Howard's Top 10 Guitarists

AJ_II

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Oct 13, 2008
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Sorry guys, I'm just now finishing up last week's shows and just came across this conversation.

I completely agree with Howard on Jimi Hendrix being the greatest ever. I've never heard anyone come close to that guy, and he was such an innovator with the electric guitar. What do you think? Agree or disagree with Howard's list? Who is your top 10 or top 5? Going along with Howard's rules (no obscure artists), here's my top 5:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Jimmy Page
4. David Gilmour
5. Adam Jones
 

IronJabroni

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Oct 13, 2008
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can't say who's best but these are my favorites off the top of my head:
tony iommi (#1 for me)
dave murray/adrian smith
dave mustaine/marty friedman
ritchie blackmore
dimebag darrell
randy rhoads
 

Aaron

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Oct 10, 2008
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1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Jimmy Page
4. David Gilmour
5. Adam Jones

My top 3 is the same as yours. Gilmour is great as well. I'm not too familiar with the work of Adam Jones. Duane Allman was amazing. Carlos Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, Buddy Guy... so many greats.
 

Ifandorbut

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Oct 12, 2008
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In no particular order:
Frank Zappa
Richard Thompson
Peter Green
Dave Gregory
Graham Coxon
George Harrison

I don't give two shits if they don't fit into Howard's expanding definition of what this list is supposed to exclude or include, these are the best guitarists as I see fit.
 

blyons200

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Oct 12, 2008
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Dave Mustaine
Randy Rhoads
Dimebag
Angus Young
Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Yngwie Malmsteen
David Gilmore
Joe Satriani
Zack Wylde

in no particular order
 

ProperModulation

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Oct 11, 2008
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#1 guitarist = Dimebag - END OF STORY

He did amazing things with his old beat up Dean. He's the only dude who could cause you to physically hurt yourself trying to emulate what he does. And he wrote some of the meanest and greatest riffs of all time. May the shithead who killed him rot in hell.

My favorite guitarist of all time = James Hetfield. Awesome pounding and aggressive rhythm guitar, and has written some of the greatest metal riffs of all time. And nobody touches him on stage. Plus he sucks when trying to solo which makes me feel better about my own lameness when trying to lay down a solo :). Although James is my favorite, I do realize that he wasn't necessarily as unique and innovative as Dimebag.

As for all that 1970's shit that Howard and Artie are stuck on, I could take it or leave it.
 

goreds2

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Oct 14, 2008
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OH H.....EYE OH
No one has mentioned Eric Clapton?

Best Country Western guitarist : Roy Clark

Another innovator with the electric guitar was Johnny Cash (My opinion)
 

gilpdawg

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Oct 12, 2008
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can't say who's best but these are my favorites off the top of my head:
tony iommi (#1 for me)
dave murray/adrian smith
dave mustaine/marty friedman
ritchie blackmore
dimebag darrell
randy rhoads
Since you guys said no obscure artists, I'll go with these guys as my top few as well. I really like John Petrucci and Criss Oliva (RIP) a lot too, but they may be too obscure for this discussion. Iommi is the riff-master.
 

PACanesFan

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Oct 13, 2008
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Great topic! Even though I don't listen to Stern so much anymore, I had to jump into this thread.

I'll leave out numbering them, as anyone could argue who is better then another on this list easily. I'll leave out bassists as well, as that is another list entirely.

Jimmy Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Jeff Beck
Brian May
Frank Zappa
Les Paul (whom I'm shocked to see people leave out all the time)
David Gilmour
Dimebag Darrell
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton

Some that are close to the list as well
Jack White
Brian Setzer
Slash
Prince
Tony Iommi
Alex Lifeson
 
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Oct 10, 2008
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Finally! Someone mentioned Stevie Ray Vaughn!

Here is my list in no particular order.

1. Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott
2. Stevie Ray Vaughn
3. Jimmy Hendrix
4. Eric Clapton
5. Robert Johnson
6. Robby Krieger
7. Duane Allman
8. Forrest Richard "Dickey" Betts
9. Jimmy Page
10. BB King
 

AJ_II

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Oct 13, 2008
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I'm not too familiar with the work of Adam Jones.

Guitarist for Tool. Not great in a classical, technical way such as someone like Clapton. He's not gonna wow you with a 3 minute solo, though I'm sure he could. But I think he's one of the more creative guitar players in the last 20 years or so (I'm sure all the Ketamine and DMT he takes might assist in his creativity...just a little) .
 
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AJ_II

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Oct 13, 2008
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Why am I the only person putting Angus Young in the Top 5? :(

Can't argue with that, he'd be in my top 15.

There are too many to name. I know these guys are no where near the top, but I'll throw out 2 more guys just because I love their music...Jerry Cantrell and Mike Einziger.

Also, I think Allen Collins and Gary Rossington should at least get a mention for their work on "Free Bird" alone.

EDIT: one more not mentioned yet...Kirk Hammett
 
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GoodDog

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Oct 13, 2008
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Great topic! Even though I don't listen to Stern so much anymore, I had to jump into this thread.

I'll leave out numbering them, as anyone could argue who is better then another on this list easily. I'll leave out bassists as well, as that is another list entirely.

Jimmy Hendrix
Eddie Van Halen
Jeff Beck
Brian May
Frank Zappa
Les Paul (whom I'm shocked to see people leave out all the time)
David Gilmour
Dimebag Darrell
Jimmy Page
Eric Clapton

Some that are close to the list as well
Jack White
Brian Setzer
Slash
Prince
Tony Iommi
Alex Lifeson

Good list!. I'll add
Robin Trower
Tom Morello