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
A great tune here from Pat Travers. I love the guitar picking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MykD8zgHuy8
Any list of greatest guitarists is incomplete without Ritchie Blackmore. I'll also add that any collection of rock albums would be incomplete without Deep Purple's Machine Head. I'll close this post by adding that Blackmore's mastery of the guitar is on full display in this classic number:
Amen.
Quote from: J E B Stuart on June 12, 2025, 01:46:24 PMAny list of greatest guitarists is incomplete without Ritchie Blackmore. I'll also add that any collection of rock albums would be incomplete without Deep Purple's Machine Head. I'll close this post by adding that Blackmore's mastery of the guitar is on full display in this classic number:
Amen.
I like the Ian Gillan and Roger Glover Deep Purple era a lot better than Led Zeppelin.
Matt Bellamy is amazing live. I saw them 6 times until I hit my mid 30's and started noticing how out of place I was.... lol
https://www.tiktok.com/@supermassivemuser/video/7488336005620043030
Quote from: J E B Stuart on June 12, 2025, 01:46:24 PMAny list of greatest guitarists is incomplete without Ritchie Blackmore. I'll also add that any collection of rock albums would be incomplete without Deep Purple's Machine Head. I'll close this post by adding that Blackmore's mastery of the guitar is on full display in this classic number:
Amen.
When I think of the great early hard rock albums this one is top five.
Hughie Thomasson had no equal on the Fender Strat. This song was The Outlaws
magnum opus and remains steadfastly present on many of my playlists. I've seen The Outlaws twice over the years and also got to see Hughie perform live during his nine year stint with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sadly, he died of a heart attack in 2007 at only 55 years of age. His music definitely lives on:
Amen.
Quote from: J E B Stuart on June 13, 2025, 11:12:40 PMHughie Thomasson had no equal on the Fender Strat. This song was The Outlaws magnum opus and remains steadfastly present on many of my playlists. I've seen The Outlaws twice over the years and also got to see Hughie perform live during his nine year stint with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Sadly, he died of a heart attack in 2007 at only 55 years of age. His music definitely lives on:
Amen.
I saw him with Skynyrd. A gifted guitarist.