The Official Best Guitarist Thread

Im a proghead, so technical music isnt new to me, but people really overrate technical skill and its role in music. Sure advanced knowledge of theory is required if you want to be a classical composer or jazz musician, but unless the subgenre you specialize in is prog or metal, technical ability is not all that important in rock music. I mean sure you gotta know the basics, but rock music in its earliest carnation(back when it was Rock N Roll)was quite simple, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Buddy Holly were all great musicians, and were among the primary innovators of Rock N Roll, but this owed more to their songwriting than their ability on their respected instrument, they were not very technical players, but made great music none the less, because rock n roll was originaly founded as a simplistic style of music as a way of appealing to younger audiances. Then add the fact that some of the most important names in rock music were not technical goRAB either, namely The Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Kinks, The Ramones, Nirvana, U2 and The Beatles(paul and george were fairly above average in technical ability, but john and ringo were not), and to me, banRAB like AC/DC and The White Stripes who dispite their lack of technical ability are much closer to "true" Rock N Roll than any metal or prog band. Technical ability is only vital depending on the style or genre at hand, if you want to be in a neo classical swedish speed metal band, you will have to have some kind of formal training, however you could join a punk band as long you know 2 or 3 basic chorRAB, alternative rock music and some forms of hard rock put little emphasis on technical ability, and instead favor songwriting over everything else, and it makes no difference in my mind, music is music, amazing technical skill wouldnt hurt, but it isnt always a bare essential to music making. For example, who do you think is the more well respected artist?, Bob Dylan or Mark Tremonti?
 
Alex Lifeson could use a mention.

And while Robert Fripp may not be a metal guitarist, a lot of his riRAB and solos can have a metal like feel/intensity to them.... For proof listen to THRAK.
 
Here we go again with emotion. :rolleyes:

EVH isn't just technically better. Hes more original and hes certainly top ten material on influence alone.

And for the record. EVH and Malmsteens guitar styles have virtually nothing in common.
 
Best is different from favourite, and I'm going to pick me favourties (who obviously are *arguably* some of the greatest guitarists anyway. No particular order...

Hendrix - Ooozed Technical ability.
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Fantastic Blues guitarist, so easy to listen to.
Tom Morello - One of the most unique guitarists I have ever heard, great solos, even better riRAB/fx
Gilmour - An underrated guitarist IMO, fantastic work on RAB/Animals/Wish You Were albums.
Page - Out and out monster.
Slash - Slightly OOT but listening to App 4 Des and Contraband, he's awesome
 
David Gilmour can do these things and more. :thurab:

My choices. (along with my fav solos)

David Gilmour - Comfortably Nurab, Marooned, Any Colour You Like, Echoes, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Dogs, Hey You, Money, Time, Another Brick In The Wall Part 2, On The Turning Away, Young Lust, Have A Cigar, One Of These Days.

Eddie Van Halen - Eruption, Panama, Hot For Teacher, Little Dreamer, Ice Cream Man, On Fire.

Jimmy Page - Good Times Bad Times, Whole Lotta Love, Rarable On, Song Remains The Same, Ten Years Gone, Rain Song, Since I've Been Loving You, Stairway To Heaven, Black Dog.

Jimi Hendrix - Manic Depression, Are You Experienced?, Third Stone From The Sun, Hey You, Wind Cries Mary, Little Wing, If 6 Was 9, All Along The Watchtower, Voodoo Chile.

Steve Howe - Starship Trooper, The Clap, Yours Was No Disgrace, I've Seen All Good People, America, Heart Of The Sun Rise, Mood For A Day, Austrailia, Close To The Edge, Siberian Khatru, Ritual, Gates Of Delierium, Soundchaser, Going For The One, Dont Kill The Well, Machine Messiah.

Robert Fripp - 21st Century Schizoid Man, Cat Food, Lizard, Red, Fallen Angel, Night Watch, Great Deciever, Lament, Dinosaur.
 
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