View Full Version : Who are the best guitarists of all time???
The Night Shift
28 Mar 2008, 11:04
A lot of Music fans here of various genres. Please list, however difficult, you top 5 favourite guitarists are ever.
Some guitarists are known for teaming up successfully with a partner so naming a axe line up from a band is also fine.
So here goes...
5.Jeff Hanneman & Kerry King [Slayer]
4.Josh Homme
3.Jimi Hendrix
2. Jerry Cantrell
1. Dimebag Darrell
kiroshi
28 Mar 2008, 13:32
mick mars is god
mick mars is god awful
Corrected. :)
Shaymuhz
28 Mar 2008, 21:27
kurk hammet
jimi hendrix
angus young
slash
tom morello
brian may (more for presence and the fact that he built his own guitar)
DizzyHB
29 Mar 2008, 00:48
In no particular order:
John 5
Tripp Eisen (Not so much for ability though)
Paul Stanley + Ace Frehley
Mick Mars
Wednesday 13
kiroshi
29 Mar 2008, 01:42
Corrected. :)
you must be tone deaf or 12 years old.
The Night Shift
29 Mar 2008, 14:13
I could add heaps more to my list.
Dave Gilmour
John5
Slash
Tom Morello
quality
you must be tone deaf or 12 years old.
Nope - Mick Mars is just not a great guitarist! Not even good.
Michael J Fox is a better guitarist than Mick Mars!
The Night Shift
30 Mar 2008, 16:31
http://images2.ggl.com/kunoblog/tropes/marty.jpg (http://images2.ggl.com)
:p
Don't be soooooooooo hard on Mick Mars. As a band Motley Crue have created some of the best glamrock/metal thats out there, if you enjoy that style. Sure he's no Yngwie Malmsteen, but he has still made a long career out of music.
http://images2.ggl.com/kunoblog/tropes/marty.jpg (http://images2.ggl.com)
:p
Don't be soooooooooo hard on Mick Mars. As a band Motley Crue have created some of the best glamrock/metal thats out there, if you enjoy that style. Sure he's no Yngwie Malmsteen, but he has still made a long career out of music.
lol. Well done digging up that picture. Don't forget his version of SRV's "Rude Mood" from Light Of Day!
Not trying to be too hard on him but to mention him in a list of greatest guitarists of all time is a bit silly.
I guess if you are a die hard Crue fan then you can argue that favourite music = best guitarist ..........
DizzyHB
30 Mar 2008, 16:53
The topic states "Please list, however difficult, you top 5 favourite guitarists are ever."
Dyslexic Emo
30 Mar 2008, 18:17
Andy McKee
Tommy Emmanuelle
mouse pad
smoked salmon sandwich
can of coke
Sorry for the essay, had a lot of time to kill whilst awaitng my account activation.:D
Most influential to modern rock guitar
1 Les Paul
2 Leo Fender
· Chuck Berry
· Jimi Hendrix
· Frank Zappa
· Eddie Van Halen
· Steve Vai
Special mention: Eddie Cochran, Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Yngwie Malmsteen
Song writing Guitarist
· John Lennon/George Harrison
· Brian May (any style, lead/rhythm, massive tone)
· James Hetfield (genius ability to turn metal riffs into songs)
· Andy Summers
· Prince – can shred and has written way too many songs for one small purple man
Always overlooked but could outplay most in this thread
· Steve Lukather – Toto guitarist (session hired gun on over 800 number 1 albums)
· Tommy Emmanuel - defies logic what he can do on an acoustic
· Michael Angelo Batio – father of pure speed – even if it does sound rubbish
· Paul Gilbert – funny as hell and can shred with the best
· Marty Friedman – most melodic of the 80/90s metal shredders
Special mention: John 5 – combines crazy styles (shred and bluegrass)
Best stage presence in their prime
· Jimmy Page
· Slash
· Ace Frehley
· Angus Young
· Justin Hawkins :cool:
Special Mention: pre-viking, skinny, hippie Zakk Wylde used to steal the show from Ozzy
The good (or best) that died young
· Stevie Ray Vaughn
· Dimebag Darrel – brilliant despite horrible tone
· Randy Rhoads – see Dimebag comment
· Eddie Cochran
· Jimi Hendrix
Most Overrated
· Kirk Hammett – nothing without a wah pedal (even though a member of my fav band)
· John Petrucci – virtuoso and great player but lacks something (boring at G3…love DT though)
· Kerry King – sloppy soloist, plays without any feel or melody
· Rusty Cooley – can play 999967684934 notes a second but who wants to hear that?
· Anyone that plays dropped tunings below D :eek:
On the Mick Mars thing, I reckon he was just one of many hair metal shredders that could play put wont have a lasting influence on music. Same as CC Deville, Snake Sabo, George Lynch, Richie Sambora, etc
Flame Away!!!!:thumbsu:
kiroshi
30 Mar 2008, 22:46
Sorry for the essay, had a lot of time to kill whilst awaitng my account activation.:D
Most influential to modern rock guitar
1 Les Paul
2 Leo Fender
· Chuck Berry
· Jimi Hendrix
· Frank Zappa
· Eddie Van Halen
· Steve Vai
Special mention: Eddie Cochran, Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Yngwie Malmsteen
Song writing Guitarist
· John Lennon/George Harrison
· Brian May (any style, lead/rhythm, massive tone)
· James Hetfield (genius ability to turn metal riffs into songs)
· Andy Summers
· Prince – can shred and has written way too many songs for one small purple man
Always overlooked but could outplay most in this thread
· Steve Lukather – Toto guitarist (session hired gun on over 800 number 1 albums)
· Tommy Emmanuel - defies logic what he can do on an acoustic
· Michael Angelo Batio – father of pure speed – even if it does sound rubbish
· Paul Gilbert – funny as hell and can shred with the best
· Marty Friedman – most melodic of the 80/90s metal shredders
Special mention: John 5 – combines crazy styles (shred and bluegrass)
Best stage presence in their prime
· Jimmy Page
· Slash
· Ace Frehley
· Angus Young
· Justin Hawkins :cool:
Special Mention: pre-viking, skinny, hippie Zakk Wylde used to steal the show from Ozzy
The good (or best) that died young
· Stevie Ray Vaughn
· Dimebag Darrel – brilliant despite horrible tone
· Randy Rhoads – see Dimebag comment
· Eddie Cochran
· Jimi Hendrix
Most Overrated
· Kirk Hammett – nothing without a wah pedal (even though a member of my fav band)
· John Petrucci – virtuoso and great player but lacks something (boring at G3…love DT though)
· Kerry King – sloppy soloist, plays without any feel or melody
· Rusty Cooley – can play 999967684934 notes a second but who wants to hear that?
· Anyone that plays dropped tunings below D :eek:
On the Mick Mars thing, I reckon he was just one of many hair metal shredders that could play put wont have a lasting influence on music. Same as CC Deville, Snake Sabo, George Lynch, Richie Sambora, etc
Flame Away!!!!:thumbsu:
mick mars was part of the best band of his era. had drugs and fights between band members not occurred albums like too fast for love and shout at the devil would have been plentiful. considering his debilitating bone condition he is a god.
nick valensi from the strokes is a great player also.
mick mars was part of the best band of his era.
I agree he was a part of the Crue but surely Nikki, and possibly Tommy, were more influential to the bands sound and sucess than Mick?
He is a bit like Kirk Hammett in that the majority of songs were written by other band members and he had the job of coming up with some riffs/solos to match the song.
You could argue the same for Ace Frehely and Marty Friedman from my list but they are just plain cool.:cool:
You and I aren't starting off on the best of terms are we?:D
kiroshi
31 Mar 2008, 00:09
nope but music is a thing of opinion and perspective. mick wrote the god bless the children of the beast interlude on the shout at the devil album which is one of my favorite pieces of music ever. the man plays in extreme pain all the time. not saying technically he is the best ever to wield the axe, but he is the epitomy of a true rock and roll man. nikki sixx before theatre of pain = one of the best song writers ever. tommy was/is a great drummer and vince was the big headed love rat every band wants up front. great band. (pre theatre of pain)
mick wrote the god bless the children of the beast interlude on the shout at the devil album which is one of my favorite pieces of music ever.
It is funny how little parts of songs grab people. Mine is the stripped back clean guitar part in the middle of To Live is to Die from ...And Justice for All (I think it kicks in at 4:54 into the song....god it is sad I know that off the top of my head).
I used to drive my mum nuts from playing it over and over and over again. I still love it almost 20 years on.
salim malik
31 Mar 2008, 09:52
Robert Johnson
Albert Collins
T BONE Walker
Son House
Muddy Waters
B B King
Albert King
Buddy Guy
Johnny Winter
Peter Green
Stevie Ray
no need to say any more
The topic states "Please list, however difficult, you top 5 favourite guitarists are ever."
Dave Gilmour
doh!
ok then...
Dave Gilmour
Neil Young
J Mascis
Tim Rogers
Jeff Martin
Man, I thought I knew something about music, but you guys are just phenomenal.
Apart from Dave Gilmour (who is my God) I've chosen the other 4 on the basis of them playing on their own, just a guitar, no band.
doh!
I've chosen the other 4 on the basis of them playing on their own, just a guitar, no band.
move the goalposts why dont you:D
in that case then, no room for;
Tommy Emmanuel
John Williams
or this person http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZpD0btOZx8
After ragging on Mick Mars I guess that I'd better come up with a list.
In no particular order:
Jimi Hendrix
Jeff Beck
Eric Johnson
Scott Henderson
Brent Mason
Bloody hard to come up with 5!
Others that I wish could fit in:
SRV
Greg Howe
Hellecasters
Brett Garsed
Steve Morse
Robben Ford
Larry Carlton
........ and the list goes on.
Scotland
2 Apr 2008, 13:18
Mark Knopfler?
Joe Satriani?
Carlos Santana?
For a modern local, how about Chris Cheney?
Mark Knopfler?
Joe Satriani?
Carlos Santana?
For a modern local, how about Chris Cheney?
Knopfler has written some great tracks and how many people play lead electric guitar finger picking?
Chris Cheney is cool as well and has a knack for writing great rockabilly solos.
Joe Satriani taught Steve Vai so what more can you say.
Carlos Santana should be banned from the planet for producing music with Chad Kroeger ...ewwww!
I'd rather list my favourites. Coz I have no idea what makes a good axeman. I do know a few who have grabbed my attention. In no particular order.
Keith Richards
Hank B Marvin
Eric Clapton
Ry Cooder
Chuck Berry
Jose Feliciano
Jimmy Page
Syd vicious
Gerry Garcia
Dave Gilmour
:cool:
Freo Big Fella
7 Apr 2008, 13:10
Buddy Guy
Robert Johnson
Eric Clapton
Jimi Hendrix
Keith Richards
**bump**
After enjoying an awesome evening at Burswood the other night for The White Album concert I have to agree that, yes, Chris Cheney is a damn fine guitarist. One of (if not THE) best guitarist Australia has produced.
bigkev bleeds purple
13 Aug 2009, 17:25
Most of this thread is way over my head, so I'm not going to pretend to have any sort of authority over this topic.
However, I can say for sure that Chris Cheney is for sure one of Australia's most underappreciated talents. That man can make a guitar talk and is a hell of a songwriter. One of my favourites.
Speaking of underappreciated Australian talent, I need to mention the man who tops the list. Who else can't wait for the release of Paul Dempsey's solo album? I'm on the edge of my freakin' seat.
Swish, I also direct gratuitous amounts of kudos in your direction for mentioning Justin Hawkins! Pretty damn good guitarist with an ear piercing falsetto, that's a winner for sure!
Paco de Lucia
Joe Satriani
Mark Knopfler
Eric Clapton
Dave Gilmour
Al Pitrelli
Jimmy Page
I also like that bloke from Wolfmother....very talented.
External Inputs
14 Aug 2009, 14:17
Best of all time? Way too contentious......
My faves, 'cause they made me want to play guitar are:
Marty Wilson Piper
Kim Salmon
Robert Smith
Tom Verlaine
John McGeoch
Kevin Shields
(I tend to hate guitar wankery)
.
silverscope
14 Aug 2009, 18:42
John Mayer
Dave Grohl
Two of the best guitarist's i've ever seen.
The Night Shift
15 Aug 2009, 00:29
Let me throw a curly one in here....
Noodles from Offspring
Not particularly technically gifted or even noted as a shredder, however The Offspring are known and enjoyed for thieer pop punk stylings.... Would this make Noodles a master riffer for creating memorable radio friendly unit shifting tunes....
fitzmantle
16 Aug 2009, 21:15
Best of all time? Way too contentious......
My faves, 'cause they made me want to play guitar are:
Marty Wilson Piper
Kim Salmon
Robert Smith
Tom Verlaine
John McGeoch
Kevin Shields
(I tend to hate guitar wankery)
.
After shit games like today, its a pleasure to see post like this.
Kevin Shields has no rival, end thread.
I think maybe Peter Koppes, was the more dominant Church member?
Robert Smith was great (A Forest, Just Like Heaven)
John squire (How fckn good was this guy)
Rabbitoh
23 Aug 2009, 21:06
1. Les Paul
2.Brian May
3.Slash
4.Richie Sambora
5.Jimmy Page
External Inputs
24 Aug 2009, 16:06
After shit games like today, its a pleasure to see post like this.
Kevin Shields has no rival, end thread.
I think maybe Peter Koppes, was the more dominant Church member?
Robert Smith was great (A Forest, Just Like Heaven)
John squire (How fckn good was this guy)
I very nearly put Peter Koopes in brackets after Marty, they work so well together and I find it hard to rate one as better than the other. I guess I thought Marty was the cooler, Rickenbacker playing, better looking one at the time, but Peter's definitely aging more gracefully!
John Squire is most worthy of a mention, and I probably should have listed Johnny Marr also.
Selggad
24 Aug 2009, 18:13
THe jazz guys have been a bit overlooked so here are a few more
Django Reinhardt - no guitar greats thread would be complete without his name, probably in the top 5 all time guitarists ever
Joe Pass - saw him in concert with Oscar Perstersen when I was about 18 and was completely blown away by what he could do
Barney Kessel - great originality
Wes Montgomery - beautiful melodies and feel
Charlie Christian - put the 'lecyy guitar on the map in popular music at the time. Gave it a big boost as a soloing instrument
John Mclaughlin - a lot of his stuff leaves me cold but the late 60s and early 70s were outrageous - as a player on Bitches Brew, has to be amongst the most influential guitarists. Also the work with Shakti was extraordinary
Personal favourites
Frank Zappa
Ry Cooder
Lowell George
Marc Ribot (played with Tom Waits through a lot of the mid-80s and 90s)
Jeff Beck
The Matt
25 Oct 2009, 23:54
(I tend to hate guitar wankery)
.
I'm a drummer so rhythm guitarists do it for me and some of them are way overrated:
1. Malcom Young, surely no need to say more
2. James Hetfield, IMO a way better guitarist than Hammet
3. Dave Grohl, drummer at heart so has the "play for the song" thing nailed
4. Stevie Ray Vaughan, not a rhythm guitarist but worked with his band so well
5. Mick Videlli, hometown boy and lovely bloke and V'delli just Rock
DizzyHB
26 Oct 2009, 02:12
great band. (pre theatre of pain)
No love for Dr Feelgood? Even Girls, Girls, Girls had songs like Wild Side and All In The Name Of which are great songs.