10 of The Best Guitarists in Music

[smahala1991]

The guitar is one of the best sounding instruments in music. From Pop to punk to Country the Guitar is the key sounding piece that makes the music. Here are 10 guitar players that make the guitar great.

Jimi Hendrix

Slash (Guns & Roses)

B.B King

Duane Eddy

Les Paul

Chuck Berry

Chet Atkins

Johnny Ramone

Eric Clapton

Jerry Reed

#Guitargreats

[ADFSDF1996]

I only know about Jimmy Hendrix and Chet Adkins.

[1truekhaleesi]

I love JImi Hendrix and Slash

[smahala1991]

Voodoo Child is one of my faves

[Shadow44]

Nice list
My top ten are:
1. Phil Tougas (First Fragment)
2. Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders)
3. John Petrucci (Dream Theatre)
4. Michael Romeo (Symphony X)
5. Syu (Galneryus)
6. Alex Berkson (Powerglove)
7. Jani Liimatainen (Sonata Arctica, Cain's Offering)
8. Chris Marchiel (Powerglove)
9. Greg Burgess (Allegaeon)
10. Andre Olbrich (Blind Guardian)
11. Marcus Siepen (Blind Guardian)
12. Jimmy Hendrix (Jimmy Hendrix Experience)
13. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
14. Slash (Guns 'n' Roses)
15. Thomas Youngblood (kamelot)
16. Dave Mustain (Megadeth)
17 Kirk Hammett (Metallica) (I know I know but metallica got me into metal)
I couldn't keep it down to 10.

[Shadow44]

David DeSanto and Erik Nelson both from Vektor

[Shadow44]

Yngwie Malmsteen and Luca Turelli

[NearlyNapping]

Jeff Beck
David Gilmore
Alvin Lee
Jimi Page
George Harrison
Duane Allman
Carlos Santana
Billy Gibson
Herry Garcia
Mark Knopfler
Buddy Guy
Ritchie Blackmore
Joe Walsh
Frank Zappa
Steve Howe
Bo Diddley
Robin Trower
John Fogerty
Steven Stills
Warren Haynes
Robby Krieger
Prince
Jack White

This is Alvin Lee with guest George Harrison. It starts out slow. You can skip ahead to 4:00.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB6OlJqV1rQ

Robin Trower

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqzvBmIcAVo

[MrOracle]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE1xO44FlME

Billy Gibbons - ZZ Top (one of the best blues-rock guitarists ever)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SFNW5F8K9Y

Prince (this solo alone is enough to win him a place at the top)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRH_70_Foow

Dick Dale - The King Of The Surf Guitar
(for reference, Jimi Hendrix dedicated the song "Third Stone From The Sun" to Dick Dale, one of Jimi's heros, when Dale had cancer in the 60's and wasn't expected to survive - in the song, he says "You'll Never Hear Surf Music Again"). Dick Dale is still alive and shredding.

[ATuairiscean]

Great list - Lots of contenders out there - Pete Frampton and Angus Young come to mind for me

[smahala1991]

I wanted to include Angus young too

[madhatters4]

i like all those listed
i would swap in jimmy page somewhere since no list seems complete without him
and since you included rhythm players i think Keith Richards should make the list as well.
i'd also think Duane Allman should get some love

[Mahadav]

RASAYS You Must Consider Alex Liefson Of RUSH. We Are NOT Happy With No Alex Liefson. Eddie Van Halen Must Be Included Also. Angus Young Is Very Very Special. We Are Happy With Johnny Ramone And LES PAUL!!! Never Never Never Forget MICHAEL SCHANKER!!! CHERRY! We Are RA. We Are Golden. LOVE<3

[castratedwhiteguy]

Here's my 2 cents. It doesn't get any better than having Steve Howe and Trevor Rabin playing on the same stage...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMOden1Tbc0&spfreload=10

And a classic by Steve Vai:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw74sDWPH7U&spfreload=10

[StiffLeg]

It's sad this debate still continues. If Hendrix was white (meaning European American) it would be unquestionable. Who in their right mind can listen to Hendrix and "then" listen to Beck, Page, Clapton or any other British bloke that pisses out Earl Grey tea and say "wow, Hendrix can't do that!!!" Jimi broke the mold {and then some.} At best, those other guitarists are still feeding on Jimi's crumbs.

[Maxine_Payne]

Also (for me)...
Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom)
Steve Vai
Joe Satriani
Yngwie Malmsteen

... only to name a few more to add to that list :)

[castratedwhiteguy]

Steve Vai is amazing! Good choice...

[nowhere_dani]

Jimmy Page
Kirk Hammet
Brian May
Eddie Van Halen
Angus Young
Tony Iommi

I also like Matt Bellamy but feel he might be a little too young in comparison

[RichardBrooks]

Stevie
fucking
Ray

Also Prince. Dude didn't so much play guitar as make love to it... Seriously, look at his face while he's playing; he looks like he's getting off.

[vishna]

Nice list :) Brian May really helped define the sound of queen and built his guitar, plus he seemed so chill and had great poofy hair :)

[Whatthefluff]

Nice job, totally agreed.

[player0696]

Great and thanks for sharing with us. Totally appreciate your efforts.

[WhereAmI]

How about Steve Vai, Rhandy Rhoads, Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen to name a few more?

[MrMysteryMan]

Lenny Kravits
Eddie Van Halen
Pete Townshend
Ace Frehley
List goes on and on...

[MrMysteryMan]

Jimi is probably my personal favorite though.

[Silver158]

Maybe not one of the best but one of my favourites. Mark Holcomb ladies and gents.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbt09pr5klY

[MysteriousDarkness]

Some of the others I would put are:
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Johnny Winter
Tony Iommi
Yngwie Malmsteen
T-Bone Walker
Buddy Guy
Duane Allman

[AynonOMouse]

What about Dave Mustaine? I think he is the best I've ever heard.

[legalboxers]

Hendrix, then Clapton, then Elvis