Jimi, Eddie, Slash, and Eric. I can think of a few more that should make the Mt Rushmore of guitar.
(https://scontent.fyyc7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/488946182_1033957838659843_2473220493630333750_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_p552x414_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=H1oKjD4GkBUQ7kNvwEvLYmR&_nc_oc=AdmTfd03WeRehL8_3PrwaPK8On532qqvRTU-hYjYvFVctestTICG4eG95CLtYjzERX8UBePZGrGQLbN-jOTfmUiS&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc7-1.fna&_nc_gid=JPA7vGIiN4fgnNHX1H9Q8A&oh=00_AfGx2iaykK6fZt3dykYJb4B3P-gJvDVYEV5t0Z8hOFG2Lw&oe=67FE1845)
I would add Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Steve Gaines to the great guitarists. Ed King too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxIWDmmqZzY
Duane Allman was not in the same league as some of these other guitarists, but he helped define a certain sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCRS4DRmf_w
Rik Emmett is a seriously underrated guitarist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry2HkU7rQzA
Herman Li of Dragonforce
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jgrCKhxE1s
I never knew who Carlos Santana was until at least 10 years ago. It was Kiebers who introduced me to his guitar genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ATTjg7tpE
Quote from: Shen Li on April 10, 2025, 09:56:39 PMI never knew who Carlos Santana was until at least 10 years ago. It was Kiebers who introduced me to his guitar genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ATTjg7tpE
Since I was born in and lived in Cali till I was about 10, I think I knew his shit by the time I could crawl.
Quote from: Shen Li on April 10, 2025, 09:56:39 PMI never knew who Carlos Santana was until at least 10 years ago. It was Kiebers who introduced me to his guitar genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7ATTjg7tpE
He is a guitar God.
(https://scontent.fyyc7-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/489820076_1054775403350486_2749657327958144961_n.jpg?stp=cp6_dst-jpg_p552x414_tt6&_nc_cat=1&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=xtWKlUA1-IUQ7kNvwFMEZdz&_nc_oc=Adln6gaJs5iseUOvkT-orhmf6BQ8kO5cHi_OaaTXnJGFZMcpN_3PSORN7Uo49Ur0Sns9ftOyqtac2ls3NbwnxH5x&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent.fyyc7-1.fna&_nc_gid=QVXEyHoa4UktnS3m1qA13A&oh=00_AfHFRyad5lmYtyt9DJjSkDkdXMYe5jfpYySRc6RqlFyBhg&oe=67FE4E54)
Prince deserves to make the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXJhDltzYVQ
Good thread. There are many, many more pickers I can recognize and acknowledge. Some will be well-known; others not so much. Ultimately, it's all about the sound.
Rather than flood this thread, I'll put mine out there one, or two, or a few at a time in no particular order.
Steve Stevens is a guitar stud, pure, plain and simple. You'll recognize him in this Billy Idol classic:
Amen.
I have been crystal clear that I do not like Ozzy Osbourne as a vocalist. However, he has made the careers of some terrific guitarists.
His first guitarist, Randy Rhodes was as good as any in the hard rock genre.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ui79Uf817YA
Vito Bratta was lead guitarist for White Lion. I'd put him toe-to-toe with Eddie Van Halen any time, any day, any place. Check it out:
Amen.
Quote from: J E B Stuart on April 11, 2025, 11:12:20 PMVito Bratta was lead guitarist for White Lion. I'd put him toe-to-toe with Eddie Van Halen any time, any day, any place. Check it out:
Amen.
His style is similar to Eddie Van Halen.
Michael Schenker is a tremendous talent. A little known fact about him is that he almost became Randy Rhodes replacement in Ozzy Osbourne's band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihT7qtubX5o
Great Guitarist?
Leo Kottke is pretty good.
And you can't have a Great Guitarist thread without a little Rory.
And this one too ... it's got some banjo in it ...
Quote from: Reggie Essent on April 11, 2025, 11:40:22 PMAnd you can't have a Great Guitarist thread without a little Rory.
Not my musical taste.
The guitarists we think are the best play the type of music we personally like.
Brian Patrick Carroll a/k/a
Buckethead belongs on this list, although i haven't listened to much of his stuff. And that's primarily because instrumentals aren't my go-to music.
He has performed with more artists and bands than I can list here. This video is a good showcase of his incredible talent and abilities:
Amen.
Another guitarist with incredible talent and ability is John William Lowery a/k/a John 5. Like Buckethead, he's performed with more artists and bands than I can list here. He is currently a member of Mötley Crüe.
This video gives a little taste of what he can do:
Amen.
Eric Clapton all the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7OwGS3jJ4E
Alex Lifeson of Rush
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oEQuzHp5I0
Fuck that Kraut Michael Schenker is an awesome guitarist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuyCXn4ZI5E