[LSFalcon95]

I was having a debate with my friend about who the best guitarist of all time is. I admit I'm mainly a fan of hip-hop (mostly 90's rap), but I enjoy alot of different genres of music. Anyway, I say Jimi Hendrix and he says Eddie Van Halen. I was just wondering who you guys think is the best guitarist ever.

[sudo rm -rf /]

Best in what way?

[LSFalcon95]

I don't know, we didn't get too specific. We just said who we thought was the best to ever play the guitar.

This post has been edited by LSFalcon95: 05 November 2009 - 10:59 PM

[JaGz]

apples to oranges... Jimi,Randy,Eddie,Tonni, insert said name... you simply can not compare any to the other.

[Brehus]

You can add Randy Rhoads to your list

[mdrake34]

This debate has been going on since the invention of the guitar and will never be definitively answered in any meaningful way.

[atljbo]

Jimi Hendrix and believe it or not ATLJBO.... I'm serious with a axe in my hand... It dont matter what type of Axe... Acoustic or Bass or Electric (archtop guitars are my fav)

[Falcons Ace]

Innovation or technical ability? Probably Jimi Hendrix if you want to go with how they contributed to the instrument in terms of influence and innovation. Michael Angelo Batio or Shawn Lane if you want to go with sheer ability to make the guitar their b*tch in the most perfect and flawless way possible with flawless technique. When I first saw them two play, I just wanted to throw my Strat in the trash can and cry in a dark room for about an hour. As for "soul" and "sound", it's so relative tha it's pointless to even make that arguement.

MAB:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=RLnOx4E-G1g
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=gOE1_mWQolI
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=KDqCDDg1oPQ

Shawn Lane:
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=8eDV4fJcRUI
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=DVVyi-DuwMQ - Shortly before he died

[JDaveG]

Couldn't possibly name just one. I have favorites for different genres and different reasons.

[Steve_Bartkowski]

JaGz, on 05 November 2009 - 11:07 PM, said:

apples to oranges... Jimi,Randy,Eddie,Tonni, insert said name... you simply can not compare any to the other.

Agree. Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen are/were both great and innovative in different ways.

[NCFalconfan]

All a matter of taste. Some of my favorites are David Gilmour, George Lynch, Roy Buchanon amoung others. In terms of influence, I'd bet that Ace Frehley inspired more kids to pick up the ax than any other guitarist out there...

[JDaveG]

NCFalconfan, on 06 November 2009 - 08:15 AM, said:

All a matter of taste. Some of my favorites are David Gilmour, George Lynch, Roy Buchanon amoung others.

Exactly.

Stanley Jordan is as innovative as anyone who ever lived, but he's never mentioned in the discussion. Joe Pass is as technically sound (in terms of theory, not chops) as anyone who ever lived, but he's never mentioned.

Eric Clapton was pretty innovative too, but hey, he "only" plays the blues.

It really is what you like. Right now I'm listening to a lot of Southern rock, so my "best" today are probably Mike Cooley and Casey Prestwood. I'd bet dollars to donuts most of you will have to Google them to know who they are.

[rightsaidfred]

Without parameters, you have to include Clapton. And Chet Atkins for that matter.

[BushwickBrad]

I like Buddy Guy

[mookie3127]

Tom Morello for the $800 Alex

[Lee Harvey Oswald]

It's very hard to rank them all, but I'd put Stevie Ray Vaughan in top 5.

Check this out, at 7:45...look at the guy dancing carrying a sheep.

[Steve_Bartkowski]

Like others have said, there isn't a 'best' overall. There are 'bests' at distinct styles. Even within the same genre.

For example, Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan are both blues players. I would not put one above the other because I think they are both unique and awesome in their own right. Stevie Ray Vaughan was the best 'Stevie Ray Vaughan' type player in the world and Buddy Guy is the best 'Buddy Guy' type player in the world. I appreciate both of their styles and ability.

Here is a list of my fav guitar players... It doesn't mean that they are the best overall guitarist in the world, but I really like their style and what they bring to the table:

Jimi Hendrix
Trey Anastasio (Phish)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
David Gilmour
Buddy Guy
Jesse Cook
Al Di Meola
Stanley Jordan
Pat Metheny
Joe Satriani
...and many more...

[hammerhead]

[NCFalconfan]

Another really good one that hardly ever gets mentioned is Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. His solo on Steeley Dan's "Night By Night" is awesome.

[bozoatl]

http://www.socal.com/absolutenm/articlefiles/2705-guitar.jpg

This guy is awesome

B) :lol: