Best Guitarist of All Time

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FUCK YEAH

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 16 November 2003 23:50 (twenty years ago) link

This guy should be prime-minister

― Pete S, Sunday, 16 November 2003 23:57 (twenty years ago) link

He is Prime Minister of your BRANE

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Sunday, 16 November 2003 23:58 (twenty years ago) link

Or maybe my MIYNDE

― Pete S, Monday, 17 November 2003 00:00 (twenty years ago) link

ninjas are the best ever with their wailing guitar solos and all!!!wurd

― michael harper (fudge), Monday, 17 November 2003 01:48 (twenty years ago) link

http://www1.gitarrebass.de/magazine/0211/yngwie.jpg

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:14 (twenty years ago) link

I think this question will be sorted out once and for all in this very thread.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:18 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.wnyc.org/studio360/images/Secrets/Slide5jandek.jpg

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:26 (twenty years ago) link

j0hn surely you mean

http://ccl.northwestern.edu/tisue/jandek-scans/covers/thumb-0751.jpg

― the surface noise (electricsound), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:28 (twenty years ago) link

http://images.art.com/images/PRODUCTS/large/10040000/10040666.jpg

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:29 (twenty years ago) link

oh my God Lynskey I think you have just solved one of the great mysteries of the universe

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:30 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.megomuseum.com/tv/hapboys.jpeg

― weatheringdaleson (weatheringdaleson), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:40 (twenty years ago) link

But seriously... it's this guy:

http://www.vegas.eclipse.co.uk/images/aussie%20dave%20-%20guitarist%20vocalist.jpg

― Aaron W (Aaron W), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:47 (twenty years ago) link

oh my God Lynskey I think you have just solved one of the great mysteries of the universe

Dammit, time to rewrite the novel.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 17 November 2003 02:48 (twenty years ago) link

http://nf.wh3rd.net/files/zappa.jpg

and anyone who says otherwise can get fucked.

― Andrew (enneff), Monday, 17 November 2003 03:06 (twenty years ago) link

even frank himself said he wasnt the best guitar player. he sure had his own style though.

― Pablo Cruise (chaki), Monday, 17 November 2003 03:14 (twenty years ago) link

He was just modest.

― Andrew (enneff), Monday, 17 November 2003 03:23 (twenty years ago) link

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000I9K6.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

Maybe. Maybe not.

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 17 November 2003 04:34 (twenty years ago) link

Are Snakefinger's albums still in print? I've always been curious but never actually bought one.

― J0hn Darn1elle (J0hn Darn1elle), Monday, 17 November 2003 04:35 (twenty years ago) link

I dont know to be honest. I've not heard much of his stuff, but always found it compellingly bizarre in the same way Zappa and the Residents were (to me anyway).

― Trayce (trayce), Monday, 17 November 2003 04:41 (twenty years ago) link

What about:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/django.gif
or
http://home.bluemarble.net/~deno/spence/Spence.jpg

― Ryan McKay (Ryan McKay), Monday, 17 November 2003 06:14 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.gnofn.org/~1nation/images/eddiehazel.jpg

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Monday, 17 November 2003 06:36 (twenty years ago) link

if not guitarist, EASILY best belt buckle

― nate detritus (natedetritus), Monday, 17 November 2003 06:36 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.funbelts.com/images/RRGlitter.jpg

― Dave M. (rotten03), Monday, 17 November 2003 08:41 (twenty years ago) link

When Steve Vai played for Frank Zappa Frank referred to him as his "stunt guitarist", he would jump in and do the thinks Frank couldn't/wouldn't do.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:31 (twenty years ago) link

"Frank Zappa is the single most untalented man in the world" - Lou Reed.

One of my first ever posts to ILM, before coming here, was to cite Elmore Leonard as my favourite guitarist. My old pal Andrew L responded to say that he was very fond of Elmore James's crime novels. I was very embarrassed, and still don't understand how I wrote such a thing.

― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:35 (twenty years ago) link

http://itsa.ucsf.edu/~mllim/music/kevinbilinda.jpg

― Citizen Kate (kate), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:38 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.guitarscanada.com/legends/tom.gif

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:38 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.artistdirect.com/Images/Sources/AMGPORTRAITS/music/portrait200/drp000/p085/p08531iqp4j.jpg

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:41 (twenty years ago) link

http://www.aceofdiscs.com/images/sundial_01.jpg

http://www.struna.ru/pix/sh00.jpg
http://www.nomansland.demon.co.uk/gfx/SWgtrneck.jpg

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:46 (twenty years ago) link

I hope those are not all three the same person!

― Citizen Kate (kate), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:50 (twenty years ago) link

ha, top down = gary ramon from sundial, steve howe from yes, and steven wilson from no-man/procupine tree/i.e.m.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:54 (twenty years ago) link

If you put the third one first, it would look like some kind of bizarre aging process!

(Where do boys with hair like that exist IRL?)

― Citizen Kate (kate), Monday, 17 November 2003 13:56 (twenty years ago) link

Even the title of this thread makes me cringe.

― Markelby (Mark C), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:08 (twenty years ago) link

that's because your tone sucks, and you can't "shred", mark.

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:10 (twenty years ago) link

But the best at WHAT, tho?

― Jay Dee Sah Mon (Kingfish), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:11 (twenty years ago) link

Hi, I'm the best guitarist of all time.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:23 (twenty years ago) link

and im the amazing B sure.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:28 (twenty years ago) link

We should use our developing skills in genetics to create a master race of super-guitarists! We can cross Manute Bol's gigantic-hands gene with the genes of a spider thus giving him/her/it eight hands! It would be like Vishnu Van Halen!!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:31 (twenty years ago) link

Whatever dudes, I don't need you. I'm already better than all of you put together.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:33 (twenty years ago) link

But you only have two hands!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:34 (twenty years ago) link

Is NA about to unleash the fookeen fyoory?

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:34 (twenty years ago) link

http://people.wm.edu/~rrbarr/id02.JPG
Look at me rockin out.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:35 (twenty years ago) link

You can't touch this.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:35 (twenty years ago) link

there is no rock in B Sure's repetoire.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:36 (twenty years ago) link

he is my friend the onion man and he plays two gutars atonce.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/493172/guitarist.jpg

― the evil docter claw, Monday, 17 November 2003 14:38 (twenty years ago) link

That guy doesn't rock, he's playing sitting down like an old grandma.

― NA (Nick A.), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:39 (twenty years ago) link

that is becasue he is control airoplanes with his eyes and he is 107 years old his guiar is very lous thou and he breaks rocks!

― the evil docter claw, Monday, 17 November 2003 14:43 (twenty years ago) link

please delete ilx.

― Chris B. Sure (Chris V), Monday, 17 November 2003 14:44 (twenty years ago) link

no chris b shure! i was only kidding!

― the evil docter claw, Monday, 17 November 2003 15:01 (twenty years ago) link

Skipping 129 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

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

― Turangalila, Saturday, 10 April 2010 07:53 (fourteen years ago) link

i dig that clip. also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoq6_2xnQeY&feature=player_embedded

― Daniel, Esq., Saturday, 10 April 2010 09:31 (fourteen years ago) link

These lists are so frustrating because as noted earlier, they're basically just lists of people's favorite guitarists.

So I'll do the same. If I had to make a short list it would look something like:

John McGeoch (Johnny Marr would rally for him before himself)
Peter Koppes/Marty Willson-Piper (OK I'm biased here)
Ed Kuepper (those who only know him from The Saints really need to listen to Laughing Clowns/solo albums)
Nick McCabe

― Elvis Telecom, Saturday, 10 April 2010 09:48 (fourteen years ago) link

Forgot Michaels Karoli and Rother! Also, Derek Bailey, Joe Morris, Robbie Basho, Steffan Bash Jungans, Sandy Bull, John Renbourne, Ike Turner, Curtis Mayfield...

― Count Palmiro Vicarion (Stew), Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:29 (fourteen years ago) link

Ooh, Ben Chasny.

― anagram, Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:40 (fourteen years ago) link

If I was going to pick best female guitarist, I would say Charo.

― Bear Ana Gasteyer (HI DERE), Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:42 (fourteen years ago) link

This should be so simple. Just count raving fanboys and tote up the winner.

― Aimless, Friday, 9 April 2010 19:34 (4 days ago) Bookmark

― nakhchivan, Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:51 (fourteen years ago) link

the only three people I can listen to play an extended guitar solo are Prince, Eddie Hazel and Frank Zappa, fwiw

― i'm so j0rd with the u.S.a (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 13 April 2010 13:53 (fourteen years ago) link

There is a lack of Uli Roth on this thread. A sad, sad lack.

― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 13 April 2010 14:13 (fourteen years ago) link

wow, horror director, actor and master guitarist; is there anything he can't do?

― HI DERE, Tuesday, 13 April 2010 14:14 (fourteen years ago) link

Har, Har. Ulrich Jon Roth - that better? The link between Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen.

― EZ Snappin, Tuesday, 13 April 2010 17:27 (fourteen years ago) link

and in the Britpop category, rampaging at the fore are Martin Carr and Graham Coxon

― pretty girl, filking a clown (acoleuthic), Tuesday, 13 April 2010 17:38 (fourteen years ago) link

The whole thread premise is kind of dumb. It was a C-Man thread, that should have tipped everyone. Best in a certain style? Proficient in the most styles? It's too broad; confuses "favorite" with "best," which is a crock no matter what xhuxk says.

That said, Whiney's post did prompt me to go listen to "Holiday in Berlin (Full Blown)" this morning. Fantastic solo.

― millions now zinging will never lol (WmC), Tuesday, 13 April 2010 17:50 (fourteen years ago) link

http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/image/George_Formby_2781317.jpg

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Wednesday, 14 April 2010 18:37 (fourteen years ago) link

Got a soft spot for Manuel Gottsching and Gabor Szabo.

― Moka, Friday, 16 April 2010 04:50 (fourteen years ago) link

Whom, by the way, haven't been mentioned at all on this thread. Shame on you ilx.

― Moka, Friday, 16 April 2010 05:05 (fourteen years ago) link

I would have mentioned both had I ever heard of either.

― Bill Magill, Friday, 16 April 2010 20:39 (fourteen years ago) link

Gabor Szabo's pretty amazing, sorta Django Rinehart v 2.0

― I won't vote for you unless you acknowledge my magic pony (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 16 April 2010 20:42 (fourteen years ago) link

Thanks for saving ILX from eternal shame, SMC.

― Bill Magill, Friday, 16 April 2010 20:43 (fourteen years ago) link

love this album cover
http://www.shugarecords.com/images/records/69ed8649-e5ae-4ba5-acdd-4fcc04a97c7e-0.JPG

― I won't vote for you unless you acknowledge my magic pony (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 16 April 2010 20:43 (fourteen years ago) link

the answer to this is is, btw, Jonny Greenwood, and idgaf

― Turangalila, Friday, 16 April 2010 20:44 (fourteen years ago) link

-is

― Turangalila, Friday, 16 April 2010 20:44 (fourteen years ago) link

will anyone high-five me for randy holden?

― government meme (samosa gibreel), Friday, 16 April 2010 20:53 (fourteen years ago) link

I like that one Blue Cheer record he's on

― I won't vote for you unless you acknowledge my magic pony (Shakey Mo Collier), Friday, 16 April 2010 20:54 (fourteen years ago) link

i used to be all "i like song structures, nuffa that guitar wank" and then i heard population ii.

― government meme (samosa gibreel), Friday, 16 April 2010 20:56 (fourteen years ago) link

Anyone with a bit of oversight care to tell me if Rory Gallagher is ranked up there at all? We make a big fuss of him over here, but then it's really him, The Edge or Tim Wheeler so there's not much option.

― just darraghmac tbh (darraghmac), Saturday, 17 April 2010 02:09 (fourteen years ago) link

I think he used to be

― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Saturday, 17 April 2010 02:10 (fourteen years ago) link

The Edge?

― iago g., Saturday, 17 April 2010 02:23 (fourteen years ago) link

that welsh guy in U2

― pfunkboy (Herman G. Neuname), Saturday, 17 April 2010 02:25 (fourteen years ago) link

Johnny Marr

Carlos Alomar
Andy Gill
Jimi Hendrix
Tom Verlaine
Lonnie Johnson

― Now, Saturday, 17 April 2010 04:11 (fourteen years ago) link

Dave Gregory from XTC is the secret agent man

― solid yet bouncy (herb albert), Saturday, 17 April 2010 04:35 (fourteen years ago) link

Charo otm

Randy Rhoads
Robert Fripp
Robert Johnson

though it's really

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBi6hBrpgqQ

― solid yet bouncy (herb albert), Saturday, 17 April 2010 04:53 (fourteen years ago) link

Hendrix is the best sloppiest guitar player, beats any other classic rock guitarist for style alone. He played with such soul and feeling that every wrong note he played sounded right. Kinda wish more black people cared enough to get involved in rock music, seems that right after laying the roots of rock they just lost interest.

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

― Moka, Saturday, 17 April 2010 06:23 (fourteen years ago) link

Also:

Bill Frisell
Daniel Lanois
Ry Cooder

― Moka, Saturday, 17 April 2010 06:47 (fourteen years ago) link

Davie Allan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgXHchnQtt8

― solid yet bouncy (herb albert), Sunday, 18 April 2010 02:16 (fourteen years ago) link

Hendrix had a direct connection to the Muse

― solid yet bouncy (herb albert), Sunday, 18 April 2010 02:20 (fourteen years ago) link

i don't think anyone's mentioned the amazing slate of early blues guitarists, e.g., blind willie johnson; blind blake; scrapper blackwell; miss. john hurt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxovd6tS8mk

― Daniel, Esq., Sunday, 18 April 2010 02:23 (fourteen years ago) link

seven years pass...

Grant Green Classic Or Dud?

― reggie (qualmsley), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 15:43 (six years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4E1qCAPJJPE

my favorite noisy guitar album is "Axis: Bold as Love"

― AdamVania (Adam Bruneau), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 17:16 (six years ago) link

electric guitar it's obviously Hendrix, no one comes close

acoustic guitar... I submit Elliott Smith:

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

― flappy bird, Wednesday, 6 December 2017 18:35 (six years ago) link

I don't know if I'd say Steve Vai in a walk, but I think you could at least say he's...VAI-ING FOR THE TOP SPOT!

― IF (Terrorist) Yes, Explain (man alive), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 18:39 (six years ago) link

lol psych I hate that guy

― IF (Terrorist) Yes, Explain (man alive), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 18:40 (six years ago) link

As far as guy who astonishes me most while still being enjoyable to listen to, it might be either Django Reinhardt or this guy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqdsiXSfEyQ

like I cannot fathom ever being able to play what he plays no matter how much I practiced

― IF (Terrorist) Yes, Explain (man alive), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 18:43 (six years ago) link

As far as pure musicality and touch, I'd say Jim Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZF74lQ0kMs

As far as people who expanded the sonic vocabulary of guitar while also just being awesome players, Hendrix is still it for me.

My favorite fingerpicker in terms of sound, style and technique is Rev Gary Davis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fpPgo4Deo4

― IF (Terrorist) Yes, Explain (man alive), Wednesday, 6 December 2017 18:47 (six years ago) link

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