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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?
128x128buscis2
robm321
932 posts
 
"08-25-05: Henryhk
there are simply too many....so let's turn this around. Who is the most over-rated? To start out a bit controversially...for me one is Steve Vai. Great technique, no soul nor character. It ain't music to me. Don't get me wrong I do like metal at times. Eddie Van Halen is kool when he is on (well in the early days)."

A late reponse to Henryhk's post: I agree. I wouldn't say Steve Vai is overatted since he has one of the best techniques of the top players. I agree that he is not the greatest composer, and frankly, I think his music sucks. He's like a watered down Frank Zappa - but the post didn't say best composer; would you fault Andre Segovia because he doesn't write the classical songs that he plays? I mean he just plays it with his technical ability - does that make him the most overrated?

For the most overrated, I would say Yngwei Malmsteen(sp?). He plays the same crap at the same speed, and it's repetitive even before 1 song is over. It's a torture session to listen to him. Nothing but Speed Speed Speed. He would do good in a 100 meter dash, but sucks as a musician.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Lindsey Buckingham...I dunno I just like his finger work
vinylvin
145 posts
 
Right now I'd have to say a toss up between
Steve Vai & Buckethead. Steve Morse was my
favorite for awhile. Robert Fripp was a long
time favorite also.

I've seen Zappa w/Belew (77), Bigjoe you're
right Belew seemed better with Frank, I didn't
see Vai w/Zappa but I have a DVD of that show.
Vai didn't even seem to be very good back then.

I've seen Fripp & Belew w/Crimson (81,82,84,03)
Steve Morse (03), Steve Vai (05). I'm going to
see Buckethead this month. I've seen alot more
but those are my favorites.

Vinny
ghost_rider
117 posts
 
Just thought Id mention if anyone is in Winnipeg Canada they can whitness some smoking hot guitar playing by seeing the Barry G Player band at the local bar.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Where's Todd Rundgren?

I tripped across this thread again recently and thought - Three years, 265 amazingly diverse and interesting responses naming hundreds of players and -No Todd? Anyone else old enough to remember when he was the domestic alternative to imported guitar heroes? (See The Nazz).

Many people think of TR (if they think of him at all) as a songwriter first and may associate him with the piano. He hasn't played the part in many years, but once upon a time....
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