Best Guitar Players Of All Time..... - Page 3

Kraut · 03-14-2006, 06:34 AM

I always love to discuss this topic. Everyone's opinion is different, but I have always found that it makes for good beer drinking discussions. Top 5 is good or more if you can't fit them all in.

My top 5 :

1. Jimmy Paige
2. Jimmi Hendrix
3. Eric Clapton
4. David Gilmour
5. B.B. King

Nightwish · 03-21-2006, 12:38 PM

I think a lot people confuse classic, influential, unique and enduring with "best." That's the only way I can imagine that guys like Page and Hendrix keep showing up on "best" lists on bulletin boards all over the country,and why in another decade or so we'll probably be seeing Kurt Cobain on "best" guitarist lists. But then again, as I said earlier in the thread, it depends on what dimensions you consider when you judge what is "best."

PastorMikH · 03-21-2006, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightwish

I think a lot people confuse classic, influential, unique and enduring with "best." That's the only way I can imagine that guys like Page and Hendrix keep showing up on "best" lists on bulletin boards all over the country,and why in another decade or so we'll probably be seeing Kurt Cobain on "best" guitarist lists. But then again, as I said earlier in the thread, it depends on what dimensions you consider when you judge what is "best."

You have a point there. Lester Flatt was really good on the Guitar, but I doubt he'd make anyone's list that wasn't a severe redneck.

BigChiefFan · 03-21-2006, 01:07 PM

I'm surprised to see so few Eddie Van Halen mentions-he took the guitar to a different level. EVH is a guitar God.

In no particular order but they deserve mention...

Hendrix
Malmsteen
Satriani
Vai
Johnson
Iommi
SRV
Gary Moore
Page
Rhodes
Santana
Angus Young
Nugent
Clapton
Morse
Hoey
Gilmour
Segovia

Kraut · 03-21-2006, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightwish

I think a lot people confuse classic, influential, unique and enduring with "best." That's the only way I can imagine that guys like Page and Hendrix keep showing up on "best" lists on bulletin boards all over the country,and why in another decade or so we'll probably be seeing Kurt Cobain on "best" guitarist lists. But then again, as I said earlier in the thread, it depends on what dimensions you consider when you judge what is "best."

I have always been of the opinion that what makes a player good is how that player plays in your mind. If to you he sounds awesome then that is what matters. Of course there are players who we all could agree are awesome and ones that we could agree are bad. All the ones that have been named have at least some level of talent. And most of them all have assisted in shaping the music world for generations to come.

**Reaper16** · 03-21-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Actually, Josh Homme is a very, very good guitar player. One of the best of the current crop.

I could spend literal days listing very good guitar players. This thread asks for the very best. Of all time. To suggest that Homme is such might as well be a joke because it certainly is laughable.

**Lzen** · 03-21-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

Kirk Hammett

**Lzen** · 03-21-2006, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightwish

It depends on what you mean by "best." For instance, some of the guys mentioned in the OP were highly influential, highly stylistic, but pretty average when it comes to technical ability (most notably, Jimmy Paige and Jimi Hindrix). Other players in that category (lots of style and influence, average technical ability) would include Tony Iommi and Alex Lifeson.

It's impossible to answer a question about which guitarists are "best," because there are just too many different dimensions to compare -- unique and individual style or personality, influence, technical ability, etc.

Tons of individual style, but only average or slightly above-average technical ability

Jimmy Page
Jimi Hendrix
Alex Lifeson
Tony Iommi
B.B. King (and most other "great" pure blues players)

Tons of technical ability, but their style doesn't really stand out

Glen Tipton
Timo Tolkki
Warren Demartini
Arian Smith
Jake E. Lee
Adrian Vandenberg
a ton of thrash, speed and power metal guitarists

Distinctive style and lots of technical ability

Steve Vai
Yngwie Malmsteen
Akira Takasaki
Randy Rhoades
Dave Murray
John Petrucci
Joe Satriani
Eric Clapton
SRV
Al Di Meola
Eddie Van Halen
Kai Hansen
Andre Olbrich
Luca Turilli
many "great" jazz guitarists

Of course, those are merely my opinions, and those lists are by no means exhaustive. And I'm sure a lot of Maiden fans might take issue for me not putting Adrian Smith and Dave Murray in the same catagory, or not putting Janick Gers on the list. I didn't exclude Janick because I don't think he's good, but only because I haven't listened to enough of his work that closely to really know which category to put him in.

Very good post and I agree. I know most of this is rock-based music only, but that's what I know best. A couple of those names I don't know, though.

I suppose something else that I would add is that sometimes, it just boils down to what is your taste. Some people's idea of what makes a great guitar player is not the same as others'.

BTW, I would add George Lynch. His was/is a very distinctive style, but not highly technical. A lot of Lynch's stuff was played purely by feel. The guy couldn't properly teach someone how to play, but he was an incredible guitar player himself.

teedubya · 03-21-2006, 03:04 PM

Jimi
SRV
Eric

DMAC · 03-21-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

OK, forget for a second that we hate Metallica now. Then go listen to ...And Justice For All.

**Reaper16** · 03-21-2006, 04:08 PM

I wouldn't rate Kirk up there with the very best of all time, but I love his playing just the same. He is one the the best int he guitar panthen of writing memorable solos and lead compositions. I can hum probably 25 or so of his solos from the top of my head.

**Lzen** · 03-21-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMAC

OK, forget for a second that we hate Metallica now. Then go listen to ...And Justice For All.

Ok, I love the old Metallica up through the Black Album. Even so, I never thought of Kirk Hammet as one of the best guitarists of all time. Sry, just my opinion.

BTW, And Justice For All still kicks major booty.

Nightwish · 03-21-2006, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lzen

Ok, I love the old Metallica up through the Black Album. Even so, I never thought of Kirk Hammet as one of the best guitarists of all time. Sry, just my opinion.

BTW, And Justice For All still kicks major booty.

One of the reasons Kirk often gets mentioned is because he was a student of Satriani. I think Kirk could have really been a great, great talent, given the right circumstances, but having to occasionally share leads with James, and having to endure under James' and Lars' stadium-sized egos probably held him down a bit.

By the way, I totally agree with you about George Lynch.

Halfcan · 03-21-2006, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PastorMikH

The 'Nuge hasn't been mentioed yet?

Nugent could/can do some awesome stuff on the guitar. Listening to him as a teenager has a lot to do with my lack of ability to hear today.

HUH??? Twat did you say, I c#nt hear you. Tits allright, I will finger it out later.

htismaqe · 03-22-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

I could spend literal days listing very good guitar players. This thread asks for the very best. Of all time. To suggest that Homme is such might as well be a joke because it certainly is laughable.

I don't see you laughing at the mention of Alex Lifeson, Adrian Vandenberg, or Gary Hoey.

Something tells me that you're not at all interested in an objective analysis.

SLAG · 03-22-2006, 12:35 PM

Just a few off the top of my head..

Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler, Prince, Kid Rock

03-14-2006, 06:34 AM
Kraut Don't Make Me Angry... Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hells Kitchen, NY Casino cash: $9984925	Best Guitar Players Of All Time..... I always love to discuss this topic. Everyone's opinion is different, but I have always found that it makes for good beer drinking discussions. Top 5 is good or more if you can't fit them all in. My top 5 : 1. Jimmy Paige 2. Jimmi Hendrix 3. Eric Clapton 4. David Gilmour 5. B.B. King
Posts: 7,428

03-21-2006, 12:38 PM	#31
Nightwish 2006 Snipe Hunting Champion Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: A van down by the river! Casino cash: $10004900	I think a lot people confuse classic, influential, unique and enduring with "best." That's the only way I can imagine that guys like Page and Hendrix keep showing up on "best" lists on bulletin boards all over the country,and why in another decade or so we'll probably be seeing Kurt Cobain on "best" guitarist lists. But then again, as I said earlier in the thread, it depends on what dimensions you consider when you judge what is "best." __________________ "Human tales? But human don't have tails, they have big, big bottoms that they wear with bad shorts, and walk around going, 'Hi, Helen!'" -- Batty (Robin Williams), in Fern Gully
Posts: 7,013

03-21-2006, 01:07 PM	#33
BigChiefFan MVP Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: In the Top 10 Casino cash: $9924205	I'm surprised to see so few Eddie Van Halen mentions-he took the guitar to a different level. EVH is a guitar God. In no particular order but they deserve mention... Hendrix Malmsteen Satriani Vai Johnson Iommi SRV Gary Moore Page Rhodes Santana Angus Young Nugent Clapton Morse Hoey Gilmour Segovia __________________ A 35 year drought can make you thirsty.
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03-21-2006, 03:04 PM	#38
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	Jimi SRV Eric
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03-22-2006, 12:35 PM	#45
SLAG Superbowl MVP Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: OOOOOOOOOOOOOLATHE Casino cash: $9910252	Just a few off the top of my head.. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Mark Knopfler, Prince, Kid Rock __________________ Ad astra per aspera
Posts: 11,177