Who's the best guitar player; I am going to put some guitar players up top, but it's unlikely I will get them all of course.

By the way, has anyone seen this guy yet? Derek Trucks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuadh1o0yC8). Young talent for as good as he is.

Buckethead.

It's a bit silly trying to think who is best though.
Until they all play the same piece in exactly the same style we will never know.

1.Jimi Hendrix

1A.Richie Blackmore

1B. Eric Clapton

By the way, has anyone seen this guy yet? Derek Trucks (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vuadh1o0yC8). Young talent for as good as he is.

Yeah, I've seen him live a couple times. Great.

Um...err...Stevie Ray Vaughan?

How can you make a finite list?

I like Clapton but Jimmy Page was a league above him.

depends really on style...I like Phil Keaggy. Its more of a classical feel to it though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwq0i6jP7dQ

He also only has 4 fingers on his picking hand.

at the moment jeff buckley,jack white and dimebag.
but my opinion always changes.

Synyster Gates - lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2000–present)
Zacky Vengeance - rhythm guitar, piano, backing vocals (1999–present)

This kid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUzNcheoY6U

Um...err...Stevie Ray Vaughan?

How can you make a finite list?

lol That's what I thought when I saw "Steve vai". I'm thinkin wrong Steve pal.

Anyway I gotta admit Jimmy Page is/was the best, and I don't even like Zeppelin as much as most.

If the question is changed to "which guitar player makes the best music", you'd need a completely different list of names.

Never cared for robert plant but Jimmy Page is my fovorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztfd7eddBbQ&feature=related

Jimi Hendrix and John Frusciante - second and third.

Firstly.. these kinds of polls can be misleading, at best. The problem being that they don't take into account differing styles of players. One cannot compare John Scofield to Steve Stevens (two glaring omissions, BTW).

Secondly..... Eddie Van Halen.

Yeah I regret making it a poll now.

I didn't expect that people would think Jimmy Paige was better than Joe Satriani...
Or Eddie Van Halen better than Yngwie Malmsteen...


It's true glaucon, the poll idea was misguided.

I didn't expect that people would think Jimmy Paige was better than Joe Satriani...
.

Well think about it. How many Satch songs have a riff that sticks in your head like Zep? Writing and technical ability? it's hard to compare them.

...Or Eddie Van Halen better than Yngwie Malmsteen....

First 2 I thought of. And BB King

Guthrie Govan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXk2ZrgcQM -- read the info. A song played by Govan in all the other player's styles, to show his versatility.

Yngwie Malmsteen is fucking shit, oh my god, his fret work is atrocious.

ps: who the fuck is Yngwie malmsteen? Is this just a list of your buddies who play guitar?

umm buckethead.

can i vote for none of the above?

I like Clapton, and hendrix but they are not the best, they are damn close but not the best!!

Yngwie Malmsteen is fucking shit, oh my god, his fret work is atrocious.

ps: who the fuck is Yngwie malmsteen? Is this just a list of your buddies who play guitar?

He was a heavy metal player from the 80's. He used to be considered "the fastest" guitar player.

Hendrix was good, but Clapton is the best by a long shot.

I agree with epi.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7026407894137604076&ei=GAjgSKycJZCQqQK-jL2qCA&q=hit+the+lights&vt=lf

I hate metal

P.S. Led zeppelin is not metal!!!

P.S. Led zeppelin is not metal!!!

I know that.

I mostly like classic metal and felt that Kirk should get some recognition. Also i am a bluesman myself and Eric Johnson should be on the list -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKYKxXc2D4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Sh1P0earDU

ah, he is on there...and what about stevie ray vaughn?

eddie van halen?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VKwMEOIoyc

also jimmy page did not only play LPs, stairway to heaven doesnt have a LP on it and the solo was a telecaster.

JOHN PETRUCCI FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!
HIS FINGERS ARE EACH MADE OF CELESTIAL GOLD, FORGED IN THE PITS OF HELL!!!!
EACH OF THEM ARE A GOD TO YOU, AND YOU MUST BOW DOWN TO ALL OF THEM!!!!!!

watch them all in sequence...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hywld4xFHiM&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evTTHS9hwvU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pJ1ccnC1GI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKMYeXkYcgs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkj19VarQx0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbTnnjcIt7M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MefjovJJr-0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zCcE43n6Rw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiK3LOWgYQ0&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqo2hXB7xo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy_SzoMW1Yk&NR=1

Paul Gilbert

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu28kxsp7i8

He was a heavy metal player from the 80's. He used to be considered "the fastest" guitar player.

WAS the fastest guitar player.

Now its totally JP!!!!!

Check out almost ANY of Dream Theater's songs, and you will see the easy winner!!!

Yngwie Malmsteen is fucking shit, oh my god, his fret work is atrocious.

ps: who the fuck is Yngwie malmsteen? Is this just a list of your buddies who play guitar?

Yngwie...He toured on G3...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS_IYe5JTZ4

Some Videos of Various People on the List
Yngwie (solo artist)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS_IYe5JTZ4

Mattais Eklundh (of Freak Kitchen)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vb_1wENDIIM&feature=related

Robert Fripp (Of King Crimson) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdouEe70fhg

Steve Morse (Of Dixie Dregs...and everything else in the 80's) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk_GMvIea6s

Eric Johnson (solo)[Cliffs of Dover] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55nAwmVLQSk

Stanley Jordan (expert tapper) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHZTyfKseZE

===

I regret not adding -
Al DiMeola - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgaRjKe2Hkg

I should have added paul gilbert.

But buckethead as the best guitar player? Come on...he's good. But he's nothing compared to any of those musicians...he's only famous for the KFC.

Does Noone Else Know Of John Petrucci!?!?!?!?

Does Noone Else Know Of John Petrucci!?!?!?!?

Yes, I used to play DT covers in my band. I could only do Myungs 4 string pieces though...which included all of the Majesty album.

I personally lost all respect for Petrucci after his improv album with Jordan Ruddess which was complete garbage. It proved to me the man wasn't genuinely original, he was a studio musician at best. Not to mention when the band took a horrible turn after Scenes from a Memory (Or was it 'Awake'?). They've never recovered and I don't think Petrucci was that great on G3 when I saw him either.

I wonder if this is the more worthless thread or the one about the guitars. Well, that one at least made me to buy an effect processor, so I have to vote for this.

(and sport threads are banned)

I wonder if this is the more worthless thread or the one about the guitars. Well, that one at least made me to buy an effect processor, so I have to vote for this.

(and sport threads are banned)

How about you stop posting in threads you find worthless. Are you retarded or something?

Syzygys drives me insane.

While Alex Lifeson (Rush) probably doesn't make the list, he was rather impressive in La Villa Strangiato :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbSWzK4nKQA

While Alex Lifeson (Rush) probably doesn't make the list, he was rather impressive in La Villa Strangiato :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbSWzK4nKQA

Alex Lifeson - The one string wonder.

He never changes strings during his solos, but he knows how to rock.

Yes, I used to play DT covers in my band. I could only do Myungs 4 string pieces though...which included all of the Majesty album.

I personally lost all respect for Petrucci after his improv album with Jordan Ruddess which was complete garbage. It proved to me the man wasn't genuinely original, he was a studio musician at best. Not to mention when the band took a horrible turn after Scenes from a Memory (Or was it 'Awake'?). They've never recovered and I don't think Petrucci was that great on G3 when I saw him either.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!

MOST OF THE STUFF THAT DT DOES IN CONCERT, MOST BANDS CAN'T DO IN STUDIO!!!!!

I assume, all those looked like electric guitar players, well, here is my personal hero of guitar playing, with acoustic guitar, Don Ross
Awesome player !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkidVP0AcQ8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip111lXjDSs&feature=related

this guy:

http://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper290/stills/g97sr77d.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z251/SynysterGatesChika/Syn_Gates--large-msg-119380884936.jpg


synyster gates

what sort of guitar are we talking about??

Laughable you even have to ask

Hendrix is god

isnt his music a bit to old for you sniffles??

anyway it has to be Robbie Shakespear!!

the best Bass guitarist ever!!!

isnt his music a bit to old for you sniffles??


gods transcend time dude

yes and robbie shakespear is immortal!!

three note wonder

three note wonder??????????

you are insane!!!

jimi H is pretty good though

Are you retarded or something?

Yes. What is the purpose of this thread, just out of curiosity???

By the way, before you ask who the best is in something, it helps if you give a definition first. Best melody, technic, speed, writing ability, etc. Otherwise your question really is: Whom do you like most from this list??

Just so you know, but I am retarded, what do I know? :)

... Best melody, technic, speed, writing ability, etc. Otherwise your question really is: Whom do you like most from this list??


-Yes, Don Ross covers all those qualities pretty well :)

Listen to Eric Clapton people!!! I'm a teenager and I still find that his playing is the best!!!

...Why isn't Jimmy Page on the list???

...And Eddie Van Halen???

-Yes, Don Ross covers all those qualities pretty well :)

I've never heard of Don Ross, but John Petrucci is definitely the best at speed, technic, and melody. He also has some pretty cool lyrics, most of which have a fantasy-type theme, like Water's Edge and Forsaken, both from their latest album, Systematic Chaos, the title of which pretty much sums up all of their music.:worship:

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!?!

MOST OF THE STUFF THAT DT DOES IN CONCERT, MOST BANDS CAN'T DO IN STUDIO!!!!!

How about...

Dixie Dregs
Return to Forever
Mahavishnu Orchestra
Weather Report
Frank Zappa Band
Jean-Luc Pontey Group
Rite of Strings
Tribal Tech
Bella Fleck

And many many other bands with more original sounds.

Let's compare them specifically to Return To Forever.

Al Dimeola Plays more complicated licks than John Petrucci in every single song he plays.
Stanley Clarke plays harder bass lines than Myung could dream of.
Chick Corea makes Ruddess..or Moore...Sheridian look like children.
Lenny White is way more original than the Human-Metronome Portnoy.

I have no idea who Return To Forever is, which brings up a good point:
this thread would only be good if everyone knew all or a majority of the guitarists. I know all of DreamTheater's songs, have briefly heard Eric Johnson, Eric Clapton, and Joe Satriani, and probably the others, but didn't know it. All the others that weren't mentioned by name I have never even heard of.

The most relevant (from guitar music viewpoint) factoid I know about Weather Report is that Leo Kottke toured with them once, and they lifted one of his tunes - and simplified the guitar part, parceling it out among the other instruments.

If the "acoustic" side of things is going to be included (with Don Ross, etc) and quality of music produced is a major criterion, another whole list of names opens up. Leo of course, and a slew of others.

Leo Kottke , good call.

I've been listening to Albert Lee as of late. That guy's hell on a tele.

David Gilmour and Jimmy Page are the best well known guitarists.

Their technique never does anything but serve the music.

Van Halen has more tricks...but music isnt about tricks.

...And Eddie Van Halen???

...uh huh...and Jeff Beck, Mark Knophler and Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy)...oh and a another Australian, Angus Young (ACDC). get real

I've never heard of Don Ross, but John Petrucci is definitely the best at speed, technic, and melody. He also has some pretty cool lyrics, most of which have a fantasy-type theme, like Water's Edge and Forsaken, both from their latest album, Systematic Chaos, the title of which pretty much sums up all of their music.:worship:

Don Ross
He does compose hes own songs, he has the speed, technique, master of different styles and the skills beyond...but in acoustic guitar :cool:

How To Eat An Avalanche
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr5h6aq_y2Q

Thin Air
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZx_ckGDa64&feature=related

Blue Bear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-SWy-sU8cE

Robot Monster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3ODopN4XBw

...uh huh...and Jeff Beck, Mark Knophler and Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy)...oh and a another Australian, Angus Young (ACDC). get real

yeah. I love Angus and all the guitar player in Thin Lizzy.

I would also like to add:

Mick Taylor
Keith Richards.

AC/DC knew 3 chords.

which they played again... and again... and again

What do you mean? Besides it is not how many notes you can play but how you play them and both guitar players in AC/DC played some of the best riffs in rock music. Plus the are\were real good live.

You have to remember that all they were doing was playing blues riffs with their own hooks and style added. They were very original too.

I would also like to add:

Mick Taylor
Keith Richards. The problem surfaces. What do you do about guys who are technically mediocre, not at all fast or smooth or transcendentally skilled, who are consistently playing better music than those who are ?

Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, electric. John Fahey, John Hurt, Joseph Spence, Robert Johnson, acoustic.

John Fahey was perhaps the single most influential American guitarist of the twentieth century. Nobody played better music. And he was hands down the least adept, clumsiest, most technically awkward professional instrumentalist I have ever paid money to see.

Or guys like Phil Heywood. Any number of guitarists can play fast, smooth, complicated, flashy, boring rings around him. He is capable of moving people - fascinating them emotionally. His sound is warm and rich, his better tunes have narrative flow and hypnotic affect. So is he, in his simple and calm way, a "better" guitarist ?

Yep these discussions often need clarification as to what means 'best'. There are technically brilliant players who can do anything but are quite boring to listen to and then there are those who write music which becomes a classic.

Its sort of funny that most of the best clapton songs are covers.

Stop!

There is Mattias Eklhundh and where is Paul Gilbert, I say?? They're the greatest guitar troopers, you bet : ) Btw, the new Freak Kitchen album is on his way!

I wouldn't say Mark Knophler is technically mediocre.

Anyway,
Micheal Hedges was amazing. I got to see him about a year before he was killed.

Hey, let's play a game! Anytime someone mentions Jimi Hendrix I will masturbate!

jimi hendrix

Oh thanks...now I feel much better about this thread....