Poll: Best Living guitarist

[shiner]

Where's Ace Frehley?

 

[Stojakapimp]

Originally posted by: achiral

Originally posted by: KC5AV
Has anyone here ever heard of Phil Keaggy?

i'll second that one. i've seen him in concert and it's unbelievable how he is able to play.

plus when hendrix was alive he said that keaggy was the best guitarist at that time...says a lot

Yea, I voted for Keaggy too. But Al Dimeola, Paco de Lucia, and Joe Satriani were also close. Plus Eric Clapton is good, but in a musical style sort of way. His songs have more feeling than say Joe Satriani, but if you're voting by technical skills, then he isn't the best.

 

[Rob9874]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Who is Steve Howe, Ben Harper, Tom Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert?

Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert burst onto the scene in 1987, being one of the youngest (if not the youngest) instructors at GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) at 18. He teamed up with fellow technical masters of their instruments, and formed the metal band Racer X. If you have not heard them, get on Kazaa and download "Scarified" by Racer X. Notice the blazing fast guitar harmonies. How 2 people can keep up with eachother at that speed is beyond me.

Paul later left Racer X to form Mr. Big with bassist Billy Sheehan. Mr. Big rarely showed off its member's talents, and their attempt to cash in on the radio-friendly monster ballad arena, led the band into obvlivion. Paul has recently reformed Racer X, although I have not heard any new stuff. But no metal shredder can hold a candle to Gilbert. If technical ability isn't your bag, and you like soul and feeling, Gilbert isn't for you. But if you're amazed to hear what a guitar god can do with 4 fingers on a fretboard, check it out!

 

[LikeLinus]

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Who is Steve Howe, Ben Harper, Tom Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert?

Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert burst onto the scene in 1987, being one of the youngest (if not the youngest) instructors at GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) at 18. He teamed up with fellow technical masters of their instruments, and formed the metal band Racer X. If you have not heard them, get on Kazaa and download "Scarified" by Racer X. Notice the blazing fast guitar harmonies. How 2 people can keep up with eachother at that speed is beyond me.

Paul later left Racer X to form Mr. Big with bassist Billy Sheehan. Mr. Big rarely showed off its member's talents, and their attempt to cash in on the radio-friendly monster ballad arena, led the band into obvlivion. Paul has recently reformed Racer X, although I have not heard any new stuff. But no metal shredder can hold a candle to Gilbert. If technical ability isn't your bag, and you like soul and feeling, Gilbert isn't for you. But if you're amazed to hear what a guitar god can do with 4 fingers on a fretboard, check it out!

Yeah thats why i mentioned him in the first place. I had an RacerX albums back in the day...late 80's. Paul is a freaking MONSTER on the guitar. I'm pretty sure at the time he was the youngest every GIT instructor. It's sad that people that good just can't make quality music. Their talent is basically wasted cause good music doesn't come from being able to play scales at lightning speed.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: depechemodeone
nevermind

silly goose, JLH died 2 years ago.....

Great guitarist and bluesman, added him to the dead guitarist thread.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: Rob9874

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Who is Steve Howe, Ben Harper, Tom Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert?

Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert burst onto the scene in 1987, being one of the youngest (if not the youngest) instructors at GIT (Guitar Institute of Technology) at 18. He teamed up with fellow technical masters of their instruments, and formed the metal band Racer X. If you have not heard them, get on Kazaa and download "Scarified" by Racer X. Notice the blazing fast guitar harmonies. How 2 people can keep up with eachother at that speed is beyond me.

Paul later left Racer X to form Mr. Big with bassist Billy Sheehan. Mr. Big rarely showed off its member's talents, and their attempt to cash in on the radio-friendly monster ballad arena, led the band into obvlivion. Paul has recently reformed Racer X, although I have not heard any new stuff. But no metal shredder can hold a candle to Gilbert. If technical ability isn't your bag, and you like soul and feeling, Gilbert isn't for you. But if you're amazed to hear what a guitar god can do with 4 fingers on a fretboard, check it out!

Yeah thats why i mentioned him in the first place. I had an RacerX albums back in the day...late 80's. Paul is a freaking MONSTER on the guitar. I'm pretty sure at the time he was the youngest every GIT instructor. It's sad that people that good just can't make quality music. Their talent is basically wasted cause good music doesn't come from being able to play scales at lightning speed.

Awesome stuff, adding him

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Will add some if I missed any

Phil Keaggy is incredible...I've seen him live -- and he's also missing a finger...quite a challenge for a guitar player, don't you think?

Is he missing a finger on his Fret hand?? Or his pick hand? That makes a world of difference

PhilKeaggy.com <-- picture looks like it's the middle finger on his pick hand.

 

[deftron]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
Eddie Van Halen, it's not even close. The only players on that list that are even close to EVH would be Page and Clapton. And neither of them can rival EVH in technical ability or, arguably, influence.

And what are Kravitz, Sambora, Navarro, Slash, Santana, and Berry doing on there? They aren't even in the top 50.
Plus, you left a few notables off. Malmsteen comes to mind.

And why in the world do some of them even have ONE vote?

edited spelling

How can you say Van Halen deserves to be on for not only technical ability but also influence
and dismiss Chuck Berry in the same sentence ?

The man practically invented the elecric rock style of guitar playing!

He was the fist person inducteed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame..

The first Beatles and Rolling Stones releases were like half Chuck Berry covers..


He single handedly made the guitar the star of rock and roll..


And he's not even on the poll ..

 

[Wag]

Yah- Les Paul is still alive. He had a stroke and now has limited function over the use of his hands- he had to change his whole technique.

He plays at a Manhattan club every Tues night I think.

Anyone mention Buddy Guy? BB King- I know a few blues players I could name who you've probably never heard of...

 

[Confused]

From the list, i chose Tom Morello. Although not the "best" per-se, he was very experimental, using lots of different techniques etc.


If there was a best guitarist ever poll, I'd more than likely chose Chuck Berry for the reasons that deftron outlined.



Hi Chuck. It's your cousin. Marvin Berry. You know that new sound you've been looking for...well take a listen to this *hold phone out*

 

[TheNinja]

Originally posted by: LikeLinus

Originally posted by: Staley8
Face it, you'll always leave somebody off. And it depends what the poll is asking. Is it asking who is your favorite guitarist? I don't think so, it specifically says "Best Living Guitarist". Now way are Sambora, Kravitz, that Jane's Addiction guy, and half of those other people better than guys like Satriani, Vai, and a bunch of them who you forgot....Malmsteen, PETRUCCI, and HAMMET. You could learn to play half of the guys stuff on this list within 6 months of picking up a guitar, but you have ever tried to play Petrucci, Hammet, or Satriani stuff? That being said, Satriani gets my vote, but only for his older stuff (Surfing with the Alien, Flying in a Blue Dream, etc.)

Thats being VERY bias though. I've listen to Dream Theater...ick. But Janes Addiction? Realize that he was on drugs just about all the time and the beautiful music he was still able to create. Janes Addiction had a much bigger impact on music in whole, than say Dream Theater or freaking Malmsteen. Not that these guys are "bad" or anything, but just cause they can play fast and play a bunch of scales doesn't mean they are the best guitarist.

I guess it really all depends on what you are rating.

Best Guitarist = Best player/ability or best player/writer.

Personally I'd rather listen to Janes Addiction anyday over Dream Theater, Malmsteen, and Joe Satriani.

<<You could learn to play half of the guys stuff on this list within 6 months of picking up a guitar, but you have ever tried to play Petrucci, Hammet, or Satriani stuff?>>

Kirk Hammett? Yeah I've seen 12 year olds back in the day in guitar stores playing his stuff. It's not that impressive. He was a good song writer awhile back, but you are bluring the line between being able to play fast and play good music. Which is more important. That guy from Nitro is freaking BAD ASS, probably better than ANY of the guitar players listed above. TECHNINCALLY though. But he cant write sh!t for music. So does that really make him the best guitar player?

Disclaimer: I've been playing guitar for 16 years.

OK I will agree running through fast scales and speed doesn't make you a great guitarist. So I guess being the "greatest guitar player" has to have specific requirements laid out before we can fairly decide. It is speed, charisma, writing, emotion? And everyone posting here, myself included, is bias towards the type of music they listen to. I think Satriani, Petrucci, and Hammet are great and I think some of the others aren't as good probably b/c I listen to them more and have been exposed to their music and therefore know what they are capable of. If I hear 1 or 2 songs from Jane's Addiction for example I probably can't give a fair comparison on how good he is compared to some others.

 

[Wag]

Charro. <Coochi-Coochi!>

Seriously, she's one of the best living Flamenco guitarists.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Nitemare
Will add some if I missed any

Neal Schon is ,once again, not listed, although he should be.

 

[ThePresence]

Are you telling me that you put on Lennie Kravitz, Slash, Zack Wylde and Angus Young before putting Steve Morse on the list???????

 

[js1973]

Is Chet Atkins really good? I see many big name guitarist's name him as one of their biggest influences, but I've heard his stuff and it doesn't strike me as being anything great.

 

[Slickone]

Absolutely must be on the list:
Steve Lukather - awesome and a cool guy to meet
Neal Schon

In my opinion, should be on the list:
Reb Beach (underated)
Alex Lifeson
Eric Johnson (excellent, and super friendly)
Larry Carlton (also very friendly)

What the hell, add these too:
Jake E Lee
Michael Wilton
Chris DeGarmo
Warren Di Martini
Sammy Hagar
Phil Collen

Surprised no one has mentioned (good guitarists):
Andy Summers
Jeff Beck
Randy Rhoads (not alive)
Johnny Marr

Overrated:
Kurt Kobain

I was Pi**ed off I missed Phil Keaggy playing here in Nashville a couple weeks ago.

Please don't put Ace Frehley on the list.

You mean Santana still plays guitars?

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Where's Yngwie Malmsteen?

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
Jimmy Page anyone?

Enough said.

 

[IndieSnob]

Wow, with the exception of maybe 4 of them on there, what a horrible list :Q


Try people like this:

Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai)
Bob Mould (Husker Du-Sugar)
Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) - Not a great guitarist in typical judgement, but uses very unique technicques that no one's ever done, blows me away everytime.

Oh yeah, and where the hell is Kieth Richards? If we're going to talk about popular music, Richards is bar none one of the best guitarist's from that era.

 

[hagbard]

Robert Fripp.

 

[Lithium381]

dude, NEIL ROCKS.......he'd take my vote of that list since you forgot one.....Lindsey Buckinham of Fleetwood mac......that guy is insane awsome!!!!!

 

[Chaotic42]

Steve Vai or John Petrucci. Petrucci is awesome live. Never seen Vai in concert.

 

[Zebo]

Leo Kottke

 

[Wag]

Ah- ok, I see we're really into the pop/rock thing.

BB King was mentioned, correct?

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

Randy Rhodes

Steve Vai

Still, there are amazing guitar players in SPain and India that would blow your mind and most heady competition away.