5 best guitarists

[conversationpc]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Trower...

That's because he sucks...






Just kidding.

[cuevucci]

Hendrix
Holdsworth
Henderson
Halen
Vai

[Tomulator]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

[Behshad]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

I think you forgot Luke?

[Tomulator]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

I think you forgot Luke?

Oh yeah...right...and LUKE!!!!!

[Matthew]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

Yes. Who is he?

[Rick]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

Yes. Who is he?

[conversationpc]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

Yes. Who is he?

Luke Skywalker...He plays the light saber.

[Tomulator]

LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE
LUKE


Any questions?

Yes. Who is he?

Luke Skywalker...He plays the light saber.

[Vocalsmanvocals]

Van Halen
Schon
BB King
Hendrix
Clapton

Last but not least...Steve Augeri (jk on this one LOL)

[ohsosoto]

clapton, brian may, stevie, jimmy hendrix, eddie and schon. not in any order of course.

[Rip Rokken]

No particular order:

*Neal Schon
*Alex Lifeson
*George Lynch
*John Sykes
*Doug Aldrich

[styxman]

Talking of Guitarists anyone know what Dawayne Bailey is currently doing? The fella that did a stint with Chicago

[MJM1959]

Talking of Guitarists anyone know what Dawayne Bailey is currently doing? The fella that did a stint with Chicago

Check out http://www.dawaynebailey.com/news.htm
I just bought his solo CD "Joyland" and I think it is great!

[ddregs]

Steve Morse
Allan Holdsworth
Al DiMeola
Scott Henderson
John Petrucci

[strangegrey]

1. Neal Schon
2. Neal Schon
3. Neal Schon
4. Neal Schon
5. Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda

From Fro show to Freak show!

[MJM1959]

Jimi Hendrix
B.B. King
Eric Clapton
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Steve Howe

[bublhed]

I realize that this "list", and most of everyone's selections, are based alot on personal preference but I think it's interesting that Randy Rhoads was only mentioned about 3 times in a 3 page thread. The dude started playing guitar at the age of 6 and started (STARTED, mind you) his first band at the age of 14. I do believe that if he would have lived on past his short 25 years that he would be considered one of the top 5. Just my opinion though.

I also find it interesting that, after reading all the lists compiled in this thread, that there is no mention of Mick Mars anywhere. Again, personal preference rules when discussing such lists but you have to admit that Mick can lay down some serious riffs. Not to mention the fact that he did it while suffering from a progressive, debilitating spinal condition, since the age of 19. Again, just my opinion.

[FinnFreak]

- Lots of greats mentioned in this thread..!


I think I'll add one more, with a quote:


"The thing about the guitar is that it's such an emotional instrument, and I'm sure
that people would much rather hear a guitar if it's played with emotion and feeling
than just racing up and down the fret-board" - Steve Rothery, Marillion


wikipedia: Steve Rothery


John -

[SF-Dano]

I realize that this "list", and most of everyone's selections, are based alot on personal preference but I think it's interesting that Randy Rhoads was only mentioned about 3 times in a 3 page thread. The dude started playing guitar at the age of 6 and started (STARTED, mind you) his first band at the age of 14. I do believe that if he would have lived on past his short 25 years that he would be considered one of the top 5. Just my opinion though.

I also find it interesting that, after reading all the lists compiled in this thread, that there is no mention of Mick Mars anywhere. Again, personal preference rules when discussing such lists but you have to admit that Mick can lay down some serious riffs. Not to mention the fact that he did it while suffering from a progressive, debilitating spinal condition, since the age of 19. Again, just my opinion.

I agree with you on Rhodes, but Mr. Mars belongs nowhere on a top 5,10,25,50,or 100 guitarist list if overall skill and technique is a major factor. If preference of style is the major critique, well then he can be anywhere on a list you would like him to be.

[Pacfanweb]

Edward
Jimi
Eric
Jimmy
Stevie

Any top-whatever list should start with those 5, IMO. Some might rearrange the order.

[RockitRide]

Michael Angelo Batio
Joe Stump
Tony MacAlpine
Vinny Moore
Paul Gilbert
Impelliteri
Michael Romeo
Toshi Iseda

[RockitRide]

Eddie, Page, Clapton, Hendrix, etc. were all great in their day. But like Olympic athletes, time has passed them by, at least as far as chops and as far as what is considered mastery of the instrument by today's standards. My list (see previous post) too will be outdated in 10 years or less. To his credit, Schon is one of the few guitarists from the 70's that can still hold his own with the today's masters. Page and company, despite the "legend factor", really don't measure up to the cream of the crop. I still like those guys, and they will always make the fan's allstar team, but they won't even show up on the players ballots. I realize most people like what they like, and that is fine, but a true maestro should be held to a certain level of expertise.

[larryfromnextdoor]

Michael Angelo Batio
Joe Stump
Tony MacAlpine
Vinny Moore
Paul Gilbert
Impelliteri
Michael Romeo
Toshi Iseda

you go by rocket ride?? and you couldnt add ACE (1975)???? .. "now come on.. alright ... i KNOW you can
do better than this.. were going to try it again... AND I AINT FORGETTING ABOUT YOU PEOPLE
UPSTAIRS EITHER!! ready?..."

[RockitRide]

Don't get me wrong, I am totally down with the Kiss and Ace thing ! Back in the day I had the whole Kiss Army thing going on too! Sadly, there aren't too many pure rock machines like the painted ones left.

[styxman]

Talking of Guitarists anyone know what Dawayne Bailey is currently doing? The fella that did a stint with Chicago

Check out http://www.dawaynebailey.com/news.htm
I just bought his solo CD "Joyland" and I think it is great!

Thanks for the info

[conversationpc]

I think I'll add one more, with a quote:


"The thing about the guitar is that it's such an emotional instrument, and I'm sure
that people would much rather hear a guitar if it's played with emotion and feeling
than just racing up and down the fret-board" - Steve Rothery, Marillion


wikipedia: Steve Rothery

Good quote but he shows a bias that many guitarists show and that's the mistaken notion that if you play fast a lot, ala Yngwie Malmsteen, that means that you aren't playing with emotion and feeling. It just isn't true. While there are a lot of soulless speed players out there, everyone has their own style and those that play a lot of fast stuff aren't necessarily lacking soul and emotion.

[ebake02]

How bout we change the question:

What guitarist is the most entertaining to watch on stage? My vote goes to Angus Young.

[Arkansas]

Ya know, if anyone out here is ever into artsy eclectic folk. You gotta see Jack Williams. This guy does more with an acoustic guitar than most can imagine. He plays all the folk festivals. Occasionally you'll see him on PBS or hear him on NPR. Check him out if you get the chance. He's pretty amazing to watch. Bio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t59MxN96w8o


later~

[RockitRide]

"Good quote but he shows a bias that many guitarists show and that's the mistaken notion that if you play fast a lot, ala Yngwie Malmsteen, that means that you aren't playing with emotion and feeling. It just isn't true. While there are a lot of soulless speed players out there, everyone has their own style and those that play a lot of fast stuff aren't necessarily lacking soul and emotion."

Good points Dave. If a classical pianist or violinist cannot demonstrate a complete command of his instrument he is not awarded the title of "world class" or a "master". For some reason though, in the pop realm, the hurdles are different, or in some cases non-existent. You always hear the "feeling" and "soul" card. However, a true master should be able to play both simple and difficult music on his instrument while conveying the highest levels of emotion, soul, etc. under all circumstances. To be considered the best-of-the-best you really can't have one aspect without the other. You need the WHOLE package.

I heard Wynton Marsalis comment on this. He basically said that without the highest level of technique you simply cannot excell at conveying the proper vibe. He is totally against the notion that emotion alone can somehow replace a lack of talent and ability. You can tell that he is a bit bitter that chops mean nothing to most folks. We tend to have superficial listening habits, myself included. The general public has bought into the "feelings only thing" and they miss out on great performers and performances. For whatever reason the crappiest players get shoved down the publics throat and the public has grown to accept these lower standards. To me there is no reason to listen to lousy performers because there are so many great ones out there today. If you like electric guitar I recommned that you check out whats available at guitarnine.com. Most of these guys got the "whole package". I love listening to country music simply to hear those top-shelf Nashville musicians that breath life into simple songs. Love it or hate, some of the most highly skilled pop musicians are making a good living backing Shania Twain, et al.

I totally agree that not everyone cares to be a maestro, and not eveyone wants to hear top notch musicianship all the time either. But its too bad that the the people that take their craft to the limit get passed over or lumped in with the pack.