Who is your overall favorite guitarist?

Right now I'd have to say a toss up between
Steve Vai & Buckethead. Steve Morse was my
favorite for awhile. Robert Fripp was a long
time favorite also.

I've seen Zappa w/Belew (77), Bigjoe you're
right Belew seemed better with Frank, I didn't
see Vai w/Zappa but I have a DVD of that show.
Vai didn't even seem to be very good back then.

I've seen Fripp & Belew w/Crimson (81,82,84,03)
Steve Morse (03), Steve Vai (05). I'm going to
see Buckethead this month. I've seen alot more
but those are my favorites.

Vinny

Just thought Id mention if anyone is in Winnipeg Canada they can whitness some smoking hot guitar playing by seeing the Barry G Player band at the local bar.

Where's Todd Rundgren?

I tripped across this thread again recently and thought - Three years, 265 amazingly diverse and interesting responses naming hundreds of players and -No Todd? Anyone else old enough to remember when he was the domestic alternative to imported guitar heroes? (See The Nazz).

Many people think of TR (if they think of him at all) as a songwriter first and may associate him with the piano. He hasn't played the part in many years, but once upon a time....

Impossible to pick just one due to so many different styles and originality: Jeff Beck, SRV, John Renbourn,Steve Hackett (not only with Genesis but solo and classical, listen to A Midsummer Night's Dream), John Mayer as an up and comer, Alex Lifeson (not just for solos but his chord comping),Joe Pass.

PHIL KEAGGY!!! Phil is not my favorite but he is the best I have ever seen. I grew up in Youngstown, OH, where Phil came onto the scene with his band GLASS HARP. My then girlfriend's best friend's brother was the Glass Harp base player (John Sfarra). I have seen Phil play on stage (from Idora Park to a concert in NYC years later), in wonderful Millcreek Park in the woods and at the Flats, at parties. At age 14 I played harmonica along side him in the park (he does not know this). I have also seen and been with many, many other musicians [Joe Walsh and the James Gang at Kent State, with BB King on one of his prison tours while I was in grad school, learned even more about playing the harp from living next door to John Mayall in Laural Canyon (CA)in early 70's, Rick Derringer, Tom Petty, on tour with Todd Rundgren, on tour with the Outlaws (dual guitar band from Georgia}, and was priviliged to be helping (at age 17)on stage when Led Zeppelin introed their 3d lp at the Forum in LA (where I thought Jimmy Page was going to create a riot due to his extensive use of acoustic guitar --vs hardass rock electric-- during the show.)] Lots of bragging thank you, only to illustrate I have qualification for my choice of Phil.

I still have never seen anyone play like Phil except somewhat close was a friend and an unknown guitarist from Youngstown named Ron Rupp who was also into religion.

Phil truly can play it all and has a sound that is so unique that I only wish more people could hear it. Phil has stayed true to his beliefs. It's the only reason more people don't know more about him. Stardom seems not to be his thing.

Keep on Phil. Keep on.