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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
fab4fan
41 posts
 
Wow, this is tough. I guess a tie between George Harrison and Clapton.

There were many others listed that I love, too. I remember the first time I heard SRV, and thought, "Wow...this guy is terrific!" Of course, it was right after he died. I have the knack for liking dead artists.
kehut's avatar
kehut
668 posts
 
Some excellent picks above, I can't agree more with so many listed, especially Clapton back in the day! I also like some of the newer guys who made a wonderful pressence and still have what it takes to get it on....how about, Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton for the fusion stuff!
mhu
102 posts
 
Carlos Santana for rock and Pat Metheny for fusion.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
Pete Townshend.
(He hasn't gotten one mention before me? Ok, he's not the virtuoso that many of the others are on this list. But the question didn't read "Who is the most skillful guitarist?". Who on this list is more FUN to listen to? )

Tom
boldstrummer
21 posts
 
Technique goes far beyond gymnastics. Technique is also the way an artist interprets a given piece of music, their sense of stylistic awareness, their large-scale concept of the music, and their sense of working within the limitations of a given medium (instrument) to impress on the listener that something much more spectacular has occurred. These qualities apply in spades to all the artists I mentioned above. I am not so sure that "greatness" is completely intangible.
That said, manual dexterity is one very, very important factor in determining whether an artist can ever achieve this kind of transcendence. The more dexterous the musician, the more complex the musical ideas may be, and also the more depth may be implored into more seemingly simple or otherwise common musical statements.
I guess I just don't like to be constantly reminded that I am listening to a guitar every time I listen to a guitar!
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