Who is the greatest guitarist ever?

[SteveB]

guitar greats

All of the 'usual suspects' have already been mentioned in this thread.

I have a few lesser known players for consideration:

Strunz & Farah (masters of flamenco)
Ottmar Liebert (if he's not too new-agey for ya)

Personally, I think that Steve Rothery from Marillion is one of the most under-appreciated players. His playing on the first several Marillion albums (Script for a Jester's Tear, Fugazi, Misplaced Childhood, and Clutching at Straws) runs the gamut, and is always extremely tasteful. I don't care for much of their later work, but Rothery is always exploring new angles, and is never a liability.

Also, the dude from Pendragon (Nick Barrett?) plays very tastefully on their early albums (The Window of Life, for one) - even though his singing is marginal at best.

I don't think anyone mentioned Paul Gilbert. He's got awesome chops and a marvellously twisted sense of humor! How can a guitarist not love some of those acrobatic Racer X tunes?

 

[Simple Simon]

@ hookpunch: yes, but because he manages so many styles his importance for the 2. group is even bigger.

i know that his technique is just amazing, i know his songs pretty well (i made the recently added tabs on stevemorse.com), put since he's using a different picking technique, he's slower than malmsteen or di meola, which does not mean that he can't play fast, as we know...

for me, he'd deserve the pole position in both cathegories

 

[kbaim]

Alright simple simon!!

Welcome.

KEITH

 

[mbgreene]

At this point in the thread most of the outstanding names have been mentioned. I agree that each varies technically and stylistically, as well as appeals to a variety of listener tastes. I've even gone out and purchased CD's recently of players I might not have heard of if not for the forum, and was at times amazed.

The one name I would add to the list, which I didn't see mentioned, is Danny Gatton. He could do everthing and often did, sometimes within the same 5:00 minute song.

 

[Scarp]

Steve Lukather!!!!!!!!

 

[jongitarz]

mbgreene...Great choice! Danny was sooo good! Another I haven't seen mentioned alot is Frank Gambale...Great fusion player

 

[Steve Morse]

Steve Morse is the best

 

[Hookpunch]

Steve Morse is the best

Yep Steve is the best IMHO, I am pretty sure you are not "the" Steve Morse though, pretty witty though.

 

[Raz]

Yep Steve is the best IMHO, I am pretty sure you are not "the" Steve Morse though, pretty witty though.

It would be cool if he was though!

 

[Beth]

Best guitarist

I've gotta go with Andres Segovia too, I would say that a lot of the classical stuff he did inspired many other guitarists on that list.

Other than that, Morse, Luke, Hendrix -- what more can you say?

 

[jongitarz]

You could say Juan Guitarez..El Jardinero de Muerta (sp)

 

[Beth]

you so funny man! You funny man!!!!

 

[kbaim]

Hey!

No Flirting. No fraternizing.

Everyone back to work.

 

[jongitarz]

Keith..I assure you Beth is not flirting with an old fart like me...And I am not at work anyway

 

[OrangeChannel]

I have no idea about the best guitarist in the world...maybe Guthrie Govan or Scott Henderson. But what I do know is.....


THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL IS ME!

 

[The Analog Kid]

AS one could guess from my user name...

Nobody gives my man Alex Lifeson props...

Original, tasteful, plays within the song, great chops, arpeggios, arpeggios, arpeggios...

Come on, ya'll!!! Give it up for ALEX LIFESON!!!

The Analog Kid

 

[Eddie Van Halen]

EVH hands down

 

[JB1]

El Jardinero de Muerta ? Is that 'Garden of Death' or G'raveyard'?

John Fruisciante would come high on my list.

 

[Eddie Van Halen]

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughan are all good too

 

[brentrocks]

i would have to say EVH or Satriani