Best guitarists

[Slayer03]

Just wondering if anyone has a favorite shredder out there or who in your opinion is the best.
For me it's gotta be in no particular order......
Tony iommi, Ritchie blackmore, Jimmy page, Angus young, Sammy hagar, to name but a few.

[lechacal]

Hagar? You serious?

Not keen on shredding, but my top guitarists would be:

Brian May (and then, in no particular order),
David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Johnnie Greenwood, Rory Gallagher, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton...

[square-eyes-baz]

Considering how long hes been around Ive only just started watching some Alvin Lee on Youtube

[Slayer03]

Ok Sammy hagar I will put on the back bench but yep Eric clapton he has such a good sound. Do any of you also find that these guitarists have such a distinct sound to themselves you know who they are as soon as they start to play, also I forgot to add Stevie ray vaughn and jeff healey.

[Matt_C]

Not all strictly "shredders", but; "Teh" James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Slash, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, John Petrucci, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbot (RIP), Tom Morello, Dave Mustaine, Chris Broderick, Gus G, Zakk Wylde, Reb Beach, Adrian Smith, Dave Murray, Willie Adler, Mark Morton, David Gilmour - just a few from the top of my head!

[Matt W]

Ian MacKaye (Fugazi)
Guy Picciotto (Fugazi)
Corin Tucker (Sleater-Kinney)
Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney)
Nels Cline

Are my favourites. But I'm not a fan of 'virtuosity' for the sake of it.

[Matt_C]

Originally Posted by Matt W

But I'm not a fan of 'virtuosity' for the sake of it.

Which is the exact reason I haven't mentioned Malmsteen. The guy is AMAZING, it cannot be denied. But he's also a prick, and his music leaves me fairly cold and emotionless. Vai and Satriani on the other hand, whilst Via is a little bit of a machine in places, there is so much more in the music than just "look how fast I can play this scale!"

[Matt_C]

I've really got into Gus G lately tho. Not sure Firewind is exactly my kind of band, a little bit too akin to Dragon Force maybe, but goddam this guys a good player! This video is just before he moved to Ozzy's camp;

[Matt W]

Originally Posted by Matt_C

Which is the exact reason I haven't mentioned Malmsteen. The guy is AMAZING, it cannot be denied. But he's also a prick, and his music leaves me fairly cold and emotionless. Vai and Satriani on the other hand, whilst Via is a little bit of a machine in places, there is so much more in the music than just "look how fast I can play this scale!"

Unfortunately, most 'metal' guitarists leave me cold.

Now this I like:

[Donnacha]

The beginning of that Gus G clip reminds me of Michael Schenker!

....this topic has been done many times on here before (use search) and its always very subjective. I think it really depends on your taste in music. Personally I love listening to Stevie Ray, Hendrix, Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Satriani, Vai and The Edge. But there are so many other out there as well, it really depends on the mood your in because one day you think SRV is the greatest ever but then you fancy some shreding and Vai blows your mind!! Its hard to be definitive on this one, just open your mind and enjoy all the talent..!

[lechacal]

Originally Posted by Slayer03

Do any of you also find that these guitarists have such a distinct sound to themselves you know who they are as soon as they start to play

That's partly why I like Knopfler and May so much. SRV had a very distinctive tone and technique as does Albert King.

[Davieboy00]

FRANK ZAPPA

Never get tired of the genius of the man

[JonnyFriendly]

'Current' guitarists I really rate -

Jack White (espec. with Raconteurs)
Kurt Ballou (Converge)
John Frusciante (RHCP)

Old Classics -

Peter Green
Jimmy Page
Kurt Cobain
Slash
Gregg Ginn (Black Flag)
and, of course, Jimi Hendrix.

Guitarists I really don't like (too much technical ability, too llittle feeling)-

Eddie Van Halen
Yngie(sic?) Malmsteen
Dave Mustaine
Steve Vai
Joe Satriani

[lechacal]

Some of those guys I really love as guitarists, it's just that I can't sit and listen to the music! For me it's the same with Malmsteen; terrific fingers and cloth ears. Not to mention he's a posing egomaniac.

I think you're harsh on Satch though.

[Donnacha]

Originally Posted by JonnyFriendly

Guitarists I really don't like (too much technical ability, too llittle feeling)-

Eddie Van Halen

Have to disagree here, he is full of feeling!! There's such a spontaneity and creativity to his playing, especially in his early years.

I also think you're a little harsh on Satriani and Vai - you only have to watch them in action to know that they are feeling it!

....but each to their own view, which is why I said earlier that this topic is sooo subjective!