Greatest Guitarists Ever
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1) Jimi Hendrix, The Jimi Hendrix Experience

“jimi is the best on the list and probably best ever but where is Randy Rhoads. Certainly better than the rest of the list and they are all great.Talk about intros how about the start of Believer?”
blksabfan1

“he is the best

”
voyager1974

“Ive got to say this wasnt an easy choice, Jimmy Page gave Led Zeppelin Stairway to Heaven. Of course Slash’s work in Velvet Revolver was unforgettable, but Jimi Hendrix could make that guitar sing! Purple Haze, Fire, and my personal favorite, All Along the Watchtower. Hendrix was a master by any standards

”
ihatethisname

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2) Slash

“I’VE NEVER HEARD A SOLO LIKE THE ONE HE PLAYED IN NOVEMBER RAIN, AND DON’T FORGET ABOUT ALL THOSE INTROS LIKE SWEET CHILD O’ MINE, WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, PARADISE CITY, CIVIL WAR, ESTRANGED, ETC.”
“Slash is the GREATEST guitarist of the last 20 years G N’R were only together for8 years and are one of the greatest bands seen he’s helped MJ and has Velvet Revolver”
GrungeMessiah

“Slash is the most handsome&talented guitarist of all time.Being a part of Guns N Roses,his NOVEMBER RAIN solo is the greatest solo of all time.”
sm3548112

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3) Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin

“greatest guitarist of all time. some say hendrix is the greatest, and i have to hand it to him, he deserves no less than 2nd greatest. but jimmy’s extremely wide diversity and unbeatable songwriting skills definitely earn him the place at the top”
“As a true musical virtuoso, Mr. Page has been a pioneer for all guitarists who have followed. The beauty and complexity of his compositions and performances produce an emotion in the listener emanating from the very depths of ones soul. Many guitarists have attempted to duplicate his sound but fail miserably. He and the other extremely talented members of Led Zeppelin composed and performed without limits. Jimmy Page is and probably always will be the greatest guitar player ever.”
“Jimmy Page is a guitar god! songs like stairway to heaven and whole lotta love prove it
”
pinillj

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4) Tariqh Akoni

“Tariqh is a wonderful person as well as being a fantastic guitarist. Anyone who is taught by him will gain real skills and be blessed by this lovely, bright, caring, smiley man!
Tariqh - you Rawk!”
Jerusha

“He’s just cool!”
Suzypooh

“I love Tariqh’s passion he pours into his playing. You can just see he LOVES what he does, which is make that thing TALK! I am partial to acoustic, because it is so romantic, but he plays a mean electric too! Even Lola would agree... ”
anetnut

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5) Synyster Gates, Avenged Sevenfold

“Great Riffs. Plays Guitar as clean as anyone right now.
”
“greatest guitarist ever...
i think he should make a solo album”
phalanx_sixness

“Favorite band, Favorite guitarist. Amazing solos”
jakenator38

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6) Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen

“Eddie not only played like anyone before him, he made his own equipment as well, unlike everybody else on this list!”
“I don’t know who wrote this list but eddie is 20 times the guitarist that prince will ever be. just listen to eruption and you tell me different rock on eddie”
“One of the most skilled and innovative guitarists ever. Fastest right hand in the business.”
more comments on Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen



7) Kirk Hammett, Metallica

“He’s not the best, but man is he good. He’s definitely heavy metal, and can go insane with a guitar. If you’ve heard him play any of his better songs, you’ll know what I mean.”
“i think kirk should be atleast in the top 5, Gates is good but i mean c’mon kirk has been in this for 20 years, i think he should be above a7x”
dananias

“My favorite band my favorite guitarist!”
M3tAlLica505

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8) Buckethead

“You name em, I’ve seen em live. Except Hendrix. Buckethead is the best live performance I’ve ever seen. He’s absolutely unbelieveable. Unique, rare talent.”
“Buckethead’s unique style and impossible guitar solos make him the best guitarist. No one can or has gotten close to how wonderful his style sounds. Nor has a guitarist been able to rip such insane, long guitar solos. If Buckethead isn’t using his trademark style, he is playing metal/techno/chicken-picking/thrash metal/experimental/jazz/rock/and many more.

Buckethead cannot be on top because of simply his popularity. He chose to release his albums secretly and let it out by word, so only about two people know his name(under-exageration). Just buy an album and see for yourself, you will find yourself a new favorite.”
“he is beyond speed. his songs are complicated and have all kinds of emotion ESPECIALLY "too many humans" it is the perfect song by the perfect guitarist.”
teknik

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9) Prince

“Prince is well known for being able to play many instruments and there is no doubt within the music industry that he is one the worlds leading guitarists. Prince taught himself to play by the age of 13 and by 16 was able to play Santana note for note. When he hit the mainstream with his first album at the age of 20 he was already being compared to the likes of Hendrix. And he still had a long way to go.

One thing that become apparent very early on with Prince was that he wasn’t tied down to one style of music and excelled with a versatility not seen in anyone else before or since. Because of this versatility not all his released music is guitar focused and therefore he hasn’t always been judged for his skills as a guitarist.

Arranging and Producing his own music from the beginning Prince has also become an extremely adept guitar engineer in the studio and live on stage with an ability to manage a wide range of effects simultaneously, whilst also arranging the other band members’ sections.

His ability to play guitar at the top of his game in all styles of music shows how skillful he is, and there has not been one stage he has performed on where he hasn’t torn the house down.

From loud, dirty, distorted and burning fast to slow acoustic and emotionally charged playing, Prince’s range on guitar is even larger than that of his vocal range. There are technical guitarists and there are talented guitarists and then there is simply Prince.
”
“Musical genius who has mastered all known instruments known to man! Not really! But is Eric Clapton’s favorite guitarist!”
“You have to give it to this guy. Very underrated as a guitar player, it’s a shame his public image over-shadows the incredible talent this man possesses. Dig a little, check this guy’s guitar playing, a little bit of Santana, a lil’ bit of Hendrix, with his own stamp on it! Could play any style with anyone and still come out on top! You should also hear this guy play piano too!
”
more comments on Prince



10) Neal Schon, Journey

“Kicks ass man!”
“Neal rocks! He’s my idol!”
JourneyRcks

“Neal rocks!”
bhourn

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Newest Lists Add List Blog Stats

Wow.
They wrote a whole paragraph on him.

wildgoldenhoney said:

THESES ARE THE COMMENTS FROM THAT BLOG...
Prince
“Should be up there in the first 10. Forget the 80's pop-thing! He rulez on the guitar!!”
“Prince is a very underrated guitarist, but if you take a look at his live performances you'll see what a great guitarist he really is.”
“This man is an amazing artist in many ways he writes produces & does it all. He is also the master of more instruments then any other artist on this page. He is a modern day Mozart & has taken what Hendrix does with the guitar & taken it to the next level he is a true master of so many instruments & a Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer & in my opinion the best guitar player on this list.”
“Quite simply, the most underrated and under appreciated rock guitarist of all time. Period.”
“Just Awesome ! end of !”
“Prince's guitar playing never seems to come across that well in his production / mixing but see him play that thing live and you can sure enough tell he is it - check out the guitar solo at the 2004 Hall of Fame all star performance of While my guitar gently weeps.”
“The most underrated guitarist in our history.He is the perfect allround player! From hardrock to pop and blues to jazz, he created his own style that is absolutly unique. Ask Clapton (one of his favourite player) ; Santana and Miles Davis. You must see him live on stage to feel his vibrations and his guitarskills. He played everything he wants to !
”
“Hugely over-looked as a guitarist, his versatility is his strength, be it rock, blues, jazz, funk, he riffs and solos with the best of them then the next moment is a technical virtuoso. Don't discount him because it isn't ALL he's capable of.”
“Prince is a very underrated guitarist! He can do amazing things with his guitar, listen 2 the ROF performance of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, or simply Purple Rain.
”
“Prince is by far the most versatile of this group of guitar players... his rhythm guitar playing, especially the funk, is out of this world. To be honest, all of James Brown's guitar players could learn a thing or ten from little Princey. At the same time though, when it comes to blues and rock and roll, Prince is simply a monster - listen to the end of Let's Go Crazy or better yet, go see the midget live. That is where he really turns it up and tears up his fretboard. More than anything, Prince plays guitar like Santana. He's extremely emotive in his playing and loves to hold long notes! Brilliant in so many ways... Prince is probaly your father - go ask Eric Clapton.”
“You have to give it to this guy. Very underrated as a guitar player, it's a shame his public image over-shadows the incredible talent this man possesses. Dig a little, check this guy's guitar playing, a little bit of Santana, a lil' bit of Hendrix, with his own stamp on it! Could play any style with anyone and still come out on top! You should also hear this guy play piano too!
”
“about time he his given his due - if ever lucky enough to see him live u would understand - his guitar is like the most beautiful voice - full of emotion, make me cry”
“Just listen to the solo's in Purple rain, Gold and I could never take the place of your man, Prince i would say is the greatest.”
“~~Seraphim of the GUITAR~~”
“he plays simple but always contributing to the song, hitting the sweet spot, my favs purple rain live solos”
“not only on guitar, but the keys as well. this guy is the best musician of not only our lifetime, but of time itself.”
“Musical genius who has mastered all known instruments known to man! Not really! But is Eric Clapton's favorite guitarist!”
“Prince is well known for being able to play many instruments and there is no doubt within the music industry that he is one the worlds leading guitarists. Prince taught himself to play by the age of 13 and by 16 was able to play Santana note for note. When he hit the mainstream with his first album at the age of 20 he was already being compared to the likes of Hendrix. And he still had a long way to go.

One thing that become apparent very early on with Prince was that he wasn't tied down to one style of music and excelled with a versatility not seen in anyone else before or since. Because of this versatility not all his released music is guitar focused and therefore he hasn't always been judged for his skills as a guitarist.

Arranging and Producing his own music from the beginning Prince has also become an extremely adept guitar engineer in the studio and live on stage with an ability to manage a wide range of effects simultaneously, whilst also arranging the other band members' sections.

His ability to play guitar at the top of his game in all styles of music shows how skillful he is, and there has not been one stage he has performed on where he hasn't torn the house down.

From loud, dirty, distorted and burning fast to slow acoustic and emotionally charged playing, Prince's range on guitar is even larger than that of his vocal range. There are technical guitarists and there are talented guitarists and then there is simply Prince.
”
“Glad to see Prince on the list. He is often overlooked because it is not the only instrument he has mastered.”
“While not technically the best, Prince feels what he plays and makes you feel it - that's what makes him the greatest.”
“I'm really not thinking Prince is the Best... but he does have talent. If you've never really heard him play, and you're reading this. It would be worth your time to check some stuff out.”
“Finally people see true talent!”
“Most definitely the best all-around musician! He dares to be different and refuses to "follow the crowd". Nice change of pace from a lot of the garbage out there today.”
“Prince is simply the greatest artist of our generation, the guy does it all they say MJ is the KING OF POP but no one told em u have to become a prince to be come king and he took that crown years ago”
“Since his Rock and Roll HOF performance, the general public has come to learn what we Prince fans have always known....that Prince is the unmined treasure of guitarplaying...”
“There is a lot to say for a guy who invents an entirely new style of guitar playing the way Eddie [Van Halen] did. He is fantastic and that is no joke. That being said, Prince is simply other-worldly and has far more breadth in his virtuosity than Eddie.”
“prince is a genius”
“cool man prince is it butterscotch baby
butterscotch!!!!!
”
“I strongly agree that Prince is #1 on the list. He's by far greater than all of them. He's way ahead of his time like Jimi Hendrix was. He's very underrated as a guitarist. Because of his variety in music, he sings, dances and plays many instruments many critics over-look the genius in this man. As a guitarist of 30 years myself, he has been my biggest influence along with Jimi Hendrix, Jimi Page, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton just to name a few. If U listen 2 early Prince cuts like "Bambi", "Why U Wanna Treat Me So Bad", "For You", these cuts will show U how bad this man is and he was only a teenager playing licks like that. His more up 2 date stuff just don't do justice 4 his guitar playing. Well, some does...but it's more about his lyrical skills and all the other instruments he plays. A living legend. Check out the video of his 2004 induction of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame on stage with the greats such as Tom Petty. Prince does a solo that kicked all of their ass's. Yet, so humble. Check out his first 2 or 3 albums starting with his first "For You", 2nd entitled "Prince" and 3rd "Dirty Mind"...the boy is bad!!! From Don Q the best guitarist in Fort Worth, Texas!”
“This man is a beast of the guitar! While he is not the most technical player, he puts his heart into every note, and can get down and dirty if need be! A guitar god don't let anyone tell you otherwise!”
“Prince is often overlooked due to the fact that he can do so many other things so well, such as write, sing, put on a great show, and play several other instruments.If you were to sit down and really look at his body of guitar work (live & studio), you'll find that Prince deserves to be in the top 10, he plays several styles of music extremely well.”
“extremely good musician, although I wouldnt say he is the best, hes definately up there. Yea the guy is strange, and his singles are usually awful. But his stage shows and guitar playing, are unique. Listen to the progressions in purple rain, wonderful!”
“Absolutely the best that ever did it!!!!!”
“I've seen Prince 3 times. I play guitar myself. There's no one on Earth right now that can play the guitar like Prince. The best guitarists in the world will tell you that. Don't be afraid to like Prince because of his old pop image. The guy is pure genius.”
“This Prince guy is the boss!...I saw him playing 3 times and I never seen better since...”
“If you want to have a taste of his guitar genius you have to listen to Samll Club. And especially the cover to the Temptations' - Just My Imagination. Mind blowing, boggling guitar solo.”
“Prince is a top 5 guitarist. I don’t know if I would rank him over Jimi for style, but he has created new sounds and phrasing that should be recognized. It’s all debatable, but I think most of the hatred of Prince’s ranking comes from his "lifestyle". Move the visual aside and evaluate him on his talent and he deserves his praise. He is innovative and is able to capture the minds of casual listeners and musicians alike; that’s rare. Ask Tony MacAlpine.”
AKPickin

“prince is top 10 ever”
“My man, purple rain! Go prince.”
“Definitely the best!
Inventive, always! So creative.
Never the same show twice. That's why he is so bootlegged. He can play funk, rock, metal, bossa, jazz, country... Steve Vai said Prince is the greatest guitarist of all time. And sure I agree.”
“amazin”
levichilipepper

“Definitely Prince is number 1 in my book. Anyone who says otherwise haven't heard or seen him play.”
maxed07

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That list looks pretty fair to me.

ToraToraDreams said:

Prince IS more complete and versatile than Slash !
Maybe more versatile than anyone on the list as a matter of fac, but underated cause the majority thinks sredding defines a great player....the rest are comfined to a certain style of playing, Prince is NOT.Just like Bruce Lee was never confined to "styles" he was free and could adapt to any situation.

He's alright...
He's an overrated guitarist and underrated pianist IMHO.
He sure does embrace technology though!

'dre

not even santana but slash and Kirk Hammett are in this "top 10".

Puhlease.

Tremolina said:

Thats my point..some retards think that shredding alone is what makes one a great player.

3232 said:

Hear Prince shredding like a chainsaw while performing "sister" on the lovesexy contcert dvd...BAD ASS !

Prince is the best guitarist in the world. I dont like threads where people dispute that, it displeases me. Stop it immediately. Ill track you down, ill find a way. Ill dedicate my life to hunting you down. Im warning you all. And dont even think about giving me backchat.

The insolence of it all.

Hopefully lots of these people will be pleasantly surprised when LotusFlow3r comes out

DreZone said:

I'd say the opposite, actually. He's good at piano - but he's not great.

At guitar, though, the guy's phenomenal - and the many comments said why. Just look at the breadth of styles he's comfortable with owning:

Acoustic, spanish, rock, metal, blues, funk, rockabilly, country (see 'Right the Wrong')

Prince *is* the greatest musician currently alive today, but I'd argue that he's the best guitarist alive today, because of the reasons above.

Ben Folds SLAUGHTERS Prince on piano. Prince is good, but people like Ben, Elton, Little Richard and Billy Joel can clean his clock. I know lots will be annoyed by my saying that, but it's true I like Prince's piano, but it's never really stood out to me, and frankly, I'm a massive fan of piano rock.

In fact, I think it's the Little Richard thing that HAS kept Prince from being so up-front with his piano playing. The comparisons are too much. He's already dealing with the Hendrix thing...

bleutuna said:

I'd like to see Prince do "one" By Metallica....or "floods" Pantera,,,great guitar solos there...

What i dont get is why some people say that Prince isnt a great technical player. What exactly is it, technically, that he isnt so great on?

Actually, for the longest time he was ranked #1 on this blog. There was a lot of backlash by fans of people such as Hendrix, Page, etc, and I am sure they organized a little voting procedure to get Prince down the list. I actually think that people from this site voted him up to the top to begin with anyway.

Lists are just people's opinion... Opinions are like assholes, everyone's got one. Personally I couldn't care less how good other people think he is, because I know for myself. There are people that live and die by that death metal screaming crap that wouldn't listen to a thing we said about how horrible that 'music' is.

That being said, it's always nice for Prince to get some recognition for his abilities in my opinion. However, the majority of the general public have no idea what he is capable of or know any songs outside of the big hits.

bleutuna said:

I admit, Prince ain't no Chick Corea, but he should get more credit for his Piano playing.

The guys you mentioned (Ben Folds, Billy Joel et al), are pretty much exclusive to their instrument - Prince on the other hand is a well documented MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST!!!

As for his guitar playing, short of the Let's Go Crazy and Joy In Repetition solos, anyone can hold a note while a fuzztone sustains and turning on a retro-fitted Flanger - he just does it well!

Santana and Mike Sembello could wipe the floor with Prince in honesty - but this is all subjective!

'dre
[Edited 1/20/09 10:06am]

leafar said:

Watch this, and have some tolerance for its ridiculousness.

leafar said:

What other "guitar great" shreds and dance at the same time?...check out "play in the sunshine" sign o the times movie...remember that guitar solo?

3232 said:

I'm not disagreeing with you completely, I love the way Prince dances and plays at the same time... However the Sign O The Times movie isn't 'live' in the purest sense of the word. It's a re-creation of a live concert - the majority of which was mimed to a playback in a controlled environment at Paisley Park.

leafar said:

String skipping? Nuno Bettencourt's the guy for that.

toejam said:

We all know that...but if you've been to THE sign o the time concert in person (like i've had the chance to) you'd be even more blown away...I just use that as an example out of countless others..

3232 said:

And on the topic of editing...Prince should let it flow...come raw ...stop the over editing of concerts(ona)...its nice to see the "other" bits and crowd reaction and all that...its one thing i hate ...bet if he had a say in the super bowl show he wud edit the hell out of it...he's a bit too self concious...what he thinks is a good cut is not always wat the general public find the better shot or segment..he should allow experts to control video editing and just trust them for once...he'd be surprise to know that scenes he hates to see of himself is wat we rave about...just my opinion that doesnt mean shit anyway.

Tapping. Thats the only thing that Prince doesnt do, although he can do it. But so what? Thats a physical skill. He knows his chords, he knows about melody, harmony, everything. And he knows his way around the fretboard. Hes got it, he is very good technically, and hes fluent.

And on a totally different subject, ive just recorded a new track, here : www.myspace.com/leafarspace (if the link doesnt work, try the one below in my signature) Its called Vamonos. I thoght id mention it here, rather than starting a thread only to have it close after a few days.
[Edited 1/21/09 10:18am]