re: Best guitarist to ever walk this earth?

Posted by Tunasntigers92

The Boot

Member since Sep 2014

23658 posts

Posted on 3/4/15 at 10:42 pm to Kashmir

Fact

Posted by Tunasntigers92

The Boot

Member since Sep 2014

23658 posts

Posted on 3/4/15 at 10:44 pm to Tunasntigers92

Easy now; clapton

2 ...

Posted by Flamefighter

Center Field

Member since Dec 2007

7629 posts

Posted on 3/4/15 at 11:34 pm to Tunasntigers92

I agree the poster earlier. There are studio guitarist that would play circles around some of the big names listed.

Posted by bleeng

The Woodlands

Member since Apr 2013

4064 posts

Posted on 3/4/15 at 11:55 pm to Tunasntigers92

Asshats. Because of this thread I just bought a ticket to see Al DiMeola in Tucson on April 21st.

Posted by EA6B

Member since Dec 2012

14754 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 12:12 am to Tunasntigers92

These are two of my favorites, they are beyond fantastic guitar players that choose to avoid the limelight and have a normal life, but that did not keep them totally out of the major leagues.

LINK

Greg Koch plays all styles and could step in and take the place of probably any guitarist in the world on a moments notice. He shares the stage frequently with Joe Bonamassa who does consider him the greatest guitarist in the world.

LINK

Jack Pearson is another one, he once took Dicky Betts place in a Allman Brothers concert when Dicky became ill before a show, he had a total of two hours to work out the parts with Warren Hayes before walking out on the stage. He later took Warren Hayes' place in the Allman Brothers for two years.

LINK

Just thought about Johnny Hiland, he is a well known country player, but he can play any genre with ease, here he shreds with Sammy Hagger.

This post was edited on 3/5/15 at 12:48 am

Posted by Tunasntigers92

The Boot

Member since Sep 2014

23658 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 1:55 am to bleeng

Elegant gypsy

Posted by Wtodd

Tampa, FL

Member since Oct 2013

67482 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 6:32 am to Tunasntigers92

quote:
Allen Collins

I'm a huge AC fan......but there's a reason why Gary Rossington played most leads.....he can seriously play.

TBH, there are way too many variables/musical tastes to name just 1 guy.

This post was edited on 3/5/15 at 6:34 am

Posted by dnm3305

Member since Feb 2009

13561 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 8:48 am to Tunasntigers92

quote:
How are hendrix and Collins or page not in the top 10,000. I didn't ask songwriters, that's obviously clapton.

Hendrix, Page, Clapton, etc were all pioneers. They pushed a genre. Just like EVH did. That doesnt mean they were the best players. You want to talk songwriting, check out anything that Andy Timmons has ever laid down on tape. It is so well thought out and so beautifully executed that it blows away anything that Clapton could imagine coming up with. Im not knocking the greats, I love classic rock and I am appreciative of their contributions to music because they are vast. Clapton seems like he can write a great song while he's taking a shite. Can he compose a song like "Tender Surrender" by Steve Vai? No way, he just doesnt have the proficiency or anywhere near the techincal skill. That doesnt mean that "Old Love" wasnt a beautifully crafted timeless song. Jimmy Page should be recognized for what he is, which is basically a classic rock Tony Iommi. A riffmaster. The mastermind repsonsible for the fusion of Chicago blues, acoustic folk, heavily distorted guitars and layered tracks, and HUGE stage presence and charisma. Wrap it all up and you get the foundation for 70's classic rock. He is a legend because of his vision, his studio chops and experience, and for always pushing the boundaries, not for his guitar playing chops. There are alot of technically skilled players that everyone has heard of... (youtube)
Andy Timmons - "Electric Gypsy" live
Randy Rhoads - "Mr. Crowley"
Joe Bonamassa - "Takin the Hit" live
Steve Vai - "For the Love of God"
Nuno Bettencourt - "Midnight Express" live
Doug Aldrich - youtube him
Doug Rappoport - "Bogner Helios and Atma amp demo"
Gary Moore - "Still Got the Blues"
Richie Kotzen - guitar solo in Japan with Mr.Big
Andy Mckee - youtube sensation
Eric Johnson
Andy James
SRV
John Sykes
Guthrie Govan
Igor Presnyakov - youtube sensation
Paul Gilbert
Yngwie
Petrucci
Emmanuel...
and 1,000's more on youtube and 100,000's more we've never heard of.

One huge one I forgot...Greg Koch. That guy is incredible.

This post was edited on 3/5/15 at 8:54 am

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Posted by Dandy Lion

Member since Feb 2010

50248 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 9:25 am to dnm3305

quote:
to ever walk this earth?

we´ll never know.

Of those who are known, probably Andrés Segovia.

Posted by Andre

Cashier at Stein's Deli

Member since Apr 2009

4301 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 9:33 am to Dandy Lion

Wes Montgomery

Posted by Dandy Lion

Member since Feb 2010

50248 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 9:49 am to Flamefighter

quote:
studio guitarist

Jimmy Page does a nice job on Donovan´s Hurdy Gurdy Man. Remember, this is fricking 1967 or something like that!

Posted by saint amant steve

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2008

5695 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 10:09 am to Tunasntigers92

quote:
Best guitarist to ever walk this earth?

That's such an arbitrary title.

Are you talking about virtuosity and technical ability? Because if so none of the three you listed would be on the list.

Are you talking about innovate and ground-breaking? You can make a case for Hendrix but definitely not Page or Collins.

Are you talking about soulful playing and using the instrument to convey emotion? If so, Hendrix and Santana are two of the best ever at doing so.

There are too many factors that determine what is a great guitar player. I'm willing to bet that Jimmy Page never had the technical ability to mimic a extreme metal guitarist such as Chuck Shuldiner. Likewise, could someone such as James Hetfield emote via playing as well as Hendrix?

We could talk about this for centuries and never come up with the right answer.

This post was edited on 3/5/15 at 4:02 pm

Posted by Chitter Chatter

In and Out of Consciousness

Member since Sep 2009

4659 posts

Posted on 3/5/15 at 10:50 am to saint amant steve

IMO in no order:

Clapton
Hendrix
EVH
Allman
Buddy Guy
Chet Atkins
James Burton
SRV
Terry Kath
Robert Johnson
Gary Moore
Mark Knopfler