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Who is the best guitarist in the world?

Posted by Perky • 3/01/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: best guitarist, Eric Johnson, guitar legends, John Mayer, ken kitamura, marty friedman, steve vai, yngwie malmsteen

There's so many great guitarists out there. I can't decide who exactly is the best. On my list, there's Yngwie Malmsteen (who's big on neo-classical type of music... n he's really crazy on the guitar!), Marty Friedman (former lead guitarist from Megadeth), Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, John Mayer and Ken Kitamura (from the Japanese rock band called L'arc~en~Ciel).

Do share with me your list of great guitarists.

User Comments

3/01/09

SaedT

:O Do you realize that you have left out Buckethead and Jimmy Page?

John Mayer is bad as a guitarist there are people much better than him.

Chris Broderick of Megadeth is great too btw

[reply]
1. 3/01/09
  
  Perky
  
  Lol! Oh man, I knew I left out some important names.
  
  I think ppl don't give John Mayer enough credit as a guitarist. True, his signature isn't in soloing. His strength lies in chord voicings, the inversions... which I find to be quite interesting.
3/01/09

moreorlesley

My all time favorite guitarist is Eddie Van Halen!!!

[reply]
1. 3/01/09
  
  Perky
  
  Another legend whose name I left out...
  
  Eddie is a guitar God. He's a master of shredding and two-handed tapping. His work is easily recognizable because his signature is so distinct.
  
  Thanks for reminding me of Eddie. Can't believe I left his name out. dang!
2. 3/01/09
  
  qlotta
  
  You beat me to the punch in suggesting Eddie. "Eruption" is essential for all young shredders in training.
  
  One player you need to add to this very important list is Randy Rhoads. His playing took those first solo Ozzy albums onto a different level. And he had a polka dot flying V.
3/01/09

ophase

I think each guitar virtuoso has his own unique style and tune that i love to listen everytime.
Brian May, Eric Clapton, Satriani, Kirk Hammet, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Marty Friedman.
It's not possible to categorize their styles best or worst.
I also love the musicians of my own country. If you'r looking for different scales and tunes, check this out:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4FG2lsTlo4&feature=related

[reply]
1. 3/01/09
  
  Perky
  
  you're right. it's hard to categorize their styles as best or worst.
  
  Thanks for the link. i'll definitely check it out
3/01/09

qelqoth

I'd say my favourite is Robert Fripp.

[reply]
1. 3/01/09
  
  Perky
  
  Hmm... I'm not to familiar with Robert Fripp. Is there any tunes that you can recommend for me to listen?
2. 3/01/09
  
  qelqoth
  
  Check out his "Exposure" album and also, his work with King Crimson.
  
  If you love guitar, you won't be disappointed.
3. 3/02/09
  
  pras
  
  Robert Fripp guitar playing could be listened from King Crimson and Peter Gabriel early album :-)
3/01/09

salomey5

Angus Young (love, love, LOVE him)
Keith Richards (back off, he's my pirate!)
Slash (who has the honour of sharing his birthday with me)

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3/01/09

SaedT

lol Slash is pretty good at emotional playing.

Buckethead you guys, seriously.

He can shred ur heart out and make you cry, VERY talented.

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3/01/09

SaedT

Oh and chord inversion-wise, Mikael Ackerfeld [no idea how to spell his name] of Opeth is good at that stuff, too.

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3/01/09

SecondSighting

ty tabor, reb beach, doug aldrich, george lynch, ace frehley.

but "best"? there are loads of great ones but how can you pick one? it comes down to personal taste most times.

[reply]
3/01/09

MereCoincidence

As an overall composer and musician I'd have to say Steve Vai but in terms of technique and apparent diversity - Guthrie Govan.

Honorary mentions go to Paul Gilbert and Joe Satriani.

edit: Oh, and Shawn Lane.

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3/01/09

ArsenicCookies

It was Darrell Abbott until his life was cut short

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3/01/09

DollinNYC

Lindsey Buckingham/Eric Clapton/Jimi Hendrix
I know there are lots more!

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3/01/09

byronlandon

Chase Fiedler, Pacific Hills High School, West Hollywood! This is no joke!

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3/01/09

Epicharis

Wow...no one has mentioned Richie Blackmore?! Check out his solo here from 2:55 to 3:50...epic!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlZMyHOcMOo

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3/01/09

JosefBenjamin

hmmm, me of course.

Nah, I really like the guitarist from coldplay and maroon 5. Oh and Paul Maccartney

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3/02/09

Epicharis

Also, if we are including acoustic guitarists....Martin Carthy should definitely be on the list!

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3/02/09

dsriharsha

The word "Best" is highly subjective.. you should be asking who my Favorite guitarist is..

and it is a tie between Brian May and Jimmy Page

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3/02/09

darren1985

Talk about contemporary guitarist, Jack White is wicked! ;-)

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3/02/09

sdk1988

There are sooo many - Stevie Ray Vaughan was left off too!

BB King, Mike Bloomfield, Peter Green.. it's a long list of greats!

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3/02/09

captainobvious22

Erm - anyone heard of a quiet unassuming dude named Eric Clapton?

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3/02/09

Perky

Thanks a lot for taking part in this discussion, guys.

I've realized I should've phrased my question properly like, something a long the lines of "who are your favorite guitarists" instead of asking who's the best guitarist in the world... coz really, it's hard to say.

There are a few names whose work I'm not familiar with... so I'm gonna be spending some time Google-ing them out

[reply]
3/02/09

drjay1966

"Best" is a relative term.

There are people who can move their fingers very quickly across a fretboard, and who can play very intricate music without making any mistakes, but, in the process, make music that doesn't express much of anything except "look at what a good guitar player I am."

Then there are people who have very little technical skill but can convey a lot of emotion with one or two notes.

My favorites currently are Thurston Moore, Jorma Kaukonen, Keith Richards, B.B. King, Jerry Garcia, and Neil Young.

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3/02/09

pras

I have few names: Steve Howe, Jimmy Page, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, John Mc Laughlin, Al Dimeola, Jeff Beck........

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3/02/09

FameofShame

Frank Zappa was the best before he died. Ask Steve Vai, he'll tell you how great Zappa was.

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3/02/09

diabolicomix

I think Neil Young is definitely up there. He has one of the most original guitar styles I have ever heard. I just love the song "Cowgirl in the Sand."

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3/02/09

pras

Another name is:"John Petrucci"

[reply]
1. 3/02/09
  
  Perky
  
  Oh yes, John Petrucci. I've got his Rock Discipline dvd... which has helped me a lot in my playing
3/02/09

MadMadMargo

Duane Allman. Period.

[reply]
1. 3/02/09
  
  diabolicomix
  
  Oh yeah!
3/02/09

lovesome1

elliot smith

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3/02/09

DeadRooster

Larry Carlton

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3/03/09

rileycentral

He may not be mainstream but have you listened to and chicken picken by Chet Atkins? I've been studying his chops for a few years now. Also, Dave Sharp of the Alarm in the 80's did some amazing crunchy guitar stuff.

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3/03/09

mayu

comment removed by the community.

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3/03/09

creemos

Phil Keaggy - three finger, upside down guitar and still rolling - 40 years later

[reply]
1. 3/03/09
  
  rileycentral
  
  I've seen him live. Amazing talent, even with those three fingers