[layevymed]

1) Frank Zappa
2) Derek Trucks
3) tie: Jimi and Stevie Ray

[u8MmZFmF]

Wow, this is going to be good...

[Redys]

1. Jimmy Page
2. Jimmi Hendrix
3. Eric Clapton


no contest


I would rate Zappa as a brilliant all round musician/arranger, not so much as a brilliant guitarisr.
Just IMO

[Teeppoodiug]

This has been talked about a few times before. Always a good discussion!

Look, I know it's redundant, but "Eruption" is still the best solo ever. Here's why:

It's over 30 years old and people, not just me, but a lot of people STILL marvel over it. It was SO cutting edge at the time, that people didn't know how to comprehend or interpret it. That's epic, when something has that kind of staying power.

I know the argument can be made that EVH hasn't done anything REALLY cutting in 15 years or so, but the reason for that is that he IS the cutting edge. People are still playing catch up. He did pinch harmonics and pentatonic scales when Zakk Wylde was still shittin yellow in his pampers (and that's not a knock on ZW - see end of post).

Even if someone matches the raw cutting edge nature of "Eruption" it will still never measure up because "Eruption" came first.

With time, we've become immune to its greatness because it's always there sitting on the pinnacle. We've taken it for granted after all this time. But if you can go back and listen to it, completely clear your mind and imagine you are listening to it for the first time, you'll once again find yourself going, "Woooooow, that's REALLY smokin'. Dude's absoLUTEly shreddin the frets." It's really that good. Go back and have a listen.

Now, for my money, one of the best if not the best in song solos is "No More Tears" by Zakk Wylde, who I think is the greatest living geetar player right along with EVH.

[gluckmeea]

EVH
Zakk Wylde
Hendrix

[Heclailia]

Yeah...Eruptions good, but Pages playing on Dazed and Confused is better (IMO)

how is EVH going with his cancer battle.

I got all excited when I read Van Halen were reuniting with DLR singing and Wolf???? (eddies son) playing in the band as well, but.....of course they didnt come to Oz

[Julik19]

Man. that is a rough question. The best is Yngvie Malsteem despite his music sucking

I would through Eddie, Jimmy and SRV up to the top of the list

And sorry, Clapton isn't top 100, not by a long shot

My favs are not so much technically the best either though

Guys like Kurt Hammet or Adam Jones

[Mynameishappy]

And sorry, Clapton isn't top 100, not by a long shot

well maybe not to you, but in 9 out of 10 official polls, he is in the top 10

[bellson]

And sorry, Clapton isn't top 100, not by a long shot

well maybe not to you, but in 9 out of 10 official polls, he is in the top 10

It depends how you rate. When it comes to technically sound guitarist Clapton isn't anything special, allot of people liked him.

The guy I think is the best (technically) makes crap music and I don't care to listen to him

It really depends on how you judge it, that is why this question can easily get heated

[pongeystrhjst]

Yeah you're right, but the question was ROCK guitarist, so thats how I answered

SOme of the old blues guitarists....Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and the likes would have played him (eric) out of the water.

Also, I have seen some brilliant Flamenco and classical guitar players too

I think Flea is an awesome Bass player too

[YmolafBp]

Yeah you're right, but the question was ROCK guitarist, so thats how I answered

SOme of the old blues guitarists....Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and the likes would have played him (eric) out of the water.

Also, I have seen some brilliant Flamenco and classical guitar players too

I think Flea is an awesome Bass player too

Agreed on all points!!!

[fajerdoksdsaaker]

My favorites are:

Hendrix
Page
Slash
Kirk Hammet
Keith Richards

I don't care who the "best" is, these are the ones I like listening to the most.

[Woziwfaq]

Kirk Hammitt ...refresh my memory...is he in Metallica? (scuse my ignorance)

[Brainpole]

It really depends on how you judge it, that is why this question can easily get heated

I have too many to rate or even list. Depends on what I'm into at the moment.


John Petrucci is one of my current favs.

[artkolkovk]

Kirk Hammitt ...refresh my memory...is he in Metallica? (scuse my ignorance)

Yup!!!

I think he is the best out there at making a somewhat technical solo blend with the the rest of the song, that and using the solo to take the song from what place to another

[jincomplet]

never got into Metallica until someone bought me the double album where they play with the

"some city in the US" phiilharmonic orchestra. Love that one

[ttoothh]

Iommi and Dimebag should be mentioned, they may not be the best but damn, I love their stuff

[optormtix]

I don't know enough of the technicalities to say who the 'best' is, but my favourite 3 are -

1 - Dave Gilmour, great solos but just as importantly he knows how to underplay on a song as well

2 - Alex Lifeson, classic rock player but similarly fantastic with an acoustic

3 - Jon Frusciante another awesome guitarist who knows how to compliment rather than take over a song

[Soassesaisp]

Iommi and Dimebag should be mentioned, they may not be the best but damn, I love their stuff

Also great choices, definitely top 10. Iommi's blend of blues and metal is incredible.

[Ehlgamxf]

pete townsend
hendrix
clapton

but chosing 20 would have been easier