Who is your overall favorite guitarist?


At 44 years of age, I personally feel fortunate to have lived in an era along with some of the finest guitarists who have ever lived. I have always had an overwhelming love of music. As I look back to my earlier years of music appreciation (I took formal piano training for 17 years) I remember how my instructor would suggest exposing myself to the many different styles and disciplines of music.

These were such valuable words of wisdom. Considering the fact that this suggestion, more or less, forced me to be more open to musicians other than those that played in strictly rock and roll bands.

Wow, was I surprised to find that I could be as entertained by Chet Atkins and Les Paul as I could be by Ritchie Blackmore or Carlos Santana. Just think about some of the finest from our time. Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, the list could seem almost endless. All such incredible musicians.

Although it's very hard to pick one person or style in particular, let's remember the key words, "overall favorite".
I would probably have to say that my overall favorite would have to be Steve Morse (from Dixie Dregs fame).

Who is your favorite?
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Showing 7 responses by tostadosunidos

I have to say, for all his obvious talent I see nothing remarkable about Bonamassa. He's been a head-scratcher so far for me. Can someone tell me what I'm missing?
I've taught that lick to kids a lot of times--there's at least as much of Chuck in there as there is of the other guy.
Chuck set the standard for how to play rock and roll guitar. His style stood up for ten years till Hendrix defined the sound of the future. Chuck's stuff holds up even now IMO. An under-appreciated American musical hero.
I think Chuck gets too little credit from the average person and average guitarist for his contributions. I have no doubt that folks like Keith and Dave appreciate him. I'm sure he was their idol. Chuck's songs are mini-wonders. Each one tells a complete story in two minutes with lots of catchy scraps of singing and playing. Who knows what he could have done had his career not been interrupted by his incarceration.
I would wager the actual sound (not the rated watts) of an AC-15 is louder than a Fender Deluxe. I have owned both.
"Les Paul, cause he invented it."
I'm not sure I agree with your detective work there, dentdog.