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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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simonmoon
534 posts
 
I am very late to this thread, but naming an overall favorite is next to impossible for me.

For example, Allan Holdsworth may be my favorite guitarist (his inventiveness, his technique, those otherworldly chords...), but I certainly wouldn’t want him playing in Steve Hackett’s place in Genesis, or Franco Mussida in PFM. His style, as good as it is for jazz and fusion, he is not a classically influenced, prog guitarist.

I guess, Holdsworth would be the one guitarist I would listen to, if I could only choose one. But that does not make him my overall favorite.

As far as the OP choosing Steve Morse, that is a great choice. One of the best!
scottya118
165 posts
 
Some great common threads here. I'll throw those who come to mind consistently over the years in no particular order; many are mentioned here. Hendrix, Clapton, Allman, Garcia, Atkins, Pass, Knopfler, Hackett, Lowell George, Peter Green, Gilmour, Howe, Carlos, BB, Leo Kottke, Cooder, Mike Bloomfield, Stills, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, Roy Buchanan, Bonnie Raitt, Jeff Beck, Buddy, Mike Campbell, and Robbie Robertson.
scottya118
165 posts
 
P.S. - Richard Thompson
scottya118
165 posts
 
P.P.S:  -Most underrated guitarist in the history of rock (imop):  Ron Wood
scottya118
165 posts
 
Three final shout outs (promise) to Joe Walsh, David Lindley, and Jesse Ed Davis.
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