bad some idiot had to go and shoot him on stage. All because he was pissed that Dimebag Darrel Abbot adn his bro left Pantera to make Damageplan (I think tahts the name?)

I forgot about Slash. Read my earlier post to understand my vote. It was on there...why not reconize it?

because basically if ure looking at a pure guitar standpoint he doesn't deserve to be on that list. There have been at least 5 guitarists in the past few posts that should be on that list. The fact that you chose him in my opinion was a poor choice

What would it be based on besides pure technical/songwriting skill?

What would it be based on besides pure technical/songwriting skill?
either way Cobain loses IMO

absolutley

Alexi Laiho from Children of Bodom is pretty damn good.

yeah, he's one of the best guitarists coming out of Finland, at least :D

look the thing is everyone is voting hendrix because, 1. he's the most famouse, if u think greatest guitarist its either hendrix, of jimmy page. but no one knows jimmy page, they know led zepplin.

if you look at this from a musician point of view the best would be steve vai, or jimmy page. im surprised joe satriani, john petrucci, darren malakyian, and zakk wylde arent there, but kurt kobain is. he only made catchy riffs, not skillfull, or musically talented ones.

the thing about slash is that even tho i consider him on of my idols, he only solos in one scale and guns n roses mostly plays only one style of chordes, the reson i consider him so great is because he can do so much with so little.

What would it be based on besides pure technical/songwriting skill?
duende.

Cobain's lyrics just make me laugh

yeah, he's one of the best guitarists coming out of Finland, at least :D
I would say Midge* or Lindie is.

*Bass Player

It really depends on what you consider to be "good." Santana plays with amazing feeling, feeling that van Halen, Satriani and other shredders can't even come close to, but they are by far more superior to Santana technically. Neo-classical guitarists like Ynwie Malmsteen can play with both feeling and are technically gifted.

I would say Midge* or Lindie is.

*Bass Player
that's why I said 'one of', as I obviously don't know every Finnish guitar player ;)
Timo Tolkki would be high on my list, as well

Well, Cobain is kind of a joke guitarist. I mean, he can really scream and I think he's one of the greatest songwriters, but guitar?
Hendrix is by far the best on the list in terms of plain skill.
Eddie Van Halen is the fastest, but he doesn't have as much feeling.

It really depends on what mood you're in, but I voted for Hendrix.

James Jamerson for bass unless your only talking about bass guitar :(

Reporter: "How does it feel to be the best guitar player in the world?"
Eric Clapton: "I don't know. Ask Phil Keaggy."

Have one of his cd's, he's amazing and he does not have a middle finger on his strumming hand.

Reporter: "How does it feel to be the best guitar player in the world?"
Eric Clapton: "I don't know. Ask Phil Keaggy."

Have one of his cd's, he's amazing and he does not have a middle finger on his strumming hand.
your not supposed to use your middle finger if your using a pick. (you've probably been playing wrong :( )
edit: what i mean is, if you hold the pick improperly, it will cause permanent damage to your hand later in life, not trying to bash your skills or anything

Where the hell is Steve Jones? He's the man who influenced Kurt Cobain (and countless other "Alternative" guitarists), can play ten times better, and puts a lot of feeling into everything he does. Sure, he's not as good *technically* as Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, but he's close.

Oh, and he's got a hell of a sense of rhythm. Wow.

Oh, and he's got a hell of a sense of rhythm. Wow.
again, Paco de Lucia

James Jamerson for bass unless your only talking about bass guitar :(
No not James Jamerson. He was damn good, but Victor Wooten and/or Steve Bailey are arguably the best bassists. Jaco Pastorius is up there as well.

I would have to say(In no perticular order):

Darren Malakyian(SOAD)
Mana(Malice Mizer, Moi dix Mois)
Hendrix
Linde(HIM, Daniel Lioneye)
Chachamaru(GacktJob, Solo)

But thats just my taste.

James Jamerson for bass unless your only talking about bass guitar :(

Bah. Pwned by Stu Hamm!

No not James Jamerson. He was damn good, but Victor Wooten and/or Steve Bailey are arguably the best bassists. Jaco Pastorius is up there as well.
from what i hear, (my brother is a jazz bass major, and my other brother plays bass both are big music listeners) and what my brothers have said Victor Wooten lacks in creativity/soul/emotion whatever you want to call it. dont know about the others :(

P.S. Primus :confused:

Bass: Cliff Burton !!

yeah, he's one of the best guitarists coming out of Finland, at least :D

What? No props to Paul Waaktaar(-Savoy)?? :D

from what i hear, (my brother is a jazz bass major, and my other brother plays bass both are big music listeners) and what my brothers have said Victor Wooten lacks in creativity/soul/emotion whatever you want to call it. dont know about the others :(

P.S. Primus :confused:

Having a high amount of creativity and feeling is better than having a high amount of technical skill with little creativity and feeling. Always.

Alex Lifeson is amazing, and unmentioned. Randy Rhodes is in my personal opinion the only metal guitarist to best Zakk Wylde, otherwise Satriani is phenominal, listening to anything he's done is masterful work, Dimebag was about as genuinely awesome as they come. I don't believe that a favorite is a fair thing to pick, I could say that Dime has some of the most fun solo's to play (The Great Southern Trendkill), but there's no clear favorite for me, I don't think Zakk Wylde's tweaks on songs improve them, but he can shred with the best of them, and Randy Rhodes has still replaced Tony Iommi as the guy to listen to paranoid by, his version stands out moreso than Iommi's, and is better executed than the version by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who did fantastically for having been singing it at the same time.
Bass guitar wise, Geezer Butler, Les Claypool, and Geddy Lee are by far the biggest standout names ever.

Reporter: "How does it feel to be the best guitar player in the world?"
Eric Clapton: "I don't know. Ask Phil Keaggy."

Right. I forgot about him.

Alex Lifeson is amazing, and unmentioned. Randy Rhodes is in my personal opinion the only metal guitarist to best Zakk Wylde, otherwise Satriani is phenominal, listening to anything he's done is masterful work, Dimebag was about as genuinely awesome as they come. I don't believe that a favorite is a fair thing to pick, I could say that Dime has some of the most fun solo's to play (The Great Southern Trendkill), but there's no clear favorite for me, I don't think Zakk Wylde's tweaks on songs improve them, but he can shred with the best of them, and Randy Rhodes has still replaced Tony Iommi as the guy to listen to paranoid by, his version stands out moreso than Iommi's, and is better executed than the version by Megadeth's Dave Mustaine, who did fantastically for having been singing it at the same time.
Bass guitar wise, Geezer Butler, Les Claypool, and Geddy Lee are by far the biggest standout names ever.

To such a post, I can only say 'Welcome to the forums'.

-snip-

I agree, for the most part. If you wanna hear the Steve Jones way of playing Metal, listen to Fire and Gasoline. It's a joke album, but it's heavy, with some very nice guitar work.

He kicks Dave Mustaine's ass.

Having a high amount of creativity and feeling is better than having a high amount of technical skill with little creativity and feeling. Always.
both is good too ;)

both is good too ;)

Damn right! That's why I love Jonesy's style.

It's not about the speedpicking,(or at least not only about it); it's about rhythm. I think the best in that feild is Robby Krieger (The Doors), then Hendrix, and then Brian May (Queen)

It's not about the speedpicking,(or at least not only about it); it's about rhythm. I think the best in that feild is Robby Krieger (The Doors), then Hendrix, and then Brian May (Queen)

Exactly. If you want the world's finest speedpicker, listen to Johnny Ramone. Other than technical skill (a few steps above average) and insane speedpicking ability, he really didn't have much.

Arrrggghhh!

The greatest living guitar player isn't even on your list!

Carlos Santana holds that distinction!

Arrrggghhh!

The greatest living guitar player isn't even on your list!

Carlos Santana holds that distinction!

Seriously, where the hell is he?

Damn right! That's why I love Jonesy's style.
and thats why i love paco de lucia!

Not in any particular order

Carlos Santana
Kieth Richards
Joe Perry
Kirk Hammett
Jimmy Page
Eddie Van Halen

those are the greats that have been around the block...

Bass: Cliff Burton !!
Cheers to that, mate! :D

dudes.

jagori tanna.


no question.

Bass: Jaco Pastorius. No question.

Bass: Jaco Pastorius. No question.

Glen Matlock.

As far as bassists go, the best that I've heard is Primus's bass (Les Claypool I think his name is). He can play like they're aint no tomorrow. But I doubt he is the Greatest Ever. But he is still very good.

Donnie Iris, obviously. Who else can take his clothes off during a solo?

Oh, and Nigel Tufnel's a very close second.

How common for everyone to pick Hendrix..

Page all the way, come on.. tapping? the bow? White Summer, live at Royal Albert Hall? no, hendrix was great, but he died too soon to be the greatest, sorry. no matter the outcome, i know who the greatest is.

How common for everyone to pick Hendrix..

Page all the way, come on.. tapping? the bow? White Summer, live at Royal Albert Hall? no, hendrix was great, but he died too soon to be the greatest, sorry. no matter the outcome, i know who the greatest is.

I picked Clapton, yo.

I picked Clapton, yo.

right.. trainman.. right..

Clapton was replaced by who in the Yardbirds again? whoops... i guess he went on to make Cream, but Page sort of went on to create Zoso and Physical Graffiti.. not to mention the live work, which, BTW, ill give them a tie score.

Just on another note, because it'll come up if it hasnt.. Van Halen owes all to tapping.. Eruption was fantastic, but without Page, there would be no Eddie. sorry boys.

Hendrix has got to take the gold.

What about Buck Dharma [aka Donald Roeser, from Blue Oyster Cult]? While BOC's career is best described as "patchy", one aspect that consistently shines is BD's lead playing. His style is tastefully melodic, with a great utilization of space. He knows when to let loose with a hail of notes, and when to hold back.

Anyways, from the guitarists on the list...Jimmy Page is probably more technically gifted than Hendrix, and was very innovative with Led Zeppelin. I would probably for him Page. Hendrix IMO was an amazing rhythm guitarist, but not as technical. Page was also very versatile - he could let loose with a screaming solo, rock out with a solid rhythm, or become a sensitive folk strummer. Hendrix, from what I've heard, was basically a blues and funk player.

IMO Clapton copied Albert King [The Iceman], although he did a great imitation. Speaking of which, Albert King would be on my list of great guitarists.

Pete Townshend is another amazing rhythm guitarist, and a great songwriter and lyricist to boot. However, his lead playing leaves much to be desired.

Darren Malaykian and Kurt Cobain? LOL! Were they serious suggestions? They're both good songwriters and the former has a great sense of rhythm and timing, but neither appear to be technically gifted.

I like Alexi Laiho [sp?], although someone should tell him to lay off with the artificial harmonics :) I enjoy his virtuosity, but not every song needs a squealing guitar!

Kirk Hammett in the late 80s-early 90s was a fantastic lead guitarist. He had a great melodic sense and could seriously shred. I also liked his use of double-stops [example: Enter Sandman]. Since 1996, he has pared down his lead playing and I have been rather disappointed. I wish he would stop over-using his wah pedal.

Anyone who doesn't vote for Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page is an idiot. There, I said it.

Heh, Frampton has no votes. Silly Frampton.

Toni Iommi
Jeff Beck
B.B. King
Eric Clapton

Heh, Frampton has no votes. Silly Frampton.He does now. Since Carlos Santana was unfairly left off the poll, I voted for him.

Just because the first concert I ever went to back in 1976 he headlined.

I voted fo Page, but Satriani, Vai, BB King and Brian May (and his homemade guitar) all deserve to be up there.

Jimmy Page's guitar work, I dunno, it just speaks!

You know what else the list is missing? Chuck Berry.

BB King does most certainly belong.. without blues, there would be no classic rock, and none of these guys. :-\

I hereby boycott this thread on the grounds that someone was picking their nose instead of properly including a blues musician.

so ha

John, John, Jimmy, Robert.. beautiful names together.

As far as pure talent goes, Jimi.. what he did with his long, yet quick fingers must have gotten him some real poontang. but im taking the lead guitar as a whole with the band, since it was included in the poll. Bonzo, Jonsie and Plant made Page the best, bar none. jimi had a fantastic band too.. but hey, name them without looking elsewhere online, jimi lovers. i cant.

And since bands were included, i add that only the beatles have sold more albums in america than Led. so people, assembled masses, i present to you this:

get your led out

damn it

jimi had a fantastic band too.. but hey, name them without looking elsewhere online, jimi lovers. i cant.


Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. Easy as pie.

If we're going to get into Bass too: ME.

Yeah ... dat's right ... ME.

Bass is my soul.

Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. Easy as pie.

Damn, not bad.. i had to look it up myself after I posted; it was killing me not knowing.

Still, im sorry to say that no one beats Bonzo, Jones, or Plant.. and teamed with Page... I just dont know, is magic appropriate? Every bass note, drum beat, lyric, and guitar wail just wreaking havoc on your senses.

As a sidenote, I dont expect to convert anyone; you like what you like.. I just happen to love this one band most.

Damn, not bad.. i had to look it up myself after I posted; it was killing me not knowing.

Still, im sorry to say that no one beats Bonzo, Jones, or Plant.. and teamed with Page... I just dont know, is magic appropriate? Every bass note, drum beat, lyric, and guitar wail just wreaking havoc on your senses.

As a sidenote, I dont expect to convert anyone; you like what you like.. I just happen to love this one band most.

You're preaching to the choir, man. Zep is my favorite band. Look in the last 20 threads about best bands ever.

Mitch Mitchell is just really easy to remember.

I didnt know that, but its good to hear. Im not a big forum guy, dont know its happenings or politics.. dont really care either i guess.

well, that still begs an answer to the question; why choose clapton?

I didnt know that, but its good to hear. Im not a big forum guy, dont know its happenings or politics.. dont really care either i guess.

well, that still begs an answer to the question; why choose clapton?

Layla.

Ralph Macchio is the greatest guitarist ever. He outplayed Satan when his soul was on the line.

Lots of good guitarists out there, past and present. It really kind of depends what style you wish to highlight, then go from there. I'm coming predominantly from a progressive rock and rock viewpoint here.

Let's see, just to warm up..... Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Brian May, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe, Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Page, and of course, Jimi Hendrix.

An honorable mention to Angus Young, because anyone that can play that well while doing his aerobic workouts that he does on stage deserves a nod, at the very least.

well, that still begs an answer to the question; why choose clapton?

Strange Brew
Slawbr
Layla
Cocaine
Tears in Heaven
Take it Back
His bit in the movie version of "Tommy"

Errrr .. the list goes on more than you can relize.

Eric Clapton is, in fact, God.

Daron Malakian is fucking awesome

Yngwie J. Malmsteen?

Seconded! The Paganini of guitar!

At the moment Cobain's beating Frampton, Townsend and Young. JOKE

What a sad world we live in

Daron Malakian is fucking awesome
He's a veyr good rhythm guitarist, but definitely not up there with the best. I mean, I can play most of his parts. ;)

In the absense of Slash and Keith Richards I voted for Pete Townsend.

I have to tell you all Jimmy Page is waaay overrated, couldn't play a decent solo if his life depended on it. His good solos (stairway) are patched together from many different takes. :D Good songs and arrangements though.

what abut santana?

John Frusciante

In the absense of Slash and Keith Richards I voted for Pete Townsend.

I have to tell you all Jimmy Page is waaay overrated, couldn't play a decent solo if his life depended on it. His good solos (stairway) are patched together from many different takes. :D Good songs and arrangements though.

The irony of picking Townshend and then calling page an over-rated soloist doesn't escape you, I take it?

Question: who was the session player that gave The Who their early solos?

Both Townshend and Richards are very good rhythm guitarists and song writers, but neither of them are fantastic lead players.

Clapton was replaced by who in the Yardbirds again? whoops... i guess he went on to make Cream, but Page sort of went on to create Zoso and Physical Graffiti.. not to mention the live work, which, BTW, ill give them a tie score.

Clapton was replaced in the Yardbirds by Jeff Beck. Your point being?

Where the hell is Steve Jones? He's the man who influenced Kurt Cobain (and countless other "Alternative" guitarists), can play ten times better, and puts a lot of feeling into everything he does. Sure, he's not as good *technically* as Steve Vai or Joe Satriani, but he's close.

Claiming Jones without mentioning Thunders is hilarious, and Johnny certainly wasn't one of the great guitarists.

Simply implying that Kurt Cobain is anywhere near the standard of Steve Vai or Hendrix is bad enough here. But ignoring players like Satriani, Malmsteen, Dimebag and Hammett, not to mention a plethora of others? You idiot.

Andres Segovia :)

Anybody heard of Rory Gallagher?

off the list Clapton or Hendrix

Where are Lennon and McCartney or my personal favourite Richie Sambora??

And that's forgetting Brian May!

Sorry Boys, The greatest guitarist ever is a tie between Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and the late, great Chet Atkins.

Where are Lennon and McCartney or my personal favourite Richie Sambora??

And that's forgetting Brian May!

Lennon was a great songwriter, but not an exceptional guitarist.

McCartney mostly plays bass.

Richie Sambora? No... he's solid, but he's a "second tier" guitarist. There's nothing in the Bon Jovi catalogue that puts him in the "genius" category. He's like Keith Richards or Chris DeGarmo. Integral to their bands and great musicians, but not quite in the same league.

Brian May (I assume you mean the one from Queen)... hmm. I don't know that I'd put him up with Satriani, Hendrix... but he's certainly at least in the room. Unlike say, Kurt Cobain or Avril Lavigne. ;)

From the list slowhand Clapton.
But I'd put Carlos Santana or Mark Knopfler 1st place.
Didn't like the recent Santana album, so it's Mark Knopfler.

I voted Page, but here's some that I think deserve to be mentioned.

Josh Homme- Very under-recognised. Even at the age of 17, he was creating riffs that could almost rival Page and Hendrix. His stuff with Queens of the Stone Age is a bit dumbed down considering what he's capable of (though he has to sing when he plays that stuff now), but he already proved himself on Kyuss' Welcome to Sky Valley. He can still rip a mighty solo though.

Tony Iommi - The man is missing half of two of his fingers. He can't even feel the strings he's fretting, but can still match the best of them.

Exactly. If you want the world's finest speedpicker, listen to Johnny Ramone. Other than technical skill (a few steps above average) and insane speedpicking ability, he really didn't have much.

East Bay Ray from the Dead Kennedys could speedpick faster, and is more technical, IMHO.

I think Hendrix is probably a bit overrated, and Cobain shouldn't be up there. Though Cobain did dumb his stuff down after their first album. He was capable of a lot more than people realise, just from listening to some bootlegged jams.

Hands down, it's gotta be Randy Rhoads. For those of you who aren't metal enough to know, he was the first guitarist Ozzy hired after going solo. He was on Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. The live album, Trilbute, is all about him. He died in a Florida plane crash in '83. Very sad. Ozzy hasn't been the same since then.

Here's to Randy.

The irony of picking Townshend and then calling page an over-rated soloist doesn't escape you, I take it?

Question: who was the session player that gave The Who their early solos?

Both Townshend and Richards are very good rhythm guitarists and song writers, but neither of them are fantastic lead players.
Lol. Didn't know that, but when I say I like Pete Townshend I'm thinking more 'Quadrophenia' and 'Who's Next' than 'I Can't Explain'. Pete is and underrated lead player imo, simple stuff that sounds great. Also don't care much for shredding, except Vinnie Vincent, the Pharao rules. ;)

Anybody heard of Rory Gallagher?

Even now he remains Ireland's best kept secret.

From your poll I'll pick Eddie van Halen, but my main choice would probably be slash

Even now he remains Ireland's best kept secret.
I hadnt even heard of him until a few months ago when my dad was playing an old LP called "A Taste of Rory Gallagher", hes really rather good

Can't believe Cobain has as many posts as Young. I voted for Angus, not because he's necessarily the best guitarist, but because I love listening to his work, and he manages to go completely crazy on stage but still play freaking well. In terms of innovation, Jimi Hendrix has to be right up there, while Eric Clapton certainly knows how to play.

Can't believe Cobain has as many posts as Young. I voted for Angus, not because he's necessarily the best guitarist, but because I love listening to his work, and he manages to go completely crazy on stage but still play freaking well. In terms of innovation, Jimi Hendrix has to be right up there, while Eric Clapton certainly knows how to play.

Sad, no? :(

Don't be too surprised, people here have a funny way of voting. You could put up a poll such as:

Favorite flavor of Ice Cream?
1. Chocolate
2. Vanilla
3. Strawberry (or other fruit)
4. Mint (all kinds)
5. Nut variant (pistachio, peanut butter, walnut, etc.)
6. Other
7. I hate George Bush

...guess which one will win?

PLEASE DO NOT start answering this as a real poll, I don't mean to hijack this thread.

Steve Vai, besides having a solo career, played in Frank Zappa's band, for David Lee Roth (Skyscraper, his only good solo album, might have been on the other one), and has played with Whitesnake and some other acts.

I saw him with Satriani and Johnson for G3 some years back. Indescribable awesomeness.
well i would say that Satch is better than Vai, but :eek: :eek: you went to a G3 gig :eek:

*dies*


and with Johnson, too :eek:

Depends on genre, but over all probably Jimi Hendrix
Besides, only five voted for Angus? Blasphemy

well i would say that Satch is better than Vai, but :eek: :eek: you went to a G3 gig :eek:

*dies*


and with Johnson, too :eek:

That's how I rank 'em... Satriani, then Johnson & then Vai... :)

Yeah, it was a great show.

The bass guitarist from Belgian Grindcore Punk band Agathocles.

You seem to be missing Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Beck on this list - 2 of my personal favorites.

Oh yeah, and Carlos Santana.

What about Mick Thompson from Slipknot? :sniper:

Joe Satriani/ Steve Vai. They're the awesome.

im new to the forums but i gotta say ur missing out a v important name up there.......the absolute legend that is Tom Morello ( RATM, Audioslave). He is the master of all things pedals and if u check out his acoustic stuff (nightwatchman) its kickass!!
gota say that clapton, bb king and brian may get my vote as well tho

I voted fo Page, but Satriani, Vai, BB King and Brian May (and his homemade guitar) all deserve to be up there.

Jimmy Page's guitar work, I dunno, it just speaks!

Vai's already on the poll.

Mick Taylor--played for the Rolling Stones
as boyfriend says "made even the Stones sound soulful"

Billy Gibbons of ZZTop was Hendrix's fave, but i wouldn't forget Greg Lake either...

I personally like Stevie Ray Vaughn, but off your list I'd choose Hendrix. He lit his friggen guitar on fire and made sounds that have never been reproduced.

Toshiyuki Nagatani

i like nirvana but certainly dont think kurt cobain should be on the list

Toshiyuki Nagatani :D

Ahhh! How could you not put the greatest guitar w*nker there of all time, Yngwie Malmsteen?! :O

I mean, he taught Steve Vai while there were both in Steeler.

And oh, just to please the masses: http://www.garyschutt.com/spyngwiegoode.mp3

It's hilarous ;)

Ahhh! How could you not put the greatest guitar w*nker there of all time, Yngwie Malmsteen?! :O

I mean, he taught Steve Vai while there were both in Steeler.

I already mentioned him, don't mind the poll, it's bollocks :D I didn't even vote on it, though from that list probably Angus would get my vote

I already mentioned him, don't mind the poll, it's bollocks :D I didn't even vote on it, though from that list probably Angus would get my vote

Oh, sorry. I couldn't be arsed to read all the pages. ;)

im new to the forums but i gotta say ur missing out a v important name up there.......the absolute legend that is Tom Morello ( RATM, Audioslave). He is the master of all things pedals and if u check out his acoustic stuff (nightwatchman) its kickass!!

I meant to include him, too.

He also plays solo's weird, too...He holds his guitar at a 90 degree angle...that's *hard*.

I can't believe you didn't put Richard Thompson on there. Voted Rolling Stone magazine's Greatest Guitar Player of All Time.

How about Tony Iomi and Randy Rhodes? Don't know if someone mentioned them, they weren't in the poll though. Ozzy is nothing without them.

How about Tony Iommi and Randy Rhodes? Don't know if someone mentioned them, they weren't in the poll though. Ozzy is nothing without them.
Start reading threads before you post, really. I agree, but they were mentioned plenty of times. Screw that poll.

sorry, went directly to the end, to angered to read thread, glad you agree

sorry, went directly to the end, to angered to read thread, glad you agree
pretty much everyone that posted agrees that the poll needs a serious overhaul ... too bad there's too much great suggestions to actually make a poll everyone can agree on, though :D

Eh, where the fuck is Dimebag Darrell Abbott?

I got all the way to page 6 of this thread, and not one person had mentioned Frank Zappa.
That's truly appalling. You people should be ashamed of yourselves. Hang your heads down and listen to the 'Muffin Man' as penance.


I also noticed no-one put in a vote for Robert Johnson either. Double shame!
I'm not going to be able sleep well tonight over this snub. I hope you're satisfied.

Eh, where the fuck is Dimebag Darrell Abbott?
decomposing inside a coffin, I'd wager.

I can't believe you didn't put Richard Thompson on there. Voted Rolling Stone magazine's Greatest Guitar Player of All Time.

The acoustic boys are pretty badly served by the poll overall. No Thompson, no Reinhardt, no Jansch, no Segovia... jazz players don't get much of a look in here either, even if those that do play electric like Mclaughlin or Jordan.

decomposing inside a coffin, I'd wager.
:p

:headbang:
what a flippin' hard choice man!!!!
anyway, I would, as a guitar mad nation, have to go with Gilmour for his amazing melodic and emotional solos.
What's Cobain doing there, I mean, he was in a good band, but he wasn't that good a guitarist. :p

:headbang:
what a flippin' hard choice man!!!!
anyway, I would, as a guitar mad nation, have to go with Gilmour for his amazing melodic and emotional solos.
What's Cobain doing there, I mean, he was in a good band, but he wasn't that good a guitarist. :p

true, voted for jimmy page hedrix is better but i love led zeppelin :D

Hendrix, Clapton, Vai, Santana, Satriani, Moore, Malmsteen, Alexi Laiho, Dimebag Darell, Petrucci, Mustaine...

Not in that order, some to a much bigger extent than others in specific talents and all for different reasons.

And I'm still green from jealousy since after the last time I found out you'd been to a G3 concert, damn you Markreich!

Vai - for all out silliness
Cantrell - for decent songs, and for the less-is-more philosophy
Pat Metheny - as a jazz guitarist and composer, he can't be faulted
Gordon Giltrap - folk guitarist, absolutly amazing

and finally ...

Mike Eizenger from Incubus. he may not be at the top of anyones list, but he's certainly original with some of the stuff he does with effects. and if ur thinking he hides under a mantle of effects units, listen to the acoustic stuff, its still just as good. if not better. try the lounge version of Certain Shade of Green next to its released counterpart on S.C.I.E.N.C.E. if you don't believe me ;)

That's Too damn hard, but I say Slowhands. Just look at the Clapton Crossroads Festival.
CLAPTON

my favourite guitarist, and hero, is jonny greenwood from radiohead. he is a fantastic musician, playing lots of different instruments as well as guitar, and is a part of the most amazing band ever, in my opinion. i dont think there is anyone else who can get such emotion from their guitar.

but seeing how he wasnt on their, i voted for cobain as thats the furthest away from the cock rock widdly-widdly poop that most of the others play.

Seconded! The Paganini of guitar!


Jason Becker is so much better as far as shreders

I voted for Cobain as I don't listen to any of the others. I don't think he's the best guitarist, though. That could either be Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P.), Trey Azagthoth, Dave Mustaine (who makes Eddie Van Halen look like an amateur) or Bill Steer.

Where are Lennon and McCartney or my personal favourite

and GEORGE HARRISON!!!

McCartney mostly plays bass.


you ever listen to his solo stuff?
maybe im amazed, etc....

Why Kurt Cobain deserves to be on the list:

What makes a "great" guitarist? The answer to that question is very simple: memory. While Cobain's particular style of playing is not technically difficult, it is catchy enough to bring people to the guitar. When great bands of the past mention their idols and influences, names such as Buddy Holly get mentioned. Why? Because when you hear the riffs and licks Holly played, you can't help but want to learn to play them yourself.

Kurt Cobain is our generation's Buddy Holly.

Deal with it.

Why Kurt Cobain deserves to be on the list:

What makes a "great" guitarist? The answer to that question is very simple: memory. While Cobain's particular style of playing is not technically difficult, it is catchy enough to bring people to the guitar. When great bands of the past mention their idols and influences, names such as Buddy Holly get mentioned. Why? Because when you hear the riffs and licks Holly played, you can't help but want to learn to play them yourself.

Kurt Cobain is our generation's Buddy Holly.

Deal with it.<applauds>

You're missing Steve Clark, Phil Collin, Carlos Santana, Ingvey Molvstien (spelling?)

Eddie Van Halen

This is like the best singer debate: do you go with the person with the most talent? IE, the person who can show off the most (and in so doing say, "ha ha, you can't match that!")? Or the person who's solid but not as, perhaps, gifted?

Eddie Van Halen did/does things with his guitar that i've not heard matched. Hendrix was great, too, but could he play the runs/rifs that EVH went on?

...because you'd need incredibly fast fingers to do so...

I have heard Clapton live. He was awesome... not a single missed note (or so it seemed to my ear... everything remained in the proper key, even when his fingers were flying). I think that if you had Guitar Idol, however, that the things Van Halen could do would go unmatched.

Why the hell is Cobain on the list?

He was a great songwriter, not a great guitarist.

Why the hell is Cobain on the list?

He was a great songwriter, not a great guitarist.

See post #170

Why Kurt Cobain deserves to be on the list:

What makes a "great" guitarist? The answer to that question is very simple: memory. While Cobain's particular style of playing is not technically difficult, it is catchy enough to bring people to the guitar

Who decided that? I wouldn't say that simply being remembered or being catchy makes you great. I'd agree that he was influential, inspired people to play and made popular/catchy songs. But that's not what I would classify as great.

Who decided that? I wouldn't say that simply being remembered or being catchy makes you great. I'd agree that he was influential, inspired people to play and made popular/catchy songs. But that's not what I would classify as great.
*applauds*

Who decided that?

History.

Look at the classical "greats". Most of them really aren't that great, just popular. You can't argue with 400 years of precident.

Cobain shouldn't even be considered. Anyone who votes for him obviously does not play guitar (and I am a Nirvana fan). On that list, it's Hendrix without question. Page's stuff was unbelievable, although not as technically difficult. I am disapointed that Satriani didn't make the list. Others of note include Mark Knoppler (not sure about spelling) from Dire Straits, Keller Williams (although certainly not in reference to posterity, he's kinda new), and Leo Kottke (if you haven't heard him, download download download!!).

The Protectorate of Ghettostank

History.

Look at the classical "greats". Most of them really aren't that great, just popular. You can't argue with 400 years of precident.

So they're not actually great, just seen as "greats".

Just because the majority of people think something and have continued to that doesn't make it true. Just because something is popular doesn't make it good. Just because something is viewed as good doesn't make it good. Would you say that chart music is the best music around?

And I can quite easily argue that it shouldn't be a precedent.

And I can quite easily argue that it shouldn't be a precedent.

Why not? Having a certain measure of influence is required for greatness. That's just how the music scene works. It has always been rather hollow.

My list as I placed it back on page one stands, but I can accept Cobain being on the poll.

Duane Allman, Elmore James, John Fogerty, Neil Young.

A few more names to chew on. Chuck Berry is likely the most imitated, and kicked off more careers than any other.

Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Page for me.

Honourable mentions to Albert King, Mark Knopfler and Alex Lifeson.

Why not? Having a certain measure of influence is required for greatness. That's just how the music scene works. It has always been rather hollow.

Doesn't mean that it's right.

And yes, influence and popularity can be a factor in greatness but you need more than that. And I don't think Cobain had that much more.

Doesn't mean that it's right.

And yes, influence and popularity can be a factor in greatness but you need more than that. And I don't think Cobain had that much more.

Oh I dunno. Listen to him. Really listen.

Clear your mind of the hype and play the following tracks:

Big Cheese (Bleach)
Love Buzz (Bleach, Sub Pop release)
Drain You (Nevermind)
D-7 (Harmoaning)
Aneurysm (Incesticide)
Milk It (In Utero)

Forget the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" pop crap/MTV hype for a second.

He deserves to be on the poll.

Oh I dunno. Listen to him. Really listen.

Clear your mind of the hype and play the following tracks:

Big Cheese (Bleach)
Love Buzz (Bleach, Sub Pop release)
Drain You (Nevermind)
D-7 (Harmoaning)
Aneurysm (Incesticide)
Milk It (In Utero)

Forget the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" pop crap/MTV hype for a second.

He deserves to be on the poll.

So I went and listened to what I have from that list (yes, I still have CDs from when I used to like Nirvana-I do listen to bands before judging them) and I still don't think Cobain can even compare to some other of the names mentioned. Sure, he's a hell of a lot better than "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but I still wouldn't class him as a great guitarist in comparison to what else is out there or even just in his own right.

I listen to him and then I listen to something like Satriani and the technical talent, the sound he can produce, the melody itself and the effect it has on me (on a personal level) is just not even in the same league. I don't see anything that exceptional or outstanding or any really high level of talent in his music.

I can understand him being on the poll because he is veiwed as a great guitarist but I by no means think he deserves that and after having listened to basically everything released by him, thinking he was great and then changing my mind, I don't think I'll be changing my mind back anytime soon.

then I listen to something like Satriani and the technical talent, the sound he can produce, the melody itself and the effect it has on me (on a personal level) is just not even in the same league.
time for my two cents.
the technical brilliance of Satch is surpassed by none. i mean none.
i've seen some of his guitar lessons on dvd and such and he is simply incredible, plus his dive-bomb pinch harmonics are something that only he and Vai can really pull off on an frequent basis (when he gets a pinch from just above the bridge) and no other guitarist can do as well.
plus Satch has an amazing range of styles he can play brilliantly in.

i would argue that satch is by far the best technical player in the world... by far.
Hendrix was more 'in tune' with his guitar and had more soul - more of himself in his music; something Satch lacks.

ultimatley i'd have so say its a tie between satch and hendrix

I listen to him and then I listen to something like Satriani and the technical talent, the sound he can produce, the melody itself and the effect it has on me (on a personal level) is just not even in the same league.

That's apples and oranges, though. You can't compare the two.

Satriani, while great, could never even dream of coming close to matching the jazz style of Leo Kottke. Satriani has a style all his own and is a master of his craft, but you can't compare him to Cobain.

Cobain was able to fuse folk, rock, punk, ska, and blues into the very unique style called "Grunge". Satriani could not do that. Hence, Cobain has something Satriani does not.

So I went and listened to what I have from that list (yes, I still have CDs from when I used to like Nirvana-I do listen to bands before judging them) and I still don't think Cobain can even compare to some other of the names mentioned. Sure, he's a hell of a lot better than "Smells Like Teen Spirit" but I still wouldn't class him as a great guitarist in comparison to what else is out there or even just in his own right.

depends if youre meaning "greatest" to be "best technically", or "greatest" to be "influential, writes great songs, knows how to make great tunes, inspires people".

personally, i would imagine its the latter...its not a "best guitarest ever" poll. In the same way as a "greatest racing driver" poll wont bring up the same results as a "best racing driver" poll, a "greatest guitarist ever" poll wont have the same results as a "best guitarist ever" poll.

but thats just my opinion

time for my two cents.
the technical brilliance of Satch is surpassed by none. i mean none.
i've seen some of his guitar lessons on dvd and such and he is simply incredible, plus his dive-bomb pinch harmonics are something that only he and Vai can really pull off on an frequent basis (when he gets a pinch from just above the bridge) and no other guitarist can do as well.
plus Satch has an amazing range of styles he can play brilliantly in.

i would argue that satch is by far the best technical player in the world... by far.
Hendrix was more 'in tune' with his guitar and had more soul - more of himself in his music; something Satch lacks.

ultimatley i'd have so say its a tie between satch and hendrix

I don't really like to name people as the best because I haven't heard enough music to be able to judge that. I don't compare people that often but in this case they seem worlds apart.

I just know that Satch is by far better than most stuff I've heard in technical terms and has an incredible sound to it while also provoking emotions in me and people like Cobain don't even begin to match that. Sure, there are people I like who aren't that great but I wouldn't bother comparing them with such mindblowingly talented players who can keep up that standard throughout various styles.

I'd agree with what you said about Hendrix; he had much more emotion and soul, being bluesy, and in my eyes they're totally different types of players, both excellent in their own way.

im new to the forums but here you go,

Charlie Christian :pioneer of the electric guitar
Django Reinhardt :gypsy legend
Eddie lang;pioneer of the jazz guitar
George Benson; maybe in recent times hes gone downhill but his eary stuff still amazes
Robert Johnson :the man clapton wants to be
Wes Montgomery:Jazz legend!
Rory Gallagher:Irish blues rock legend
bb king:Blues legend
Chet Atkins:nothing needs to be said so manys inspiration
Mason Williams:classical gas enough said
John Williams :Classical genius!

all missing!and many more!but as to is the best guitarist?!a ridiculous question in its self as there are so many varring styles and tatses!you can argue the case for any guitarist but there will always be somebody to argue anothers case.yet somehow i doubt named guitarist would place themselves on top of this list!

That's apples and oranges, though. You can't compare the two.

Satriani, while great, could never even dream of coming close to matching the jazz style of Leo Kottke. Satriani has a style all his own and is a master of his craft, but you can't compare him to Cobain.

Cobain was able to fuse folk, rock, punk, ska, and blues into the very unique style called "Grunge". Satriani could not do that. Hence, Cobain has something Satriani does not.

How can we not compare people in something like this? The whole subject is comparisons of people. Yes, they have very different styles obviously and this could just be totally pure opinion but for me people like Satriani show more technical talent in their abilities of how they play their instruments, play more interesting and emotive music, get a better sound out of their instruments and have more unique and varied music. All things that show talent and greatness to me and which Cobain lacks for me.

I don't limit talent to just one type; some of my favourite music is based totally on the vocal talents, some on the lyrical talents, some on the emotive talents, some on the experimental talents, some on the technical talents etc It's not like I just find certain things as a sign of talent or greatness and I can appreciate different types and would have to, to even begin discussing this. But I don't think Cobain shows much talent (or maybe it's just Grunge) in a way that's important to me. That's really what it boils down to. Perhaps the talent Cobain may or may not have is simply not important to me.

depends if youre meaning "greatest" to be "best technically", or "greatest" to be "influential, writes great songs, knows how to make great tunes, inspires people".

personally, i would imagine its the latter...its not a "best guitarest ever" poll. In the same way as a "greatest racing driver" poll wont bring up the same results as a "best racing driver" poll, a "greatest guitarist ever" poll wont have the same results as a "best guitarist ever" poll.

but thats just my opinion

As I've said above, there isn't one specific talent that I find to make someone great. It can be technical, vocal, lyrical, creative, emotive, experimental, atmospheric... a lot of things. And yes, inspiring, influencing and being popular are talents but for me they aren't enough to make someone great. they can be factors but I also need some exceptional talent in the actual music for them to become one of the greatest.

And "writing great songs" and "making great tunes", well, you need to define "great" for that aswell. In some ways that is totally subjective in how much you like a song or tune and for me that doesn't come into making a great guitarist necessarily. You can always define great as full of talent, emotive... whatever. But then we get back to the original decision we're trying to make :D

Either way, my personal opinion is that being influential, inspiring and popular does not make you great and any other talents that Cobain possesses are obviously not ones that I find important or value highly enough to call him great.

East Bay Ray from the Dead Kennedys could speedpick faster, and is more technical, IMHO.

Fucking hell, I forgot about him. Yes, he could do it faster (and better) than Johnny Ramone. I still don't know why he slipped through my memory...

And I also forgot about Johnny Thunders. Of course, he was the biggest influence on Steve Jones, but that doesn't make him a great guitarist. Steve had much better technical skill and far better rhythm. He was also much more creative. Well, he still is, really.

That's apples and oranges, though. You can't compare the two.

Satriani, while great, could never even dream of coming close to matching the jazz style of Leo Kottke. Satriani has a style all his own and is a master of his craft, but you can't compare him to Cobain.

Cobain was able to fuse folk, rock, punk, ska, and blues into the very unique style called "Grunge". Satriani could not do that. Hence, Cobain has something Satriani does not.

*applauds*

Clapton was replaced in the Yardbirds by Jeff Beck. Your point being?

Beck was.. fired? right, replaced by Page.. who even somehow owned the rights to the band after it was all over. Clapton, I believe, recommended Page for the job, but he turned it down; favoring his lucrative studio work at the time. It was still unfair of me to use that though, since Clapton really quit, and wasnt fired *shrugs*.. eh. Know what? 1975 baby. 6 records simultaneously in the top 200 as the world rocked out to Kashmir, and the rest of that album.. I wish I could have been there. Name any other band who has had their entire collection of works simultaneously in the Billboard Top 200, and you'll be naming one or two album bands.. not Clapton, not Hendrix, not the Beatles, not the Rolling Stones; all great bands, but I guess they just dont do it for me.

Thank god Led Zeppelin became who they were; I dont know if I could listen to a The New Yardbirds greatest hits with quite the same zeal as the band who was going to crash like a lead zeppelin.

Thank god Led Zeppelin became who they were; I dont know if I could listen to a The New Yardbirds greatest hits with quite the same zeal as the band who was going to crash like a lead zeppelin.

I believe 'go down like a lead balloon' is the phrase.

Rory Gallagher:Irish blues rock legend

oh good, somebody else other than me and Bodies Without Organs appears to have heard of him :)

I still prefer Angus and Jimi... and the other Jimmy

14 pages and not a single mention of Al Di Meola. That's just sad.

Then again, I tend not to include classical guitarists in these kinds of things as it just gets unfair then. For now I'll have to say it'd be a toss up between Wylde and Jimmy. Hm, BLS+Ozzy or Zep...

Jimi Hendrix
David Gilmour
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton


Guitar gods, the lot of them.

Also... why did Kurt Cobain get put on there whilst Brain May and Slash are left out? Makes for no sense.

I still find it weird that nearly everyone seems to think being a "great" guitarist requires fancy blues licks and speed.

I've played guitar for 22 years and have taught guitar for 10 years. It is more difficult, technically, to produce complex rythms through various strumming techniques. A great rythm guitarist such as Pete Townshend pwns Hendrix any day.

Incidently, why has nobody mentioned Muddy Waters or Dave Navarro?

I still find it weird that nearly everyone seems to think being a "great" guitarist requires fancy blues licks and speed.

I've played guitar for 22 years and have taught guitar for 10 years. It is more difficult, technically, to produce complex rythms through various strumming techniques. A great rythm guitarist such as Pete Townshend pwns Hendrix any day.

Incidently, why has nobody mentioned Muddy Waters or Dave Navarro?

have to agree with you there on fancy blues licks and speed to many people seem to feel speed is what makes a great guitarist

also have to agree with the muddy waters forgot to include him in my list!

Stevie Ray Vaughan. Hands down.

WHERE THE CRAP IS JOE SATRIANI OR JASON BECKER DAMNIT!? Phhh, Kurt Cobain...hahahahahaha. Okay, what about Muddy Waters? Or Carlos Santana? Damnit people.

Argentinian vote goes to:

(drumroll)


Atahualpa Yupanqui (ah-tah-hwahl-pa shoo-pon-kee)

I still find it weird that nearly everyone seems to think being a "great" guitarist requires fancy blues licks and speed.

I've played guitar for 22 years and have taught guitar for 10 years. It is more difficult, technically, to produce complex rythms through various strumming techniques. A great rythm guitarist such as Pete Townshend pwns Hendrix any day.

Incidently, why has nobody mentioned Muddy Waters or Dave Navarro?

Couldn't agree more. That's why I admire Steve Jones so much.

WHERE THE CRAP IS JOE SATRIANI OR JASON BECKER DAMNIT!? Phhh, Kurt Cobain...hahahahahaha. Okay, what about Muddy Waters? Or Carlos Santana? Damnit people.



I've been going on about becker the whole time!

When I made the poll it has a maximum of 10 options, i just picked guitarists off the top of my head.

John McLaughlin (Miles Davis, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti)
Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
Joe Satriani
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)

i think STEVE MORSE should be on that list he was a guitarrist for:
DEEP PURPLE (after Stevie Ray Vaughn)
The Dixie Dregs
The Steve morse band


what about Yngwei Malmstein -crazy technical stuff

i also really like that guitarrist in The Living End.. if you want modern music.

You had some good ones, til you listed the Nirvana dude.

Stevie Ray Vaughn in his place would be good.


But.. Although I appreciate alot of those listed ( besides Kurt) .. I know alot are missing. It's beauty in the ear of the beholder maybe..

I still find it weird that nearly everyone seems to think being a "great" guitarist requires fancy blues licks and speed.

I've played guitar for 22 years and have taught guitar for 10 years. It is more difficult, technically, to produce complex rythms through various strumming techniques. A great rythm guitarist such as Pete Townshend pwns Hendrix any day.

Incidently, why has nobody mentioned Muddy Waters or Dave Navarro?

I grew up in the same neighborhood as Jimi Hendrix (granted, about 30 years afterwards) and there are a lot of stories floating around about the guy. What blows people away is what a maniac he was for music. He took his guitar into the bathroom with him for christ's sake. People think that all the crazy stuff he did live was just a whim and he was some kind of natural genius; this is far from the truth. The guy's life was devoted to playing guitar. From the time that he started playing until when he died, he spent every waking minute with the guitar. Compare that with a guy like Clapton, who is a genius on guitar, but f*cking forgot how to play because he was so strung out on speedballs.

Also, maybe this poll should've been called greatest ROCK guitarist of all time, because all though I'm not much of a jazz or classical fan, I know that there are a lot of guys just as talented in both styles.

Who do you think is the greatest guitarist ever? I am cleverly constucting a poll to find the opinion of the masses!


Dime bag Darryl, R.I.P

Dime bag Darryl, R.I.P


Was really shitty how he died. I never saw what happened to the fuck that did it.

As some people say...HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE!

Angus, Jimmy, Jimi, Eddie, Eric?! They are equally great.

I chose my VH man.