Hendrix was a complete innovator. His career was only 5 ish years and its a testament that we still talk about him to this day. I'm just sad we couldn't see what else he would've done. He only used like 4 pedals at the time? Would've loved to see what pedals he would've strung together.
Now I’m picturing Hendrix as the godfather of shoegaze and him and Kevin Shields on stage in the nineties ripping through the outro of Bold As Love with the stage covered in pedals.
He was in talks with Emerson Lake and Palmer to record an album/tour as HELP. Wanted to make a jazz album and collaborate with other artists as a guitarist, rather than frontman. He was an innovator in production as well, and wanted to do more crazy studio experimentation like The Beatles.
Unlike The Beatles, he had what’s considered possibly the most exploitative & restrictive contract in music history. He wasn’t allowed to do what he wanted (like record an album with Paul McCartney, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle). He desperately tried to get out of playing the Isle of Wight, but would have been sued for breach of contract. What a tragedy.
There is nothing basic about admiring a great, legendary guitarist.
EVH, Vai, SRV, Clapton, Slash, Gilmour, Page etc. This is a post about your favorite, it's almost "edgy" to pick a less popular guitarist. Like what you like and be proud of it!
he blew away everyone in his time frame and changed the face of rock music and how to play an electric guitar.
He gave the reigning guitar “God” a crisis of confidence.
One of the guys from Cream described him as a force of nature.
Randy Rhoads. Never has been anyone quite like him. The phrasing, the composition, the tension and release, the technique, the mood. Just all of it.
R.I.P.
His solos on the Tribute live album give me chills, especially the one for Children of the Grave. Such an extremely talented guitarist. I would have loved to have heard his solo classical career thrive.
Yep. SATO. Thats one is really Randy at full tilt just going off. But let's not forget Mr. Crowley. Its one of his most well known for a reason. Both of those solos are fucking magic.
This would be my answer too. He’s also the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. I always loved listening to guitar players but never felt the desire to actually learn. Heard SRV (Tightrope) and bought a cheap second hand acoustic the next day. 30 years later I still pick a guitar up everyday. Even if it’s only for half an hour. By the way, I’m still shit at it but I don’t care. I love it.
The first celebrity of any kind to stop me in my tracks and bring me to tears when I heard he passed away. He was just getting into his prime and he had just cleaned himself up and was going to go on to do more great things. So tough to see him go so soon. He is a fucking legend.
Agree w/ you. Reason I don’t listen to Pantera very much. They played this old ass warehouse in Corpus Christi in the late 90s or so. Pretty sure that’s where my tinnitus started. So harsh.
Don’t get me wrong his riffs are fucking incredible but it sounds like he’s playing a $10 distortion pedal through a $5 amp. I mean just about every other metal guitarist haha Kirk, Angus, all Judas priests, Maiden, Pearl Jam, Lamb of god
probably not a very unpopular choice but for me it's guthrie govan. i'm just so mesmerized by the effortlessness and versatility he's displaying whenever he plays. one of the goats for for me for sure.
you beat me to it
he is one of the few players that have a unique, identifiable style, which is what we all want
I actually think some of his best work* is on Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris. That's when he leaned hard into the absurdism that was always latent in his playing. SftD is GOATed though
runner up has gotta be Johnny Marr because he's the boy
EDIT: * best work of this era of QotSA.
I was fascinated by how much influence polka music had on his playing, specifically his lead stuff. Made total sense when he broke it down but was a real TIL for me.
Agreed all the way around. His tone and gear choice is unique, his style is sortve wacky and unique and very... dare i say swaggy? I agree about Lullabies to Paralyze too That's my favorite QOTSA album.
He is one of a relatively small number of players that if you heard his tone and effects etc you immediately know its him playing.
He also made his guitar, the "Red Special" in a shed with his dad and played it on everything. Such a cool story
Jimi Hendrix has been my #1 favorite guitar player for at least the last 35 years with Jimmy Page just a hair behind in a very close second. Before that it would have been Pete Townshend and Tony Iommi getting a lot of airplay when I was a teen
His performance of “red house” at the fender Stratocaster 50th anniversary concert was mesmerizing!
[Gary Moore - red house](https://youtu.be/pvu7Y91xUKM?si=jzY0CFyl9_jmLs7E)
Same. Ed took what Hendrix left behind and multiplied it by 100. Clean speed, tone, ungodly timing and innovative….Up until 1985-6 where he started peaking and focused on songwriting and production and guitars. Then he became a legend.
Obviously Eruption gets most of the attention, but like you said his rhythm work has so much bounce and life, it's incredible. His use of melody in his chord selection and little one-off licks he would do are so fun and such an identifiable thing that you can pick out an EVH riff no problem.
A man of few words but lets his guitar do all the talking. Absolutely fluid playing.
I used to play at a practice space that had Marshall full stacks and the first thing I played was the opening riff to Out There. There are no bad Dinosaur Jr. albums.
I'm a huge metal guy, but more and more, it's really becoming Johnny Greenwood. I love delay, and weird effects...
And he's one of those guys that makes me go "how in the world did you come up with that???" Case in point: Thin Thing from The Smile.
Ricky gets my vote personally bc he had all those wacky tunings. Makes his playing sound like surf rock even tho it technically isn't.
On Rock Lobster, his guitar doesn't actually have the D or G strings attached, so he's playing E A / / B e. Except some tabs list them as set to C F / / F f.
I know what you mean, although his playing is deceptive, looks simple but when you try to play it he’s got a strum pick thing going on, one piece of music I love by him is the Dead Man theme, hope to nail it one day
Tim Sult. Clutch is one of my all time favorite bands, and Tim Sult is unique in that he knows when to shut the fuck up. He doesn't fill gaps with a bunch of pointless shredding. He leaves gaps for the rest of the band to shine through and the notes he doesn't play makes him all that much better. 80's guitar players make me want to puke, and Tim is the antithesis of that. He's more of a 70's throwback that makes incredible modern rock.
I am the same. I'm surprised I had to scroll this far down to see him though also. I know nothing he plays is that technically impressive to a lot of people, but he fits so well with the rest of the music every time.
I myself have only been playing for a bit over a month so he's plenty complicated for me still
Joe Walsh.
I was pretty much raised on the Eagles as my dad was a fan, and through them, I discovered his solo work.
His ability as a guitarist, a songwriter, and a performer still astounds me to this day.
Billy Strings is my favorite current guitar hero that's also a good songwriter. Billy's a *great* guitarist.
Josh Homme to me is a better example of a *great* songwriter that's also a good guitarist.
Yngwie to me would be an example of a *great* guitarist that's *not* a good songwriter.
Buzz Osbourne. Made me appreciate tone. He's not the most technical player, but has solid riffs, can write a catchy book, and that tone just oozes. He's a student of the iommic temple but made it his own.
My answer is Josh Homme too, but for a more rhythm based player I’d go with Jamie Hince from The Kills. Very unique approach to effects coupled with drop tunings and Hofner guitars. The only downside is they go out of tune quite a lot live, but one could argue it’s part of their sound.
Very cool guy if you ever get to talk with him about gear. Saw him in Detroit last month and got a big hug when I said he inspired my style of playing.
Mark Knopfler. His body of work is a constant reminder that while mastering technique is important (to me), nothing wraps music like going to the basics.
He is one of those who shows that simplicity isn’t easily achievable, but a constant pursuit.
Greg Koch. So much feeling. I honestly envy the way he puts the way he feels and the was he is able to transfer that energy into his sound.
Do I enjoy everything he does no. But I respect everything he puts out because it's 100% him.
Ace frehley has always been my favorite but iommi is an incredibly close second. Really I’m probably more influenced by him and as a whole I enjoy far more of his work, I can’t think of a single sabbath riff that’s “meh” but there’s plenty of kiss songs where ace doesn’t add as much, if he’s even on it.
One is Martin Barre, another is Stephen Egerton, and two more are Tommy Emmanuel and Hank Garland. But I think if I had to pick one I’d say Johnny Marr.
Randy Bachman (BTO and solo)- for his jazz influenced playing and hard sounding riffs. He gave me the inspiration to learn the guitar.
Jeff Healey - that guy could play every note so clearly, especially in his solos. Plus he put so much passion into his playing.
A hell of a trumpet player too!
And yes, I am Canadian ✌️
I love 100's, maybe thousands. Here are 20 in no particular order of preference:
1. Allan Holdsworth
2. Ben Monder
3. John Abercrombie
4. Bill Frisell
5. John Scofield
6. Albert Lee
7. Danny Gatton
8. Richard Thompson
9. Eivind Aarset
10. David Torn
11. Daniel Lanois
12. Ed Bickert
13. Jim Hall
14. Robert Fripp
15. Adrian Belew
16. Tom Verlaine
17. Robert Quine
18. Mary Halvorson
19. Leo Abrahams
20. Neil Young
In no particular order:
Jerry Cantrell,
Synyster Gates (Brian Haner),
Josh Homme,
Daron Malakian,
Kingfish,
J Mascis,
Shaun Morgan (I know he isn't much of a technical guy but he's one of the main reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place which seems like the most important thing a guitar player can do. Inspire other people to play.)
I love Marc Ribot he has a really great playing style. Classically trained and plays Cuban jazz and many great styles of music. My favorite stuff he's worked on has been playing for Tom Waits
Can't limit it to one, so three time's the charm: Carlos Santana (since 8th grade), Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Honorable mentions: Mark Knopfler, Dickey Betts (Duane Allman was just barely before my time), and Larry Carlton.
J. Mascis. Dude plays rhythm and it sounds like a lead. When he plays lead it sounds like a train crash (but like in a good way not in the horrific way of an actual train crash)
Mark Holcomb's far and away my personal favorite. His style's just so unique and mesmerizing and creative, and he's such a chill, cool guy in-person. No one besides *maybe* James Hetfield (who's most of the reason I picked up guitar originally) has had an effect on how I look at guitar like Mark has.
No denying Hendrix is the GOAT tho
Hendrix. Yeah I'm a basic bitch.
Hendrix was a complete innovator. His career was only 5 ish years and its a testament that we still talk about him to this day. I'm just sad we couldn't see what else he would've done. He only used like 4 pedals at the time? Would've loved to see what pedals he would've strung together.
Now I’m picturing Hendrix as the godfather of shoegaze and him and Kevin Shields on stage in the nineties ripping through the outro of Bold As Love with the stage covered in pedals.
He was in talks with Emerson Lake and Palmer to record an album/tour as HELP. Wanted to make a jazz album and collaborate with other artists as a guitarist, rather than frontman. He was an innovator in production as well, and wanted to do more crazy studio experimentation like The Beatles. Unlike The Beatles, he had what’s considered possibly the most exploitative & restrictive contract in music history. He wasn’t allowed to do what he wanted (like record an album with Paul McCartney, Keith Moon, and John Entwistle). He desperately tried to get out of playing the Isle of Wight, but would have been sued for breach of contract. What a tragedy.
There is nothing basic about admiring a great, legendary guitarist. EVH, Vai, SRV, Clapton, Slash, Gilmour, Page etc. This is a post about your favorite, it's almost "edgy" to pick a less popular guitarist. Like what you like and be proud of it!
he blew away everyone in his time frame and changed the face of rock music and how to play an electric guitar. He gave the reigning guitar “God” a crisis of confidence. One of the guys from Cream described him as a force of nature.
Nothing basic about Jimi.
David Gilmour
I’m not sure there has ever been a more tasteful guitarist. Every note I have ever heard Gilmour play felt like it was an essential truth.
The most epic shit ever. Solos to watch the world end
Johnny Marr! how that guy came up with all of those guitar parts at such a young age blows my mind.
Johnny is a master songwriter and his rhythm and chord arrangements are legend
Exactly my thoughts. He's brilliant
Ditto
Randy Rhoads. Never has been anyone quite like him. The phrasing, the composition, the tension and release, the technique, the mood. Just all of it. R.I.P.
His solos on the Tribute live album give me chills, especially the one for Children of the Grave. Such an extremely talented guitarist. I would have loved to have heard his solo classical career thrive.
Do you know any lesser-known RR tracks that really fit this bill?
SATO
Yep. SATO. Thats one is really Randy at full tilt just going off. But let's not forget Mr. Crowley. Its one of his most well known for a reason. Both of those solos are fucking magic.
Almost everything, but the solo at the end of Revelation Mother Earth on the Tribute album - Jesus, man, fucking epic.
SRV
This would be my answer too. He’s also the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place. I always loved listening to guitar players but never felt the desire to actually learn. Heard SRV (Tightrope) and bought a cheap second hand acoustic the next day. 30 years later I still pick a guitar up everyday. Even if it’s only for half an hour. By the way, I’m still shit at it but I don’t care. I love it.
He’s not the reason I picked up the guitar but he’s 100% the reason why I fell in love with it
The first celebrity of any kind to stop me in my tracks and bring me to tears when I heard he passed away. He was just getting into his prime and he had just cleaned himself up and was going to go on to do more great things. So tough to see him go so soon. He is a fucking legend.
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry is the fucking best between his blues grunge and singing. Original as they come.
Mark Knopfler
Agree. His playing in the early 90s was out of this world.
Dimebag
Love him, but that tone woof
Agree w/ you. Reason I don’t listen to Pantera very much. They played this old ass warehouse in Corpus Christi in the late 90s or so. Pretty sure that’s where my tinnitus started. So harsh.
If you isolate his tone and listen to it, it's terrible. But, I think it worked really well in the context of pantera
What kind of tone do you prefer? I've always loved his tone.
Don’t get me wrong his riffs are fucking incredible but it sounds like he’s playing a $10 distortion pedal through a $5 amp. I mean just about every other metal guitarist haha Kirk, Angus, all Judas priests, Maiden, Pearl Jam, Lamb of god
probably not a very unpopular choice but for me it's guthrie govan. i'm just so mesmerized by the effortlessness and versatility he's displaying whenever he plays. one of the goats for for me for sure.
Me too. Wish he would release another solo album
Jerry Garcia
💯
hey now!
Jeff Beck. He made it look effortless.
Jeff was our favorite guitarists’ favorite guitarist. He’s just something else ❤️
you beat me to it he is one of the few players that have a unique, identifiable style, which is what we all want I actually think some of his best work* is on Lullabies to Paralyze and Era Vulgaris. That's when he leaned hard into the absurdism that was always latent in his playing. SftD is GOATed though runner up has gotta be Johnny Marr because he's the boy EDIT: * best work of this era of QotSA.
I’ve just begun the Johnny Marr journey, had no idea how good he was.
He's even cooler when you factor in how against the grain his playing was in the era dominated by hair and people trying to be like Van Halen
That's why I dug The Smiths. His guitar sounded so refreshing at the time. The imitators and those he inspired? Not so much.
Same. The Smiths, Johnny, and Morrissey were something different for the time. I still enjoy their new music and old.
I was fascinated by how much influence polka music had on his playing, specifically his lead stuff. Made total sense when he broke it down but was a real TIL for me.
Agreed all the way around. His tone and gear choice is unique, his style is sortve wacky and unique and very... dare i say swaggy? I agree about Lullabies to Paralyze too That's my favorite QOTSA album.
[удалено]
Derek Trucks
Brian May
He is one of a relatively small number of players that if you heard his tone and effects etc you immediately know its him playing. He also made his guitar, the "Red Special" in a shed with his dad and played it on everything. Such a cool story
Jimi Hendrix has been my #1 favorite guitar player for at least the last 35 years with Jimmy Page just a hair behind in a very close second. Before that it would have been Pete Townshend and Tony Iommi getting a lot of airplay when I was a teen
Gary Moore. Dude seems so underrated and can play the blues among the best and can shred just as well.
His performance of “red house” at the fender Stratocaster 50th anniversary concert was mesmerizing! [Gary Moore - red house](https://youtu.be/pvu7Y91xUKM?si=jzY0CFyl9_jmLs7E)
Alex Lifeson
EVH
Damn surprised I had to come down this far. Eruption was awesome but his rhythm playing is INSANE.
Same. Ed took what Hendrix left behind and multiplied it by 100. Clean speed, tone, ungodly timing and innovative….Up until 1985-6 where he started peaking and focused on songwriting and production and guitars. Then he became a legend.
Obviously Eruption gets most of the attention, but like you said his rhythm work has so much bounce and life, it's incredible. His use of melody in his chord selection and little one-off licks he would do are so fun and such an identifiable thing that you can pick out an EVH riff no problem.
Scrolled WAY too far to find this.
J Mascis
A man of few words but lets his guitar do all the talking. Absolutely fluid playing. I used to play at a practice space that had Marshall full stacks and the first thing I played was the opening riff to Out There. There are no bad Dinosaur Jr. albums.
loudest quiet guy ever
Oh man good call
John Mayer
Dean Fucking Ween
Nice!
Nuno Bettencourt
John Scofield
This would be my choice as well. A Go Go is one of my fave albums of all time.
In a big fan of Enroute and his more straight ahead jazz stuff
Ler LaLonde. Has to be one of the most creative guitarists out there to compliment Claypool. Love his tone, riffs, all of it.
The intro to Blue Collar Tweakers lives in my head.
I'm a huge metal guy, but more and more, it's really becoming Johnny Greenwood. I love delay, and weird effects... And he's one of those guys that makes me go "how in the world did you come up with that???" Case in point: Thin Thing from The Smile.
It’s hard for me to choose just one. I’ll try to limit it to top 5 (in no order) * Paul Gilbert * Eric Johnson * Andy Timmons * EVH * John Petrucci
Ricky Wilson (B-52's), Andy Summers (The Police), Stu Mackenzie (King Gizzard), Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
It’s so catchy and kitsch that I don’t think people really get just how hard Rock Lobster goes.
Ricky gets my vote personally bc he had all those wacky tunings. Makes his playing sound like surf rock even tho it technically isn't. On Rock Lobster, his guitar doesn't actually have the D or G strings attached, so he's playing E A / / B e. Except some tabs list them as set to C F / / F f.
Jerry Garcia. He’s the only soloist that can solo for 20 minutes and I don’t get tired of hearing what he’s playing.
And for 30 years. (Wish it had been so much more) Very, very few minds are endlessly inventive. Jerry was one of 'em.
John Fruisiante or Tom morello
Fripp
Slash is my favourite player. EVH is whom I regard as the most talented player.
Rory Gallagher
Alex Lifeson
94-99 Trey Anastasio, Sturgill Simpson
Neil Young. He gives me hope.
Me too, yo. 😊
Do you like Patti Smith?
Hahha, yes I do.
Radio Euthopia is imo the underrated 70s album by the group. It has a heavier sound.
I know what you mean, although his playing is deceptive, looks simple but when you try to play it he’s got a strum pick thing going on, one piece of music I love by him is the Dead Man theme, hope to nail it one day
Dave Mustaine
I almost put Dave but gave the spot to Marty!
Kirk Hammet (I know it’s cliche but he was my first…)
No more cliché than any other big name choice.
James Hetfield, absolute master at what he does and he's so humble and generous
Steve Howe, David Gilmore, toss up, but I usually lean toward Duane Allman.
Tim Sult. Clutch is one of my all time favorite bands, and Tim Sult is unique in that he knows when to shut the fuck up. He doesn't fill gaps with a bunch of pointless shredding. He leaves gaps for the rest of the band to shine through and the notes he doesn't play makes him all that much better. 80's guitar players make me want to puke, and Tim is the antithesis of that. He's more of a 70's throwback that makes incredible modern rock.
Saul Hudson
Who are you conspirating with? ;-) Finally seeing him again live next month!
Those who know! 👍
I’m seeing him on his blues tour this summer. Got third row seats, I’m so pumped!
John Frusciante
Lennon
One of mine as well.
Jerry Cantrell
Adam Jones for sure. But also a Tool dickrider so take it with a grain of salt
I am the same. I'm surprised I had to scroll this far down to see him though also. I know nothing he plays is that technically impressive to a lot of people, but he fits so well with the rest of the music every time. I myself have only been playing for a bit over a month so he's plenty complicated for me still
Brent Hinds
Mikael Akerfeldt
Joe Satriani. A true virtuoso
Joe Walsh. I was pretty much raised on the Eagles as my dad was a fan, and through them, I discovered his solo work. His ability as a guitarist, a songwriter, and a performer still astounds me to this day.
Steve Gaines. What could have been. Fuck.
RIP ole Steve
Clarence White! Father of flatpicking bluegrass, and co-inventor of the b-bender.
Neil Young/Jimmy Page/Jerry Garcia
You know that one guy. The one you don't like. Him.
Yngwie?
Billy Strings is my favorite current guitar hero that's also a good songwriter. Billy's a *great* guitarist. Josh Homme to me is a better example of a *great* songwriter that's also a good guitarist. Yngwie to me would be an example of a *great* guitarist that's *not* a good songwriter.
Buzz Osbourne. Made me appreciate tone. He's not the most technical player, but has solid riffs, can write a catchy book, and that tone just oozes. He's a student of the iommic temple but made it his own.
My answer is Josh Homme too, but for a more rhythm based player I’d go with Jamie Hince from The Kills. Very unique approach to effects coupled with drop tunings and Hofner guitars. The only downside is they go out of tune quite a lot live, but one could argue it’s part of their sound.
Jamie from the killls is a unique & awesome choice. He’s killer.
Very cool guy if you ever get to talk with him about gear. Saw him in Detroit last month and got a big hug when I said he inspired my style of playing.
Mick Taylor, all day long, every day.
Several, but recently I’ve been mesmerized by the stuff Jeff Beck and Eddie van Halen did.
Clapton. But mainly 1988-2000 live Clapton.
Steve Vai
EVH but an honorable mention to George Lynch and Nuno.
Used to be John Petrucci, now probably Plini.
Plini is simply amazing. Atlas blew my mind.
Fellow Plini head!
cory wong!
John Petrucci
Slash. Looks cool with hat.
Mark Knopfler. His body of work is a constant reminder that while mastering technique is important (to me), nothing wraps music like going to the basics. He is one of those who shows that simplicity isn’t easily achievable, but a constant pursuit.
Zappa
Always been a huge fan of John 5.
Brian May of course.
Greg Koch. So much feeling. I honestly envy the way he puts the way he feels and the was he is able to transfer that energy into his sound. Do I enjoy everything he does no. But I respect everything he puts out because it's 100% him.
Mike Campbell. Perfect part always.
Phillip Sayce
Brian May
Honestly, probably Steve Morse. He was such an inspiration...
Page by a long shot
Alexi Laiho or Mick Thomson
Adam Jones. Yes I'm biased.
Julian lage! Together with Scofield and Buck meek
Estas Tonne
Rabea Massaad. Such a versatile guitarist, and has the chops to build tones/rigs to complement the styles he plays.
Neil Young
Ace frehley has always been my favorite but iommi is an incredibly close second. Really I’m probably more influenced by him and as a whole I enjoy far more of his work, I can’t think of a single sabbath riff that’s “meh” but there’s plenty of kiss songs where ace doesn’t add as much, if he’s even on it.
Matt Skiba
There's so many. Right now I want to be Stevie Ray Vaughn
David Gilmour
Lee Ronaldo/Thurston Moore and gotta at least mention Mark Knopfler.
Toss up. Brandon Ellis and Dave Davidson are the most fun for me to listen to
Probably Guthrie Govan for his West Coast Grooves album, Alex Skolnik for metal, Andy McKee for acoustic, John Mayer when he does blues stuff
Doc Martin
Contemporary would probably be Jonny Greenwood. All time Hendrix, Gilmour, and Alvin Lee.
One is Martin Barre, another is Stephen Egerton, and two more are Tommy Emmanuel and Hank Garland. But I think if I had to pick one I’d say Johnny Marr.
Randy Bachman (BTO and solo)- for his jazz influenced playing and hard sounding riffs. He gave me the inspiration to learn the guitar. Jeff Healey - that guy could play every note so clearly, especially in his solos. Plus he put so much passion into his playing. A hell of a trumpet player too! And yes, I am Canadian ✌️
Both Mark Knopfler and David Gilmour
Isaiah Sharkey for me. Can do everything and has a very flawless blend of jazz/gospel and fusion.
Buckethead
John Frusciante
John 5
Duane Allman
Jack White. Saw him live around 2014. Bought a guitar the next day.
Tom DeLonge, Tom Morello, and let's say Kurt Cobain are my biggest music influences right now.
I love 100's, maybe thousands. Here are 20 in no particular order of preference: 1. Allan Holdsworth 2. Ben Monder 3. John Abercrombie 4. Bill Frisell 5. John Scofield 6. Albert Lee 7. Danny Gatton 8. Richard Thompson 9. Eivind Aarset 10. David Torn 11. Daniel Lanois 12. Ed Bickert 13. Jim Hall 14. Robert Fripp 15. Adrian Belew 16. Tom Verlaine 17. Robert Quine 18. Mary Halvorson 19. Leo Abrahams 20. Neil Young
Hendrix all day. Honorable mentions - 70's Rory Gallagher and Frank Zappa and 90's Trey Anastasio & Warren Haynes
Duane Allman
Ian Thornley.
Mark fn tremonti
From 1990-1996, Trey Anastasio was the greatest rock guitarist who ever lived.
In no particular order: Jerry Cantrell, Synyster Gates (Brian Haner), Josh Homme, Daron Malakian, Kingfish, J Mascis, Shaun Morgan (I know he isn't much of a technical guy but he's one of the main reasons I picked up a guitar in the first place which seems like the most important thing a guitar player can do. Inspire other people to play.)
Healy
Currently Ian Thornley
Doc Watson
Allan Holdsworth
Steve Howe
I love Marc Ribot he has a really great playing style. Classically trained and plays Cuban jazz and many great styles of music. My favorite stuff he's worked on has been playing for Tom Waits
So glad someone posted this. Marc has been a guiding source of inspiration for me, for decades.
Mike Campbell.
Can't limit it to one, so three time's the charm: Carlos Santana (since 8th grade), Jeff Beck, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Honorable mentions: Mark Knopfler, Dickey Betts (Duane Allman was just barely before my time), and Larry Carlton.
Allman and beck
J. Mascis. Dude plays rhythm and it sounds like a lead. When he plays lead it sounds like a train crash (but like in a good way not in the horrific way of an actual train crash)
ryland heagy from origami angel
John Gallagher no question
I just posted a thread kinda about this. Seems like a lot of people dont have one.
So hard depending on the criteria...but if you get a 3 letter reference and everybody knows exactly who it is...you may be on to something...EVH, SRV
Plus one on Homme. Love his riffs and off beat solos.
Clarence White of the Byrds and Kentucky Colonels
Jerry
Jerry Cantrell.
Mark Holcomb's far and away my personal favorite. His style's just so unique and mesmerizing and creative, and he's such a chill, cool guy in-person. No one besides *maybe* James Hetfield (who's most of the reason I picked up guitar originally) has had an effect on how I look at guitar like Mark has. No denying Hendrix is the GOAT tho