Other Great players.....
I have to agree with a few previous posts and state that making selections of who are greatest guitarists is really too subjective to one's personal taste, interests, style, and technical judgement.
However, it always sparks great discussions and debates. There are so many phenomenal players. I think the real benefit of posing this question is not to validate who is the best but instead to find other great guitarists that have been overlooked or could simply just be new to your personal listening preferences. I know I was happy to see some of my favorites listed and I was equally delighted to see a few names that are new to me. It's really kind of a win/win situation. So, I figured I would post a couple great musicians who I feel deserve a listen. I am not saying this guitarists are the greatest of all time......but I definitely feel they deserve some recognition as talented musicians.
JOE PASS
(jazz virtuoso.....I think he definitely ranks up there)
MELVIN SPARKS
( excellent off the wall funk/jazz player!!! Right up there with Grant Green. I was glad to see Grant mentioned.)
JIMMY HERRING
(One of Berklee's finest....and absolutely floors me with everything he does)
ERIC KRASNO
(New school jazz guitarist.......takes after Sparks, Green, and Benson. Very verstile and plays in SOULIVE, LETTUCE, MOON BOOT LOVER, and also works with DJ LOGIC. Great NYC guitarist)
GEORGE BENSON
( I know he has done alot of soul and R&B ballads....but he is an unreal guitarist.......Check out BAD BENSON for his most impressive licks.....and its all instrumental!)
JOHN GUTWILLIG
(Guitarist of the DISCO BISCUITS......This guy is really something else.....If anyone thinks Trey is something....You have to hear this guy improv. and jam. Really adapts to any groove and is very technically sound without being overbearing. He is something else!)
Here are two great young players....that play slide and pedal steel
DEREK TRUCKS
( Phenomenal slide player.......really is going to surpass Duane Allman as one of the best slide players of all time. If he already hasn't.)
ROBERT RANDOLPH
( Already considered by many the Greatest Pedal Steel player of all time.......I've seen him live several times and I can honestly say I've never seen nor heard anyone compare!!!!)
Well there are a few names......Sorry I strayed away from Metal but I think almost all my Favorites were mentioned....I was surprised that Kirk Hamnet wasn't mentioned by someone?
I'll also throw in my two cents on ZAPPA. He might not be as technical or impressive as Vai, but any musician honestly knows he was a true musical genius.....his compositions, arrangements, musical dictation, discipline, and overall musical sense of humor is really undisputed.
Opinions, replies, and corrections are always welcome.