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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?
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martykl
3,578 posts
 
If you're looking for a J-200, you should try to find a Kopp Trail Boss to compare. Kevin Kopp is an ex-Gibson guy who makes great (and unfortunately very expensive) variations on the standard Gibson models. The Trail Boss is his take on the J-200, but he adds a 12 fret neck. It ends up sounding like a (very beautifully finished) J-200 on steroids. You do give up some upper fret access, tho. Either way, if you can find one to try (and that's tricky given the very limited distribution) the Trail Boss is a very cool instrument.

BTW, Rainsong does something similar in carbon fiber body. Not nearly as cool looking, but a great sounding guitar at not much more than half the price of a J-200.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,866 posts
 
I'll look into those Marty. I have been meaning to go play the Epiphone version of the J-200, which is pretty cheap, though how it sounds I don't know.

Tostado, I've never heard an AC-15 by itself, only as a group of amps. Speaking of which, have you ever seen Ry Cooder live? He has a whole pile of little combo amps, switching between them for different songs. I saw/heard him with Little Village, and his playing was just fantastic. Ry is probably my all-around favorite guitarist, now that I think of it.
raytheprinter's avatar
raytheprinter
1,234 posts
 
Im saving up for a Swart amp.Not that expensive compared to the Matchless I wanted ,but sounds very good.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,866 posts
 
I did a three night gig a couple of years back with Jonny Kaplan, and he was getting great tone out of his simple set-up: A Les Paul Jr. (with two P-90 pickups) into a current Deluxe Reverb cranked just enough to put a little bite into the sound. Just enough sustain, too. He's the rhythm guitarist in his band, and that set-up worked really well for his brand of country-rock/Stones style music.
quincy
356 posts
 
Without reservation Mr. Mark Knopfler....
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