Best guitar player of all time?

Bean_head

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The moment I saw the thread title I thought of Jimmy Page!

I think there are different types of guitarist though, each immense in their way.

- Jimi Hendrix
- BB King
- Keith Richards
- Clapton
- Santana
 

rbkwp

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agree
esp easy to cut/copy/paste ha Thanks Beanhead
traveled 360km return overnight, to see Lucille, in the day, was well worth it
ps, i dont look at Penises on this site, unlawful to me??
(Nice tho ole Jimmy)


- Jimi Hendrix

- BB King

- Clapton
 

ManofThunder

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It's a very subjective question. As well as the aforementioned names, people like Gary Moore, Chet Atkins and David Gilmour deserve a mention. However, in my opinion - Mark Knopfler is 'the best'. I don't know of another guitarist with such a diverse skill-set. Many guitarists are masters of one particular style or genre, but Mark Knopfler is a master of them all. Due to his unusual finger-picking technique, he's able to create very unique, distinctive sounds/songs - while still maintaining a lovely clean tone. The vast majority of electric guitarists use a pick, which is a better amplifier of sound and generally faster - but lacks the precision of the fingers and thumb. But most importantly for me, his guitar playing contributes to the music as a whole - rather than dominating it. He plays with subtlety.

To demonstrate what I mean about Mark Knopfler being a master of all styles - here are some varied examples (actually listen to the songs in full, if you can spare the time): Down to the Waterline, I'll See You in My Dreams & Imagine, Money for Nothing, Song for Sonny Liston, Telegraph Road (solo), Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet, Brothers in Arms, Once Upon a Time in the West and Wild Theme.
 

DickJagger

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It's a very subjective question. As well as the aforementioned names, people like Gary Moore, Chet Atkins and David Gilmour deserve a mention. However, in my opinion - Mark Knopfler is 'the best'. I don't know of another guitarist with such a diverse skill-set. Many guitarists are masters of one particular style or genre, but Mark Knopfler is a master of them all. Due to his unusual finger-picking technique, he's able to create very unique, distinctive sounds/songs - while still maintaining a lovely clean tone. The vast majority of electric guitarists use a pick, which is a better amplifier of sound and generally faster - but lacks the precision of the fingers and thumb. But most importantly for me, his guitar playing contributes to the music as a whole - rather than dominating it. He plays with subtlety.

To demonstrate what I mean about Mark Knopfler being a master of all styles - here are some varied examples (actually listen to the songs in full, if you can spare the time): Down to the Waterline, I'll See You in My Dreams & Imagine, Money for Nothing, Song for Sonny Liston, Telegraph Road (solo), Sultans of Swing, Romeo and Juliet, Brothers in Arms, Once Upon a Time in the West and Wild Theme.


he is fantastic, but if someone said to you(god lets say) i will give you only one guitar players hands that are now yours, is it still the guy from dire straits?

i think not only jimmy page for his immense style and solos, but for his songwriting ability. Dire Straits in my mind only has a handful while Zeppelin has endless classics , dozens
 

ManofThunder

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he is fantastic, but if someone said to you(god lets say) i will give you only one guitar players hands that are now yours, is it still the guy from dire straits?

i think not only jimmy page for his immense style and solos, but for his songwriting ability. Dire Straits in my mind only has a handful while Zeppelin has endless classics , dozens
Admittedly, Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler have never been as 'cool' as Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd. I love Dire Straits, though - lyricism and all. The solo from Comfortably Numb (for example) is without a doubt, one of the most iconic and a personal favourite - but that doesn't mean David Gilmour is technically the best guitarist. I chose Mark Knopfler because of his proven diversity. Without a doubt, Jimmy Page is amazing - but could he play as many different genres, as well as Mark Knopfler? Some would argue that Led Zeppelin songs are so varied, that he is in effect 'playing all genres'. I like his style. However, purely based on my own tastes and because Mark Knopfler has proven to be a Renaissance man of the guitar - I would choose Mark Knopfler's hands.
 
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DickJagger

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Admittedly, Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler have never been as 'cool' as Led Zeppelin, or Pink Floyd. I love Dire Straits, though - lyricism and all. The solo from Comfortably Numb (for example) is without a doubt, one of the most iconic and a personal favourite - but that doesn't mean David Gilmour is technically the best guitarist. I chose Mark Knopfler because of his proven diversity. Without a doubt, Jimmy Page is amazing - but could he play as many different genres, as well as Mark Knopfler? Some would argue that Led Zeppelin songs are so varied, that he is in effect 'playing all genres'. I like his style. However, purely based on my own tastes and because Mark Knopfler has proven to be a Renaissance man of the guitar - I would choose Mark Knopfler's hands.


:biggrin1:
 
D

deleted87637

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MICHAEL SCHENKER Especially through his years with UFO
 

bigmeat78

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I have two. Jimi Hendrix (remember he played the guitar backwards and still played it better than most). I was just listening to Voodoo Child which was released in 1968, and it's light years ahead of its time. I also think Tony Iommi is underrated. He might not be the most technical player to have played, but he basically created the blue print for heavy metal. So many metal bands that can after Black Sabbath have copied his riffs in one way shape or form.
 

Brisler

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I don't give a rats ass about technical ability. Mark Knopfler, Santana and Clapton (post Cream) and Gary Moore (post Lizzy) bores me to death. I have no particular fondness for Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen and not even really Hendrix. I love Iommi, of course.

I realize that all the ones mentioned in this thread are brilliant guitarists. It doesn't matter one dime to me when their music says nothing to me about my life.

Which brings me to my next point. My favorite guitarist, hands down, must be Johnny Marr of The Smiths. He may not be able to lay down a solo like Gary Moore or Eddie Van Halen, but to me his playing stile is far more unique. There are thousands of technical masters out there, and frankly I can't tell the difference. To me it's much more about the melodic tone and style of the guitarist, and of course the sound. Johnny Marr is unique, his sound is unmatched, his picking style completely his own (okay, Peter Buck comes close when he's at his absolute best), well, not only his picking style. Play me some Satriani, Steve Vai and Yngwie Malmsteen and I can't tell the difference. And I can't be bothered to even try. Play one tone from Marr and the entire world will come a little more into focus.

I mean, listen to this, for god's sake:

The Smiths- The Smiths- 06- Still ill - YouTube

The Smiths- William, it was really nothing - YouTube

The Smiths- This Charming Man - YouTube

Brilliant! Yeah, you can shove your solos up you know what for all I care.

Man, Mark Knopfler can play guitar from now till kingdom come, and he will never even in his wildest dreams, in terms of melody and style, come close to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=700I5J_305I
 
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Brisler

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Okay, I can't leave this thread without throwing some props to my absolute favorite, Michael Cashmore. I guess I didn't mention him before because I consider him more of a songwriter than a guitarist. But he does have a very distinct sound, both on guitar and piano. Another one of those guys whose sound I will instantly recognize, which is of high value to me in a musician. The distinctness of ones sound. And as for songwriters, he is, in my opinion, the finest.

I know he's not very known, which is an absolute insult, considering the frequency and quality of his outputs (though he seems to lay a little low by now), writing the majority of the material for Current 93, as well as his own projects (Michael Cashmore, Marc Almond & Cashmore, Nature & Organisation). I guess part of the reason that he's so overlooked and forgotten is that he wasn't directly credited for much of his work for Current 93 (a band that is incredible, and though a huge band in certain sub cultures, unfortunately not exactly well known).

Cashmore:

Current 93: The Descent Of Long Satan And Babylon - YouTube

Current 93 The Great, Bloody and Bruised Veil of This World.wmv - YouTube

Current 93 - This Shining Shining World - YouTube

No guitar in this one, but it is so freakin' amazing and very typical Cashmore (which means completely unique):

Michael Cashmore, My eyes open - YouTube

I really hope someone will take the time to listen to his music, 'cause it deserves to be heard. It really does.

A little disclaimer, though. His music has very little to do with that of the classic rock, hard rock and heavy metal guitarists that have been mentioned so far.
 
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petec

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How does this thread make it to page 2 without a Stevie Ray Vaughn mention?

He is technically very good and his tone is unmatched, IMO. Extremely soulful and I NEVER heard him miss a note. John Mayer put it well when he said there are a number of people that can play like SRV......for about 5 seconds, then your hands falls off. Dude had incredibly strong hands which allowed him to use very fat strings. He pulled sounds out of a stratocaster that are just not possible.

As for the others mentioned....

Mark Knopfler, very unique sound. One of my favorites.

Gilmore, see Mark Knopfler

Jimmy Page- greatest guitar player ever, as far as ability to put together a good riff is concerned. Very creative. But technically, just good.

Jeff Beck- Awesome. Just doesn't have the recognition as he didn't spend much time playing with known acts.

Jimi Hendrix- Most innovative player ever. I am sure the drugs were partly responsible. Unfortunately, they also resulted in him being a sloppy mess at times. Kind of like Page, in that regard.

BB King- Very good but my favorite old black dude is Albert King. Tone from God. Dude was gigantic with monsterous hands. I suspect he would probably be right at home on a board about big dicks!

Another favorite of mine I don't hear mentioned much is Roy Clark. Dude can play anything with strings. My favorite banjo player.

Also deserving mention are the old timey flamenco players like Paco Delucia , Segovia, Sabicas. Give them a listen on youtube. Absolutely beatiful players.
 

invisibleman

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GUITARISTS THAT I LIKE: (NOT NECESSARILY THE PINNACLES)


ROBIN GUTHRIE (of the COCTEAU TWINS. LOVED THE AMBIENT TEXTURES IN HIS PLAYING) WENDY MELVOIN (BEST RHYTHM GUITARIST AND SHE CAN PLAY LEAD WELL.) STEVE CROPPER (AMAZING RHYTHM GUITARIST). PRINCE (CREATIVE LEAD AND RHYTHM GUITARIST) ANDY SUMMERS (of THE POLICE. GREAT TEXTURAL GUITARIST LIKE ROBIN GUTHRIE.) JEFF BECK (GREAT LEAD PLAYING.) EDDIE VAN HALEN (GOTTA LOVE A LEAD GUITARIST WHO CAN ROCK ON THE OBERHEIM OB-X KEYBOARD TOO :biggrin1:) BO DIDDLEY (ROCKT ON RHYTHM GUITAR) JOHNNY MARR (OF THE SMITHS. LEAD AND RHYTHM. COOL.)

AND THE COOLEST BASS GUITARIST (SHE ALSO ROCKS THE UPRIGHT BASS) I LIKE THE WAY SHE PLAYS IS SMOOTH AND FUNKY: ESPERANZA SPALDING.
 

petec

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Prince definitely another. Amazing musician that can play just about anything.