Gutherie Govan a massively underrated guitarist, such a beast when it come to jazz fusion =D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEpst3W6KD8
seconded. i don't think i can think of a better guitarist other than say a classical guitarist (which in my book is a different type of musician). he makes jason becker look like a wanker, and i LOVE jason becker.
Kurt Cobain was a great guitarist imo. Sure he didn't have fast play or anything besides chords and solo, but those chords and solos are some of the most catchiest that I've heard. Each one matches the mood of the song that he has. Plus you have to add in that he's also singing.
Paco de Lucia, the best one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s The unique one that can play the guitar with closed eyes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYkz30RL_GU&feature=related
^^ holy sht you gurus are catching on thats the first time i ever seen another guru put al D in one of these threads. race with the devil is one of my favs...live it kicks ass they go all improv and sht ...n when he got together with johny mac and paco de lucia.... holy sht a site to behold and feast for the ears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ&feature=related
Yep...but his music isn't that accessible, even though he can play anything you throw at him and then improvise circles around it. It's good that Allan Holdsworth has been mentioned...a true pioneer and a big influence to all the legato nuts, but no one seems to have the energy to listen to his stuff anymore. And Tommy Emmanuel is ridiculously good on acoustics.
both those guys are up there too imho i seen Allan Holdsworth with larry coryell(sp?horns) was great show
Depends on how you define it. Many opinions are varied on the subject. Fastest, in my opinion, is between Michael-Angelo Batio, and Herman Li from Dragon Force. But overall, in my opinion, Jason Becker is the greatest guitar player ever. Speed, and technicality. Best of all, he was 17 years old when he was better than anybody. then of course he got Lou Gherig's disease, and is now completely paralyzed. So sad.
MAB is fast, but Herman Li isn't on the same level as him, Paul Gilbert, Ron Thal or any of those people. They're all sort of the elite guitarists. Herman Li's just another guitarist. He''s certainly not got the speed of these guys, and in terms of technique he's even further behind. I'd also have to suggest someone that I'm disappointed no one has mentioned. Guthrie Govan. He's absolutely insane at guitar playing. He can play pretty much any style well, and can imitate pretty much any other guitarist. Here's a song I like of his, not that emotional or anything, but it's a good demonstration of his pure technical ability. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J503OvHWKko Here's a video of him playing like a load of other guitarists (read the description). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXk2ZrgcQM EDIT: He has been mentioned, my mistake. I read this thread last night before he had, and then just went onto page two today. Sorry.
Yep, I agree on "depends on how you define it". Jason Becker is probably the fastest guitarist I ever heard, but most of what he's doing here is moving his fingers rapidly. And the notes are hit in a quite predictable fashion. It looks like a speed show designed to impress, I dont find it musical. I prefer something more original and unique. The vast majority of the great guitarists are nearly all imitable (even Hendrix). How many times have I seen pub bands or small town groups covering for the great bands and getting the lead guitar down pat to the last detail. Now find me ANY guitarist that can imitate the style of Jeff Beck (as in the OP clip). Its exceedingly difficult to finger pluck an electric guitar never mind with speed and total unpredictability of his unique style (his plucking hand seems to contort in the most incredible ways to get this type of sound). I think I've seen only 2 or 3 other pluckers (Mark Knopfler is one) but they're all totally different than Beck.
Man one of the perks in living in the county of essex...pop down to Chelmsford on thursdays to the old basement club to see him play.....its insane =]
How on Earth can ya'll leave out the best guitarist of all-time?!? ERIC CLAPTON http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA
Lots of great guitarist mentioned in this thread but my all time favorite (and most influential to me and my guitar playing) is George Lynch. He's not the fastest, most technically proficient, or anything like that, but I just love his "style" and he has had some of the best guitar tones throughout his career that I ever heard. In my opinion of course.
I have a few favourites but they play the Guitar differently Gary Moore - On his own and with Thin Lizzy Jimmy Page - Led Zepplin Joe Satriani - On his own Tom Scholtz - Boston Manny Charlton - Nazareth Neil "Spyder" Giraldo - Guitarist for Pat Benatar Mick Ralphs - Bad Company Mick Box - Uriah Heep
