U can pick only one. I know it's hard because there are so many different styles and it's hard to compare apples and pears but there must be one u really dig.
My choice is : Steve Vai.
[Edited 7/27/07 10:01am]
[Edited 7/27/07 11:59am]

I dunno, but I am the world's best "Guitar Hero" player

i'm not enough of a guitar gearhead to separate technical skill from composition and stage presence. i can hear someone like steve vai play and feel like he's an incredible athlete and a great craftsman, but on the other hand i think he's boring to watch and his music is dull.

which inevitably leads me to prince, but sometimes i wonder if a lot of his style is showmanship and effects? if the end result looks and sounds amazing, does it matter?

and of course, i am crazy about thurston moore as a guitarist. i don't know if he's "the best in the world", but i think he's engaging and his choices of projects are always challenging and untraditional. i think his style is very abstract and explosive - i love that.

Here's a few to start;

Slash
Jerry Cantrell
Ernie Isley
Joe Satriani
Nile Rogers
Kim Thayil
Jack White

This is a hard question. I'm sure there are many great guitarists around the world that I'm not even familiar with, but if I had to choose, I would say my fav is Carlos Santana. He may be not the best, but he has a unique sound and it's sensual and beautiful to listen to.

The best on Record and Live player alive is EVH. It's one thing to be a great player, it's another to craft accessible music. He did both.
[Edited 7/27/07 12:34pm]

Tito Jackson is the best guitar player.

titoi nailed it good on heartbreak hotel(this place hotel)

Madonna

I don't know, but there are several fantastic guitar players out there:

Brian May
Steve Howe
Robert Fripp
Van Halen
Steve Hackett
David Gilmour
Frank Zappa(deceased)
Prince
Slash
[Edited 7/27/07 21:41pm]

For me it is Joe Satriani without a doubt.

didnt u guys forget john mayer, he may not be so mainstream, but he has a very intresting style, and is very talented.

ProgRocker said:

My Vote goes to Robert Fripp
He's the guitar triple threat
He's great with guitar technology ala Andy summers
His theory is amazing, ala Django Rheinhardt
and his playing has the chops ala, Hendrix
[Edited 7/28/07 1:58am]

uPtoWnNY said:

You have good taste. I especially like your first two choices: Their tones are meaty as hell and their solos are almost orgasmically precise and fluid.

Madonna

Christaro said:

You mean right now, or all time ?

Anxiety said:

I've been listening to 'Rather Ripped' nonstop the last few weeks - it's been great to pick up Sonic Youth again (I got a little turned off during a Thousand Leaves). I love how Thurston nails these cool melodies with a clean jazzmaster or whatever. The twin-guitar bit on 'Incinerate' really sticks out

That's hard but em maybe Carlos Santana
[Edited 7/28/07 9:10am]

ahhhhh






god damn!


when will the world relize!


Tommy Emmanuel, he can do it all and is a super performer to top it all off!


You tube people! search Tommy Emmanuel, then sit for a few hours and be amazed at him

krayzie said:

Whatever u like

georgeguitar said:

Yeah, I know Tommy and saw him live. Really amazing. But it's too bad he just plays acoustic nowadays. The electric guitar is a much better instrument to express your feelings (imao).

squiddyren said:

I'm no guitar expert, so I can't break down why I like certain guys. But when I hear them play, it clicks with me, know what I'm saying? It's impossible to have one favorite, IMO.

I'm also a fan of Robert Cray, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Leslie West, Vernon Reid & of course, Santana.
[Edited 7/28/07 13:02pm]

COMPUTERBLUE1984 said:

omg ding ding ding we have a winner! Enough about how much emotion Prince puts into his playing, Madonna puts so much emotion into her bar chords its ridiculous! You just stand there in amazement! And her technical skills and chops are indeed superior to any other. Her down down up down down strokes are to die for!!!

MajesticOne89 said:

I think she uses Power Chords, not barre chords lol

MajesticOne89 said:

After Jimi, of course:

Ernest "Ernie" Isley

But of course:
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimmy Page
Curtis Mayfield
Bobby Womack
Prince
Eddie Hazel
Nile "Niles" Rodgers (I love that part in "We Are Family" when Kathy calls him and the rest of Chic out )
Robert White
Joe Messina
Marv Tarplin
Cornelius Grant
Dennis Coffey

Gordon Banks, Marvin's guitar player during the last years of his life, was a very exceptional guitarist!

Sorry I had to include that (I am a Marvin fan of course )
[Edited 7/28/07 17:30pm]

JoVoCoP said:

He is an amazing guitarist. I actually like him better live than on record.

MajesticOne89 said:

She truly has a knack for making the guitar look like the most difficult instrument in the world to play.

Richard Thompson
Nils Lofgren
Prince

And not a fan of their music, but there's no denying they're amazing technicians:

Bruce Cockburn
Mark Knopfler

Ace said:

Ditto Lindsey Buckingham. Every once in a while I'll hear some of his playing on the radio and I'm like, "Holy fucking shit!".