Favourite Guitarists

So many mentioned, many I want to explore now.  A couple more to throw out, who couldn't be more different.   First is Buckethead.  Hard to put in a genre but most known for possibly "fastest" guitarist,  appears alot with like of Claypool and Incubus/Praxis.  Solo stuff super varied in styles.  Try Electric Sea then Monsters and Robots.

Second is Tab Benoit.  Funny, just saw at Falls Church Theater.  Old school Fender sound, Delta/Zydeco blues.  Tone just drips from his guitar.  Loads of tube goodness!  For blues, unusually large library of his own writing.  Fever For The Bayou, Medicine.

Tommy Emanuel. 

Keeping in mind the OP asked about "favourite guitarists," not "best" or "greatest," I came up with this list.  I've been a guitarist for 55 years, and these are the 10 guitarists I most enjoy listening to, if I haven't forgotten someone:

Jeff Beck

Jimi Hendrix

Jimmy Page

Eric Clapton

Pat Metheny

Jim Hall

Mike Bloomfield

David Gilmour

Steve Hillage

Andre Segovia

Not surprising there are so many excellent guitars in many different genres. Since Rock n Roll in 50's & 60's, every kid wanted to play guitar, I know I did!

So it's not surprising that the Rock guitars are so dominantly listed here. Was a bit surprised how infrequently Hendrix was listed though.

But for me the best Guitarists are the Jazz players, though Classical guitarists are way up there, And any Country & Bluegrass players are exceptional.I think it's the improvisational talent that makes Jazz stand out for me as a musical form; so much more than just technique.

So here's a few Jazz greats I think that got missed in no particular order other than maybe chronological. Some of my favorites:

Charlie Christian

Jimmy Raney

Tal Farlow

Wes Montgomery

Kenny Burrell

Jim Hall

Pat Martino

And so many more that are more obscure, unfortunately. And a whole slew of younger guys too! Jazz guitar is alive and well!!!

dmader48-

That's a proper list of Jazz guitarists, but you forgot the great Barny Kessel. Barney Kessel was probably heard by more people than imagined. 

He played with everyone who was anyone, along with being of the first call for other artists, movie/TV soundtracks. Part of the original "wrecking crew."