Jimi Hendrix Named The Greatest Electric Guitarist Ever

Jimi Hendrix has been voted the greatest electric guitar player of all time by the readers of Time Magazine.

Music critic Josh Tyrangiel compiled a list of his top ten, which included legends such as Jimmy Page, BB King, Chuck Berry and Eric Clapton.

However, Hendrix was given the top spot on the strength of his unique fusion of genres such as blues, rock and psychedelia.

"No-one wielded a guitar with as much charisma," Mr Tyrangiel commented.

Hendrix, who died in 1970, was followed in the list by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who was described as a "remarkably precise player".

Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones was also included in the top ten, partly because he has written more memorable electric guitar riffs "than anyone else in rock 'n' roll".

Mr Tyrangiel highlighted the hook to (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction as a good example of this, along with the riffs to Start Me Up, Gimme Shelter and Jumpin' Jack Flash.

The full top ten was as follows:

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
03. B.B. King
04. Keith Richards
05. Eric Clapton
06. Jimmy Page
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

Comments

[Nirvanarien]

Even tho Jimi is a great Guitar Player and i am a great fan of his music always seeing the same people in these kinds of top 10's gets kind of boring

[KingGohma]

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

[Lacebad]

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

[KingGohma]

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

John Petrucci? Ritchie Blackmore?

Bad list.

[Stikit2duhman]

this list SUCKS! so cliche!
SLASH at number 2?! ahead of JIMMY PAGE?!?! WTF!
jimi h is still awesome though

[Niiko]

Granted Jimi played with feeling and passion, but I don't recon he's number, you can't really define number one unless you're looking at the same genre and if they can all do the same things on guitar, which they didn't. I'd like to see Carlos Santana up there. Atleast they gave the "shredders" something to be proud of by putting Yngwie there *Rolls eyes*

[KingGohma]

Colohue wrote:

John Petrucci? Ritchie Blackmore?

Bad list.

I love Petrucci and all, but I'm not a fan of the mindset which implies that only rock and metal guitarists are worthy of inclusion on this sort of list.

Django Reinhardt? Pat Metheny?

[KingGohma]

Oh wait, Reinhardt doesn't play electric.

[LegsOnEarth]

So bored of lists

[scithe37]

When it says 'great', I think it goes by influence and their prestige etcetc. I guess I'd have to agree with Jimi no. 1, even though im not a big fan. Not really happy with the rest of the list besides Yngwie Malmsteen, but I'd be classified as one the 'shredheads.'

[Minkaro]

Who's Tim, and why does he have his own magazine?

[The_Seventh_Sin]

Minkaro wrote:

Who's Tim, and why does he have his own magazine?

i enjoyed this post

[nailsarecruel]

Replace Eric Clapton with George Van Eps and that list is pretty decent.

[Quicksand15]

LegsOnEarth wrote:
So bored of lists

me too. those lists are stupid, it's all based on opinion, there is no best guitarist.
...it should be about the music anyways.

[cheetoque121]

What about Kirk?

Just kidding.
Slash is overrated. Jimi is awesome.

[jayyshep]

didnt we all know jimi hendrix was no. 1 already? in my opinion clapton and page should be at 2 and 3, carlos santana and angus young should be on ther somewhere...

[Quicksand15]

Frank Zappa would be my number one if I had to choose.

[Sylvanus]

Needs more Petrucci, Alex Lifeson and Paul Masvidal.

This list isn't good at all, Slash, Prince, and Keith Richards aren't that good and Jimi wasn't the best guitarist of all time. Alot of these guitarists use the same pentatonic/blues shapes anyways, there could be some variety in playing style. Even with just picking from rock guitarists, you could achieve more variety than this.

[UnaLaguna]

Joe Satriani. Steve Hackett. Tony Iommi. Ritchie Blackmore. Buckethead. Alex Lifeson.

The top 10 is fail.

[alquinna]

I agree with Jimi being on top. Not many can match him but number 2 slash? above of Jimi Page? cmon as much as slash is good i dont think he should be #2. There should be more innovative people. What happened to ritchie blackmore? neo classical? or Brian May even? I love Prince and I love his guitar playing by anyway but i don't think he should be int he top 10 list either.

In my opinion the top 10 players should be ones who did the most innovative things to the guitar world. you won't agree but ie. the edge, jimmy page, jimi hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Tommi Iommi, Tom Morello?

you might agree with the name mentioned above but they surely are innovative.

[edbert]

Lol Slash at #2...

[pwninator123]

Where's Trey Anastasio? That man was a playing AND creative genius, he should definitely be up there pretty high

[grimms]

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

[Splashed]

This is a pretty nuts list. Slash at number 2? I love Slash, he's possibly my favorite but he's not #2 material. And why the hell is Keith Richards above Eric Clapton? And Prince in the top ten? I'm not bashing him, there's just more deserving players.

[ChucklesMginty]

Fairly respectable list, considering how they usually are. But Slash at #2.. I'm the biggest Slash fan, but I really attribute that spot to Guitar Hero.

[Splashed]

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

Stump? Like Patrick Stump?

[Splashed]

Splashed wrote:

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

BTW,you may have your opinion, but Jimmy Page does not suck entirely.

[ayreon37]

UnaLaguna wrote:

Joe Satriani. Steve Hackett. Tony Iommi. Ritchie Blackmore. Buckethead. Alex Lifeson.

+1 and this guy doesn't even have some of my picks in his post.
The top 10 is fail.

[Crozmo]

I'd put Jason Becker on #1 without a doubt.

[Gibsonbender]

yeah, I'm very disappointed they put prince on this list. If you wanted to play the ''he knows a lot of instruments'' card, they should have included Phil Collins, because he can play around 13. They should have put malcolm young on there, because let's face it, he wrote every riff for ac/dc. it wasn't angus

[puppetmaster93]

Haha Slash. He said he was precise.

Slash is my idol but I'll admit he's a very sloppy player, but he plays with incredible emotion and has greatt tone too.

[MoFly41]

LegsOnEarth wrote:

So bored of lists

But where's Edge?!!

[Baz1211991]

Rory gallagher?

[klowntown101]

No Pat Metheny is a crime.

[ToxicDonkey]

KingGohma wrote:

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

Dude, Yngwie Malmsteen is on the list lol So being able to shred like a maniac is obviously in the criteria

Very bad list! :/

[beerbreath]

ZAKK WYLDE!!!!!

[jwax]

here we go with everyone and flaming each other...*sigh*

[Nihil666]

I can think of a dozen guitarists better than ol' Jimi. Satriani? Gilbert? Petrucci? Even newer guitarists like Mark Morton, Willie Adler and Rob Arnold.

Buckethead sucks.

[kunkushin]

none of these lists ever get to deep on why or what made him the best... i would suspect in reality the best performing guitarist, best recording guitarist, most innovative guitarist, best improvising guitarist, and fastest/most accurate guitarist would all be different people. I have nothing but respect for Jimi, but I think rock improvisation is a good term for what makes him so great.

[lurch_276]

Splashed wrote:

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.
Stump? Like Patrick Stump?

Ya please tell me u didn't mean patrick stump

[Wylde_Is_Wild]

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

[Spoonerismz]

Eddie > Jimi

Eddie has done so much more for the guitar, yet he doesn't even grace this list. But even if he did, I still think it would be too over done.

Slash at #2? Slash my ass! He's good but not that good!

[JJJOEY]

Needs more Petrucci, Alex Lifeson and Paul Masvidal.

This list isn't good at all, Slash, Prince, and Keith Richards aren't that good and Jimi wasn't the best guitarist of all time. Alot of these guitarists use the same pentatonic/blues shapes anyways, there could be some variety in playing style. Even with just picking from rock guitarists, you could achieve more variety than this.

totally agree witht this.

[kxy1992]

I think this list is well done. Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Slash, Richards; they're all top ten material. However, I disagree with Prince being up there

[jwax]

lol take the "and" out of my last post :x

[IRONMAIDENTLICA]

Where is Eddie Van Halen?
Jimmy Page should at least be top 3.
.....PRINCE?!

[Korzack]

Remember folks, this is a mainstream top 10 poll. As a result, heavy metal players like Iommi won't be considered in such a favourable light... Doesn't explain Yngwie though. I have a feeling Les Paul's inclusion was helped by his recent passing, but that's just my inner Cynycist. Slash as no. 2 I could see coming a mile off - He's had a lot of exposure in recent years, and in terms of mainstream impact, Sweet Child and November Rain still have weight for some reason...

[Phaustho]

Jonny Greenwood deserves a place in that top 10.

[LostWithoutU]

the list is about how they push the entire musical scheme further, not like who can play it well

[lurch_276]

why isn't fred penner on the list?

[TempestTheBand]

BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD BUCKETHEAD

[chase09]

Guthrie Govan not being mentioned in this list or by anyone in the comments is a travesty.

[cptcomet]

This isn't really anything new to anyone is it. It's on the front page of UG as if it's something really spectacular. He's been known by many as the greatest guitarist ever for countless years now.

He does deserve it I think, I just don't think this deserves being the main article on the front page.

[Waterboy799]

this is a list of the greatest mainstream guitarists...ever heard of the phrase "the masses are asses"?

[KidBARTLEY]

ALEXI LAIHO FOR THE F*****G WIN

[blommen]

yngwie does not belong in a top ten of all time electric guitarists

[dan1bad]

malmsteen? i would've put satch or eric johnson or better yet chet atkins his nickname was mister guitar

[sykryk]

Mark Tremonti, Brian May, James Hetfield?

[cmonney]

SRV anyone?

[coon117]

Jimmy Page should be higher, and Alex Lifeson should be on there somewhere.
I'm happy that at least they put a good guitarist at #1.

[kellen.dobmeier]

I am very disappointed in this list, but what can you expect from Time Magazine anyway? There isn't a single guitarist on this list aside from Clapton who is better than Stevie Ray Vaughan though. Why the hell isn't he on this list? For the love of God why are Slash and Jimmy Page on here and SRV isn't?

[Lil Macker]

blommen wrote:

yngwie does not belong in a top ten of all time electric guitarists

Even though his work is a bit repititive, and I don't really like metal/shred, he is an amazing guitar player.

And, I don't think Jimi Hendrix should be number 1. He was a great inovator and musician, but not the best guitarist.

Plus we need Ritchie Blackmore! :P

[Benjabenja]

Chris Boderick? Muhammed Suicmez? Paul Gilbert? Crap list.

[kellen.dobmeier]

nailsarecruel :
Replace Eric Clapton with George Van Eps and that list is pretty decent.

Are you retarded? Clapton should be at number 1 and if any guitarist who's relatively new to the scene should be on that list it should be John Mayer.

[syngates07]

*ahem*

ritchie blackmore, carlos santana, stevie ray vaughan, chet atkins, brian may, i could go on and on...

[Mustaine69]

Buckethead. So emotional with his music, yet he can shred out of this world

[FallenSaint]

time's trolling ug :facepalm:

[Sami Philadelph]

Considering the list was voted on by general consensus anybody disputing it is scientifically stupid. :P

The list is fine,yes,some people were overlooked,yes some people are lower than they should be,not its not extensive,but its a decent list.

Also,I find it funny how everyones on JP's nuts "he should be higher blah blah",probably the same people in the LZ threads talking about how hes a song thief,people are ridiculous.

With that said...
honestly,JP could've been alot higher...like #1 or #2 higher,hes always been my favorite of the "Feeling" players.

To the satch fans...I can't console you...Satch is extremely boring to me,and so are Petrucci and Vai...just plain boring...Vai is atleast showboatey enough to keep my attention live,but his CD's? nah....

To the guy that mentioned MAB (even though he said he was better than Jimi,which just isn't true) you rock,because MAB is the most under-rated of the guitar gods...he needs more exposure

[Hairhead]

what about randy rhoads

[prsrobster]

I cannot believe Randy Rhoads hasn't even been mentioned yet. WTF?

[fadetoblack84]

this list is not as good as it could be. They didnt consider any guitarists that really showed their ability minus Jimmy Hendrix. Joe Satriani should be on this list, or at least move Yngwie Malmsteen up the list and move Slash waaaaay down.

[Celticsfan3404]

jimmy page should be number 2!

[hitl]

prince before satriani vai and ehv? lol

[pat1990]

am sorry but am a great admirer of slash but he aint number 2 for me clapton has to be there but y is kieth richards ahead of clapton thats crazyness hes a good guitar player and all but not at the same level as clapton or hendrix i do agree that BB King is where he should be but i think that jimmy page is one of the most overrated guitarist i dont like his sound at all but just my opinion but this list is pritty bad how he has said kieth richards is there because of writing riffs that dosnt make u a great guitarist but on the same respect richards should be on the list but i just dont agree with whoever done the lists reasoning for choosing the order and the people that he included. just my opinion but.

[Lamb of Deth]

this list is invalid--- no paul gilbert.

[LazyLatinoRocke]

KingGohma wrote:

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

Then why is Malmsteen there?

[Myung'sMusicman]

It's obviously not going to be full of non mainstream people on the list. It was voted by Time readers not saying Time readers are stupid but I'm saying most people that vote on these lists listen to radio and don't know much about guitar hence why Keith Richards is on a list of best guitarist ever.

[zac_b101]

u all do realize that this is a popularity contest?
otherwise the list would be filled from top to bottom with jazz guitarists who are all about a hundred times better in skill and creativity than any of those guys

[titurel]

my goodness!!! what is that?? where is eddie???

[bladedguitar66]

What about JY, Brian May, and Tony Iommi?

[Alexxx.]

Kris Norris.

[mcraddict81592]

No Brian May....This list is Horseshit (Name that reference and get a cookie.)

[MosesThoukwho]

I think its based one guitariest who effected the music we listen to,And had influencesd people over the world,And till this they we still have those influences.

[Venice King]

Yngwie? That guy is a joke it's like someone just playing scales completely ascendingly or descendingly but extremely sloppy and with too much distortion. No creativity what so ever, but thank god Hendrix got number 1.

[451F]

I kind of totally disagree. Jimi I can go for, but I think EVH or Jimmy Page should be number 2...but to each his own.

[ride-the-spiral]

These lists always have the same people on it so to make another one is just stupid. And then the comments are always "WHERES x!!?!?" Restrict the lists to decades, or genres and you'll get a much better response.

The only list i've seen which people agreed with was the best death metal guitarists in the Metal forum.

[Lemmings311]

This is news.. Hendrix at least deserves it, but Slash!?!?!??? Come on.....

[dougl126]

Slash and keith Richards, really?

How about Stevie Ray Vaughn?

[SynGatesFan1]

its not much of a surprise that jimi is the best

[Lemmings311]

And what about David Gilmour???

[Synyster915]

ZOMG NO WAY. Ive liek nevar seen Hendrix named #1 on any list evar!

Come on, I mean he was certainly a great guitarist who was way ahead of his time as far as his playing style goes, but does this really need to be a front page headline? I mean he tends be be #1 on like 2 out of every 3 of these lists, it's not exactly news...

Just my opinion, of course. Feel free to disagree.

[dougl126]

I read the actual Time article and this guy knows nothing about actually playing guitar. Hes just a regular guy.

[bendystraw]

I don't understand why this list is news. "Great" is completely subjective, therefore people will always disagree with it.

[Viking_Swede666]

Crozmo wrote:

I'd put Jason Becker on #1 without a doubt.

\

you sir, are completely correct.

[arpraron]

Wow, this has never happened before.

[jakemustaine]

steve vai anyone???

[tom_martin_123]

I don't rate Clapton at all! Prince has never struck me as a great guitar player either. Page is better than slash. No Brian May? No Mark Knopfler? Fruciante is better than many in that list. David Gilmour? Yngwie doesn't belong there.
That list is crap, but Jimi is the best.

[Draconey]

They missed Buckethead :O :O :O

All the guitarists up there are good, but the thing is people will never let go of the older names and make way for the newer ones. Like sure not all the shredders should be up there, but they are some pretty amazing shredders!!!

The Horseshit referenece is Arby 'n' the Chief

[McGuitarlovin]

umm Eddie Van Halen maybe?

[xDeathxMetalx]

ok, now wtf?! jimi hendrix was an amazing but not the best, Slash is a legend as well but completely over-rated. and honestly how the **** is Yngwie 9? hes better than jimi was for sure. and why are we forgetting about Chuck schuldiner? he should have gotten number one, his guitar style was unique and he mixed so many styles and genres together, more than jimi hendrix thats for sure.
shitty list for sure, your missing alot of great guitar players such as joe satriani and steve vai.

[donvito970]

No Vaughn? No Van Halen? No Billy Gibbons? Slash should make another guitar hero game and he might be number one next time

[Viking_Swede666]

Splashed wrote:

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

Stump? Like Patrick Stump?

*facepalm*

JOE Stump, one of the greastest neo-classical players of all time! Not the winey vocalist from fall out boy :P

[soulxstlr]

Brian May, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zack Wylde, Tony Iommi, Satriani, Vai, Buckethead, both Allman brothers.... not Prince, not Slash, not Richards, not Malmsteen.... Josh Tyrangiel can take this list and shove it down his throat... this list is sh-t....

[xDeathxMetalx]

haha nice comment on slash vito haha

[Big Dave 91]

Obviously Hendrix is number 1 but where Satriani

[AngryGoldfish]

I'm not keen on the list.

It doesn't David Gilmour, Eric Johnson or Andres Segovia.
Prince, Yngwie Malmsteen, I just don't think they are anything special.

[Section 5]

OMG. Hey, guys, it's just a guy's opinion. Respect that. Although, I wouldn't put Prince in there

[Shazazmic]

No Jeff Beck?

[ShredGod George]

Where the **** are Rory Gallagher,Duane Allman & Randy Rhoads
I'd like to stress the distinct lack of Duane Allman
And since when does time follow guitar hero fanboys?

[LD_Luke D]

1) what the **** does time magazine readers know about guitar
2)Slash is amazing, but nowhere near top 10 good
3)Yngwie but no EVH...blasphemy
4) prince is very underrated but not even top 25 quality
5)no Tony Iommi... riddiculous
6) No SRV... this is a joke, like seriously

[jakemustaine]

wheres kyle gass?

[Bassmastajazzyj]

Ehh I understand why people like Gilbert and Petrucci arent on there, they're probaly too young to make the list give em 10 years or so.

[Cobain_Is_King]

Haha, these comments make UG look like Youtube. It's someone's OPINION. Don't commit suicide over it.

[BullonParade]

i knew as soon as i read the title that this list shouldnt exist at all.

[StarChildSammy]

this list sucks ass
Slash, Keith Richards and Prince are all shit, especially Slash.
Where's Ace Frehley?He should be no. 2.

[wvguitarguy]

Wylde_Is_Wild wrote:

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

[geeve420]

Hendrix, who died in 1970, was followed in the list by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who was described as a "remarkably precise player".

Slash is a precise player my ass! He is good but not #2 good and he is sloppier than hell!

[mtllica]

Slash does not deserve that number 2 spot...Chuck Schuldiner anyone?

[Viking_Swede666]

KidBARTLEY wrote:

ALEXI LAIHO FOR THE F*****G WIN

yeah! He's better than just about everyone on that list.

Alexi should be on it.

[Viking_Swede666]

mtllica wrote:

Slash does not deserve that number 2 spot...Chuck Schuldiner anyone?

this.

[surgikal]

KIETH RICHARDS?????

WTF...seriously..he has no business being in the top 300

What a joke..and to the guy wanting ace frehley no 2...PFFFT..get out of here

[SkepsisMetal]

This doesn't surprise me. I mean, I'm sorry - Jimi was as everyone says, a brilliant guitarist and musician, but people these days are just kissing his ass into legendary status. He needs to get there by general recognition through record sales etc. Its killing his name all these little fankids who probably never listened to him, jumping on the bandwagon because they think it will earn them respect within the guitarist community. Don't get me wrong, I agree with all of the list (although not some of the placements), but comparing every guitarist that has ever lived, despite being impossible, is a subjective..er..subject really. It needs catagories. On that list I see no Dimebag, I see no Satriani, no John Frusciante. But thats all my opinion I guess

[Unskathed]

Paul Masvidal

[lifeisbeutiful]

prince seriously what the **** what about kirk hammit

[Darkness470]

Horrible list...way to mainstream...
should have John Petrucci,Chuck Schuldiner,Dimebag Darrell,Dave Mustaine...

[CommunistBear]

This is like the "I don't play guitar, but have heard of these people and think they're good" poll.

In my, oh so humble, opinion, they should have them rate guitar players on:

Talent
Creativity(innovation and uniqueness)
Stage presence or charisma
Style
and then maybe their influence on other guitarists.

Then add it all up and the person with the highest rating should be up there.

[strat0blaster]

I love how they say "Jimi Hendrix named greatest electric guitarist ever" like it's completely legit and official, then say "as voted in magazine poll."

So basically all this means is a bunch of random people think he's the greatest.

Anyway - Slash should be out, and so should, IMO, Keith Richards.

I second the suggestion that Eddie Van Halen should be on there, and if shredders are on there, which they are, I'd suggest Paul Gilbert.

[thedarkblues06]

Okay. I don't give a damn about this list, because as so many people pointed out, there are other amazing guitarists out there (i'm for one am shocked that Paul Gilbert isn't on there).

What I'm pissed about is that the list of pentatonic/blues players isn't even that amazing.

Where the hell is Stevie Ray Vaughan? What about Django Reinhardt? Those two ALONE make the list invalid...I mean, some of those guitarists on that list are my favorites, but....dang....

What Rusty Cooley, or why is Jimmy Page so low, etc etc.

Lord Mudkipz wrote:

Total lack of Herman Li and Billie Joe

Herman Li is a terrible guitarist, and there are way too many metal guitarists that are so much better than him.

[Volkerball06]

its been said same thing long time ago

[Antis0cial]

When you see a top 10 list where Slash is above BB King, you know the voters have absolutely no knowhow conserning music.

[remarusa]

syngates07 wrote:

*ahem*

ritchie blackmore, carlos santana, stevie ray vaughan, chet atkins, brian may, i could go on and on...

but thats the problem, SO MANY good guitarrist and we ony have 10 spaces to fill. i dont agree with the list though.

[Tedward]

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

I think that a lot of people that don't actually play guitar think that he's the best entirely because he's one of the few names they know.

But I guess that fact just adds to his greatness?

[titurel]

oh I forgot ... also MY name is missing!!!

[Ponyexpress]

its retarded to try to put numbers on guitarests there CAN NOT BE A NUMBER ONE and even if there could who would we be to judge it?
Yes it'd woulda been nice if they took Slash of the list and Jimmy Page off pretty much the hole list but all just opinion...

[Jet_Black88]

Absoultely NO mention of Al DiMeola in this discussion?!

Are you guys INSANE?

Props to the guy that mentioned Rory Gallagher, and to the guy who mentioned SRV.

[nathan7007]

Jeff Beck Steve Winwood?

[venom08]

Nihil666 wrote:

I can think of a dozen guitarists better than ol' Jimi. Satriani? Gilbert? Petrucci? Even newer guitarists like Mark Morton, Willie Adler and Rob Arnold.

Buckethead sucks.

YES!!!!

[gnaraaron]

pwninator123 wrote:

Where's Trey Anastasio? That man was a playing AND creative genius, he should definitely be up there pretty high

i love you, i was thinking the same thing

[ChondriacGroove]

Look I'm not sure if you guys realize this but these top ten list are constructed from the writers opinion. Everyone has a opinion & of course people will debate on this topic till the end of time (Such as kids on popular guitar tablature websites). Jimi was one of a kind & their will never be another like him, I would have loved to see Muddy Waters & Albert King on there but you don't see me complaining. I admire players who have soul and heart Jimi is a fine example of that, listen to Band Of Gypsys & live at the Fillmore east please.

[Henkdemachtige]

KingGohma wrote:

Oh wait, Reinhardt doesn't play electric.

He did in his last years when Les Paul started with electric guitar

[voodoochild23]

Slash deserves it.

I'm reading comments about Herman Li, Billie Joe Armstrong, Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Satriani and Kirk Hammett, can we get some perspective here?

You either use your guitar to make exciting, innovative, stimulating music, or you use it to demonstrate your technical skill (which eventually has no musical purpose whatsoever.) Slash did both. Hendrix did both.

As far as I'm concerned, musical impact comes before technical ability. Period.

[nervosuu]

I do not agree with this list at all. Kieth Richards and Prince are not that great. And Where is Jeff Beck?

[TisPyon]

how the hell is Richards on any top ten guitarist list?

[TisPyon]

voodoochild23 wrote:

Slash deserves it.

I'm reading comments about Herman Li, Billie Joe Armstrong, Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Satriani and Kirk Hammett, can we get some perspective here?

You either use your guitar to make exciting, innovative, stimulating music, or you use it to demonstrate your technical skill (which eventually has no musical purpose whatsoever.) Slash did both. Hendrix did both.

As far as I'm concerned, musical impact comes before technical ability. Period.

Slash was innovative??...this is news to me...

[mark321]

i would like to see brian may in the top 5, hes miles ahead of tht drugged up keith richards

[yoojee-er]

Where's Tony Iommi?

[NightEmbers]

Well ask YourSelves... What the hell does Time Magazine know about guitar players... Exactly!

[BeckerFan2112]

Crozmo wrote:

I'd put Jason Becker on #1 without a doubt.

Absolutely

[Chodegrinder]

All of these lists are overly predictable, from what i see its always going to be hendrix this zepplin that!

[voodoochild23]

Antis0cial wrote:

When you see a top 10 list where Slash is above BB King, you know the voters have absolutely no knowhow conserning music.

Being older doesn't make you better. BB King did a lot, he's an incredible musician, but Slash is better.

It's irrelevant to say 'blues wouldn't be what it is without BB king', because there are dozens of guitarists who preceded BB King too and it goes on and on.

[Absyth]

Remove Slash -_-

[Altitudinous]

Lists of the best guitarists ever will NEVER EVER work. People need to stop trying. Instead, just have a grouping of sweet guitarists, and tell us some cool songs to listen to of those guys we don't already know! It could be such a positive experience but people are obsessed with the BEST and it just breeds useless arguments. Can't we all just shred along?

[imthehitcher]

AAHHHHH

WHY DID THE PUT UP THIS ARTICLE
seriously i's just a giant argument

[r0ckz0mb13]

where is gilmour?!!

[manmanster]

I hate lists like these, and especially when people try to define what makes a good or bad guitar player. Also, it assumes I give a shit about who's the best, or even a person's playing ability.

How about the greatest musicians of all time? That would be a better list. I have no interest in Jimi Hendrix the guitar player, but Jimi Hendrix the musician. The kind of songs he wrote, what he was trying to say with his music, what he's expressing.

When I think "guitarist", I think guitar player. The best guitar players in the world are the virtuosos, Govan, Petrucci, etc because they have the most technical skill.

Also, I dont like Hendrix's music. His voice sucked. Bye.

[jean_genie]

Wylde_Is_Wild wrote:

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

I agree about Zakk and Charlie. Otherwise, I totally disagree.

Yngwie shouldn't be on this list. No really technical player should be the 'best guitar player of all time', assuming you're rating them on the power of the music they produced. Guys like Hendrix and Prince (who shouldn't be here either, but only because he doesn't show off enough - he can play circles around anybody) are good guitar players because they fill space effectively, and know what a song does or does not need. Offhand I think Petrucci is the only shredder I'd call 'best guitarist', as he's the only purely technical player that doesn't feel the need to show off constantly. I'd still rank Alex Lifeson higher. Plus there's the uniqueness and the encouragement factor. Despite being a mediocre player, John Lennon has encouraged about 600 times more people to learn guitar than the entire Roadrunner and Shrapnel catalogs combined.

If you don't belive me, let's put it another way: Whitney Houston and Celine Dion are probably the most talented non-classical female singers you've ever heard. Who here wouldn't rather listen to Tori Amos, Etta James, Gladys Knight, or Janis Joplin?

Gladys Knight especially. Yum.

Oh, and a quick word of Jimmy Page: even he said he wasn't a great guitar player. Page was an idea man. In studio, he did things nobody else would have even thought of, let alone tried. Live, he admitted a few times that Hendrix and Clapton would mop the floor with him. And that's cool - I will always love Zeppelin more than Cream or Derek and the Dominoes, because there's more to music than skill.

You know who else is missing? Django Reinhardt and Ry Cooder. And on the other end of the spectrum, Doc Waston and about a hundred Delta and Mississippi blues giants.

It was a vote - remember that.

Also, Hendrix is king. To this day, nobody else has combined that much technical ability and musical creativity in a way that made it upbeat, driving, and approachable to non-musicians.

[Pencil Man]

I'm alright with it, just replace Slash with Steve Vai.

[Aguamento]

The fact that Slash, B.B King, and Keith Richards are ahead of Eric Clapton is incredulous.

[brianmayrocks!]

since alot of these musicians failed to make wikipedias magical list. I cannot comply. The list is merely a top 10 favourites from the guy who wrote it, as usual.

[Craigadams93]

when people say the greatest "electric" guitarist, people just center it around rock, metal, and the blues. has anyone ever heard of Lenny Breau? although I am a rock guitarist, I dabble in jazz, and it's leagues tougher then rock.

[CousticStrangla]

Chodegrinder wrote:

All of these lists are overly predictable, from what i see its always going to be hendrix this zepplin that!

THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.

[Chaingarden]

Wylde_Is_Wild wrote:

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

Charlie Parker was a saxophonist. You're probably thinking of Charlie Christian. Hopefully.

I love how everyone bashes the list, and then mentions four or five guitarists that, on the grand scale of electric guitar, contributed almost nothing besides more fast playing. Just because he's your favorite guitarist does not mean he's the greatest. For instance, I really like Kim Thayil. Dimebag Darrell is also one of my favorites. That doesn't mean they made contributions that changed electric guitar forever.

That being said, this is a pretty decent list, but I agree that some sort of logic isn't being followed. Prince is a fantastic musician, more than most realize, but his accomplishments aren't really apparent in the guitar world. It's pretty obvious why Hendrix was #1. Eddie Van Halen should be there, based on the enormous impact he made on guitar technique. The rest of the guys on the list, I feel like you could make a case for. I don't know about Slash being the second greatest guitarist ever, but hey, they gotta sell magazines, and no one probably saw that coming.

[jpk6044]

Slash at #2? BB King, Chuck Berry, Les Paul and Prince? This list seems to be more about respect and less about chops. My list:

1. Jimmy Hendrix
2. Eric Johnson
3. Steve Howe
4. Al DiMeola
5. David Gilmour (best tone of all time)
6. Jimmy Page
7. Jeff Beck
8. Kirk Hammett
9. Tom Morello
10. Joe Satriani

Honorable Mention: Eric Clapton, Walter Becker, Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, Alex Lifeson, Joe Walsh, Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Stanley Jordan, Adam Jones, Peter Frampton, John Petrucci, Eddie Van Halen

[headbanger703]

These arent necessarily the greatest guitarists of all time, but I think these guys are some of the most influential of all time

[r0ckz0mb13]

and SRV and thats about it....no slash or yngwie....thanks

[samuelsmeloc]

Where's Mr David Gilmour?

[fitterhappier34]

The list is crap; needs more jazz, like Pat Metheny.

I guess Jimi Hendrix is a decent choice for number 1, but it's just so stereotypical.

[EvilAngel93]

Edge and Jerry Cantrell should be up there....just my personal opinion. Alice in Chains is somewhat obscure compared to alot of the artists on the list but hey, you have to give Jerry credit for having alot of skill, and influence....And Edge is just cool, end of story. They could've put him up there without everyone getting mad, since he's not metal, but still really damn good.

[Set-Abominae]

grimms wrote:

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

facepalm.jpg

[Duffman123]

All i have to say is that is a terrible list, Slash number 2, BB king number 3.
There good but not that good

[Lchoke]

time mag readers are qualified enough to decide whom the best guitarist is? rofl

[Whiskky]

Hendrix is one of the few guitarists that deserves to be on top of any general guitarist top.

The problem with those tops is that the rest is completely subjective, and pointless arguing ensues.

[Johnny_Ibanez]

Keith Richards?!

This is more like a "Hey, Mr Man-On-The-Street! Can you name a guitarist, ANY guitarist?" list.

[Bmaister]

oh please, this is NOT a good list. where is Buckethead, Alexei Laiho, Nick Hipa, Dimebag, Emppu, Dan Donegan, Dan Jacobs, Kirk Hammett, Angus Young, Eric Clapton, John Petrucci and so on?

checked.

Comments that say 'get a life' and 'shut the **** up' have been deleted.

This is a debate, the only people flaming others are the ones who are up on a high horse whining that people are arguing.

[MalGanisWL]

lolololol slash 2nd place. hahahaha

[Fearless(Times)]

I can't believe there's no Carlos Santana.

[Nycto]

Slash is great guitarist, don't get me wrong, but he's definitely not one of the top 10 guitarists in the entire world, hahaha. He's got an image that might suggest, but...no. Hah.

[NlNT3ND0]

how the hell is slash better than jimmy page

[Thrifty1]

no eddie van halen ?????
i know he hasn't done much in the last 10yrs, but he should have been in there

[SaintJimmy105]

Metalheads can't pick out a good guitarist for shit. Shredding =/= Good guitarist.

Shreddring takes no musical talent. It's just blazing through scales as fast as you can. Every person who is on this list is there because of what they've written, their impact on the guitar community, and what they've done for the guitar in general. And yes, skill obviously has some pull, but speed is far from the only factor in skill.

[everjump]

grimms wrote:
Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

You're a funny man

[yaxow]

This list is questionable. i love Slash but i wouldn't give him the number 2 spot, he definitely inspired me as a guitar player but he's right behind Jimi Hendrix! Slash is amazing and he is somewhat similar to jimi (mixing genre's like blues, rock, jazz) but i wouldn't put him as number 2.

[Fearless(Times)]

kellen.dobmeier wrote:

nailsarecruel :
Replace Eric Clapton with George Van Eps and that list is pretty decent.

Are you retarded? Clapton should be at number 1 and if any guitarist who's relatively new to the scene should be on that list it should be John Mayer.

I agree with everything you just said and have SRV on that list too.

[Sharath]

where the hell is SATRIANI??!!!

[nemokoning]

Why prince? OMG

[TC1223]

SLASH #2 !!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH LOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHH LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

[Rancid69Sublime]

wow at least i havnt seen this list 100000 ****ing times somewhere else.. im pretty sure everyone knows this typical list. im not saying its bad by any means, its just nothing new and im wondering y the **** its on ug's front page

[TC1223]

KEITH RICHARDS LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[sidmontu]

the top 4 should read

1) John Frusciante
2) Jimi Hendrix
3) Stevie Ray Vaughan
4) John Mayer

[sidmontu]

Throw Paul Gilbert at #5

[holderofthenuse]

Wtf prince??

[hazer drum]

Angus Young? Pete Townshend? John Frusciante?

[alastors_blade]

TC1223 wrote:

SLASH #2 !!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH LOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHH LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

this. I don't know why I keep reading these lists, it's more of a popularity contest than anything else.

[Sharath]

voodoochild23 wrote:

Slash deserves it.

I'm reading comments about Herman Li, Billie Joe Armstrong, Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Satriani and Kirk Hammett, can we get some perspective here?

You either use your guitar to make exciting, innovative, stimulating music, or you use it to demonstrate your technical skill (which eventually has no musical purpose whatsoever.) Slash did both. Hendrix did both.

As far as I'm concerned, musical impact comes before technical ability. Period.

Satriani does not make innovative exciting stimulating music??

Checked.

[g00fy_130]

Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[OMEB]

As always the GREAT Tony Iommi, the godfather of modern hardrock and metal is nowhere to be found... such BS! The only thing Hendrix ever did was make the guitar make noises no one had ever heard before...

[Beerad1337]

...Slash? Terribad list.

[jdwyer9]

this list is just horrible i respect jimi hendrix but he is overrated there alot of better guitarists out there and this list is terrible where is richie blackmore evh satriani SRV steve vie randy rhoads kirk hammett

[Viking_Swede666]

Unskathed wrote:

Paul Masvidal

Thank you for not being stupid!!!

Paul Masvidal is one of the most innovative, unique, and technically great guitarists of all time, it's a shame noone here knows who he is...

[Hybarger]

rhoads....

[JanB]

hendrix as number one is acceptable... but putting Keith Richards on there just because of memorable riffs... Tony Iommy's riffs are far more memorable and so are his solos... even james hetfield has more memorable riffs (imo).

And how can you have a top10 list without David Gilmour who's mastery of tone and phrasing is above those on the list. and stevie ray vaughan anyone?

[guitarskater11]

How does keith richards make that list and not stevie ray vaughan!?

[Snake™]

Malmsteen, Prince, and Keith Richards make it fail.

[BillieJoeFreak:]

I literally laughed out loud when I saw Slash at number 2. I also laughed at Keith Richards "has written more memorable electric guitar riffs 'than anyone else in rock 'n' roll'." I think that honor goes to Jimmy Page (who should be one or two) or Tony Iommi, who wasn't even on the list.

[Jazzcat#1201]

My personal list of greats that I look up to

1. Pat Metheny
2. Wes Montgomery
3. Joe Pass
4. Pat Martino
5. Al Di Meola
6. George Benson
7. John Mclauglin
8. Paco De Lucia
9 Tal Farlow
10. Allan Holdsworth

[Slapfunkah]

lists suck and since when did anyone read Time Magazine?

[dylanfg]

no rory gallagher

[wesselbindt]

01. Jimi Hendrix (who would've guessed?)
02. Slash (LOL)
03. B.B. King(meh, fair enough)
04. Keith Richards (more of a rockstar than a guitarist)
05. Eric Clapton\
06. Jimmy Page |>not familiar with their work
07. Chuck Berry /
08. Les Paul (just because he died, if MJ had played guitar, he'd be on here too)
09. Yngwie Malmsteen (well there has to be at least one technically talented on the list)
10. Prince (is he even a guitarist?)

Lists like these, without exception, suck.

[08L1V10N]

Maybe I should wank some pentatonic with a cigarette in my mouth too. If it can make you 2. greatest electric guitarist ever

[nevermore97]

jason becker and marty friedman arent on this list. therefor it is crap.

[TheIceCreamMan]

SAME OLD SAME OLD! Boring and predictable picks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqwKatmKIoY

[Tango616]

good thing it's not a popularity contest at all....
/sarcasm

really, jimi was good for his time i suppose, and very influential, as far actual PLAYING goes, not so much.

[Viking_Swede666]

Luca Turilli? Paul Masvidal? Gus G? Michael Romeo? Muhammed Suicmez? Christian Muenzner? Jani Liimatainen? Elias Viljanen? Jason Becker? Jari Maenpaa? Dimebag? Jeff Loomis? Kiko Loureiro? Ioannis Anastassakis? John Petrucci? Chuck Shuldiner? Alexi Laiho? Roope Latvala? Andy McKee? Tony MacAlpine?!?!?!

do any of those names ring a bell time magazine?!?!

jeez.

[nowa90]

wheres shawn lane?
marty freidman?
randy rhoads?
heck, even paul, or petrucci, ALEX SKONLNICK!?!?

this list is more about popularity then real skill

[mynamesbetter]

HAHA I DIDN'T KNOW PRINCE PLAYED GUITAR EITHER AHAH!

But i'm very happy to see jimi at 1 and slash at 2

[ordinary_story]

pointless list is pointless.....Go ahead people make up your own lists....it doesn't mean squat anyway....its all a popularity thing....

Plus no one mentioned Shawn Lane

[MotörHeadFan22]

Jimi is kinda overrated if you ask me, if it was up to me, i'd put him at like number 3 on the list, t least theres no Kurt Cobain or Tom Morello on this list

[Jazzcat#1201]

[quote][/quote 08. Les Paul (just because he died, if MJ had played guitar, he'd be on here too

Are you serious? Les Paul was an amazing guitar player. Not only did he bring out the electric guitar/multi track recording, he inspired tons of jazz/rock guitarists! He was playing the guitar at 90 years old better then 90% then the other players mentioned.

[TheWall27]

Needs moar:

Robert Fripp
Joe Pass
Pat Metheny
Steve Howe

[MetalheadMark]

Hendrix was a good rocker.

But Muhammed Suicmez must be 100 times more technical.

[Two-Ninety290]

Are you serious? Les Paul was an amazing guitar player. Not only did he bring out the electric guitar/multi track recording, he inspired tons of jazz/rock guitarists! He was playing the guitar at 90 years old better then 90% then the other players mentioned.

ya i agree with you he was one of the best i wish he was higher up on the list

[\m/[-_-]\m/]

Les Paul just got on because he died last week. And Slash is DEFINITELY NOT #2.

[Gabysguitar]

Quicksand15 wrote:

LegsOnEarth wrote:
So bored of lists

me too. those lists are stupid, it's all based on opinion, there is no best guitarist.
...it should be about the music anyways.

Thats one wise comment, you don't say "he is the best guitarrist", you only aprecciate his talents and learn about them. Anyway, you are not a good guitarrist if you measure hows the best.

[blandguitar]

hendrix was good, but i wouldn't even put him in the top ten. he couldn't repeat anything, just kept playing it, every song was different, which is cool, but inconsistency shows his sloppiness in my opinion. chuck berry was much better, as is BB king. this hendrix is god crap is dumb.

[Cobrevolution]

Without a doubt, Jimi was the most influential guitarist to have ever picked up the instrument. He has rubbed off on more people than Chuck, Page and Clapton combined - that is undeniable.

I recommend you read Rolling Stone's article on the website that was written by Pete Townshend; we all know the RS list was bad, but that article glowed.

Now, I realize influence is not the only thing they are basing this on, but it seems people are angry their favorites aren't included.

Being good now does not mean you are one of the best ever; I think that's defined by what you've done, what you've accomplished, who you have greatly influenced, the kind of music you put out...

That's why I disagree with people who believe (see the guy above me, Viking) that people like Laiho and McKee are some of the best "ever".

It is a shame that Iommi is not here; he's right next to Jimi in terms of influence and skill.

For the shredders: I love Buckethead and Gilbert just as much as anyone else, but if that's all you do (see: Batio), that doesn't mean you're great. It means you can play really fast. The reason I enjoy Buckethead is because it's pure emotion; Batio has the exact opposite - all arrogance and speed and no feeling.

I know I jumped around, but I hope it made some sense.

[Two-Ninety290]

im still kinda mad that no one mentioned Alexi Laiho hes one of the greatest guitar player i know

[esp1234]

slash #2??? more like Duane Allman.....

[sebbsmith]

+1 to the title!

[kud666]

sykryk wrote:

Mark Tremonti, Brian May, James Hetfield?

JAMES HETFIELD ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!?!
mediocre rythem guitarist, ok songwriter.
and brian may is an ok guitarist but i wouldnt put him in the top 10. but i would put mark tremonti in the top 30.

butckethead, alexi laiho, marty friedman, vai, satriani, jeff waters, muddy waters, and a whole list of blues and jazz guys should of been on there but its always the same shi**y list but i totally agree with jimi being number 1.

[Misfit-FTB]

The list is partially true. Jimi is no doubt #1 in my mind. No one can write a song like Jimi. Slash doesn't deserve to even be number 10 though. He made some great tunes with the guns. Regardless though. This is just a dumb list. Hendrix, Page, Clapton, are all greats to me and inspired me more than any other modern guitarist.

[Eddie4President]

The idea that John Petrucci wouldn't at least be in the top three disgusts me.

[WhiskeyFace]

this could of been the best list ever but slash at number 2 makes it the worst list ever. i also dont agree with prince. wheres duane allman?

[The Shroom420]

Slash as #2? He deserves a spot on the list for sure, he has some memorable solos, but I just don't get why people put Guns N Roses SO high on "greatest..." lists. The top 3 should've been 3: Clapton, 2: Hendrix, and 1: Robert Johnson. EVERY SINGLE guitarist looks up to Robert Johnson

[arsenal010]

James Hetfield, buckhead, alexi laiho, dave mustaine, marty friedman, zack wylde, dimebag, joe satriani?

[SumFX]

Best Guitarist, how many times have we heard that said about jimmy? bleh! people during the stone age were even sayin it , and jimmy wasnt even born then!its old news!
Why cant people change the record, litrally change the record and listen to somethin else.
just let jimmy r.i.p , music has changed since then.
his music is still awesome but there are better guiarists nowadays. no offence to jimmy fans

[SumFX]

*guitarist* sorry for that.
and Slash? wake up grandpa!! its 2009!

[kill it]

wow no EVH!!!!!
he started a whole new style of rock guitar and spawned countless clones.
it's just one opinion though and everyones list would be a bit different. Would have liked to see randy rhoads or wes montgomery somewhere too.

[Newse]

horrible top 10

[Restlesscow]

Petrucci,Buckethead, Allman and of course Gilmour. Yeah, my list looks a little different...

[MonsterOfRock]

So there you have it kids, Pentatonics with a added blues note makes you a guitar god.

This world isn't good enough for you Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhodes, James Hetfield, Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert, Buckethead, Carlos Santana, Adam Jones, Joe Perry, David Gilmour, Dimebag Darrell, and countless others who I can't think of at this moment.

I'll make my own list too! but with hookers, and blackjack; in fact, forget the list and the blackjack

[MotörHeadFan22]

yeah but this is a mainstream list, the god-like guitarists of metal won't be on the list :P

[Lord_Doku]

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

[\m/(-_-)\m/]

Mikael Akerfelt.

[Scott-Mastro]

wheres Randy Rhoads.....

[Crimson Ghost]

Sylvanus wrote:

Needs more Petrucci, Alex Lifeson and Paul Masvidal.

This list isn't good at all, Slash, Prince, and Keith Richards aren't that good and Jimi wasn't the best guitarist of all time. Alot of these guitarists use the same pentatonic/blues shapes anyways, there could be some variety in playing style. Even with just picking from rock guitarists, you could achieve more variety than this.

Slash shouldn't be there, and neither should Keith Richards. Prince actually is a great guitarist though and he's greatly under-rated. I've seen him do some pretty incredible stuff

[ewp805]

Hendrix, who died in 1970, was followed in the list by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who was described as a "remarkably precise player".

Uhh...no.

[SumFX]

I'll make my own list too! but with hookers, and blackjack; in fact, forget the list and the blackjack

lol futurama rules!

[Ac!Dc73]

How the hell did prince get in the top ten of the greatest guitarist of all time?????

[etniesmuzikskat]

heavily overrated, and this list is so generic

[MotörHeadFan22]

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

[\m/(-_-)\m/]

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

+1

[nevermore97]

theres always to many bluesy players on these lists

[SumFX]

Why am i not on this list.....oh yeah, cuz im shit

[bagpipemetal]

umm... okay? I thought that this had already been established.

[TC1223]

alastors_blade wrote:

TC1223 wrote:

SLASH #2 !!!! LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH LOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHH LOLOLOLOLOLOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

this. I don't know why I keep reading these lists, it's more of a popularity contest than anything else.

Me too. And I am going to keep arguing about this meaningless sh*t. Randy Rhodes not being on here is an absolute abomination and I take it as an insult on his behalf. Sorry Randy for all the friggin morons we have down here...

[luyano]

the list should be:
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eric Clapton
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Stevie Ray Vaughan
7) Joe Satriani
8) Ritchie Blackmore
9) Steve Vai
10) David Gilmour

[TUXGUITAR]

Nirvanarien wrote:

Even tho Jimi is a great Guitar Player and i am a great fan of his music always seeing the same people in these kinds of top 10's gets kind of boring

YUP!!! he still is the best though!!!

[Black Ox]

What a surprise,Les Paul is on the list.

[Rob n' Roll]

I agree with Lacebad, I am bored of seeing Hendrix up there (don't get me wrong, I recognise he was something special) but people like Vai and Hammett, who are so far Superior technically to a lot of people in that list never get a mention.

It's good that people are going past ability when talking about the greatest guitarists, but that's not to say that they should be ignored.

I think we all have accept the innevitability that Hendrix will always come on the top of lists like this, just like Freddie Mercury and Neil Peart come at the top of the Greatest lists for their respective instruments (of in mercury's case, vocals).

[hardrocker628]

wow this list good but eddie van halen should be number 2 he influenced tons of guitarists but even though slash is one of my guitar influences he is raned way to high also richards is not even half as good as clapton but he still is good and Yngwie Malmsteen does not to even be included in the list at all

[SoftParade1967]

Yeah I like we didnt see this coming at all...

[Lord_Doku]

Oh yeah, this is a list put up by TIME magazine. All i can say is, what did you expect ?

and there needs to be Dave Mustaine. Even though ive said it before, he just needs to be in. He is an great songwriter, and a great guitar player. To not have him on the list is just blasphemy.

But still.... You just cant make a top 10 list of 'the greatest guitarists'. It needs to be atleast 30.

[jaybals]

what a generic top 10, i bet that these people were just chosen because they knew thats what readers want to see! its always the same, keith richards, good rythm, but there are many far better players, yngwie, i dislike, its all just horrible sounding shred versions of classical music, prince, i havent heard enough prince, but im sure there are far better players!

this should be renamed as 'top 10 guitarists the general public has actually heard of'

also, no SRV?

this just shows that there is like a list to conform to when compiling the greatest guitarists, and it's utter rubbish! although i am a fan of a fair few of those guitarists

[hardrocker628]

luyano wrote:

the list should be:
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eric Clapton
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Stevie Ray Vaughan
7) Joe Satriani
8) Ritchie Blackmore
9) Steve Vai
10) David Gilmour

i agree with you steve vai deserves a place on the list more than Yngwie Malmsteen

[Acdc1991]

Possibly the worst list i've seen yet. Hendrix was a brilliant guitarist no doubt, but number 1? No chance.

[PuddleJumper11]

Woah... what a horrible list. All these guys are good... but not top 10 good. Except a few of them. And Hendrix always gets number 1. Surprise surprise.

[Fosho321]

It's a pity there's so much bias and politics when it comes to "Best of" and "Top Ten" lists. Les Paul was only on there because he died recently, Slash being #2? Get real. And Prince? It seems that these lists are more popularity contests and really have nothing to do with the actual guitarists. Though I am glad a technical player like Yngwie made the list, hopefully technical players might possibly get the credibility they deserve? I won't hold my breath...

[GreekRockr9]

Yngwie shouldn't be near this list.

[davpajaro]

Mike Stern
Steve Vai
Yngwie
EVH
Joe Pass
Wes Montgomery
David Gilmore

[kud666]

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

YOU DO KNOW DAVE MUSTAINE IS A DUDE RIGHT???
just saying lol

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

[kud666]

kud666 wrote:

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

YOU DO KNOW DAVE MUSTAINE IS A DUDE RIGHT???
just saying lol

[scithe37]

I reckon there should at least be one of the following: Randy Rhoades, Ace Frehley or Satriani? and maybe Hetfield or Hammett (It'd be more reasonable than Keith Richards).
Iommi should definitely be on the list.
And is anybody else finding the people who are 'nominating' their favourite or renownable metal guitarists amusing? Like I saw one guy say Dan Jacobs from Atreyu, cmon dude, serious now?

[kissownsrush]

Marty Friedman. That's all I've got to say.

[tsk84eva]

Prince???
Yngwie???
FFFFFUUUUU-

[COBHC_Erick429]

So wheres Marty Friedman? Hes one of the short list of guitarists who can actually play every possible genre with lots of skill. Jason Becker too, seriously.

Horrible list.

[imaginary.frnd]

Yngwie and Prince definitely shouldn't be up there..and where are Dave Gilmour, Eddie Hazel, Zappa and Van Halen?

[MotörHeadFan22]

kud666 wrote:

kud666 wrote:

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

whoops lol my bad, he*

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

YOU DO KNOW DAVE MUSTAINE IS A DUDE RIGHT???
just saying lol

[.:!j.man!:.]

Its a very mainstream list... IMO

[St3vo88]

i love slash, but #2? and im pretty sure jimmy page has written more memorable riffs than keith richards.

[MotörHeadFan22]

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

kud666 wrote:

kud666 wrote:

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

YOU DO KNOW DAVE MUSTAINE IS A DUDE RIGHT???
just saying lol

Whoops my bad lmao He*

[Bebbo]

what the **** are yngwie malmsteen and prince doing on the list?! The other names truly are in the right place!!!!

[GREENWARRI0R]

Lists like these are totally pointless.

[Chris3235]

No Friedman.

My unborn child can make a better list

[imperialfury]

I can understand jimi being up there, but why no Alexi, Dime, Vai, Rhoads?

BTW, Happy 43rd birthday Dime!!!, R.I.P

[thedarkblues06]

luyano wrote:

the list should be:
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eric Clapton
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Stevie Ray Vaughan
7) Joe Satriani
8) Ritchie Blackmore
9) Steve Vai
10) David Gilmour

You replace Jeff Beck with Carlos Santana, and find a way to put Slash in there (though not at #1-5) and I'll wholeheartedly agree that this is a more appropriate list.

[Calvero]

Even if it might be a question of taste if Hendrix is the greatest, its a fact that he was the most important rock guitarist ever.

[scithe37]

Oh and I forgot Eddie Van Halen should be on the list.

[MeGaDeth2314]

That is one of the most terrible lists I've ever seen! Slash sucks and they call him a "remarkably precise player." lmao.

[Mick92]

kud666 wrote:

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

YOU DO KNOW DAVE MUSTAINE IS A DUDE RIGHT???
just saying lol

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

are you stupid???? dave mustaine to top ten???!!? his not even top100 guitarist??

yeah, dave is rhythm guitarist, but did you know that keith richards is too!! Ok, he plays some solos... but dave plays too.

yngwie malmsteen is not topten guitarist!!! his not even top100 guitarist. he just do pickings and nothing else!! picking is very easy, every guitarist can do it!!!

if someone really should be in top30 guitar player list, he is ex-Hanoi Rocks-guitarist Andy McCoy or ex-Hurriganes-guitarist Albert Järvinen (R.I.P.). They are never in top guitarist list, but you must check their guitar playin'!! Albert Järvinen was best guitarist in 70's!!

[<Paper Cuts>]

I hate Prince >
And I think everyone knew that Jimi was #1.

[imperialfury]

and shundiler (cant spell) or mustaine

[kissownsrush]

Dimebag, Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine? I demand a recount.

[scithe37]

Calvero :
Even if it might be a question of taste if Hendrix is the greatest, its a fact that he was the most important rock guitarist ever.

+1.

[Natrone]

Might I ask WHY IN THE WORLD IS STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN NOT IN THE TOP 10?????

[Metallidethium]

PRINCE?! and I'm sorry but no slash shouldn't be ahead of Page and probably shouldn't even be in the top 10 IMO. Yngwie is an interesting choice but i mean come on..no David Gilmour or Brian May or any decent metal guitarist on the list? not buying it.....PRINCE?!

[rocknroller5]

wow, mostly all of these players are overrated, I love a lot of them but still overrated, especially Jimi Hendrix

[theacousticpunk]

VAI, Gilmour, SRV, Wes Montgomery, Beck, need I go on?

[Heminator89]

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lord_Doku wrote:

There is a lack of Dave Mustaine.

This list needs Dave Mustaine.

yeah dave maybe a rhythm guitarist but she sure knows how to shred

WIN. (Even it it's not deliberate)

[cusic]

Who was this news to?

[Mick92]

Yeah, and Jimi is absolutely greatest. do you know why? cause he make guitar playin cool. cause of jimi todays everybody talks about guitar heroes. without jimi everybody talks todays about greatest songs all time or greatest bands all time.

[worton]

what is wrong with everyone on here! didny you read that the list was complied through votes from time magazine? I woundering how many readers from time magazine have evn heard of yngwie malmsteen. also all you people suggesting metal guitarists, do you really think people who read time magazine listen to metal? even if they did, i doubt they have a favourite metal player.

[Metallidethium]

sidmontu :
the top 4 should read

1) John Frusciante
2) Jimi Hendrix
3) Stevie Ray Vaughan
4) John Mayer

ok #2 and #3 are in my opinion definite shoe-ins for the top 10. #1 is underrated and a very good guitarist but probably not top 100. and number 4...um..no.

[zigslip]

Lane? anyone, shawn lane? cmon
It's about time he gets some recognition

[Oujou]

Antis0cial wrote:

When you see a top 10 list where Slash is above BB King, you know the voters have absolutely no knowhow conserning music.

B.B. King is not better than Slash in any way other than being around longer.

[wouldyakindly]

Prince is a terrible choice, as is the exclusion of artists like Thurston Moore & Johnny Marr who have actually innovated on the guitar, rather than played generic pentatonic solos very fast. Keith Richards seems an odd choice, but I guess it can be justified by the classic riffs he thought up, if not his technical prowess. Slash on the other hand really shouldn't be there.

[Angry-Mares]

Clapton should be number two and Page three

[Oujou]

ok #2 and #3 are in my opinion definite shoe-ins for the top 10. #1 is underrated and a very good guitarist but probably not top 100. and number 4...um..no.

John Mayer is a good blues guitarist.

People on UG need to stop thinking popular and bad are synonyms.

[cobain412]

Mark Tremonti should be on this list. He will be someday.

[rkuske10]

why is keith richads so high on the list?

[kramer242]

Jimi quite possibly the most creative guitar player ever, and the best player of his time. This list did suck. Steve Vai anyone? Um or maybe this one blonde guy....um what was his name? Oh yeah....Randy Rhoads. Oh and Slash good player but worth a number 2? List definitely sucks but hey, while I love Nirvana, at least they didnt try to put Kurt on this list like every other. Very melodic but not a great guitarist lol

[Ribcage]

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
04. Keith Richards
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

I believe these are misplaced. They should be over in the "wank/blues scale/pentatonic" list.

[shamsen]

really unoriginal list... But, of course Jimi won, but OMG, Slash is above BB King? They don't know anything about guitar...

[kramer242]

cobain412 wrote:

Mark Tremonti should be on this list. He will be someday.

ummm he is a very good guitarist...dont like creed myself...but while I can never see him making this list...you never know

[moonchild9]

Surprised Yngwie was even considered for a list like this. But hey, he deserves it he is unbelievable. And just wondering: where are SRV, David Gilmour, EVH, Tony Iommi, Pete Townshend,Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Eddie Hazel, (best funk guitarist) Ritchie Blackmore, and my personal hero Randy Rhoads, the greatest metal guitarist of all time? Heck, freakin Cheech and Chong are better musicians (or artists I should say) than Slash! Another thing I would also like to point out: please stop posting comments about Laiho, Hetfeild, Mustaine, Morello, and Cobain not being on the list. The list is titled The Top Ten Greatest Electric Guitarists of all time, not The Top ten random guitarists list.

[kramer242]

[quote]Ribcage wrote:

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
04. Keith Richards
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

lol...you said it right

[kineas]

Jimmi is the best, but a critic made a list of his top 10, and people voted out of those, and the top is the best in the world? It would have been better if you could vote for any guitarist rather than the critics favourite.

[davpajaro]

Berney Kessel
Kenny Burrell
Al Dimeola
John McGlauhin
George Benson
Django (c'mon - two fingers!?!?!)
Grant Green
Andy Summers
Alex Skolnick (that's right)
Allen Holdsworth

[Atlantis2112]

Where's Petrucci..

Forget Slash. Most overrated guitarist ever.

[kramer242]

moonchild9 wrote:

Surprised Yngwie was even considered for a list like this. But hey, he deserves it he is unbelievable. And just wondering: where are SRV, David Gilmour, EVH, Tony Iommi, Pete Townshend,Jeff Beck,Carlos Santana, Steve Vai, Eddie Hazel, (best funk guitarist) Ritchie Blackmore, and my personal hero Randy Rhoads, the greatest metal guitarist of all time? Heck, freakin Cheech and Chong are better musicians (or artists I should say) than Slash! Another thing I would also like to point out: please stop posting comments about Laiho, Hetfeild, Mustaine, Morello, and Cobain not being on the list. The list is titled The Top Ten Greatest Electric Guitarists of all time, not The Top ten random guitarists list.

as i just said...i love nirvana, but finally a list w/o cobain hahaha

[PcaKes]

As voted by the readers of Time magazine...a magazine that has nothing to do with music....and worst of all they put prince on the list.

[Ndelle94]

I don't think slash deserves to hold the spot, hes only there because he's unfortunately one of the first guitarists to come to mind when the words classic rock are spoken. Its a shame that such gifted guitarists like Jerry Garica never make the top 10. And i also think Les Paul is only there because of his recent death, while he was great guitar player and innovator i think there is someone more qualified for his spot in the list.

[JordanDH]

Tremonti should not be on the list. He is a very good guitarist but he shouldn't be on the list. As much as it sickens me to say, Yngwie is right to be on there, and Michael Angelo Batio should be there too. In fact, Yngwie is the only one on the list that actually should be. It's "Greatest Electric Guitarist", not "Greatest Electric Guitar Playing Musician" or "Biggest Electric Guitar Innovator".

[pouyannassiri]

hhhhmmm david gilmour anyone?

[dobby240]

i cant exactly say i didnt see this coming lol

[bullet_esp \m/]

Bmaister wrote:
oh please, this is NOT a good list. where is Buckethead, Alexei Laiho, Nick Hipa, Dimebag, Emppu, Dan Donegan, Dan Jacobs, Kirk Hammett, Angus Young, Eric Clapton, John Petrucci and so on?

Donegan and Jacobs are nowhere near as good as all the other great guitarists that could have been on here, but i completely agree with Alexi and Dime should be on here.
And i didnt even know Prince played guitar.

[Jack Davolio]

this is lame. Where are the Young brothers?

[matman1310]

Prince is a bad ass guitar player, but top 10 idk bout that, but i laugh at any list of guitar players the doesnt include SRV, and if you guys knew anything about les paul besides there is a guitar named after him you would know that his playing was very innovative and he was a major influence for alot of players in the 50's

[saitenslayer]

that list is ****ed! i mean come on Eddie van halen hello! agnus younge,even Dimebag darrell should be on the list, you know hoe much those people did for music

[MILKCEE]

Eddie Van Halen
Jimi Hendrix
Steve Vai/Satriani(take yer pick)
B.B King
Kirk Hammett
SRV
Eric Clapton
Tony Iommi
Dave Murray/Adrian Smith
Jimmy Page

My personal picks left out (sadly) are ...Randy Rhoads, Mick Mars, Brian May, Warren Dimartini, Paul Gilbert,Ace Frehley, John Frusante, Kerry King.
Ps , A LIST OF TEN IS FRICKIN' IMPOSSIBLE!! BUT IT DOES LEAD TO GOOD DIFFERENCE OF OPINION DISCUSSIONS. CHEERS!

[caught22]

awful list

[RockHerJ33zer]

in my opinion, there are way too much guitarists out there with incredible talent to have a top ten list, there should be a "who sucks" and "who's a guitar god" list...

P.S. give the guitarists of protest the hero a few more years and they will melt faces off... not that they don't already (this is just my opinion).

[DGEdblad]

David Gilmour, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen.

also, i dont think they judged on pure skill alone. probably influence on music and popularity. thats why keith richards is on the list. they even said it was because his riffs were popular.

[blueriver]

Wylde_Is_Wild wrote:

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

Zakk Wylde will never be on a top list for guitar players. Thats a joke.

[Misfit-FTB]

Look at you guys arguing over a list. I have my own little list in my of whom I consider the best. This is just a Time popularity choice; is all. We all have our own opinions so whats the point of arguing. Oh, I'm happy Joe didn't make the list. Money grubbing fag.

[tancanada]

Paul Waggoner is missing.

[LedDaveZeppelin]

Jimi is great and all... But Esteban is definitely number 1.

[Baconfish]

The amount of people ignoring charisma here is making my head hurt.

[Lord_Doku]

You know what would be nice ? If UG grants us the opportunity to make a list of our own that will be featured as a news item. A list WE create and WE vote on.

[bnull24]

For some reason people don't understand what these lists are about. They "greatest" players are the ones who have the most prominent legacies as guitarists. No, Slash does not deserve to be number two. He is a good player but didn't really do much for the electric guitar as an instrument. Yngwie however, invented a totally new style of playing the instrument, became the first prominent rock virtuoso, and really changed the guitar, especially heavy metal lead guitar, in a big way forever.

This is how I think top ten lists of musicians should work...

Influence should be the main thing brought into consideration. How many other people did this person inspire? How has his style of playing changed the face of modern guitar?

What appears to be the problem with this list is that they went by strictly musical criteria, which is kind of missing the point. Yeah, Keith Richards may have wrote memorable riffs, but did he inspire people the way Hendrix, Page, and Clapton have? While I can't argue with Hendrix being on top, it seems like he was put there because "OMG Hendrix HAS to be on top!!1!!!1!" instead of being put there because he actually deserved it.

So, we end up with a list where Slash (certainly great, but not top 10 greatest) beats out people who deserve his spot. This is why you can't let people vote on these things. You need people who know what they're talking about to decide.

Checked.

[davpajaro]

Lord_Doku wrote:

You know what would be nice ? If UG grants us the opportunity to make a list of our own that will be featured as a news item. A list WE create and WE vote on.

great idea. in-house poll.

[Sean-Man]

Eddie Should Totally Be on the List!

[Beyond_Insanity]

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Jefferey Loomis
4. Paul Gilbert
5. Johnny Winter
6. Duane Allman
7. Les Paul (No, Not because he's dead...)
8. Pete Townsend
9. Slash (He may be sloppy, but he is good!)
10. Me (Just Kidding, I cant really think of anyone else that should go on the list)

And Actually this would be top ten guitarists in no particular order because I think they are all good.

[Beyond_Insanity]

Oh yeah, And Jeff Beck

[Cafas]

Music journalism is a joke, and so are 'greatest ever' lists and debates.

[Tanooki]

all of you arguing over who should and shouldn't be on the list is about as pointless as making the lists themselves. everyone has their own opinion of who is and who isn't the greatest guitarist of all time.

since this is a mainstream publication, there will be absolutely no mention of players who aren't grotesquely overrated by the stream. if you all had it your way, there'd be a flood of br00tals heavy metal guitarists and little to no mention of even one of these players. complaining about a list is like writing one:

no one cares, no one agrees.

[Soozy]

UHHHH ZAPPA!?...SERIOUSLY?

SRV, Satriani, Santana and Trey Anastasio would all be in my top 10. This is a pretty bad list...even for Time.

[VikingK0ng]

All these guitarists are ****ing overated. What happened to Eddie van halen, Robert Johnson, Alvin Lee, James Hetfield, tony Iommi, joe satriani, john pretucci, even Paul Gilbert? and FRANK ZAPPA? come on.

[MetalManic 666]

lifeisbeutiful wrote:

prince seriously what the **** what about kirk hammit

its top 10 best guitarists :p

[hotrats57]

Frank Zappa should at least be in the top 10, come on

[Cafas]

I'm pretty sure I saw someone say Santana was better than Jeff Beck. Oh Jesus.

[shawnpl]

StarChildSammy wrote:

this list sucks ass
Slash, Keith Richards and Prince are all shit, especially Slash.
Where's Ace Frehley?He should be no. 2.
Lol ace frehley at number 2 are u serious? Not even top hundred.

[VikingK0ng]

wheres SANTANA?

[Jondy]

Name all the shredders you want, it won't matter, because Hendrix is GOD. It's not all about playing fast.

[dirtydeeds123]

Slash no.2?!? Seriously!!?? Fuck this list, Jimmy Page should be no. 2.

[Ibzman]

lol, this is bull, I don't like comparing them. And how is that news ? Doesn't every goddamn poll puts Hendrix first ? Just quit making polls with guitar players.

[bobdohl]

this is the worst top 10 ever, other than hendrix

[SixStringHero]

Beyond_Insanity wrote:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Jefferey Loomis
4. Paul Gilbert
5. Johnny Winter
6. Duane Allman
7. Les Paul (No, Not because he's dead...)
8. Pete Townsend
9. Slash (He may be sloppy, but he is good!)
10. Me (Just Kidding, I cant really think of anyone else that should go on the list)

And Actually this would be top ten guitarists in no particular order because I think they are all good.

WTF happened to EDDIE VAN HALEN?

[NorCalLos]

I didn't read all your dumb comments, but has anyone mentioned that the list consists exclusively of rock/blues players?

Ze list is retarded.

[Savage Animal]

I'm glad Hendrix is no. 1. I still pop in Electric Ladyland every now and then and his playing floors me every time. He deserves every bit of recognition he gets. I honestly don't think Slash, Page, and Prince should be on the list though. Maybe replace them with Duane Allman, Mark Knopfler, and Jerry Garcia

[Brutalious]

Granted, these people are good guitarists. But I really, REALLY get sick of seeing the same 'ol mainstream guitarists being worshiped and over-hyped by every ass kissing magazine out there. Yes, that means you Rolling Stone...

[JFfan92]

Come on, SLASH infront of PAGE? Come on, its Jimmy Page for f's sake. I think John Frusciante( from red hot chili peppers) is a better guitarist than Slash. Slash doesnt belong in front of some of those names on that list,

[Bossman123]

I don't think i could possibly justify having Malmsteen in there!! Good to see Les Paul getting some recognition though, he was very under appreciated until he died

[Cafas]

It's pretty troubling that people associate greatness with recognition. Do you really think that these guitar players are the BEST of all time just because they could craft some catchy tunes? I know that's a severe generalization, but pretending Western music, or popular music in general, is all that matters is bullshit.

[Life Wasted]

Where is EVH?...No Van Halen but Prince is on here...thats BS

[XxMaddHatterxX]

wow. where is eddie at? malmsteen should be way further up. jimi wasnt the best guitarist. i guess it all really depends on your opinion.

[Jak Archer]

Himi Hendrix doesnt deserve the top spot IMO

[gfreak117]

Like most I can agree with Jimi at #1 even if I'm not a huge fan I respect what he did. But Slash should not have been above Clapton or Page. Jeff Beck Tony Iommi and Richie Blakmore all should have been on that list and even EVH above most. But then again thats just my opinion.

[guitargodaustin]

wat the **** is this? for one, how is prince one rank away from yngwie?? and second of all, slash is not 2! and where jason becker, paul gilbert, steve vai, or EVH!!!!! this list is bull shit, and jimi sucks anyway. yngwie shuld be number one

[mergapoot]

jimi hendrix number 1?

i think not, he was a very creative guitarist and is a true legend but not worthy of the number one spot.

Slash in my opinion is nothing special and does not deserve to be in the top 10 same goes for Keith Richards. Prince while is a good guitarist he simply isn't in the same league as such people as Les Paul and Clapton.

[MetalGear1786]

OK Jimi was the best without him I dont think things would be the way they are. BUT! WTF is Prince doing on this list? Seriously ****ing Prince??? What in the hell are these people on, b/c I want to stay far away from it lol.

[Uber Man]

that looks like a "top 10 most FAMOUS guitarist" not best.

[thricenturion]

jimi was great but come on? The best? No way! He's pop friggin culture, his sound stood for nothing of the mastery of the guitar! He was a stage performer first and foremost ffs. These polls are bullshit anyway, people r probably like oh, yeah, well ive heard of him more than these other dudes so ill vote for him. Clapton did so many drugs he forgot how to play guitar completely and redevoted his life to learning to play the guitar again, that right there is a better story than anything jimi could put out. kajlfhglksjdahflkgjshdflkjghdsflkjg.

[cjhoubre]

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

you can say anything you want, and I'll say more power to you, but Jimmy Page has never sucked, and his tone is legendary.
Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

[sporkman7]

yngwie??
YNGWIE?????

[XxMaddHatterxX]

uberman, i agree with you. all of these guys are too mainstream. and overrated guitar players. except malmsteen. :p

[11fmurj]

Clapton above Jimmy Page? Wtf?!

[bleam]

Scott-Mastro wrote:

wheres Randy Rhoads.....

Agree, unfortently he dident get as big as Van Halen due his short time on earth.. I'm positive Randy would have been very huge! even bigger then Eddie.. But concerning the list..
Yes Ritchie Blackmore indeed.. And in "metal" i Would like to seen Dimebag Darrel!
But I'm glad slash got rated that high, since he is a very passionated player with lots of feeling!

[Catalyst6661]

this is a load of crap.

[SimonWired]

This list is messed up. Period.

[cjhoubre]

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

you can say anything you want, and I'll say more power to you, but Jimmy Page has never sucked, and his tone is legendary

sorry, screwed up my post. XD

[Polaris666]

How the hell can you not have Dimebag Darrell Abbott on this list?

[thedarkblues06]

Mick92 wrote:

thedarkblues06 wrote:

luyano wrote:

the list should be:
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eric Clapton
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Stevie Ray Vaughan
7) Joe Satriani
8) Ritchie Blackmore
9) Steve Vai
10) David Gilmour

You replace Jeff Beck with Carlos Santana, and find a way to put Slash in there (though not at #1-5) and I'll wholeheartedly agree that this is a more appropriate list.

**** off, you respect just 70's-00's guitarist, nobody respect the that Chuck Berry, Robert Johnson, B.B. King, Freddy King, Les Paul, they make blues, and they make rock 'n' roll, and rock 'n' roll make heavy metal, and heavy metal make ****in' death/doom metal. without those blues guitarists, there's no rock!!!!!

Umm, you're talking to a huge Robert Johnson/Chuck Berry/Charlie Christian/Andy Fripp/B.B. King/Bo Diddley fan.

Just sayin'.

[pwrmax]

Where's David Gilmour? Comfortably Numb anyone?

[the_bear_shark]

Scourge441
wrote:

Scourge441
wrote:

This is how I think top ten lists of musicians should work...

Influence should be the main thing brought into consideration. How many other people did this person inspire? How has his style of playing changed the face of modern guitar?

What appears to be the problem with this list is that they went by strictly musical criteria, which is kind of missing the point. Yeah, Keith Richards may have wrote memorable riffs, but did he inspire people the way Hendrix, Page, and Clapton have? While I can't argue with Hendrix being on top, it seems like he was put there because "OMG Hendrix HAS to be on top!!1!!!1!" instead of being put there because he actually deserved it.

So, we end up with a list where Slash (certainly great, but not top 10 greatest) beats out people who deserve his spot. This is why you can't let people vote on these things. You need people who know what they're talking about to decide.

Checked.

I agree with this except I'm a little divided on the last part in some aspects. Think about it, if a musician has been so successful while maintaining such talent to be able to reach out to audiences who aren't even all that knowledgeable of the subject and still have them understand them to be talented musicians, that says something. That's not to say any musician does/does not deserve to be on the list, it's just another way of looking at things.

It's also funny reading all these posts, and seeing how a good majority of the recommended guitarists are all somewhat similar. So many rock/metal/shred guitarists, no wonder so many people here complain. The list is generally the most famous guitarists as well. Hell, if it were up to me, there would be several electronica/reggae guitarists up there as opposed to anything else.

This site is pretty biased, but that's not a bad thing, since the market it attracts is not the market that compiles the list. Just how it is I suppose.

[Crystal_Baller]

Eddie Van Halen
Jimi Hendrix
Steve Vai/Satriani(take yer pick)
B.B King
Kirk Hammett
SRV
Eric Clapton
Tony Iommi
Dave Murray/Adrian Smith
Jimmy Page

My personal picks left out (sadly) are ...Randy Rhoads, Mick Mars, Brian May, Warren Dimartini, Paul Gilbert,Ace Frehley, John Frusante, Kerry King.
Ps , A LIST OF TEN IS FRICKIN' IMPOSSIBLE!! BUT IT DOES LEAD TO GOOD DIFFERENCE OF OPINION DISCUSSIONS. CHEERS!

i aggree with this for the most part other then Tony Iommi...I think hew is just awful...personal opinion. Prince does deserve that top ten spot. any real guitarist would know and/appreciate his guitar work.

[zaine757]

when it comes to the keith richards writes more memorable rock songs than any1 part, i think Joe Perry of Aerosmith should b right up there with keith. he co wrote over 200 aerosmith songs with steven tyler cmon.

[Haineken93]

Why isnt Stevie Ray Vaughn up there? Where is Randy Rhodes? or Toni Iommi? this is not a very good top 10 list, Jimi Hendrix is the only one that is in the correct spot, like why prince and Slash? they are good guitarists but not top 10 worthy

[zaine757]

oh and btw joe perry INFLUENCED slash

[Hanzi_G]

I disagree, I think I'm the best electric guitarist ever,

[scithe37]

WTF WHY ISN'T PETE WENTZ ON THIS LIST?

[GetchaPull582]

i think that dimebag darrel should be on here definitely.. and eddie van halen since he influenced dime.. and what the hell why is prince on there.. they should have put this poll in a music magazine not life.. because the majority of people who read that are people who only know people because the have a big name. that is why prince is on there.

[Daydream_Goo]

So many bitter people, it's nothing to get worked up over.

[Luke.Zeppelin]

id say jeff beck was at least second or joint top, but hes not even in the top 10?

[jiminizzle]

TREEEEEYYYYY

[indyrock91]

SRV, Eddie Van Halen, Kirk and James are all miles ahead of Prince.
No Buckethead is a good call he isn't that impressive. But it is TIME so you can't expect a great list

[davidgilmour]

this is so stupid already he isn't the greatest guitar player there is plenty of people that smash him in every aspect for instance, Steve Vai, John Petruchhi just to name a few I really cant see why he gets so much credit he was good for his era but he simply cant hold a candle to some of the players today

[King ofKumbucha]

Big list of Fail.

Fail

Seriously, this is the most cliche' list of "great" guitarists I've ever seen.

[Jugulator_cro]

Slash second? What? Prince????? I`ve yet to see a normal list.

[GetchaPull582]

the only reason people like him so much is because he started so much. but many people have surpassed jimi

[Jondy]

King ofKumbucha wrote:

Big list of Fail.
Fail

Seriously, this is the most cliche' list of "great" guitarists I've ever seen.

cliche? it's not like lists are supposed to be creative works of fiction. that's like saying the order of the alphabet is cliche.

No Frank Zappa? Carlos Santana? Duane Allman?

Checked

[niel9802]

get rid of prince and move jimmy higher and we have an immediate improvement. at least its better than rolling stones' stupid list.

[FinkAaltra]

There is not Joe Satriani? WTF ??? this list suck!

[Psychaberration]

not one single guitarist on that list deserves it IMO.

[scithe37]

GetchaPull582 :
scithe37 wrote:

WTF WHY ISN'T PETE WENTZ ON THIS LIST?
maybe because he is a bassist retard

It's a joke dude.

[vanhalen241]

Spoonerismz wrote:

Eddie > Jimi

Eddie has done so much more for the guitar, yet he doesn't even grace this list. But even if he did, I still think it would be too over done.

Slash at #2? Slash my ass! He's good but not that good!

THANK YOU!!! FINALLY SOMEONE WITH SOME SENSE!!!

[FinkAaltra]

FinkAaltra wrote:

There is not Joe Satriani? WTF ??? this list suck!

In fact, there is not guitarist who plays in the G3 (Except Malmsteem). It's not serious...

[SilverSpurs616]

Typical, a bunch of kids complaining that THEIR favourite isn't in the list. It's not all about shredding, guys..

Though personally, I think Jimi is shit

[D1D8ING]

For **** sake, does he have a ****ing tunnel vision or what? Okay I can have Hendrix as number 1 but Slash IS NOT NUMBER 2. Why does he not have Steve Vai, or Satriani and Gilbert. WHERE IS PETRUCCI? Their flawless tecnique beats any of the guys on that list. And those are only to name a few. This is the kind of list you would see from a 12 year old, not a music critic. It's pathetic!

[dannydesktop]

Hendrix doesn't get half the credit he deserves. Theres lots of great technical guitar players who im sure you could watch play mindlessly and effortlessly forever. But they lack hendrix's imagination and songwriting & soul, they'll never be able to touch him.

[pwrmax]

We should have a poll on UG for best guitarist, seeing as how we're more educated than Time Magazine readers.

[zaine757]

amen pwrmax

[jack hate crew]

i think that jimi page is the greatest guitarist of all time because he wasnt just an amazing guitarist, he had a hell of alot of acoustic talent aswell

[EpiphoneV]

this list looks like it was made by 10 year old beginners, it looks into who is the most popular and not best, mind you those guitarists are all great, and without Hendrix i can say i wouldnt of started to play guitar, but there guitarists like marty friedman, michael schenker, tony Iommi, eddie van halen, steve vai that are better then most on this list,

[Jay2007]

KingGohma
Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

And yet malmsteen is there..

[moses132049]

this list sucks, jimi, yngwie are the only 2 i could agree with, but really what about john petrucci? he can ****ing play. and joe satriani? WTF???

[mate_jebate]

lol
this is joke.

[PuddleJumper11]

pwrmax :
We should have a poll on UG for best guitarist, seeing as how we're more educated than Time Magazine readers.

This.

[Wolfinator-x]

Where's EVH? Satch? SRV? Tony Iommi? Steve Vai? Frank Zappa? Duane Allman? Buckethead? Carlos Santana? Etc?

I'm surprised Yngwie is on that list. I love his music and all, but if you look at the infamous Rolling Stone list (which also sucked) he wasn't even there!

[Apocalypse4162]

Where the frig is Jerry Garcia?? The list is pretty good..well number 1 on it is, but no way Slash is second best, so over rated. Ynqwie or however its spelled does not deserve to be on there. It's not all about how fast you can play...

[Hellish_Wolf]

Wow, Very cliched list. Sorry but Jimi is not the best guitarist ever. I am not going to say who I think is because thats just an opinion, but there are people out there that play with much more feeling, are much more creative and know alot more about music than Jimi ever did.

[DZCunuck]

oh wow, yet another list compiled by some classic rock nerd but they had to throw Slash in there so as not to disenchant the legions of kids who play guitar hero 3.
This is the same crap over and over.
This is why i was really glad to see that this other guy (article about him a while ago)is making a book about Metal's greatest guitarist that would NOT include names like Jimi, Jimmy and all the other cliches.

[dvr555]

anyone ever heard of john petrucci? and slash is way overrated!!!

[Apocalypse4162]

Oh yeah and Duane Allman deserves a spot on here for sure...

[Odlid]

There is no such thing as a "Greatest Guitarist"

Stupid lists, they are always the same

[Rocker Extreme]

Why do people keep making these lists? Why is guitar so competitive? These are the things I will never understand.

[Mustaine69]

WHERES KURT COBAIN!?

[PaulGilbrtIsGod]

wow people are stupid.
kiko loureiro is the best
shawn lane should be up there too.

[Golem29]

The complete lack of Eddie Van Halen displays astonishing ignorance.

[shreducator]

You people keep b*tching about this list.....Les Paul, Hendrix, Page, Clapton, and Malmsteen Started or greatly innovated some of the key aspects of true axemanship...but I guess alot of you probably didn't know Les Paul was even a person, and much less the magnitude of his playing and the inventions of his that made the electric guitar and recording technology what it is today.

[Shinsen88]

Pretty terrible list, but it's just someone's opinion when you get down to it. Nothing more, nothing less.

[shreducator]

Just for the record, this list isn't quite up to par.

[Nameless742]

Stikit2duhman wrote:

this list SUCKS! so cliche!
SLASH at number 2?! ahead of JIMMY PAGE?!?! WTF!
jimi h is still awesome though

I agree. Shrug, this is someone else's list.

[zaine757]

1.Eric Clapton
2.Jimmy Page
3.David Gilmour
4.Joe Perry
5.Randy Rhodes
6.Eddie Van Halen
7.Joe Satriani
8.Jimi Hendrix
9.Mick Mars
10.Keith Richards
this isnt the best list but its much more realistic.

[courtkid1012]

This is why you go by Rolling stone and not f***ing time magazine. How is slash the #2? He wasn't even listed on Rolling Stone. That's not right, but he's better off not being on it than being #2.

[Golem29]

courtkid1012 wrote:

This is why you go by Rolling stone and not f***ing time magazine. How is slash the #2? He wasn't even listed on Rolling Stone. That's not right, but he's better off not being on it than being #2.

You NEVER go by Rolling Stone for anything.

[JosueRHCP]

Ok the quality of this topten is very bad...also..

...SLASH??? number 2???? WTF!!!

[Mikewazousky]

Crap list and those of you saying Kirk should be on there are crazy cause he SUCKS SO HARD. Jeff Loomis, Chris Broderick, Shawn Lane, Paul Gilbert, Kiko Loureiro, Vai, Satch, John Petrucci, Guthrie Govan, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker, Allan Holdsworth, THOSE are SKilled Guitarists. But this is more of a popularity contest than anything.

[szekelymihai]

holy crap Prince? even hammet couldve fitted there

[Apocalypse4162]

So here's what my list would look like if I were to make it... What do you all think?

1. Jimi Hendrix -of The Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Jerry Garcia -of Grateful Dead
3. Jimmy Page -of Led Zeppelin
4. Eric Clapton -of Cream
5. Duane Allman -of The Allman Brothers Band
6. Jorma Kaukonen -of Jefferson Airplane
7. Dickey Betts -of The Allman Brothers Band
8. David Gilmour -of Pink Floyd
9. Keith Richards -of The Rolling Stones
10. Neil Young -of CSNY and Crazy Horse

[zaine757]

1.Eric Clapton
2.Jimmy Page
3.David Gilmour
4.Joe Perry
5.Randy Rhodes
6.Eddie Van Halen
7.Joe Satriani
8.Jimi Hendrix
9.Mick Mars
10.Keith Richards
this isnt the best list but its much more realistic

[Golem29]

Apocalypse4162 wrote:

So here's what my list would look like if I were to make it... What do you all think?

1. Jimi Hendrix -of The Jimi Hendrix Experience
2. Jerry Garcia -of Grateful Dead
3. Jimmy Page -of Led Zeppelin
4. Eric Clapton -of Cream
5. Duane Allman -of The Allman Brothers Band
6. Jorma Kaukonen -of Jefferson Airplane
7. Dickey Betts -of The Allman Brothers Band
8. David Gilmour -of Pink Floyd
9. Keith Richards -of The Rolling Stones
10. Neil Young -of CSNY and Crazy Horse

Crap, no Eddie Van Halen. Sorry but any serious list would go 1. Hendrix. 2. Van Halen. It can't be argued otherwise, both those musicians had by far the biggest effect on modern guitar music.

[callumthewallum]

john fruciante should definately have been in the top ten and slash shouldnt be 2nd although he is one of my favourite guitarists, jimmy page and clapton are far better. Jimi hendrix should definately be number one as he is the greatest in so many ways and has influenced the guitar and most music in so many ways although jimi hendrix is amazing? do you have any bigger news?

[Lefty7Stringer]

Um no Jimi Hendrix was not good at all imo. Lets use the same pentatonic scale for every song. no good.

[Apocalypse4162]

I know that anybody who does not agree that Hendrix should be #1 only knows the mainstream stuff on the radio by him. Get his albums,drop some acid or toke up, listen to them, and then come back and let's see what you have to say! Lol

[iantheman]

I lol'd at #2

[ESTP]

This sort of list will never please anyone and it can never be definite, for all we know there could be a guitarist in the amazon rainforest with 8 fingers who is insane so...

[Funkmaster Fret]

Seriously. Anyone who thinks Eddive Van Halen or Alexi Gayho belongs on any kind of list can't seriously play guitar.

The guy who made this list is a "music critic?" In the words of our black bretheren, Nigga please.

Someone hand that man copies of At Fillmore East, Live Cream (both volumes), and Pulse so that his piddly ass Slash and Keith Richards and Yngwie Malmsteen can find the list they actually belong on (It's neat, it's titled 25 Most Overrated Guitarists).

Les Paul got his spot for dying. Period. Rest in peace, sir, but all he did was give birth to the modern weapon the Superpowers of Duane Allman, Eric Clapton, Jimi, Dave Gilmour, Roy Buchanan, and Derek Trucks the sonic firepower needed to launch furious, soulful war on the human senses.

courtkid: Rolling Stone also put Kurt Cobain on the list, which by default makes that list FAR more laughable than this one.

[Apocalypse4162]

Im also surprised to see no Brian May on here. Queen was pretty impressive! I'm so glad to see that Edge from U2 isn't on here, thank the lord above lol

[pleskoch]

Jimmy page should definetley be number 2..unleast for me, we should also forget of eddye Van Halen and Gilmour...good list...but not great

[Apocalypse4162]

Pete Townshend deserves a spot on the list here too lol I know its the top ten and its hard to choose..maybe a top 20 for next time around...

[Radz117]

ESTP wrote:

This sort of list will never please anyone and it can never be definite, for all we know there could be a guitarist in the amazon rainforest with 8 fingers who is insane so...

AMEN! AMEN!

[CeeJay08]

KingGohma wrote:

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

What a bollocks statement. GO GILBERT =D

[MotörHeadFan22]

Lefty7Stringer wrote:

Um no Jimi Hendrix was not good at all imo. Lets use the same pentatonic scale for every song. no good.

i totally agree he's blown out of proportion, just because he's dead, i mean yeah he's top ten, but he's not as good as everyone says!

[TheMysticBard]

YES! PRINCE! BAM! Totally unexpected, Loves me some prince.

I am tired of seeing jimi as number one, I mean sure, he influenced a lot of people, but if you really look at it, there are so many guitarists that have surpassed him.

good guitarist, but hand the torch over.

[zaine757]

1.Eric Clapton
2.Jimmy Page
3.David Gilmour
4.Joe Perry
5.Randy Rhodes
6.Eddie Van Halen
7.Joe Satriani
8.Jimi Hendrix
9.Mick Mars
10.Keith Richards
this isnt the best list but its much more realistic than the time magezeen one

[Radz117]

No need to read into things too much or be too opinionated or think of some extremely obscure guitarist from Brazil who should be on the list. People please Hendrix was and forever will be the greatest electric guitarist of all time. People saying it's boring seeing a cliched list. Dya know what is more boring? People saying *for example* "Shit list Jimi Hendrix is shit, John Petrucci is way better" blah blah blah. Just accept the truth, I don't even think it's opinion.

[Lohnanmilitia]

Where's Alvin lee? Michael schenker? Steve Vai? Satriani? All of which kick Hendrix ass! Time magazine equals epic fail!

[jrmeh41]

this list is bs

[Radz117]

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lefty7Stringer wrote:

Um no Jimi Hendrix was not good at all imo. Lets use the same pentatonic scale for every song. no good.

Could you name these songs?
i totally agree he's blown out of proportion, just because he's dead, i mean yeah he's top ten, but he's not as good as everyone says!

[SurfinWithSatch]

I can't really say I agree with any of the placements on this list.
I mean Prince ffs? How about SRV, Satch, Vai, Richie Sambora, Joe Perry, Richie Blackmore, Angus Young, Joe Walsh, EVH, Tom Morello, Billy Gibbons and David Gilmour just to name a few who should all surely come before Prince in a top 10 of guitarists along with many more which I havent got the energy to spend all night typing.

Yngwie and Prince I think shouldn't be anywhere near a top 10, Slash and B.B. King are kinda debatable and I personally wouldn't have Chuck Berry on there.

As per usual there probably wasn't any poll done at all the this magazine just took as many well known guitarists as they could think of, put their names in a bowl (reserving Jimi for 1st as always) and pulled them out 1 by 1.

[RHtonyflowCP]

me too. those lists are stupid, it's all based on opinion, there is no best guitarist.
...it should be about the music anyways.

+1

[Chris Schementi]

LD_Luke D wrote:

1) what the **** does time magazine readers know about guitar
2)Slash is amazing, but nowhere near top 10 good
3)Yngwie but no EVH...blasphemy
4) prince is very underrated but not even top 25 quality
5)no Tony Iommi... riddiculous
6) No SRV... this is a joke, like seriously

I completely agree on everything you said.

I love Hendrix and I really do think he deserves the spot, but if you think about it....i dont give a shit all these players are something i wish i could one day become.

[RHtonyflowCP]

RHtonyflowCP wrote:

me too. those lists are stupid, it's all based on opinion, there is no best guitarist.
...it should be about the music anyways.

+1

[_person_]

its a very good list i think.

[CliffIsAngry]

I bet Yngwie is pissed off at this list hahaha. I don't know what 80% of the players on that list are doing there. If it was Most overrated ever then sure. I can accept that Jimi is on it. He truly was great, but this is just another popularity contest really and I just dont mix popularity with greatness :/

[thejoel3]

Page is No. 1. For sure.

Ronnie Wood Is better than Richards. (Around the Plynth by the Faces is my evidence)

[LankeyDwarf]

Jimi Hendrix deserves #1 he was ahead of his time with the stuff he played IM

But no Eddie Van Halen? wtf

[GetchaPull582]

scithe37 wrote:

GetchaPull582 :
scithe37 wrote:

WTF WHY ISN'T PETE WENTZ ON THIS LIST?
maybe because he is a bassist retard

It's a joke dude.

k sorry

[Radz117]

LegsOnEarth wrote:

So bored of lists

Yep

[netgrade]

Why is jimi still number 1? Sure he was great, and no one else did things like him, but what about the ones that are ahead of their time now?
List is lacking buckethead.

[playpsp8]

WHERE`S ALEXI ?????

[Serjem]

okay, they got the 1st right... but seriously.. SLASH?!?!? i mean what the **** is that guy doing there...

KNOPFLER??

[wolvenrick]

im a big slash fan but putting him above bb king and clapton is a bit strange, i'd have said clapton or hendrix number 1 prolly hendrix then anyway cuz he's dead already... BB king surely must be number 2 or 3 he's magical and wise i love how he uses little notes but expresses it perfectly.

who the F*** is prince anyway? the gay singer ? does he play guitar wth?

[spiderbaby629]

Okay, Okay. Slash should not be # 2, so everyone knows that and everyone agrees. Keith Richards is awesome also, but I don't think he's Top Ten Material either. More of like Top 20 material.
Hendrix is #1. Bottom line. His Style was bizzare and way ahead of his time. He didn't really write that many popular songs, he just ripped off people but he made that song better than it was when the actual artist wrote it. Like "All Along the Watchtower," Bob Dylan himself said that he liked Jimi's Verson better. So, I can not and will not agrue that Jimi is #1. Cause he is, I mean come on, he basically invited Feedback for godsake.
But anyway, you can agree or disagree but this is my opinion.
I was just wondering about other guitarist. Sure Kirk Hammett and Angus Young are more of Top 20, but they should be mentioned. Steve Vai, Dimebag, Zappa.
NO! Buckethead does not suck. He's VERY under-rated. And I know I'll get Toasted for this one, but what about Kurt Cobain. I mean, sure it's more of the music with Nirvana and most of there stuff isn't that hard, but you try playing some songs and singing them at the same time, like he did. Take for instance, "You Know You're Right," "Swap Meet," "Heart-Shaped Box," etc.
Some of his stuff is really hard to play and sing at the same time.
But another guitarist I was mad that I didn't see on the list was Stevie Ray Vaughn. What happened to him? Did everyone forget about him or something?
But anyway. I'm glad that Hendrix is #1, he should be. And I'm glad to see Chuck Berry up there. He's the man. Everyone says that Elvis invited Rock N Roll, but I think it was Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis who invited Rock N Roll.
I mean come on, Chuck Berry's music is more Rocking than Elvis'. And the first actual mosh pit took place at a Jerry Lee Lewis Concert. So.....

[skylerjames13]

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

so true synyster deserves a spot, he's amazing

[tands]

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Jimmy Page
03. B.B. King
04. Eric Clapton
06. Chuck Berry
07. Keith Richards
05. David Gilmour
08. Tony Iommi
09. Jack White
10. Yngwie Malmsteen

something like that maybe?

[tands]

spiderbaby629 wrote:
about Kurt Cobain. I mean, sure it's more of the music with Nirvana and most of there stuff isn't that hard, but you try playing some songs and singing them at the same time, like he did. Take for instance, "You Know You're Right," "Swap Meet," "Heart-Shaped Box," etc.

Kurt Cobain did on the electric what Bob Dylan did on the acoustic

[buckethead_jr]

The article wrote:

I Slash, who was described as a "remarkably precise player".

lol'd

skylerjames13 wrote:
so true synyster deserves a spot, he's amazing

Also lol'd.

[noddy-whack]

That list is crap. I mean yeah hendrix deserves the top spot but slash? and yngwie? These arent important and influential players

[dweb23]

Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[pureebil333]

Ugh, jimi = over-rated, imo.

[Its So Easy]

Splashed wrote:

This is a pretty nuts list. Slash at number 2? I love Slash, he's possibly my favorite but he's not #2 material. And why the hell is Keith Richards above Eric Clapton? And Prince in the top ten? I'm not bashing him, there's just more deserving players.

I agree with this completely. Slash is my favorite guitarist, inspiration and idol. He is nowwhere near #2 and probably would admit it. Clapton should be ahead of Page and Stevie Ray Vaughn and Rhodes should also be in atleast the top 20.

[FlyingPirahna]

Another generic top 10 list. The same people are in everyone, and I think it's high time to move on.

[ESPman6505+]

RANDY RHOADS?????
Where is he?!?!?!

[ibanezgod1973]

it`s more of a list of who plays gibson and fender, there are so many guitarists out there who can run circles round the majority of players mentioned here..

[metalgirl0]

LOL, Hendrix was a good guitarist, but far from the best. Yes, he's overated, just as Slash. That list should have Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Yngwie Malmsteen, and maybe Muhammed Suicmez. And wtf... Prince?

[georgeollah]

I think these lists are dumb, may be if it were 100 guitarists that have been aligned alphabetically it could be a little bit meaningful.

[me_llamo_juan]

lol@list

[me_llamo_juan]

Wait a second... How is Yngwie in the top 10? He can't even touch most of the other shredders out there.

[Flibo]

How did I guess that there would be like 500 comments whining about their idol not being on the list. Try to live with it, it's the people who have voted for the guitarists anyway. It's not even about who is the best guitarist, it's about the GREATEST guitarist. It's completely a question of taste anyway, stop complaining already.

[The Fret-Dancer]

I dont freakin care how much passion/emotion/bullshit Jimi put into his playing. Isn't it time for someone else to shine? It's complete BS that this guy wins EVERYTHING guitar related. He isn't that good and NO I'm not sorry to say that and I won't take it back because it's the truth. So many unsung great guitarists like Alex Lifeson,Mike Einziger and Andy McKee have elitists' noses turned up for the simple fact their names aren't Hendrix or Clapton.
/rant

[ShatterSpirit]

One of the worst lists I've ever seen. Every single one of these lists contain only the most mainstream, overexposed guitarists out there. Jimi was great and all, but no way in hell is he number 1 material (to me anyway). Besides, these lists are too subjective, there is not a single combination of 10 guitarists you could come up with that would please everyone.

I agree with most of you on the Slash thing as well, I like him, but no way in hell is he number 2.

But Prince...? Seriously? That's when the guys writing the list said "eff it man, it's not like it has to be a GOOD top ten list".

[bi-ah!]

jimi hendrix is ballin!
but, being the best guitar player of all time is up to interpretation XD no one can ever be the best, b/c everyone has different opinions

[guitartiger]

SOOOOO sick of jimi hendrix at the top of all these lists, he is SO over rated. heck yeah he was good but the only reason he makes it to the top of all the lists is because thats the guitar player everyone knows. if there was a more popular guitarist, he would be number one. lists like this are about popularity, not talent. This applys for Slash at number 2 aswell, he is popular because freaking guitar hero. Slash is my favorite guitarist but not the best no way. I only say he is my favorite because his bluesy style. This is no top guitarist list, this is the most popular guitarist list, pshhhh.....

[joshua122593]

Not surprised.

[grimms]

lurch_276 wrote:

Splashed wrote:

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.
Stump? Like Patrick Stump?

Ya please tell me u didn't mean patrick stump

Joe Stump

[2mins2midnite]

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN FTW!!!!!

[GibsonMan321]

Randy Rhoads! Now! Also Hendrix has some cool riffs but not that great as a guitarist. Pls get slash off the list.

[gibson~dove]

Um, what happened to John Frusciante???
And why on earth is Prince on that list?

[Fatcat1010]

Time Magazine is not gonna make a satisfying list because the majority of people who vote in it are not guitar players. While people in this community look for technicality, skill and originality in their favorite guitar players, other people will be looking for names they recognize and associate with great guitar playing, hence Slash being number 2. Slash is my personal favorite guitar player but he should not be ahead of people like B.B. King, Chuck Berry, or Jimmy Page simply for the lasting impact those people have made on music over the last half century.

[Mr. Chang]

Guitar doesn't end at the blues. If a guitarist isn't playing the blues it doesn't mean he isn't playing with "feeling." These publications need to learn that. Also technical ability is an asset that is severely misunderstood by the people that post here.

[Oobleshmerfadar]

Anyone notice that this list was made by Time Magazine subscribers and a majority vote?

You might as well be getting worked up about Taylor Swift winning the Teen Choice Awards.

[The7isbest]

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Steve Vai
3. Marty Friedman
4. George Harrison
5. Joe Satriani
6. Paul Gilbert
7. Les Paul
8. Jimmy Page
9. Randy Rhoads
10. Brian May

'Nuff said.

[s-o-u-l-f-l-y]

KingGohma wrote:

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

Then why the duck is Malmsteen on here? According to your logic he shouldn't be though I think he deserves it.

[Capt_Clarkson]

The7isbest wrote:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Steve Vai
3. Marty Friedman
4. George Harrison
5. Joe Satriani
6. Paul Gilbert
7. Les Paul
8. Jimmy Page
9. Randy Rhoads
10. Brian May

'Nuff said.

I agree with that list alot more than the one mentioned in the artical... Slash #2nd?!?! wtf

[ozza01]

dudes overrated, just a crazy guy with some big ideas not a lot of skill, this lists so stupid, prince wtf, we're missing zakk wylde, steve vai, joe satriani, john petrucci, eddie van halen, dimebag darrell, Randy rhodes, Allen collins... and dont tell me that dude shouldnt be there he wrote freebird, case rested

[travd92]

terrible list, but i agree with jimi being number one.

[awesomeness]

Terrible list.. :/

[loudog93]

needs frusciante, mayer, and the edge. then it will be complete.

[A6StringWorld]

travd92 wrote:

terrible list, but i agree with jimi being number one.

i agree with that statement

[Shabadoo]

needs to contain all of my favorite guitarists then it will be valid ...

[R8:31b]

yeah i dont really agree with that top ten either, i mean Richards over like Lennon, Harrison or Gilmour?

[EnyoAdonai]

I feel like rather than saying greatest guitarist they should say most influential because, skill wise, there are more talented players.

[acib708]

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

You cannot say Jimmy Page sucks, and that he has the worst sound ever, because he does not, if you say so, you know nothing about music (electric guitar related).
You might not like him, but he does not suck, it is different what YOUR PERSONAL opinion is, than the fact. For example, I personally dislike Malmsteen, but he IS a great player.

[Lord Waltaa]

come on... I mean, he's revolutionary, but not GREAT

I can name dozens of artists who play better, have top sound and top show and top everything!

[tatatotfolife]

Niiko wrote:

Granted Jimi played with feeling and passion, but I don't recon he's number, you can't really define number one unless you're looking at the same genre and if they can all do the same things on guitar, which they didn't. I'd like to see Carlos Santana up there. Atleast they gave the "shredders" something to be proud of by putting Yngwie there *Rolls eyes*

Completely agree with Carlos Santana, he's an excellent guitarist.

[greennblue10]

Prince, Slash and Kieth Richards do not belong on the top 10, nor the top 50

[sausagewielder]

DIMEBAG????
Rhodes?
Gilmour?

[mtllica]

CHUCK SCHULDINER

[monkeysintheday]

Cause this is the first time this ever happened.

He's not the greatest guitarist, he was great, if anything, he was the most innovative, he changed the views of what you can do with a guitar. But that doesn't mean he was the greatest guitarist.

[alex3996]

Iron Maiden's Dave Murray wrote over 100 original solos, this is a fact. I think he is way under-rated. As for this list, I agree with Jimi Hendrix being #1 since he was the first "Guitar Hero" that inspired all the following guitar heros of this world in a way or another.

[Chill 02]

EnyoAdonai wrote:

I feel like rather than saying greatest guitarist they should say most influential because, skill wise, there are more talented players.

I'll have to agree with this.

[tands]

Spoonerismz wrote:

Eddie > Jimi

Eddie has done so much more for the guitar, yet he doesn't even grace this list. But even if he did, I still think it would be too over done.
!

What did eddie do? Hendrix was tappin before he was ever born

[therudycometh]

ESPman6505+ wrote:

RANDY RHOADS?????
Where is he?!?!?!

+100000

[myblackspade]

I think Jimi Hendrix is good. but he is way overated

[Zeldaik]

KingGohma wrote:

Colohue wrote:

John Petrucci? Ritchie Blackmore?

Bad list.

I love Petrucci and all, but I'm not a fan of the mindset which implies that only rock and metal guitarists are worthy of inclusion on this sort of list.

Django Reinhardt? Pat Metheny?

Django Reinhardt could make it but Eff Pat Metheny.

[fatmanslim12]

Randy Rhoads.

[Zeldaik]

Capt_Clarkson wrote:

The7isbest wrote:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Steve Vai
3. Marty Friedman
4. George Harrison
5. Joe Satriani
6. Paul Gilbert
7. Les Paul
8. Jimmy Page
9. Randy Rhoads
10. Brian May

'Nuff said.

I agree with that list alot more than the one mentioned in the artical... Slash #2nd?!?! wtf

Nahhh.
Marty Friedmnan and Steve Vai 2 and 3???
Leave Yngwie as well.

[Slash 555]

I love slash but he isn't the second greatest electric guitar player ever at all.

[dorado91]

Calm down people, just because this guy says Jimi Hendrix is the best guitarist of all time, does not mean it has to be that way...
Depending on personal opinion, everyone has their own top ten. There are some guitarists I wouldn't vote on that list.. others I think are justified. Anyways dont feel offended by this guy, it's just his opinion. They have to pick people the mainstream public can relate to and know in a magazine like this. You cant place the world's "best" technical player on top if nobody knows him because then 90% of people won't read the article.
The list is made to be popular and interesting for average Joe who isnt THAT into music.
Although in my opinion, with a few exceptions, the list is pretty good. (I wouldnt put Slash at number 2... ah well )

[Rickustico]

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

dude synister gates just plays fast he's never made anything actually legendary. the one who should be on this list is Rhandy Roads now that's a true legend, also dimebag, van halen

[joshw17]

Hendrix is 1, the rest is commentary.

[Guitarfreak777]

luyano wrote:

the list should be:
1) Jimi Hendrix
2) Eric Clapton
3) Jimmy Page
4) Jeff Beck
5) Eddie Van Halen
6) Stevie Ray Vaughan
7) Joe Satriani
8) Ritchie Blackmore
9) Steve Vai
10) David Gilmour

I would agree with his for the most part, nice list dude.

[DamienFleisch]

I wouldn't call him the best guitarist of all time. Maybe one of the most influential or maybe revolutionary but there have been more talented guitarists since him.

[bigjonny02]

YOU KNOW WHO NEEDS TO BE ON THIS LIST????? BUCKETHEAD!!

[ThrashIsGreat]

only complaint is no EVH.

[Clutch32192]

this should be "the top ten influential guitarist" that, you might be able to make an agree able list, but best is a word that usually doesn't end well

[Frusciante_14]

your all forgetting one thing
this is one mans opinion
everybody likes different styles of music, otherwise everyone would listen to the same shit and write the same shit too. There would be no contrast.
Music wouldnt be the same without different genres, and if everyone liked the same thing then there would only be one genre.
So this argument will never be settled really, because nobody likes to admit that there inspirations are not as good as others. They like to believe they have the best tastes, and they never like admitting theyre wrong.
Some people think fluency is best, others technique, others speed, others prefer the feeling imposed onto the playing. There can only be your own top ten. As for me im gutted that my main inspiration John Frusciante is not included on the list, but that meens nothing as he might be seen as a horrible guitarist to a lot of you. So instead of arguing whos best and deciding that the list is horrible, just acknowledge that the collaboration of inspirations for someone and recognise how unique they are.

[indyrock91]

tands wrote:

Spoonerismz wrote:

Eddie > Jimi

Eddie has done so much more for the guitar, yet he doesn't even grace this list. But even if he did, I still think it would be too over done.

What did eddie do? Hendrix was tappin before he was ever born

Eddie did "Eruption." Enough said

[Aerokizzombie]

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

fast=/=good

you need heart, stage presence, and creativity...
not just being able to play a scale really really fast over and over again

[laihohammet16]

Viking_Swede666 wrote:

KidBARTLEY wrote:

ALEXI LAIHO FOR THE F*****G WIN

yeah! He's better than just about everyone on that list.

Alexi should be on it.

Then the list would be named "Sploppiest Guitar Players of All Time"

[laihohammet16]

laihohammet16 wrote:

Viking_Swede666 wrote:

KidBARTLEY wrote:

ALEXI LAIHO FOR THE F*****G WIN

yeah! He's better than just about everyone on that list.

Alexi should be on it.

Then the list would be named "Sploppiest Guitar Players of All Time"

***Sloppiest***

[BaptizedinFire]

...So this is basically the "top 10 blues & r&r guitarists", with Yngwie and Prince struggling at the bottom? Wtf... kinda random

[jimishred]

jayyshep wrote:

didnt we all know jimi hendrix was no. 1 already? in my opinion clapton and page should be at 2 and 3, carlos santana and angus young should be on ther somewhere...

i agree also what about calos santana,david gilmour,EVH etc overall ok list but WTF is PRINCE up there for?

[Menza_]

Jason Becker

[/thread]

[ferretface]

pwninator123 wrote:

Where's Trey Anastasio? That man was a playing AND creative genius, he should definitely be up there pretty high

cwaitdidthar?

I like zaine757's list, except for Mick Mars. TBH, the Time article had a pretty solid list when you look at their influence. Think about this: when you go into Guitar Center, how many people are playing Sweet Child O' Mine and how many people are playing Paul Gilbert?

[magicfungus]

This kind of listing is ridiculous. Everyone can make his own top list...

[sentient_6]

what about gilbert and vai?! they pawn yngwie dammit.. I would say loomis but I guess he hasn't been around long enough I guess..

[gallagher2006]

Wow, slow news day? He's voted best guitarist every other day...

[Fasternobody]

Ok, people, people. To get mad at these lists is a complete waste of time. If you have the general public voting for the best guitar, of course they're going to pick people who are the most publicly visible. I do think naming it a 'best' list is a bit unfortunate. Maybe a 'favorites' list, because what in the hell do non-musicians know about the skill of a guitar player? They don't, they only know what sounds good to them.

[Blue_Strat_06]

personally i like this list although i think jimmy page should be a couple spots higher

[acousticMade]

prince ?? :S
this list sucks

[stereomaca]

wheres rory gallagher??

[Kuasha]

zac_b101 wrote:

u all do realize that this is a popularity contest?
otherwise the list would be filled from top to bottom with jazz guitarists who are all about a hundred times better in skill and creativity than any of those guys

True to the core... by the way, Where is Satch?!! I'd put Satch at #2, after Hendrix.

[Kylianvb]

First place, completely deserved. My list would be Hendrix First, Clapton second and Peter Frampton 3rd. Heh, didn't see that last one coming eh?

[impropagation66]

surgikal wrote:

KIETH RICHARDS?????

WTF...seriously..he has no business being in the top 300

What a joke..and to the guy wanting ace frehley no 2...PFFFT..get out of here

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Nice!

My picks: Michael and Christopher Amott, and ****ing Bill Steer. Anyone that mentioned Schuldiner, get yourselves some beers. It's criminal that he doesn't get the respect that he deserves...

[SM0K3Y]

WHAT ABOUT ROY BUCHANAN?!!

[Abom]

You guys do realize that this was a reader poll in Time Magazine, right? This isn't the author's list, it's a compilation of the votes of the readers.

Also note that it's not a metal magazine, or even a music magazine--it's a news magazine. So there's obviously going to be less of a bias towards metal than, say, here.

[SM0K3Y]

P.S. PAGE IS THE MAN, BUT WHAT ABOUT ALVIN LEE???!!! WHAT ABOUT HENRY VESTINE????!!! WHAT ABOUT WES MONTGOMERY???!!! WHAT ABOUT KENNY BURRELL???? WHAT ABOUT ALBERT KING?????!!!

[ItsOnlyGNR]

This list is completely wrong... Even though Slash is my biggest influence, he's not the second greatest guitarist of all time... And even though I love Jimi, he's not #1 either. He's maybe #3 or #4, #2 at best.

[RoKkStAr719]

what really describes a great guitarist??
is it skill, speed, seniority, delicious riffs...
I'm not sure if anyone will really know who is the greatest guitarist.

[SM0K3Y]

TOMMY EMANUEL TOO!!!

[dabassman77]

Get Prince out of there and get Santana up there. He needs more credit, he plays like no one else in the world. And what about Stevie Ray Vaughan? Another great guitar player is the guitarist from Los Lonely Boys, Henry Garza. Clapton should probably be up a little higher but its not like its gonna change.

[SM0K3Y]

TAL FARLOW

[lusion01]

I wanna see a massive poll on UG for 'The Greatest Guitarist Ever' (Not just electric so you can include Django, Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins etc.)

[jordan4440]

Slash is my personal favorite guitarist. With that being said, he shouldn't be number 2. Bottom half of the top 10 maybe but number 2 is crazy. Where is Eddie Van Halen?

[Metallidethium]

Oujou :

ok #2 and #3 are in my opinion definite shoe-ins for the top 10. #1 is underrated and a very good guitarist but probably not top 100. and number 4...um..no.

John Mayer is a good blues guitarist.

People on UG need to stop thinking popular and bad are synonyms.

Ok he's a good blues guitarist who we wouldn't know of if it wasn't for his popular singles on the radio and his relationships with Jennifer Aniston. You cannot make a serious argument that he is top 100 good let alone top 10 good.

[Littleangus44]

Slash doesn't deserve 2nd.

[enthwistle95]

What about les paul? or randy rhoads? this list looks like something some kid thats only musical knoledge is guitar hero.

[enthwistle95]

wow i spelled knowledge wrong

[MasterExploder0]

Out of that 10 I agree that Jimi deserves #1. I think a lot people don't realize that without Jimi half of those guys wouldn't even be on that list. Even though I'm not the biggest fan I agree that Eddie should of been on there somewhere.

[dec666]

OK. I know most people agree that the list is shit (including me) but everyone has different opinions and my opinion on the top 10 is:

1. Randy Rhoads
2. Eddie Van Halen
3. Angus Young
4. Zakk Wylde
5. Yngwie Malmsteen
6. Dimebag Darrell
7. Mark Tremonti
8. Kirk Hammett
9. Slash
10. Joe Bonamasa

I know most people disagree but thats my opinion.

Oh and there not in EXACT order but just around where i would put them in my list.

[xiempie]

oh boy, i had so much fun reading the comments here

[Asmightaswell]

As soon as I saw this post I just did a good old face and continue to see the list. Don't act like you didn't do the same.

[FusionGTX]

This list is from TIME Magazine, so obviously most of the readers are not guitar players nor have any musical experience. I think this list is a good representation of what non-musicians think a "good" guitar player is.

[metalonastrat]

i think most people vote for jimi out of respect, not because they think his guitar skills are unparalleled.

[SimonasValdo]

NO FUCKING TONY 'LORD OF THE RIFF' IOMMI?!!!

[rmp0012002]

Django played electric also but is renown for his acoustic work. Jimi, Clapton and Van Halen should be the top three because just about every guitarist has been influenced by their styles one way or another.

[justicemaster26]

Honestly, i was surprised by the lack of SRV.

[Jordan Levesque]

i luv all those guitarists but i wouldnt say thts entirely accurate. Jimi is amazing but its hard to say whos #1, and slash is prolly my favorite guitarist, or up there anyways, but i dont think hes #2 Jimmy pg and eric clapton should be higher, BB king wasnt tht amazing

[NubMonk]

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

[Revolution_87]

sounds fine to me

[Guitar28000]

Crozmo wrote:

I'd put Jason Becker on #1 without a doubt.

me too

[WilsoNw55]

ROFL they have no idea what the **** they are talking about, ****ing prince made the list... a bunch of posers must be behind this

[Rob Hereticae]

As much as I like Hendrix and appreciate his music and what he did for the music world, I don't think he would've made number one had he still been alive.

[ak10]

Jimi is the obvious #1, but no SRV in the top 10? and Slash at #2, don agree with that and wheres Albert King, Keith Richards is not #3

#1 Jimi Hendrix
#2 SRV
#3 BB King
#4 Albert King
#5 Eric Clapton
#6 Jimmy Page
#7 Chuck Berry
#8 Dimebag
#9 Yngwie Malnsteen
#10 Carlos Santana

A lot of people got let off the #10 but these 10 should be the list in my opinion.

[psychoskin473]

I would say influencial not best. Best implies that this list is the be all end all of rock musicians. There are a lot of people playing today that blow all of these people away. But everyone loves living in the past dont they?

[jordan93]

how the hell did Prince get up there and how didnt angus young or buckethead

[DwizzleDizzle]

idk i agree that alot of the people on the list were very good guitarists, but i dont get how prince was on there....like i would have expected at least steve vai or alex lifeson to be somewhere on that list

[Jigsaw62]

**** jimi.

[sykguitaryst]

man **** that, just because hendrix is dead doesnt mean his shit was all that. im not gonna say he wasnt a good musician at all, that would be plain wrong.. but top of the list? my ass. when i find something that sounds good and is fun to play by hendrix maybe ill change my mind. (just my opinion, not trying to piss anyone off.)

[lopezmetalmunky]

This is why you can't trust anyone to make an accuarate list. You need a general average of people out there, you can't just put three people in the room and be like "Alright, make a list of the best guitarists ever, I'll give you til 5 PM."

It doesn't work like that. For an example, I think Hendrix is a really great guitar player, but he only pioneered so much. If we're talking influenciality, Hendrix would be up there probably about 1.

But no, we hire a brain trust to do our thinking for us.

[ca$h cow]

Proposed Corrections...
Jimmy Page should be ahead of Eric Clapton
Chuck Berry was more of a Pioneer in his time than an amazing guitar player. Still worthy but not of the top ten.
Prince....? Are you drunk?

[afterthewar]

That list sucks.

[Jackson Boy 666]

no, just no

jimi's "fusion" is nothing compared to Santana...

and what about people like Django Reindhart? Van Halen? Dimebag? Tony Iommi? Tom Morello? All people who have completely revolutionised guitar in their own way

[Me :)]

dude jimi is the best no doubt. he was one with his guitar an played with sooooo much soul. He is number one.
By the way.....no van halen?

[JonnyRising!]

Prince is better than most of the guys on this list. My list would be something like this in no particular order
Eddie Van Halen,Jeff Beck,Steve Howe,Uli Jon Roth,Alex Lifeson,Ritchie Blackmore,Michael Schenker,Robert Fripp,Frank Zappa,Paul Gilbert.

[Hultan]

Jimi Hendrix is number one for sure!

[Oujou]

Metallidethium wrote:
Ok he's a good blues guitarist who we wouldn't know of if it wasn't for his popular singles on the radio and his relationships with Jennifer Aniston. You cannot make a serious argument that he is top 100 good let alone top 10 good.

He's easily top 100 good.

And being popular isn't a bad thing, Or else all 80's guitarists, Hendrix, Clapton (I actually DO think Clapton sucks), Santana...Basically all of the great guitarists suck.

[Rajah]

Who cares what the readers of Time magazine think! They wouldn't know if their asses were on fire.

[fuuuuu]

Slash? Number 2?
Prince? Number 10?
Wrong.

Lower them downnnnn.

[fuuuuu]

FusionGTX wrote:

This list is from TIME Magazine, so obviously most of the readers are not guitar players nor have any musical experience. I think this list is a good representation of what non-musicians think a "good" guitar player is.

Agreed.

[TormentedRx]

Haha, UG should never have posted this.

[jethro bob]

some people deserve to be on this list, and some don't. hendrix deserves to be on here, les paul does because he practically invented the electric guitar, yngwie shreds, but he plays with emotion instead of like vai, satch and bato who just play the same scales to different beats. i won't even touch buckethead, his gimmick is enough of why he's not here. while they needed more of the classic metal players like iommi, young, and van halen, slash is only here because people still like to play sweet child o mine on guitar hero every now and again. but what about some of the less professional, but more emotional guitarists like bob dylan, bob marley, or...(ready for the flaming)...kurt cobain

[JackTheNobody]

Slash at number 2 = horrible list. In fact, Slash anywhere in the top 50 = horrible list.

[sk8ordie97]

i cant stand him
his tone sucked and hes WAY overrated

[tesla_fan]

eddie van halen

[Eddie4President]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

[alexpalka23]

Vai, Petrucci, Satch, and Gilbert should be on there somewhere.

[tesla_fan]

this list is gay....freddie mercury gay

[Eddie4President]

Eddie4President wrote:

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

Sorry for double post... Kirk Hammet is at best a mediocre, unoriginal guitarist in a medicocre, overrated band.

[stinkynanner]

agree with jethro. if they wanna call hendrix number one because of charisma then this list should be much more diverse in ways other than technicality and popularity. and these guys all have similar music imo there's way more that can make this list.

[Dmoney760]

bad list like really yea there all good but like come on jimi made some good hits and at his time changed music but best wise naw i dont think so.

[Tengatu Man]

LOL from TIME magazine

[TooFast]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

...lol

[kristjanpalmi]

sausagewielder wrote:

DIMEBAG????
Rhodes?
Gilmour?

THANK YOU !!!! wtf people !! have we completely forgotten about the true god of guitar wielding ?!? DIMEBAG DARRELL !!! #1 !

[rockmonster5000]

This isn't really news....

[tripleainto]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

I have a slight feeling this guy likes Kirk Hammet

[Xanron]

There is something wrong with that list....No Randy Rhodes, no Kirk? Jimi is the best but I think Page is way better than Slash. I don't think Keith Richards & Prince should be on that list. Time Magazine should stick to news & politics.

[Flaming Bass]

Jimi Hendrix has been voted the greatest electric guitar player of all time by the readers of Time Magazine.

Time Magazine??



pleeasee..

[tripleainto]

What about Angus? I know that he doesn't have the most complex songs of all time but in terms of longevity and recognition and overall pleasure of hearing him do his thing....I think Angus is top 10 material!

[Viking_Swede666]

PaulGilbrtIsGod wrote:

wow people are stupid.
kiko loureiro is the best
shawn lane should be up there too.

this guy knows what he's talking about.

Kiko Loureiro can run circles technically, and creativly (for you people who bitch about "feeling") around every guitarist on this list.

[riff.raff.rock]

keith richards ? he would lose count trying to add up all of angus young's memorable riffs
i don't understand why angus isn't given more credit on lists like these. he was 96th on rolling stone's top 100 guitarists, no doubt just to make up numbers. he's not the best technically but put a gibson sg in his hands and nobody provides more entertainment

[Viking_Swede666]

creatively*

[MetalManiac_86]

Not a bad list but then again... not too great either. Yngwie? really? A variety of styles there anyway... Woulda been nice to see SRV and Eddie on there though at the LEAST. Not a Jimi fan at all to be honest. No denying he has legendary status, but I'll put it this way...he'd be dead last in my book of Guitar Legends.

[Silky Smooth]

No Van Halen? Serously? He re-invented the way electric guitar was percived

At least Yngwie made the list

[goskayourself]

ive seen some pretty crappy lists, but this is one of the worst ive ever seen...i guess i can't say anything else that somebody else hasn't said yet. all i want is justice for santana!

[Sassafrasquatch]

Honestly!, Prince.
What about your Dimebags or Wyldes?!
Obviously this is greatest mainstream electric guitarist.

[alexcarroll15]

this guy has clearly not taken many metal bands into account
two words that define metal guitar imo
dimebag darrell
and he really should be in the top 10
for so many reasons, cba to name em

[steve.bond7]

I think (prepared for the flaming) Mikko Lindstrom of HIM is a very good and under-rated guitarist.

I know everyone will have mixed opinions but he shows quite a lot of skill/technique on the guitar and plays riffs & solos that fit in with the vocals & other instruments used. He helps create an "original sound".

But I definitely think that Slash along with a few other guitarists should have been on that list.

[jplay5]

srv! srv!

[hendrix_128]

where the hell is ali de miola? or SRV? or they should have atleast had John McLaughlin. he is the master of the guitar.

[Dymencion]

There is a lot of anger on here, especially towards Keith. I think its a pretty legitimate list.

[hendrix_128]

steve.bond7 wrote:

I think (prepared for the flaming) Mikko Lindstrom of HIM is a very good and under-rated guitarist.

I know everyone will have mixed opinions but he shows quite a lot of skill/technique on the guitar and plays riffs & solos that fit in with the vocals & other instruments used. He helps create an "original sound".

But I definitely think that Slash along with a few other guitarists should have been on that list.

are you an idiot slash was ranked number 2. which i dont think is right.

[metallica4life_]

for everyone who wants Dimebag or whatever...

Time Magazine is not a metal magazine, it is a mainstream magazine, read by mainstream people in a mainstream world, who don't give a flying **** about "underground" things, like metal *rolls eyes* They gave you Yngwie (which is not much), consider yourselves lucky...

[Aerokizzombie]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

I thought ten year olds that worshiped one band and knew about no others werent allowed on UG

[VertigodowN]

this list is extremly old

[paquiquinho]

Bad list. Nothing more to say about it

[vesh]

that is a horrrrribbbleeeee listttt. there are maybe 3 on there that deserve those spots. toss slash and yingwie outta there and it might get some more credibility.

[cxrlxscr]

In all honesty, I believe Les Paul is up there because of his surge in popularity due to his death. Don't get me wrong though, he deserves to be right there, he was an innovator, and a great one at that, I'm just saying he might be there for the wrong reasons.

Also, it's getting boring to see the same guitarists in every single list all the time. Why aren't newer guitarists considered? (and I said "newer" in relation of the people in this list) There are plenty of younger guitarists out there that should be recognized.

[b.c. warlock926]

Where the hell is Dave Mustaine or Kerry King?!

[sparkeyjames]

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. B.B. King
03. Keith Richards
04. Jimmy Page
05. Eric Clapton
06. Stevie Ray Vaughn
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Slash
10. Prince

Ah thats better.

[b.c. warlock926]

and marty friedman

[TheDissident]

The reason these are always mainstream polls is because if musicians like those on UG were allowed to make lists and vote, there would be no majority. Everyone here has different opinions haha, mean that in a good way.

Anyway I'm glad to see Clapton, and I see where everyone is coming from with the Hendrix stuff, but I think he deserves it. Would love to see a lil' Eric Johnson, but I know he's not as popular so whatever

[-XM-]

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

Amen to that dude!

[buttstanktom]

J MASCIS should be number ONE!!!!!
No reason, he's just God.

[allchavsrgay]

jimi yes everone else wtf?

[und3ad_s4int]

Rob n' Roll wrote:

I agree with Lacebad, I am bored of seeing Hendrix up there (don't get me wrong, I recognise he was something special) but people like Vai and Hammett, who are so far Superior technically to a lot of people in that list never get a mention.

It's good that people are going past ability when talking about the greatest guitarists, but that's not to say that they should be ignored.

I think we all have accept the innevitability that Hendrix will always come on the top of lists like this, just like Freddie Mercury and Neil Peart come at the top of the Greatest lists for their respective instruments (of in mercury's case, vocals).

Those guys came 20 years after Hendrix. All of you guys keep say "oh yeah, well Hendrix wasn't that great", well no shit, 'cause no one used to shred in the sixties (no one main stream). Hendrix was new and unique and revolutionized a generation. Fuck all of you fags who think that just because you spend your entire life shredding, you're some musical god. Hendrix had talent and changed music. The key word is CHANGED, he didn't introduce something new, he simply changed how music was play.

But no, Slash shouldn't be on that list.

Also, dude, technicality means nothing next to innovation and creativity. Plus, this is isn't talking about metal. "BEST ELECTIC GUITARIST EVER", not technical shredder.

And dude, you're acting like Vai and Hammet never get any media attention. Do you know how long those ****er have been around? Musicians don't release masterpiece after masterpiece.

[jamesr]

no EVH or Jimmy Page, give me a break Prince?

[coheed_kyle08]

Hail Jimi!!!

But how David Gilmour did NOT get on this list, beats the hell out of me. Should have easily replaced Prince with David. Prince is a fantastic guitarist. But David Gilmour does not get the credit he deserves on this list. Comfortably Numb? Hey You? Wish You Were Here? Shine On You Crazy Diamond?

Come on!!

[RyanMetalMatthe]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

You must be a deaf 12 year old. And Hendrix is overrated. Anyone can set their guitars on fire.

[sparkeyjames]

b.c. warlock926 wrote:

Where the hell is Dave Mustaine or Kerry King?!

Down in the pretenders section between 70 and 100.

[Aerokizzombie]

cxrlxscr wrote:

In all honesty, I believe Les Paul is up there because of his surge in popularity due to his death. Don't get me wrong though, he deserves to be right there, he was an innovator, and a great one at that, I'm just saying he might be there for the wrong reasons.

Also, it's getting boring to see the same guitarists in every single list all the time. Why aren't newer guitarists considered? (and I said "newer" in relation of the people in this list) There are plenty of younger guitarists out there that should be recognized.

because these lists are always one dudes opinion, and that dude is usually someone who knows very little about music and writes for a non-music related magazine (like Rolling Stone) and they think that their opinion of music that they have no clue about is soooo important because it gets to be read by people. Their limited understanding of music means that they know maybe 10 more people other than this and all those are atleast 20 years old because if rock is new, its underground for a couple years (thats just the way it usually works)

the thing is "best" is an opinion and every dissagrees with everyone else,

now for my opinion

1)Jimi
2)Alvin Lee
3)Chuck Berry
4)SRV
5)Satch
6)Jason Becker
7)Ted Nugent
8)Ace Frehley
9)Joe Bonamassa
10)Eric Clapton

[zerodiablos]

David Gilmour, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag, Tony Iommi, MAB, or GTFO. Malmsteen and Prince on this list equals fail.

[Kevsalunatic]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought "Where the hell is Rory G?"

[crocoscar]

Becker, Satriani, Friedman, Di Meola, Malmsteen, Mustaine, Loomis, Gilbert, Blackmore, Page, Van Halen, Schuldiner, Masvidal, McLaughlin, Tipton, Rhoads, etc ... are miles above the overrated Hendrix ...

[sparkeyjames]

coheed_kyle08 wrote:

Hail Jimi!!!

But how David Gilmour did NOT get on this list, beats the hell out of me. Should have easily replaced Prince with David. Prince is a fantastic guitarist. But David Gilmour does not get the credit he deserves on this list. Comfortably Numb? Hey You? Wish You Were Here? Shine On You Crazy Diamond?

Come on!!

I like Gilmour's playing but lets face it he was not the most technical or fastest of guitar players. I do think above most others he had what I call a talent for phrasing. He also had a talent to blend the effects with his playing that just made is guitar SING. Something a lot of other players, while faster or more technical, do not seem to have.

[RyanMetalMatthe]

Vito Bratta should be #1.

[KanNNiBaL]

Aerokizzombie wrote:

cxrlxscr wrote:

In all honesty, I believe Les Paul is up there because of his surge in popularity due to his death. Don't get me wrong though, he deserves to be right there, he was an innovator, and a great one at that, I'm just saying he might be there for the wrong reasons.

Also, it's getting boring to see the same guitarists in every single list all the time. Why aren't newer guitarists considered? (and I said "newer" in relation of the people in this list) There are plenty of younger guitarists out there that should be recognized.
because these lists are always one dudes opinion, and that dude is usually someone who knows very little about music and writes for a non-music related magazine (like Rolling Stone) and they think that their opinion of music that they have no clue about is soooo important because it gets to be read by people. Their limited understanding of music means that they know maybe 10 more people other than this and all those are atleast 20 years old because if rock is new, its underground for a couple years (thats just the way it usually works)

the thing is "best" is an opinion and every dissagrees with everyone else,

now for my opinion

1)Jimi
2)Alvin Lee
3)Chuck Berry
4)SRV
5)Satch
6)Jason Becker
7)Ted Nugent
8)Ace Frehley
9)Joe Bonamassa
10)Eric Clapton

ace frehley????

you must be crazy, dude, ace isn´t for a top ten

[Vacmag]

Wow, Eddie Van Halen doesn't even make the list eh? after Hendrix (A given) I'd say EVH is the most influential guitarist ever. Chuck Berry? ReallY?

[JordanDH]

Scourge441 wrote:
This is how I think top ten lists of musicians should work...

Influence should be the main thing brought into consideration. How many other people did this person inspire? How has his style of playing changed the face of modern guitar?

What appears to be the problem with this list is that they went by strictly musical criteria, which is kind of missing the point. Yeah, Keith Richards may have wrote memorable riffs, but did he inspire people the way Hendrix, Page, and Clapton have? While I can't argue with Hendrix being on top, it seems like he was put there because "OMG Hendrix HAS to be on top!!1!!!1!" instead of being put there because he actually deserved it.

So, we end up with a list where Slash (certainly great, but not top 10 greatest) beats out people who deserve his spot. This is why you can't let people vote on these things. You need people who know what they're talking about to decide.

Checked.

Yeah, but this is guitarists, not musicians. If it were musicians who are/were primarily guitarists, you'd be right though.

[coheed_kyle08]

Oujou wrote:

Metallidethium wrote:
Ok he's a good blues guitarist who we wouldn't know of if it wasn't for his popular singles on the radio and his relationships with Jennifer Aniston. You cannot make a serious argument that he is top 100 good let alone top 10 good.

He's easily top 100 good.

And being popular isn't a bad thing, Or else all 80's guitarists, Hendrix, Clapton (I actually DO think Clapton sucks), Santana...Basically all of the great guitarists suck.

Hendrix, Clapton, and Santana weren't from the 80s, jack ass. I bet you wish jokes like Kerry King were on that list."Basically all of the great guitarists suck." I sense a HUGE contradiction in that sentence. Do everyone a favor, and don't post on UG again. God forbid some poor kid reads your bullshit and believes you're right, like what happened to you.

[RyanMetalMatthe]

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet

You must be a deaf 12 year old. And Hendrix is overrated. Anyone can set their guitar on fire.

[gitbox87]

This list is a joke.
1 SRV
2 Jimmi Hendrix
3 Eric Clapton
4 Jimmy Page
5 B.B King

[Dimebag Dave]

Whoever decided this should be the headliner on UG's is obviously a troll, knowing everyone would get pissed. These stupid lists always conflict with everyone's opinion on the best guitar players.

[coheed_kyle08]

sparkeyjames wrote:

coheed_kyle08 wrote:

Hail Jimi!!!

But how David Gilmour did NOT get on this list, beats the hell out of me. Should have easily replaced Prince with David. Prince is a fantastic guitarist. But David Gilmour does not get the credit he deserves on this list. Comfortably Numb? Hey You? Wish You Were Here? Shine On You Crazy Diamond?

Come on!!

I like Gilmour's playing but lets face it he was not the most technical or fastest of guitar players. I do think above most others he had what I call a talent for phrasing. He also had a talent to blend the effects with his playing that just made is guitar SING. Something a lot of other players, while faster or more technical, do not seem to have.

Doesn't matter how fast and technical you play, bro. Chuck Berry made the list, and he's a blues guitarists. For all the Chuck Berry haters, I suggest you look up his sessions with Keith Richards and Eric Clapton. EPIC work. But sir, Gilmour brought more to the table than alot of guitarists did. He brought some intense feeling and emotion in his solos, like you said, it's something not alot of other players seem to have. Such as, outro solo to Comfortably Numb... it's a beautiful masterpiece.

[rocklee1431]

take out chuck berry altogether and then reorder almost everything and it will be closer

[trent_slatter]

Slash?! Seriously?!

Most overrated guitarist ever.

Hendrix is a good call though. No one should ever be placed ahead of him.

[samicksf18]

DIMEBAG.

[ak10]

SRV, this list is invalid without him

[samicksf18]

would be next.

[Vedicardi]

bb king and chuck berry ftw ftw ftw

[stratomaster123]

I agree where the hell is srv! bullshit.

[the_burning_one]

alexcarroll15 wrote:

this guy has clearly not taken many metal bands into account
two words that define metal guitar imo
dimebag darrell
and he really should be in the top 10
for so many reasons, cba to name em

uh, dimebag was good. thats all. good. if he is ever on a top ten list, its because of how he died.

[JBecker=SHREDDA]

The poll should have been the most "Popular" guitarist ever, theres no way to judge who's the best guitarist of all time, and it wouldnt be hendrix anyway. Its all a matter of taste and opinion

[rockandmetalfan]

randy rhoads?
eddie van halen?
tony iommi?
why aren't they on that list?
they are great guitarists
and why the heck is slash second?
slash is a good guitarists but not as good as randy rhoads,eddie van halen,or tony iommi.

[ZylitoL]

former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, who was described as a "remarkably precise player".
lulz

[Obama FTW]

Here we go with another stupid list like this...

Come on, everyone has different opinions. Jimi Hendrix is amazing, maybe he does deserve #1. But this lists need to stop. Everyone just argues and argues and argues about these things. There are many great guitarists in the world, all of them deserve respect. Lets just appreciate what they do and the music they make.

[Solo Wing]

This list is...a bit to mainstream in my opinion.

In my opinion Jimi Hendrix is one of the most overrated guitarists in history (still amazing, i'm just saying there are people better.), and one of the most underrated lyricists ever.

[RockInPeaceDime]

Yeah, Keith Richards and Prince are vastly superior to the likes of SRV, Petrucci, Satch, Vai, and so on. Boring list. I can accept Hendrix at number 1, although I slightly disagree...when every single person who has never touched a guitar says Hendrix is the best ever, he's slightly overrated, but whatever.

This is quite obviously based pretty heavily on popularity.

Slash #2? Not even close =/ MAYBE top 10, definitely not top 5. As much as I enjoy his playing...

[Megallica22]

its missing Jason Becker, Marty Friedman and Steve Vai, it seems like its based on how famous they are..I mean Prince? Wow

[TheRedCrunch]

Disappointed.
Slash before Jimmy Page?
And no Stevie Ray Vaughan?

[SkepsisMetal]

Dimebag, Michael Ammott, Phil Demmel, Mark Morton, Jack White, Michael Angelo Batio, Stevie Ray Vaughn...they probably all deserve a place in a list of the greatest guitarists.
But you cannot compare them all enough to narrow it down to 10. Thats just mindless elitism aimed at being a catalyst to immature forum arguments

[vavasovy]

this is a very bullshit list, only one of the people on it belongs, and slash will never ever be the number 2 guitarist in the world, he's a piece of shit

[bokma]

Bad List indeed.

Slash = LOL

[thebends2554]

to bad a bunch of idiots who know nothing about playing guitar voted for these top ten which explains why the list sucks

[HardRockKid]

ANGUS YOUNG

[Its So Easy]

vavasovy wrote:

this is a very bullshit list, only one of the people on it belongs, and slash will never ever be the number 2 guitarist in the world, he's a piece of shit

Now, I love Slash's work and he is a constant inspirationg to me but Slash would openly admit that he doesn't deserve that. However, you sir have no right whatsoever to call him a piece of shit. I hate to pull this trick but when you influence as many people as he has, have been as successfull as him, and can sound like he sounds live (when he wasn't drunk) then you can call him whatever the hell you please. Until then, shutup and learn something.

[slash187]

i like jimi being number 1 but this is my list

1. jimi hendrix
2. tony iommi
3. jimmy page
4. stevie ray vaughan
5. santana
6. john frusciante
7. dam jones (hes a good guitarists and hes creative)
8. tom morello
9. joe perry
10. slash

[MoAhRaCrUaS]

Stikit2duhman wrote:

this list SUCKS! so cliche!
SLASH at number 2?! ahead of JIMMY PAGE?!?! WTF!
jimi h is still awesome though

agreeeeed.and not SRV or david Gilmour

[buttstanktom]

J MASCIS!!!!!

[guitarkid2113]

Slash 2nd? I'm going to politely ask myself, What the ****?

Les Paul shoulda definitely been higher just because of all the innovations he created and that he could still rip that guitar till he was 94.

[HardRockKid]

TONY IOMMI, and YES finally prince is recognized

[batman187]

nothing against jimmi but a magazine poll doesn't really mean much.

[littlecallen]

The list does have its numerous faults.
lets start with theat there are a few guitarists with a little bit more style and charisma than Hendrix.
While Slash may be good he got most everything he does from old blues legends.
I love Jimmy Page, my personal favorite, but I must also admit he got his way from a guitarist called (and forgive my spelling) Rory Ghallager.

and where the hell is Steve Ray Vaugn and the ever experimental Tom Morello? Not even the father of electric guitar Les Paul.

[guitarguy1347]

Slash 2nd?!

[RUSTDOGG666]

I will agree with this. Zakk Wylde can take a lesson from Jimi since he believes that playing 3 notes in 1 scale for 3 minutes is a kick ass guitar solo like he did at rockfest this year. Ain't no wonder Ozzy got rid of him. I would too.

[littlecallen]

I diddnt see Les' name.

[Metalmangini]

such bullshit slash doesnt deserve to be in the top 50. this is just a list of the most mainstream guitarists. people need to realize u can never make this list work. theres too many genres and styles or playing to say who is truly best. obviously paul gilbert and rusty cooley shred harder than most anyone but than u have to take into account the actual feeling of the solos and you just cant say one person is better than everyone else

[romencer17]

is it necessary to keep fellating the same guitarists over and over again?

[BobMarleysGhost]

Looking at all of the comments posted here, one can see why the threads on this topic are banned in the Pit.

[GoToSleep]

List is shit. Notice how Blackmore is never even in the top ten? Slash at #2?! Keith Richards? I'm freakin better than Keith Richards. I'm not even joking I bet I am. Prince is good but top 10? And Page is great, but as far as I'm concerned he barely breaks the top 30. I don't know why I always get riled up over these things but seriously.

[MetalGS3SE]

That whole list is bullshit. Most famous, maybe. The greatest? Not close.

[Necrotise]

Im pretty sure hes been voted the number one guitarist in thousands of magazines - how is this the top music news headline?

[Mondo Generator]

Alright, guys! LET'S DO THIS! I'm gonna make my own non-crappy list.
In no particular order...
Jimi Hendrix
Andres Segovia
Django Reinhardt
Josh Homme
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Jimmy Page
Tony Iommi
George Harrison
Bjorn Berge
EVH
Buckethead
and Bo Diddley!!! just kidding, screw Bo Diddley

seriously, do you guys get a boner whenever you call Hendrix overrated? sheesh. it doesn't make you cool to be an ******* contrarian.

[graffitio_0321]

its funny that everyone is complaining that guitarists from the 90's didn't make this list. what you guys are failing to realize is that without these guitarists (with the exception of a few), your precious shredders wouldn't exist. these guys are the one's that started it all!

would like to to see SRV up there, even though he learned from some of these guys, he truly is a God.

[Life Is Brutal]

Maybe the Greatest Mainstream Guitarist's ever, and did anyone else notice that those guitarists (Except Malmsteem)Were all more Pentatonic based in their Playing?

[perla14tx]

why does everyone bash on slash hes amazing obviously you havent heard of his work.i think he deserves to be number two because jimi was the greatest but slash is still very amazing.and obviously the people voted and this is accurate!

[perla14tx]

can you retards read it says greatest electric guitarist!!!!!

[Emenius Sleepus]

yawn; the list is made by people who never explored music past classic rock, and is pretty much irrelevant to anything.

[itsnotGreenDay]

1. Jeff Beck
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Mike Bloomfield
4. Allan Holdsworth
5. David Gilmour
6. Eric Clapton
7. Stevie Ray Vaughn
8. Peter Green
9. Duane Allman
10. Freddie King

that would be my list...

[Mondo Generator]

oh yeah, and Django counts because he DID play electrics at the end of his career

[ElDiabloMuerte]

Why Slash? He's stylish and a good show man but not worthy of No. 2, especially considering Jimmy Page is only 7.

[Mondo Generator]

perla14tx wrote:

why does everyone bash on slash hes amazing obviously you havent heard of his work.i think he deserves to be number two because jimi was the greatest but slash is still very amazing.and obviously the people voted and this is accurate!

SLash sucks because he's a boring pentatonic only based player and he was in bands that weren't really that great. Slither's a good song tho

[El Natto 1988]

STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN

DAMMIT

[Lefty7Stringer]

Radz117 wrote:

MotörHeadFan22 wrote:

Lefty7Stringer wrote:

Um no Jimi Hendrix was not good at all imo. Lets use the same pentatonic scale for every song. no good.

Could you name these songs?
i totally agree he's blown out of proportion, just because he's dead, i mean yeah he's top ten, but he's not as good as everyone says!

Hey joe, Red house, purple haze, fire, foxy lady, voodoo child, wind cries mary.

He's not worthless, but incredibly overrated. I used to be a big fan, I know my stuff, he is mediocre at best. not worth top 10 in terms of his prowess as a guitarist or songwriter, but most definitely in terms of his influence.

[Swannie]

Why is Prince on there?????

[MestFan99]

Wtf. I'm not number 1?

[Lodewijk]

The Mount Rushmore of rock guitar players includes Clapton, Page, Hendrix, and Van Halen! That's where it begins and ends.

I'll believe it until the day I die, no list will ever convince me otherwise.

[Lefty7Stringer]

Lodewijk wrote:

The Mount Rushmore of rock guitar players includes Clapton, Page, Hendrix, and Van Halen! That's where it begins and ends.

I'll believe it until the day I die, no list will ever convince me otherwise.

Ignorance is bliss I guess.

[<SpaceTime>]

jimi hendrix is sloppy
so is page
slash=pentatonic fail
clapton was hendrix just more boring
and yngwie malmsteen's music is about equivalent to the in game music for pokemon

you worship these people because everyone else, maybe you could think for yourself

...even though I love all of them :P

[Jonesy033]

Not a good list, could be worse and all but it still sucks. Fair enough having Hendrix at number 1, I can't really argue that, but Slash the second best guitarist ever? I like him and all, I think he's great but he shouldn't even be in the top 10. Clapton, BB King, Page, Chuck Berry, yeah, they should be in there I guess.

[FriggenCarl]

not bad. i agree with the first two. although i may be a little biased cause those two are the reason i even picked up a 6 string.

[cteez910]

i hate yngiwe and kieth richards just shoulda be even close to the top 10 and for that matter...joe perry should never be on any top guitarist list...he doesnt even do most of teh solos on his own records...anyway

Allan Holdsworth pwnes pretty much any guitarist out there based on skill and knowledge

[craigfarner]

Are you serous? This list is OK, but it left out a few key players. Where's Eddie? No SRV either. Jimmy page should move up a spot, and Pete Townshend should replace Prince. Joe Bonomassa could've been on there, and for pure songwriting, Kevin Cadogan of Third Eye Blind. It's good to know that the bozos at Times are writing this instead of someone qualified.

[Msu_Man04]

Lodewijk wrote:

The Mount Rushmore of rock guitar players includes Clapton, Page, Hendrix, and Van Halen! That's where it begins and ends.

I'll believe it until the day I die, no list will ever convince me otherwise.

Actually, though I don't listen to Clapton or Hendrix, I almost 100% agree with this.

[TravuhsWree]

Keith Richards is terrible...

[Pernicano22]

I'd prefer Alexi over Yngwie

and where's Gilmour?

[Msu_Man04]

craigfarner wrote:

Are you serous? This list is OK, but it left out a few key players. Where's Eddie? No SRV either. Jimmy page should move up a spot, and Pete Townshend should replace Prince. Joe Bonomassa could've been on there, and for pure songwriting, Kevin Cadogan of Third Eye Blind. It's good to know that the bozos at Times are writing this instead of someone qualified.

GOD YES!

He is my personal favorite guitarist ever. In general. He has it all, I think. So innovative and unique. Third Eye Blind just isn't the same without him. ;[

[jetwash69]

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

If you have a couple more decades under your belt, you might just lament the fact that Brian Haner didn't make the list (but you still aknowledge Hendrix is #1).

But come on, at least Haner > Nelson--this is about guitar, not singing.

[willdarby]

I don't think you can compare one great guitarist to another, and say that one is better than another. All of these guitarist mentioned are great in their own right. Once you reach a certain point, I don't think you can say one is necessarily better than another. Just my opinion.

[tomsawyer67]

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

Dude u gotta respect syn, even if u dont like the band. hes a pretty good guitarist. i mean hes not top ten material, but hes a talented musician. Stop hatin just cuz u think the band is cliche. btw im not twelve sir.

[deadstorm]

I think we should just stop judging guitar players and stop making stupid "best guitars players list". Every guitarist is the best in their own way! No need to compare them all the ****in' time!

[Guitarmaster94]

really? Malmsteen and Prince??? That's complete bullshit Where the **** is Van Halen? Vai? or Gilbert?

[Kilimacory]

eddie van halen???

[7akeemzz]

Angus Young!!!

[cteez910]

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH!!!

[xcramx7]

dude, wheres van halen?

[Shread_6009]

1.FRANK ZAPPA
2.DAVID GILMOUR
3.JIMI HENDRIX
4.DUANE ALLMAN
5.JIMI PAGE (LISTEN TO HIM LIVE, AMAZING)
6.TONI IOMMI (listen to his dio years guitar work, much better than oz years)
7.steve vai

all the rest fall into place

[Shread_6009]

AND al Di Meola before tony immoi my bad

[AznElliot518]

Where is Joe Satriani??!?!?!?!?!?!

[living dead kid]

damn. you people on this site are such elitist pricks...

What the f***...why is Yngwie on here, definately Nuno should be in his spot...

[sheppo]

what about Mark knopfler, lynard skynard and EDDIE VH its all about preference plus i feel les paul got in there with his recent death cause i don't rememeber seeing his name in any other top ten guitarist lists

[Sublimedude777]

Damn, no love for Dave Murray or Adrian Smith? I'm surprised Dave Murray isn't already considered a legend!

[Tod Allgemeinen]

This list ****ing sucks idk who were the ones that voted, must of been stupid people that dont kno anything about guitar and come one Slash above jimmy page??? haha yeah slash is a good player but he shouldn't be ahead of page. Especially at #2? which is like wow what a bad list. Where's Eddie Van Halen, Angus Young, dimebag darrel, randy rhoads, paul gilbert, buckethead?

this list seriously sucks and why is prince in it?????

[Guitarmaster94]

living dead kid wrote:

damn. you people on this site are such elitist pricks...

What the f***...why is Yngwie on here, definately Nuno should be in his spot...

YES!! He's so underrated.

[Ismail93]

Allan Holdsworth. End of thread imo.

[voodoochile000]

this list blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in dung which isn't a good thing since I am not a pig and don't roll in dung. i mean oh my word what is going with whoever concocted this piece of insanity.

[jetwash69]

jetwash69 wrote:

KingGohma wrote:

I can accept Jimi as number 1, he really did blend skilful playing with excellent phrasing; and his showboating never overshadowed his musicality. So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot.

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

If you have a couple more decades under your belt, you might just lament the fact that Brian Haner didn't make the list (but you still aknowledge Hendrix is #1).

But come on, at least Haner > Nelson--this is about guitar, not singing.

BTW, I'm kidding. I know he's not in the top 10 of all time, but he's at least in the top 10 of well known active metalcore guitar players :. And he's better than Prince.

[Shlecht]

paul f*cking gilbert dude. are you joking? and buckethead.

like some other dude said, the list is invalid

[syke5]

Stikit2duhman wrote:

this list SUCKS! so cliche!
SLASH at number 2?! ahead of JIMMY PAGE?!?! WTF!
jimi h is still awesome though

+1 Jimmy page will always be number 2 next to jimi himself

[ejq117]

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. BB King
3. Chuck Berry
4. Carlos Santana
5. Jimmy Page
6. Jeff Beck
7. Tom Morello
8. Jonny Greenwood
9. John Frusciante
10. George Harrison

[ejq117]

all slash and clapton do is play blues scales
the few good things about this list are the mentions of jimi, bb, and chuck, and the exclusion of eddie van halen and kirk hammett (fast shredding and tapping does not make a good guitarist)

[littlecallen]

wrote:

jimi hendrix is sloppy
so is page
slash=pentatonic fail
clapton was hendrix just more boring
and yngwie malmsteen's music is about equivalent to the in game music for pokemon

you worship these people because everyone else, maybe you could think for yourself

...even though I love all of them :P

Jimmy was sloppy, but he made it work
Page was too hopped up on Heroin to know what was goin on. Precise in the studio but you can hear the drugs talkin on stage.
Clapton was just a blues guy, nothing more, nothing less.
Malmstein only has his precicion and pentatonics.

[Forkman]

You are all ****ing idiots. There is no such thing as the Greatest player ever, and this is just one guys opinion. You don't have to get sand in your vagina because "Player X" wasn't there and "JOE SATRIANA TOTALLY OUTSHREDZ HENDRIX". No one gives a ****. The list is subjective.

[metal_666_man]

McGuitarlovin wrote:

umm Eddie Van Halen maybe?

i agree van halen = guitar god

[Set-Abominae]

There is a serious lack of Alex Lifeson in this discussion.

[ES-413]

wheres Eddie Van Halen? he's gotta be tons better than Keith Richards!!!!!

[metal_666_man]

Forkman wrote:

You are all ****ing idiots. There is no such thing as the Greatest player ever, and this is just one guys opinion. You don't have to get sand in your vagina because "Player X" wasn't there and "JOE SATRIANA TOTALLY OUTSHREDZ HENDRIX". No one gives a ****. The list is subjective.

also VERY true

[ES-413]

wheres Eddie Van Halen? he's gotta be tons better than Keith Richards!!!!!

[FusionGTX]

Jimi Hendrix has been voted the greatest electric guitar player of all time by the readers of Time Magazine.

Music critic Josh Tyrangiel compiled a list of his top ten, which included legends such as Jimmy Page, BB King, Chuck Berry and Eric Clapton.

Wow, just reread this article, and I just realized that the list wasn't compiled by a reader poll, it was only Hendrix that was chosen as #1 by the readers. The list was made by that "music critic", making this list a piece of crap. That guy needs to expand his horizons.

[buttstanktom]

J MASCIS!!!!!
J MASCIS!!!!!
J MASCIS!!!!!
J MASCIS!!!!!
J MASCIS!!!!!

[moonchild9]

b.c. warlock926 wrote:

Where the hell is Dave Mustaine or Kerry King?!

Kerry King??!? I'm sorry but startng off every solo with a full bend and pinch harmonics and whammy abuse does not make a great guitarist. Every single solo the guy has written sounds exactly the same! I mean, how can you be one of the greatest electric guitar players ever if you can't solo? I'm sorry but that is just stupid. Mustaine is decent but defintely not the greatest.

[jtbull]

what are these guys high? NO eddie van halen or george lynch?

[moonchild9]

Also surprised no one hasn't started slash (no pun intended) and burn campaign against Yngwie yet!

[Anwar.Sifat]

Where the frick is Uli Roth. He definitely pwns Yngwie, eventhough Yngwie is great and all. And Prince? LOLWUT

[moonchild9]

jtbull wrote:

what are these guys high? NO eddie van halen or george lynch?

Totally agree; Lynch is one of the most underrated players in the metal world. Rokken with Dokken!!!!!

[namesroverrated]

Slash, Yngwie, and Prince do not belong in the top 10. That is all

[BassJuarez]

There is no such thing as "The Greatest Guitarist Ever"

[Jdj19]

SRV! SRV!! SRV!!!

[Barack Obama]

I'm going to go with everyone else here and say this list is totally shite. Slash? No Paul Gilbert? Time magazine?!? Christ, Matt Bellamy kills Slash but it would be a stretch to put him in top ten. What is it with people and Slash?

[rhcp01]

WHERE THE HELL IS SYNYSTER GATES!!!!! jk, he's bullshit. why r slash an prince on there? i'd put satriani instead of yngwie.

[Jdj19]

ANGUS!!!ANGUS!!!ANGUS!!!

7akeemzz wrote:

Angus Young!!!

[Barack Obama]

Jdj19 wrote:

SRV! SRV!! SRV!!!

And dear God I forgot to mention Stevie...I'm going to just walk away from this article. These "greatest" guitarists rankings are silly imo.

[BassJuarez]

Besides, all the guitar players you can mention are amazing in their own way, I love Page and May, Allmann and Van Halen, others say they suck, but you know what... I don't F*****g care

[killercortez]

satriani beats prince

[BassJuarez]

BTW. Where's SRV?

[GuitarSG003]

Slash? wat the hell randy rhoads should be #1 (sorry jimi)

[Bansaw]

why the hell is prince on there

[fourhorsemen625]

this list is such BS when you see yngwie and prince but no steve vai
joe satriani
carlos santana
django reinhardt
angus young
tony iommi
paul gilbert and all those other great guitarists

[BassJuarez]

Lodewijk wrote:

The Mount Rushmore of rock guitar players includes Clapton, Page, Hendrix, and Van Halen! That's where it begins and ends.

I'll believe it until the day I die, no list will ever convince me otherwise.

+ 1

[itmustbejesus]

Yngwie kinda did do alot for shred kinda put it on the map a bit don't agree with Slash #2 wish just one of these lists would include Rory Gallagher and any list of electric guitar players without Randy Rhoads sucks

[Pageandhammet12]

Jimmy Page should not be under Slash under NO CIRCUMSTANCES.
Slash is good and i love guns n' roses and velvet revolver but nothing that came from his les paul produced what came from Page's les paul. And the people that say he sucks obviously don't have ears or just love to hate the guitarists from the more successful bands. And i do not beleive keith richards or prince should be up in top 10. replacew them with van halen and stevie ray vaughn or even Satch

[Mygeneration93]

Jimi Hendrix at number 1 makes sense, some people might question that but if you listen to him play Hear My Train A Comin' on youtube you'll be amazed, it inspired me to play the blues. But Slash definetly doesnt belong at number 2, I like Slash and hes good but i think a lot of people would agree hes probaboly one of the most overrated guitarists, just like Pete Townshend is underrated. I think he could take that number ten spot.

[Metallica rulz]

Vai and Satriani please.

[Code-E]

The actual guitarists have spoken.

[KingSquall802]

oh come on, where the hell is Jeff Beck???!!
He deserves to be on Top 7!!!

[nowtheworld91]

wheres eddie van halen????

[GibsonSG25]

wheres eddie van halen? he was a great i mean slash is a GREAT guitarist and in a way i cant really pick whos a better guitarist it all just depends on style but if it was up too me id say slash is number 2 becuase he writes great ass riffs and his solos are amazing too but also jimmy page is a great guitarist

[HaKattack]

Everyone on that list besides Prince, B.B. King, and Les Paul is horribly overrated

[Warlock0069]

wow so eddie van halen isn't on this list but prince is number 10??? how is that even possible? sure prince is great but eddie van halen is a god

where have you ever heard someone say prince was a big influence on their gutiar playing?

[Cesar763]

WTF where's David Gilmour? Van Halen? Randy Rhaods? Richie Blackmore? Michael Schenker? Alex Skolnick? >.>

[jinglesWTF]

The guitarists should have been judges on many levels,

Creativity
Technicality
Influence

and a bunch of other stuff, I agree with some of the guitarists being on that list, but some just seem to be up there cause they are popular.

[qotsa1998]

I think its funny how every time a list like this comes out, all of the disagreeing comments say "No Satriani, Vai, or Petrucci? Fail." I dont think Slash should be at number two, and maybe someone else like EVH, Santana, SRV, or Brian May should be up there. And stop with the stupid "Greatest of all time" lists please. Hendrix might've been the best guitar player in the 1960s, but there are much better players speed-wise and song-wise now. How about a greatest of the time period, or genre?

[ElDiabloMuerte]

Every so often there is a damn comment about Robert Johnson. Damn it people. read the article! It says Electric Guitar. But anyway, I really do love a good list and the debates that follow them, always bound to be some funny shit like
"XxMaddHatterxX :
uberman, i agree with you. all of these guys are too mainstream. and overrated guitar players. except malmsteen. :p"

[Fat Boy Phil]

Did anyone really think about great guitarist or only big name ones

where is Dimebag, Robert Johnson, Santana, Hughie Thomasson, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King, or did the people just want a guy who died of an overdose

If you can even call Prince a real guitarist then he would've had his ass kicked 1000 times repeately by, well anyone who can play a basic cord listen to his music it sucks and he can't play

[Gordy96]

slash doesnt belong in the top ten no offence maby top 15 or 20 but eric clapton needs to be higher, hers my top 10

1. Randy Rhoads
2. Eric Clapton.
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. Eddie Van Halen
5. Les Paul
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Matt Tuck
8. Jerry Cantrell
9. Ian D'Sa

I wouldnt put angus young on my top ten or maby even twenty, i mean dont get me wrong i like qac.dc just angus is not an great guitarist but he puts on a better show than most guitarests

Slahs is good but he is no were near second best in the world hed be in my top 20 maby

[Wyldeman2403]

Really jimi hendrix really guys? Come on even though i know the guys who had a vote on this poll probably arent legitament musicians an probably think a scale is something that tells you your weight. Doesnt mean that they should just elect hendrix at number one without looking at certain aspects first.

Ok i dont give a good rats ass if you flame me or not hendrix was good ill give you that but come on he wasnt good enough to be num. 1. Everyone knows that hes recognized so much because he was one of the first of his time doing things no one else done an at a time when a revolution was taking place.

Secondly number 10 are you ****ing kidding me Prince i mean come on i can think of a million other guitarist better than prince. How about oh say Iommi or wylde or even ****ing randy rhodes how you leave these mother****ers out of the top ten is beyond human comprehension!

What were we scoring these guys on how much drugs they can take an still play cus yes hendrix woulda won that award forsure. I mean even dimebag shoulda been in the top 10 come on ppl what the hell are you listening to this is not the goddamn 60's again they're are better ****ing guitarists.

I mean what do they think about petrucci, vai, jimmy page, an the great kirk hammett or even kerry king. All incrediably great talented musicians worthy of the top ten. Its just like the corporates to ****ing get involve an put their stake on something that they obviously no nothing about.

Time your ****ing magazine blows no one reads it therefore no one cares about your stupid little list. Put a list out who is actually based on some crediable judges like fellow musicians who better to decide whos the best than they.

Flame me if you want i know im right!

Keep rocking \m/

[Joeyke15]

you're kidding right? richard before clapton thats complete stupidity. obviously they didnt pick the right person to do this list

[Joeyke15]

richards*

[Gordy96]

Wyldeman2403 wrote:

Really jimi hendrix really guys? Come on even though i know the guys who had a vote on this poll probably arent legitament musicians an probably think a scale is something that tells you your weight. Doesnt mean that they should just elect hendrix at number one without looking at certain aspects first.

Ok i dont give a good rats ass if you flame me or not hendrix was good ill give you that but come on he wasnt good enough to be num. 1. Everyone knows that hes recognized so much because he was one of the first of his time doing things no one else done an at a time when a revolution was taking place.

Secondly number 10 are you ****ing kidding me Prince i mean come on i can think of a million other guitarist better than prince. How about oh say Iommi or wylde or even ****ing randy rhodes how you leave these mother****ers out of the top ten is beyond human comprehension!

What were we scoring these guys on how much drugs they can take an still play cus yes hendrix woulda won that award forsure. I mean even dimebag shoulda been in the top 10 come on ppl what the hell are you listening to this is not the goddamn 60's again they're are better ****ing guitarists.

I mean what do they think about petrucci, vai, jimmy page, an the great kirk hammett or even kerry king. All incrediably great talented musicians worthy of the top ten. Its just like the corporates to ****ing get involve an put their stake on something that they obviously no nothing about.

Time your ****ing magazine blows no one reads it therefore no one cares about your stupid little list. Put a list out who is actually based on some crediable judges like fellow musicians who better to decide whos the best than they.

Flame me if you want i know im right!

Keep rocking \m/

amen

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[GeekInThePink]

Fat Boy Phil wrote:
If you can even call Prince a real guitarist then he would've had his ass kicked 1000 times repeately by, well anyone who can play a basic cord listen to his music it sucks and he can't play

You can't be serious.

Cody Bonnette?

[ctnrox]

I do not believe Jimi is the greatest. He's probably the greatest influence to greater guitarist. I don;t think we are looking at the soul, dedication, and skill of this list.

Jimi was crazy, no one was like him but hes soloing technique wasn't impressive. an E penationic was mostly it.....

Eddie Van Halen is who i think is the greastest guitarist. Not only did he break the walls of average guitar playing, but Van Halen change rock. Listen to eruption. Look for any song before 1979 that sounded that awesome.....I don't there is one.

[edgarvanburen]

I don't quite get what such lists are for. They don't do anything positive and, at best, can only attract censure. Until and unless there is some scientific/statistical model which can tell us with some degree of analytical *accuracy* who the greatest is (obviously impossible), ALL such lists are merely representative of the personal favorites of a subset of all music lovers (in this case Time magazine readers). Instead of quoting other comments and criticizing players, I'd say love your favorites, respect others'.

[squallerrleon]

what the deuce? Where is Lil Wayne? He should be at the top of this list...if it was held upside down!

ZING

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[Jdj19]

Although I agree with you that James Hetfield should not be on the "Top Ten" list, he is certainly much more than a mediocre rhythm guitarist. IMHO

kud666 wrote:

sykryk wrote:

Mark Tremonti, Brian May, James Hetfield?

JAMES HETFIELD ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?!?!
mediocre rythem guitarist, ok songwriter.
and brian may is an ok guitarist but i wouldnt put him in the top 10. but i would put mark tremonti in the top 30.

butckethead, alexi laiho, marty friedman, vai, satriani, jeff waters, muddy waters, and a whole list of blues and jazz guys should of been on there but its always the same shi**y list but i totally agree with jimi being number 1.

[k-lap]

It seems to me that no one has read the first bit of the article. Everyone has only checked the list.

It was voted for by a mainstream magazine, therefore what are in that top ten are only the most popular/most known guitarist not who the best are.

[Shakalum]

No shiet?

I would have NEVER thought this to happen on UG.

[Shamanic Rhythm]

812 comments... wow.

Seriously, who cares. Art is not something you can quantify in terms of intrinsic value or generational impact - it's something that can only be felt, and different people will be reached by different kinds of art and artists. There's nothing wrong with trying to establish a canon - but for christ's sake they don't need to be ranked against each other. Let the individual audience bring their own interpretation and judgement to this sort of thing.

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[eetfuk58]

horrible list.
this is so cliche.

[eetfuk58]

this list was made by ignorant non-guitar players.

[rock_or_roll]

FriggenCarl :
not bad. i agree with the first two. although i may be a little biased cause those two are the reason i even picked up a 6 string.

actually i feel this is exactly why they are deserving of no.1 and 2

[Wyldeman2403]

Really jimi hendrix really guys? Come on even though i know the guys who had a vote on this poll probably arent legitament musicians an probably think a scale is something that tells you your weight. Doesnt mean that they should just elect hendrix at number one without looking at certain aspects first.

Ok i dont give a good rats ass if you flame me or not hendrix was good ill give you that but come on he wasnt good enough to be num. 1. Everyone knows that hes recognized so much because he was one of the first of his time doing things no one else done an at a time when a revolution was taking place.

Secondly number 10 are you ****ing kidding me Prince i mean come on i can think of a million other guitarist better than prince. How about oh say Iommi or wylde or even ****ing randy rhodes how you leave these mother****ers out of the top ten is beyond human comprehension!

What were we scoring these guys on how much drugs they can take an still play cus yes hendrix woulda won that award forsure. I mean even dimebag shoulda been in the top 10 come on ppl what the hell are you listening to this is not the goddamn 60's again they're are better ****ing guitarists.

I mean what do they think about petrucci, vai, vaughn, an the great kirk hammett or even kerry king. All incrediably great talented musicians worthy of the top ten. Its just like the corporates to ****ing get involve an put their stake on something that they obviously no nothing about.

Time your ****ing magazine blows no one reads it therefore no one cares about your stupid little list. Put a list out who is actually based on some crediable judges like fellow musicians who better to decide whos the best than they.

Flame me if you want i know im right!

Keep rocking \m/

i repost only because i checked the list again an they did put page in the top ten. Even though i think there should be someone else there in his place.

[voodoochile000]

voodoochile000 wrote:

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

this guy knows what he's talking about. can i get an amen

[sheppo]

moonchild9 wrote:

b.c. warlock926 wrote:

Where the hell is Dave Mustaine or Kerry King?!

Kerry King??!? I'm sorry but startng off every solo with a full bend and pinch harmonics and whammy abuse does not make a great guitarist. Every single solo the guy has written sounds exactly the same! I mean, how can you be one of the greatest electric guitar players ever if you can't solo? I'm sorry but that is just stupid. Mustaine is decent but defintely not the greatest.

agreed Kerry King is a pitiful excuse for a lead guitarist but he writes some awesome rythem riffs. also where is Paul Gilbert on this list he is a favourite shredder of mine i also forgot to mention in my last post ritchie blackmore too

[Sigil One]

most. controversial. topic. ever.

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[voodoochile000]

TREY ANASTASIO = #1

[LordArbiter]

So subjective. In my humble opinion, Eddie Hazel was better than Jimi Hendrix, but I don't write for Time Magazine.

[Dooley666]

Gibsonbender wrote:

yeah, I'm very disappointed they put prince on this list.
They should have put malcolm young on there, because let's face it, he wrote every riff for ac/dc. it wasn't angus

Okay don't get me wrong i enjoy AC/DC but they have the same progression for almost every song its quite repetative. and for the prince thing obviously your going to put a mainstream guitarist in there it is Time. but i think Satch needs to be on here for sure

[halfstacked]

"ESTEBAN" FTW He has the best signiture guitars ever.
And super fun infomercials!!

[Dooley666]

and Matt Kopperud should be number 1

[devilex121]

voodoochile000 wrote:

voodoochile000 wrote:

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

this guy knows what he's talking about. can i get an amen

dude you just quoted yourself -_-

anyway this list aint as bad other lists i've come across

well...i'm not ranting about how awful this list is mainly beacuse i see malmsteen up there...

yes that means i'm a shred head !! :P

[voodoochile000]

TREY ANASTASIO = #1

[dx4life68]

This top 10 list is missing way too many guitarists who in my opinion have surpassed Jimi Hendrix in guitar playing skill. The only guitarist on that list that I would consider worthy for the top ten is Yngwie.
Guitarists that should've appeared on the list were: batio, gilbert, buckethead, vai, dimebag, rhoads, petrucci, satriani, halen...

and who the hell voted prince to be on the list? these people deserve to be beaten with heavy clubs and left bleeding in the moonlight
Even though I Wouldn't consider Hendrix the greatest player of all time, I think that we can all agree that Jimi Hendrix was the greatest guitarist in the 60's. Songs like Voodoo Child, Castles made of Sand, Hey Joe, Machine, and Little Wing are so before their time. But to say anyone is the greatest of all time is almost saying that you can see into the future. When you see some of the ridiculously crazy guitarists of today, where watching them play almost has you convinced that they are Robots, Aliens, or Extraterrestrials it becomes clear that Hendrix has been surpassed.

[fretburn]

the simple truth is that joe satriani is the best guitarist alive, he is without a doubt the most influential guitarist of this era

[voodoochile000]

no one can come close to the beautiful and inspiring playing of trey anastasio. i mean he just plays great and has the best phrasing i've ever heard. he's a true guitar genius.

[Christian Davis]

Lacebad wrote:

ah here. not a good list at all, paul gilbert anyone ?

I'll agree to at least top 10. Top 5 probably.

[nashmanz]

Not any particular order...

You can't pick only 10!!! So it's ridiculous to argue about...

[voodoochile000]

trey anastasio is where it's at

[TimboSlice]

Minkaro wrote:

Who's Tim, and why does he have his own magazine?

I am.

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[nickonfirexx]

i disagree with almost every one of you guys, i'm not impressed with overrated shred-masters.

on that note, I think Dave Knudson should have made that list.

[llednitram]

WHERES JASON BECKER!?

[devilex121]

Oobleshmerfadar wrote:

Anyone notice that this list was made by Time Magazine subscribers and a majority vote?

You might as well be getting worked up about Taylor Swift winning the Teen Choice Awards.

XD!!! well said

[BombaRuLz]

Hmmm the list sucks... Where the f... are Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Buckethead, Kirk Hammett... and wtf slash second!? Slash is a very good guitar player, but you can't place him before these crazy guitarists. Jimi Hendix is the best guitar player ever... master Joe Satriani should be second... and freaks like buckethead and malmsteen should be after him. The rest of them are just good, these are the talented.

[yohomieryan11]

Biased list is biased

[devilex121]

Aerokizzombie wrote:

NubMonk wrote:

Wow this list is SO wrong. The correct list is

1. Kirk Hammet
2. Kirk Hammet
3. Kirk Hammet
4. Kirk Hammet
5. Kirk Hammet
6. Kirk Hammet
7. Kirk Hammet
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Kirk Hammet
10. Kirk Hammet
I thought ten year olds that worshiped one band and knew about no others werent allowed on UG

we need more peoplelike this on UG lol

[SlashTopHat90]

Ya know what? I'm gonna go against what most of you are saying. Slash definetly belongs where he is. This list isn't based off of shred ability, speed, or any of that. This is based off of the memorable riffs, solos, and influence they had over predecessing guitarists. Slash is one of the few guitarists that displays that much emotion in his playing. I'm pretty sure he owns the most memorable riffs out of all of these guitarists too. Sweet Child O' Mine anyone? Welcome to the Jungle? Paradise City? C'mon. Anyone that hears these songs can easily recognize them, even if they don't know the name of the band or the song. I would definetly place Slash where he is on this list. Same for Jimi. His inovations in guitar technique at the time set the premise for almost all guitarists that followed.

[b_flo]

OK, so UG should also come up with the Top 10 Greatest Guitar players....let's see if it matches Times'. Let the people vote!

[Jonbagga]

i think it is based on influence and image or public perception moreso than musicianship, which isn't actually a bad thing, those two things are probably more important when it comes to musical progression, that being said, where the FUCK is EVH?

[FooCards]

Thanks for telling me something I already knew.

[Shred-Hed]

"No-one wielded a guitar with as much charisma," Vai comes damn close.

[Ironpriest]

Nobody mentions Brian Setzer?

[Zep_shizzle]

i swear as much as i like some of the guitarists on that list. there are so many guitarists that are better.

[Brad_Bassist]

Slash at number 2? HA! Oh please. Slash is terrible. Where the hell is Marty Friedman? He is way better than Slash that's for sure. But ahead of Jimmy Page? HA! How pathetic!!

[Lefty7Stringer]

Cobrevolution wrote:

Without a doubt, Jimi was the most influential guitarist to have ever picked up the instrument. He has rubbed off on more people than Chuck, Page and Clapton combined - that is undeniable.

I recommend you read Rolling Stone's article on the website that was written by Pete Townshend; we all know the RS list was bad, but that article glowed.

Now, I realize influence is not the only thing they are basing this on, but it seems people are angry their favorites aren't included.

Being good now does not mean you are one of the best ever; I think that's defined by what you've done, what you've accomplished, who you have greatly influenced, the kind of music you put out...

That's why I disagree with people who believe (see the guy above me, Viking) that people like Laiho and McKee are some of the best "ever".

It is a shame that Iommi is not here; he's right next to Jimi in terms of influence and skill.

For the shredders: I love Buckethead and Gilbert just as much as anyone else, but if that's all you do (see: Batio), that doesn't mean you're great. It means you can play really fast. The reason I enjoy Buckethead is because it's pure emotion; Batio has the exact opposite - all arrogance and speed and no feeling.

I know I jumped around, but I hope it made some sense.

I'snot rolling stone the magazine that put hendrix at 1 and Randy Rhoads at 70?
The defense rests.

[Dankscarver]

John Petrucci needs to be on this list, as well as Dave Mustang. Why the hell is Prince on here, BB King > Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards just makes catchy riffs, Eric Clapton needs to be higher.

Oh, and the only reason Les Paul is on there is because he died, which gave him a bunch of publicity. I think making lists like this a week after the man dies is very insulting and should be taken down from the internet.

[K3VN]

Yeah Jimi Hendrix! =D
But Slash at #2?
Slash is great and all but not the #2 guitarest ever.

[Lefty7Stringer]

ordinary_story wrote:

pointless list is pointless.....Go ahead people make up your own lists....it doesn't mean squat anyway....its all a popularity thing....

Plus no one mentioned Shawn Lane

Thank you!

[Lethal_Ibanez]

No Eddie? but Prince?...The only thing slash is precise on are his albums (but I like slash)...lists suck

[limpidgreen345]

Why is it that David Gilmour gets HOSED in EVERY list?

[Jeriko]

Yeah List sucks! what about Eddie Van Halen? Steve Lukather? Petrucci? Larry Carlton ?

[limpidgreen345]

And where's SRV... come on.

[b_flo]

btw, here's mine, and why.

1. Jimi Hendrix - most of the other guitarists listed look up to him.

2. Jimmy Page - probably the 1st guitar hero in a rock band.

3. Joe Satriani - the 'teacher'...Vai, Hammett, Friedman, Scholnick, Tyson, LaLonde, and more. Introduced rock guitar instrumentals to the mainstream.

4. Eddie Van Halen - the 2-hand tap, shredding pioneer. Drum Solo: Moby Dick = Guitar Solo: Eruption.

5. Steve Vai - guitar orgasms to another dimension.

6. Andres Segovia - flamenco guitar guru, check out Charo!

7. David Gilmour - why try to squeeze several notes in one bar when all you need is that one note? folky/simplicity.

8. Tom Morello - constantly opens new doors to playing the guitar.

9. Keith Richards - the one who plays for the songs. The Riffs!

10. Muddy Waters - one of the 1st to make the guitar wail. The guitar has soul!

Honorable mentions: Petrucci, Malmsteen, Friedman, Becker, Clapton, The Edge, Roth, Eric Johnson, B.B. King, Beck. In no particular order.

[prakashrajgopal]

Lol, that's a funny list!! Truly great guitarists like Satch, Vai, Buckethead, Joe Perry, Brian May, EVH, Jeff Beck etc wouldn't expend any energy on mulling over why they weren't included in the ridiculousness that is this list.

[lul]

Slash should be number 1

[limpidgreen345]

Slash didn't make RS's list of 100... that was a MINOR injustice.

[StilletoBoy]

Shittiest List in my Opinion
Only overrated bastards there, were's Jason Becker, Kirk Hammet, Tony Iommi, Steve Vai, Santana, Damn...

[visiofx]

stupid list.....#1 greatest should be without question...Mr. Tommy Emmanuel

[alquinna]

and brian may is an ok guitarist

Wow somebody did not just say that. He's past awsome

[squidybass]

Slash is great and all, but he is way to high. The reason is the way he markets himself nowadays. Guitar Hero, etc. is what projects him to the top 2, is it right? no, but thats what people think. I todays rock society, Slash is a more recognizable name than Jimmy Page.

[voodoochild23]

Wyldeman2403 wrote:

Really jimi hendrix really guys? Come on even though i know the guys who had a vote on this poll probably arent legitament musicians an probably think a scale is something that tells you your weight. Doesnt mean that they should just elect hendrix at number one without looking at certain aspects first.

Ok i dont give a good rats ass if you flame me or not hendrix was good ill give you that but come on he wasnt good enough to be num. 1. Everyone knows that hes recognized so much because he was one of the first of his time doing things no one else done an at a time when a revolution was taking place.

Secondly number 10 are you ****ing kidding me Prince i mean come on i can think of a million other guitarist better than prince. How about oh say Iommi or wylde or even ****ing randy rhodes how you leave these mother****ers out of the top ten is beyond human comprehension!

What were we scoring these guys on how much drugs they can take an still play cus yes hendrix woulda won that award forsure. I mean even dimebag shoulda been in the top 10 come on ppl what the hell are you listening to this is not the goddamn 60's again they're are better ****ing guitarists.

I mean what do they think about petrucci, vai, jimmy page, an the great kirk hammett or even kerry king. All incrediably great talented musicians worthy of the top ten. Its just like the corporates to ****ing get involve an put their stake on something that they obviously no nothing about.

Time your ****ing magazine blows no one reads it therefore no one cares about your stupid little list. Put a list out who is actually based on some crediable judges like fellow musicians who better to decide whos the best than they.

Flame me if you want i know im right!

Keep rocking \m/

Ok I will flame you.
First of all, they're means they are, not there are.
Anyway more importantly, Hendrix wrote and performed music as if it was easy. Complex, but stunning blues rock and roll music, spontaneously and consistently.

None of the guitarists you've mentioned could ever approach music with the same natural creativity and ability to play entirely on feeling and not on following the expectancy of the media or the trends around you.

Let's get this sorted out, right, anyone can dedicate their careers to achieving great technical ability playing the guitar. That is not what this list aims to recognize.

Kirk Hammett, I happen to love as a guitarist. But how much of Metallica's music depends on him? Very little. Would he have a decent solo or instrumental to play without James and Lars first laying down the riffs and song structure? Its very hard to imagine he would.

Get some sense. Why is it a bad thing that Slash uses penatonic scales? One of the greatest solos of all time, stairway to heaven, pure pentatonic. What sort of psycho socially retarded idiot judges music like that? Creativity isnt just using uncommon scales for the sake of it, there are other ways of being original, Hendrix and Slash are perfect examples of people who knew that and make brilliant music.

I don't care how well metal guitarists can play, they very rarely match the level of musical innovation that the great blues rock guitar players of the past have done and Slash continues to do.

[visiofx]

when I saw Slash at #2....I was totally absolutely convinced and am 100% sure that Mr. Tyrangiel is a noob who knows nothing about REAL music as far as the art of guitar is concerned. Slash is great but not that accomplished in all aspects to be listed beside the greatest....Hendrix, Page, and Van Halen, should be carved in a block of titanium and gold plated in top 3 spots of Greatest guitarist of all time.

[visiofx]

Prince??? i dont know many kids covering Prince's songs on guitar or sight Prince as a main influence. Again, I have to say what a noob Mr Tyrangiel is.

[theyoneman]

i cant believe this list doesn't include synyster gates, michael paget, or that douchebag who plays guitar for trivium. i mean what takes more skill than playing in drop C and doing half assed sweep picking? when you think about it that way, page and clapton seem dull in comparison.

[silv_the_man]

you guys should stop arguing!!!!! everyone will have their own opinion about who is the best and there will never be a list that everyone agrees with man!

[visiofx]

Correct List should be:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. SRV
5.Eric Clapton
6. Jeff beck
7.Yngwie Malmsteen
8. Joe Satriani
9. Slash
10. Paul Gilbert

[MotörHeadFan22]

Just be glad cobain wasn't on this list, he's on the other one for top 100 sure he was influential but he wasnt that great in no way

[vinc3nt]

visiofx wrote:

Correct List should be:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Jimmy Page
3. Eddie Van Halen
4. SRV
5.Eric Clapton
6. Jeff beck
7.Yngwie Malmsteen
8. Joe Satriani
9. Slash
10. Paul Gilbert

Ok dude, there is no "correct list". It's all personal preference. If you like Hendrix more than Gilbert, then thats your preference.

[MetalUpYourRear]

Well, let's look at it this way. Uli Jon Roth was playing around the same time as Hendrix. I think Uli might be a better player... (Even though Hendrix is one of his biggest influences) But somehow he didn't make it onto this list. And what about his brother, Zeno Roth??? He is better than every player on this list!

And EVH! And GREG HOWE!!!! And the millions of players which nobody has ever heard of that are 10x better than ANYBODY on this list! (excluding Yngwie)

[ledhed0137]

Stikit2duhman wrote:

this list SUCKS! so cliche!
SLASH at number 2?! ahead of JIMMY PAGE?!?! WTF!
jimi h is still awesome though

for real man jimmy page should have been 3 and i'll concede to put bb at #2

[beyondthegrave]

imo jimi was a great player but come on!!!!! best of all time?!?!?! their are 16 year olds that are better than him. its all part of progression. yes people learned from his accomplishments.the fact is that he isnt around today so he never got any better and now guitarist are so much more advanced that he was.dont get me wrong im a big fan of jimi hendrix and im sure im gonna get flammed for this but imo he couldnt hang with some of the guitarist from today.

[metallifan3091]

grimms wrote:

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.

Are you serious? I'm amazed that a guitar player could even begin to believe that. Consider the facts:Page had phenomenal chops and a pretty solid background in theory, and his work both with Led Zeppelin and as a session musician was groundbreaking: FACT

Page was a HUGE influence, either directly or indirectly, on every player that you mentioned: FACT

Page's guitar tone was used as a blueprint for todays distortion driven electric guitar style: FACT

You're an IDIOT: FACT

[punker_7970]

Ok I will flame you.
First of all, they're means they are, not there are.
Anyway more importantly, Hendrix wrote and performed music as if it was easy. Complex, but stunning blues rock and roll music, spontaneously and consistently.

None of the guitarists you've mentioned could ever approach music with the same natural creativity and ability to play entirely on feeling and not on following the expectancy of the media or the trends around you.

Let's get this sorted out, right, anyone can dedicate their careers to achieving great technical ability playing the guitar. That is not what this list aims to recognize.

Kirk Hammett, I happen to love as a guitarist. But how much of Metallica's music depends on him? Very little. Would he have a decent solo or instrumental to play without James and Lars first laying down the riffs and song structure? Its very hard to imagine he would.

Get some sense. Why is it a bad thing that Slash uses penatonic scales? One of the greatest solos of all time, stairway to heaven, pure pentatonic. What sort of psycho socially retarded idiot judges music like that? Creativity isnt just using uncommon scales for the sake of it, there are other ways of being original, Hendrix and Slash are perfect examples of people who knew that and make brilliant music.

I don't care how well metal guitarists can play, they very rarely match the level of musical innovation that the great blues rock guitar players of the past have done and Slash continues to do.

I have some slight issues with what you wrote and my opinions that I'm presenting you are filled with no intent of insulting you, simply stating.

The person you quoted mention Steve Vai as a guitarist and you retorted that none of the guitarists he mentioned met the criteria to be on the list composed by the readers of Time. My response is that Vai has all the qualifying criteria to be on said list. Not only has he mastered guitar techniques that many others only dream of obtaining, but he is also one of the few guitarists that combine that incredible talent with the ability to compose great music! If anything, he should at LEAST replace Prince on the tenth position because if you're a guitarist you can pretty much appreciate that Vai is better than Prince.

Also, I do think that this list aims to reveer those who have accomplished reaching a high level of guitar playing in terms of technique, but also in combination with great song writing. If not, then what's the purpose of this list?

There is nothing wrong with using pentatonic scales, but isn't it more impressive when a guitarist breaks that boundary and treads on more complex ground?

I think it is a little unfair how often Metal or Hard Rock guitarists are overlooked. I think this list was composed with a hint of ignorance. Metal and Hard Rock guitarists offer a lot. I think that's why Yngwie was on this list.

[toine]

if Prince made it on that list, they don't know what they are talking about

[Wyldeman2403]

voodoochild23 wrote:

Wyldeman2403 wrote:

Really jimi hendrix really guys? Come on even though i know the guys who had a vote on this poll probably arent legitament musicians an probably think a scale is something that tells you your weight. Doesnt mean that they should just elect hendrix at number one without looking at certain aspects first.

Ok i dont give a good rats ass if you flame me or not hendrix was good ill give you that but come on he wasnt good enough to be num. 1. Everyone knows that hes recognized so much because he was one of the first of his time doing things no one else done an at a time when a revolution was taking place.

Secondly number 10 are you ****ing kidding me Prince i mean come on i can think of a million other guitarist better than prince. How about oh say Iommi or wylde or even ****ing randy rhodes how you leave these mother****ers out of the top ten is beyond human comprehension!

What were we scoring these guys on how much drugs they can take an still play cus yes hendrix woulda won that award forsure. I mean even dimebag shoulda been in the top 10 come on ppl what the hell are you listening to this is not the goddamn 60's again they're are better ****ing guitarists.

I mean what do they think about petrucci, vai, jimmy page, an the great kirk hammett or even kerry king. All incrediably great talented musicians worthy of the top ten. Its just like the corporates to ****ing get involve an put their stake on something that they obviously no nothing about.

Time your ****ing magazine blows no one reads it therefore no one cares about your stupid little list. Put a list out who is actually based on some crediable judges like fellow musicians who better to decide whos the best than they.

Flame me if you want i know im right!

Keep rocking \m/

Ok I will flame you.
First of all, they're means they are, not there are.
Anyway more importantly, Hendrix wrote and performed music as if it was easy. Complex, but stunning blues rock and roll music, spontaneously and consistently.

None of the guitarists you've mentioned could ever approach music with the same natural creativity and ability to play entirely on feeling and not on following the expectancy of the media or the trends around you.

Let's get this sorted out, right, anyone can dedicate their careers to achieving great technical ability playing the guitar. That is not what this list aims to recognize.

Kirk Hammett, I happen to love as a guitarist. But how much of Metallica's music depends on him? Very little. Would he have a decent solo or instrumental to play without James and Lars first laying down the riffs and song structure? Its very hard to imagine he would.

Get some sense. Why is it a bad thing that Slash uses penatonic scales? One of the greatest solos of all time, stairway to heaven, pure pentatonic. What sort of psycho socially retarded idiot judges music like that? Creativity isnt just using uncommon scales for the sake of it, there are other ways of being original, Hendrix and Slash are perfect examples of people who knew that and make brilliant music.

I don't care how well metal guitarists can play, they very rarely match the level of musical innovation that the great blues rock guitar players of the past have done and Slash continues to do.

First off i said nothing about slash or his ability nor did i say he did not deserve to be on that list. You are forgetting that Toni Iommi was the sole guitarist in Black Sabbath an played mostly blues in the early days before sabbaths first solo album debuted. So do not be judging my crediability when it comes to blues and pentatonic playing guitarist.

Toni Iommi ninety percent of his solos are straight up blues\pentatonic in some for or another. So slash is not the only pentatonic player in this world. Nor is he the only blues influenced player. Some of you little kids have forgotten who the Godfather of modern metal really is that would be Tony Iommi

Secondly zakk wylde may play scoarching solos but look at those solos broken down oh its a pentatonic isnt it mostly from the blues scale as well. An man slash hasnt done shit since appetite for destruction an everyone knows that. An if all you can do is through some BS at me about slash and my grammer then dude you dont even need to be on this site.

Forget the zakk wylde you know today an listen to the zakky wylde from early ozzy you cant sit there an say that those riffs an solos are not innovative or creative or have feeling. Take a listen to randy from the 80's classically trained man it showed in his music how dare you sit there an say that blizzard of ozz and diary of a madman arent creative. You should be banned from a guitar website forever if you disagree.

You obviously know nothing of Dimebag darrell either or else you would know he was one of the origionaters of Thrash metal, do you even know the amount of skill it takes to play pantera songs. I bet you couldnt hold a pick to dime man get off this site. Pantera was one of the best and most creative thrash bands o

[wes_trogdor]

Dimebag. I'm just sayin'...

[Wyldeman2403]

of their time.

All genres aside you cant sit there an say that hendrix is better than rhoades nor can you sit there an say that hendrix is better than iommi. If you want to make a list of greatest blues\rock player put hendrix atop fine go ahead but you cant put him atop of greatest guitarist ever it just does not fit period.

[priest20201]

Respect, but I disagree...

[slashnzakkrule]

KingGohma wrote:

...So I can accept that, even though legions of 12 year old UGers will weep at the idea of Synyster Gates not taking the top spot...

Lolololololooololololol well thats tru!

I don't know about Prince. He is a more talented player than people give him credit for, but come on.

[Galvanise69]

Django Reinhardt? Pat Metheny?

Thats what we need!

[Hungry_Hameds]

No Brian May? Slash is not better than Page, Page is Slash's hero, and sure in some cases the master is overtaken by the pupil but this is not one of those cases.

No BRIAN MAY!?

Mike McCready????

[stef123]

There will never be a list that's right. It's all about opinion.

[Cobrevolution]

I'snot rolling stone the magazine that put hendrix at 1 and Randy Rhoads at 70?
The defense rests.

That's irrelevant, because I only mentioned RS because of the article written by Pete Townshend about Jimi Hendrix. Read next time.

[Aussie_Warrior]

Since there ia huge variety its really hard to have a static definiton of the word "greatest".

[ConeShred]

What the **** Time? I mean, I know your musical tastes are incredibly limited, but come on, at least TRY to make your lists a bit more ****ing credible.

While Hendrix is arguably the best guitarist ever, my stomach churns everytime I see Slash or Prince, or ****ing Keith Richards.

[Lefty7Stringer]

Cobrevolution wrote:

I'snot rolling stone the magazine that put hendrix at 1 and Randy Rhoads at 70?
The defense rests.
That's irrelevant, because I only mentioned RS because of the article written by Pete Townshend about Jimi Hendrix. Read next time.

What you fail to realize is that RS has no credibility, which was simply what I was pointing out.

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

what business does time magazine have with holding such a poll?

[Lefty7Stringer]

Wylde_Is_Wild wrote:

Lets see, People who shouldn't be on this list: Slash, Keith Richards, Jimmy Page, Yngwie, and Prince. Who should be on this list: Zakk Wylde, Michael Angelo Batio, Eddie Van Halen, Charlie Parker, Buckethead. I know I put six in and took 5 out. But the list this guy made really sucks

Um for people who shouldn't be on the list you forgot Hendrix, and yes, I said Shouldn't.

[kerno1]

bull shit
thats all i can say

[Lefty7Stringer]

vIsIbleNoIsE wrote:

what business does time magazine have with holding such a poll?

Well the answer is that they have no business have such a pole.

[SOADriff]

This is news how?

[Gr3mlinn]

mcraddict81592 wrote:

No Brian May....This list is Horseshit (Name that reference and get a cookie.)

Big Daddy

And I think this list needs Rory Gallagher... Amous or not, Rory was amazing..

[KidsHussla]

beerbreath wrote:

ZAKK WYLDE!!!!!

amen

[Gr3mlinn]

Amous or not,

I meant Famous*

[metallica-#1]

ok so does anyone actually KNOW how to spell KIRK HAMMETT
K-I-R-K H-A-M-M-E-T-T

ive seen: Kirk Hammit and Kirk Hammet and Kirk Hammitt

you all know how its spelt now SO, we can get tot his topic:

when i went on this site and read "Jimi Hendrix Named The Greatest Electric Guitarist Ever" i died a little inside, i mean seriously... "Greatest EVER"?????
fuuuuuck off, and WHY Slash #2?
i think of Slash as #2 but not as the number, his playing sounds like shit. and if Slash IS up there, wheres Kirk Hammett? i mean, they do have similar styles so they can be compared, and Kirk is just an all around better guitarist than Slash. im not saying either of them should be in the top 10 but JESUS CHRIST! SLASH #2????? BLASPHEMY

AND WHERE THE FUUUUUCK IS JAMES HETFIELD?
THE most solid rhythm guitarist to EVER pick up an electric guitar, the fact that he can switch so effortlessly from different styles always baffled me, he is a true guitar legend and just because hes not a lead guitarist he gets looked over

[dogs.key]

lol people argue about taste of music

[Gr3mlinn]

metallica-#1 wrote:

ok so does anyone actually KNOW how to spell KIRK HAMMETT
K-I-R-K H-A-M-M-E-T-T

ive seen: Kirk Hammit and Kirk Hammet and Kirk Hammitt

you all know how its spelt now SO, we can get tot his topic:

when i went on this site and read "Jimi Hendrix Named The Greatest Electric Guitarist Ever" i died a little inside, i mean seriously... "Greatest EVER"?????
fuuuuuck off, and WHY Slash #2?
i think of Slash as #2 but not as the number, his playing sounds like shit. and if Slash IS up there, wheres Kirk Hammett? i mean, they do have similar styles so they can be compared, and Kirk is just an all around better guitarist than Slash. im not saying either of them should be in the top 10 but JESUS CHRIST! SLASH #2????? BLASPHEMY

AND WHERE THE FUUUUUCK IS JAMES HETFIELD?
THE most solid rhythm guitarist to EVER pick up an electric guitar, the fact that he can switch so effortlessly from different styles always baffled me, he is a true guitar legend and just because hes not a lead guitarist he gets looked over

James is actually really good. Man played lead guitar on Ecstasy of Gold and screamed his "Hey"s...

[Zeoilvia]

Fuck Prince. Go Petrucci

[bfchead]

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
03. B.B. King
04. Keith Richards
05. Eric Clapton
06. Jimmy Page
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

This list is bogus, im a big fan of slash, but he is far from number 2(more like #10) I cant even remember any memorable Prince guitarwork. Yngwie can be knocked by Satriani or Vai. And Clapton shud get #2. This was about the stupidest list I've seen

[RenKaiya]

AWW YEAH KURT HAMMER

[busted_hater]

hendrix has to be best fact! he revolutionized electric guitar! If it wasn't for him all the incredible players of now wouldnt be there! HE MADE ELECTRIC GUITAR WHAT IT IS!

[ihavenoname93]

les paul wouldnt even be on here if he hadnt just died, and jimi hendrix wouldnt be first if he wasnt dead.

why are the dead glorified so much?

[Thespade22]

not trying to troll/flame but im not surprised at this list, mainly becauses it TIME magazine

[guitarfreak222]

Seriously.. It is impossible to truly pick out 10 greatest guitar players! There are way too many to pick from!

[mulefish]

KingGohma wrote:
Because being able to shred like a maniac does not instantly make you a good player? Granted, he has some more melodic sensibility than some shredders, but he's still not top ten material.

Then why the hell is Malmsteen on the list?

[XTheAlchemistX]

this list blows, this is not about better guitarists, its who's more famous.

[inlovewithmusic]

guitarfreak222 wrote:

Seriously.. It is impossible to truly pick out 10 greatest guitar players! There are way too many to pick from!

kudos to that ..

its like measuring art ....seriously ...I wonder if people will one day start arguing who was better ...
Leonardo Da Vinci or Micheal Angelo ....

just another BS list to fill up pages in time magazine....

[Mikeyw1233]

Slash should definetly not be any lists of greatest gutiarist really, he just makes on because of publicity and being well known.

[Dreamtheater,SG]

Oh god not another one of those popularity lists... these things are only good to trigger massive comments and online useless discussions. This is a laugh, should've called it, who's-more-popular-list. Glad to see Prince got mentioned though

[ahsoo]

kirk hamlet becus he can has wurr wurr pedal!

[m0o]

slash deserves to be where he is after all his contribution to the rock n roll world. he has been an influential guitarist and has produced some of the finest work we have ever seen so no need to question that.
i dunno if prince should be there i think instead of him it couldve been david gilmour or angus young. same goes for yngwie.

[Hammerzeit]

Petrucci should be on it. I'm not a huge Dream Theater fan but i think he is Genuinely THAT good.

[pgs89]

I know my opinion isn't much, but what about Billy Gibbons, Ottmar Leibert, and SRV?

[Funkmaster Fret]

Shabadoo wrote:

needs to contain all of my favorite guitarists then it will be valid ...

THAT, ladies and gents, is truly worthy of a Lol

[The_Teleblaster]

How is this news?

He's always voted as best guitarist in these polls.

[breadfan82]

Wow. Hendrix...greatest ever? Pfft...

Sad.

[thehandthatfeed]

well i think this list isn't that good
i mean where is dimebag darrel ??
he is never in there and was one of the best
or syn gates??
i mean come on

[nalbantov]

without Ritchie Blackmore?! WTF?!

[proswimmer89]

LD_Luke D wrote:

1) what the **** does time magazine readers know about guitar
2)Slash is amazing, but nowhere near top 10 good
3)Yngwie but no EVH...blasphemy
4) prince is very underrated but not even top 25 quality
5)no Tony Iommi... riddiculous
6) No SRV... this is a joke, like seriously

this

[Funkmaster Fret]

Also, on one last note.

WyldemanLotsofNumbers wrote,

"Secondly zakk wylde may play scoarching solos but look at those solos broken down oh its a pentatonic isnt it mostly from the blues scale as well. An man slash hasnt done shit since appetite for destruction an everyone knows that. An if all you can do is through some BS at me about slash and my grammer then dude you dont even need to be on this site.

Forget the zakk wylde you know today an listen to the zakky wylde from early ozzy you cant sit there an say that those riffs an solos are not innovative or creative or have feeling. Take a listen to randy from the 80's classically trained man it showed in his music how dare you sit there an say that blizzard of ozz and diary of a madman arent creative. You should be banned from a guitar website forever if you disagree.

You obviously know nothing of Dimebag darrell either or else you would know he was one of the origionaters of Thrash metal, do you even know the amount of skill it takes to play pantera songs. I bet you couldnt hold a pick to dime man get off this site. Pantera was one of the best and most creative thrash bands o"

Pantera? Really? You know how thrash metal got started? Dimebag decided he'd put his wrist strength developed from masturbating to bestiality by shaking it as fast as he could over six strings.

I'll give it to you, that's pretty hard to replicate. But then again, so are the imaginary games that my 8 year old niece makes up on the fly.

Skill isn't the word that should be associated with metal players, really... Speed, maybe, but not skill.

[HeathenChemist]

I love these lists and the amount of angry comments that get written.

[MONSTA42]

Guys... Les Paul anybody? I mean, the man did basically create the electric guitar and multi-track recording

[FretboardToAsh]

I love Petrucci and all, but I'm not a fan of the mindset which implies that only rock and metal guitarists are worthy of inclusion on this sort of list.

Django Reinhardt? Pat Metheny?

Django I wholehartedly agree with, I don't mind the old bluesheroes in there, though I'd probably prefer Shawn Lane over most of them. But guys like prince, slash, keith richards and eric clapton? It's another list that's based on either non-guitarists, or ill experienced ones imo.
Still, these things are all based on opinions so everything is wrong and right at the same time anyway. Aside from Hendrix none of the rest come even close to how groundbreaking he was, and it's hard to differentiate in who had the most influence out of the other 9.

[MONSTA42]

I mean, all the way down there in 8

[HeathenChemist]

ESTP wrote:

This sort of list will never please anyone and it can never be definite, for all we know there could be a guitarist in the amazon rainforest with 8 fingers who is insane so...

Last time I ckecked I had 8 fingers.... I still do actually.

[R0B0_Ninja]

THERE IS NO CORRECT LIST. YOU CANT COMPARE GUITARISTS FROM DIFFERENT GENRES

[Ali-b912]

Define: Greatest

[BlueFuzion101]

Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Tony Iommi, Vivian Campbell (when he was with DIO), Adrian Smith, Dave Murray.

[tom1thomas1]

i think Randy Rhoads is the most well rounded, good at shred, rock, blues, acoustic, knows his theory, doesn't just play like a robot, had some influence, wrote good songs and solos, what else is there to add?

[MattLoaf]

"02. Slash"

.....

[sheephead_ryan]

i agree with alquina's selection. no eddie van halen on this lost?COME ON!!! okay ill admit tom morello isnt the most technically gifted player ever but at least he is the only one i can think of who is as innovative as he is.

[§ynysterSte]

whatever, the best guitarist is whoever your inspired by to play guitar.

Jimi just is the most popular person ever who has inspired people to enjoy the guitar and its music. simple

[tom1thomas1]

BlueFuzion101 wrote:

Randy Rhoads, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Vai, Tony Iommi, Vivian Campbell (when he was with DIO), Adrian Smith, Dave Murray.

Iron Maidens one of my favourite bands but their lead tone sounds like something off of a bedroom recording on youtube

[mate_jebate]

bfchead wrote:

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
03. B.B. King
04. Keith Richards
05. Eric Clapton
06. Jimmy Page
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

This list is bogus, im a big fan of slash, but he is far from number 2(more like #10) I cant even remember any memorable Prince guitarwork. Yngwie can be knocked by Satriani or Vai. And Clapton shud get #2. This was about the stupidest list I've seen

and you know what is even bigger bogus than this list?
your comment. clapton #2 buahahahahAHHAahahahah

[tom1thomas1]

god nearly 1000 comments, mostly saying the same thing

[Midnight Barber]

Nobody (not entirely studied every comment) has mentioned Jonny Marr...

[RichieJovie]

Time magazine knows very little about guitar playing.

[jax113]

it's a bad list

where is Eddie Van Halen, Tommi Iommi , ritchie blackmore

i think this names should be in top 10

[voodoochild23]

Wyldeman2403 wrote:

First off i said nothing about slash or his ability nor did i say he did not deserve to be on that list. You are forgetting that Toni Iommi was the sole guitarist in Black Sabbath an played mostly blues in the early days before sabbaths first solo album debuted. So do not be judging my crediability when it comes to blues and pentatonic playing guitarist.

Toni Iommi ninety percent of his solos are straight up blues\pentatonic in some for or another. So slash is not the only pentatonic player in this world. Nor is he the only blues influenced player. Some of you little kids have forgotten who the Godfather of modern metal really is that would be Tony Iommi

Secondly zakk wylde may play scoarching solos but look at those solos broken down oh its a pentatonic isnt it mostly from the blues scale as well. An man slash hasnt done shit since appetite for destruction an everyone knows that. An if all you can do is through some BS at me about slash and my grammer then dude you dont even need to be on this site.

Forget the zakk wylde you know today an listen to the zakky wylde from early ozzy you cant sit there an say that those riffs an solos are not innovative or creative or have feeling. Take a listen to randy from the 80's classically trained man it showed in his music how dare you sit there an say that blizzard of ozz and diary of a madman arent creative. You should be banned from a guitar website forever if you disagree.

You obviously know nothing of Dimebag darrell either or else you would know he was one of the origionaters of Thrash metal, do you even know the amount of skill it takes to play pantera songs. I bet you couldnt hold a pick to dime man get off this site. Pantera was one of the best and most creative thrash bands o

All I did was throw grammar BS at you? Ok. Stuff your ego away its pathetic

I was talking about Slash because 90% of these comments are about Slash, not because my message revovles around you.

Toni Iommi was innovative, but he doesn't have the technical skill to be called one of the great electric guitarist. A great musician, of course, but not the greatest electric guitarist, or even close.

I've known Dimebag Darrell for a very long time, why are you resorting to assumptions about my personality? At what stage did I say his riffs, or the Black Sabbath riffs, don't have creativity or feeling? Quote it, I beg you. I learn I'm Broken when I first picked up a guitar, Dimebag is one of my favourite guitarists, but this is irrelevant here so stop bringing up crap.

You say Hendrix wasn't good enough for number one, my reply is that his level of musical understand surpasses Dimebag Darrell and several others. I likened him to Slash for the sake of replying to the rest of this discussion. Slash is a brilliant guitarist, and I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe that you can hold a pick to him, or Jimi, or any of the guys in that list. You can play his November Rain solo can you?

Get over your metalhead attitude, how often did you watch Dimebag perform? Its a damn shame he died, absolutely, but you can't presume therefore that he WOULD HAVE had the sort of impact that Hendrix has had.

And don't say 'no one can because hendrix was the first', because prior to hendrix, that theory still existed about every living guitar player

[Laimonel]

Hendrix is really the number one. But its sad that they think that clapton is only fifth I would give him the second place

[zoso1129]

Nirvanarien wrote:

Even tho Jimi is a great Guitar Player and i am a great fan of his music always seeing the same people in these kinds of top 10's gets kind of boring

Your so ****ing dumb for saying that!!!
Do you even know what the subject is?
THE GREATEST GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME!
You cant just have one one day another the next.
God damn-it! You're ****ing dumb.
jeeze!

[voodoochild23]

Oh and I can quite easily sit here and say that those albums aren't as creative as Hendrix's material. I'd stand by that all day long. They don't have the feeling that Hendrix's music had.

By telling other members to "get off this site", you have some nerve then calling us kids.

Hendrix will always be number 1, get over it

[zoso1129]

Nirvanarien wrote:

Even tho Jimi is a great Guitar Player and i am a great fan of his music always seeing the same people in these kinds of top 10's gets kind of boring

Your so ****ing dumb for saying that!!!
Do you even know what the subject is?
THE GREATEST GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME!
You cant just have one one day another the next.
God damn-it! You're ****ing dumb.
jeeze!

[henkka_potku]

That must be the worst list ever to be written.

[Jonny_Hendrix]

slash is awesome n all but he is to overrated he shouldnt b no 2 btw jimi is GOD =D

[voodoochild23]

punker_7970 wrote:
I have some slight issues with what you wrote and my opinions that I'm presenting you are filled with no intent of insulting you, simply stating.

The person you quoted mention Steve Vai as a guitarist and you retorted that none of the guitarists he mentioned met the criteria to be on the list composed by the readers of Time. My response is that Vai has all the qualifying criteria to be on said list. Not only has he mastered guitar techniques that many others only dream of obtaining, but he is also one of the few guitarists that combine that incredible talent with the ability to compose great music! If anything, he should at LEAST replace Prince on the tenth position because if you're a guitarist you can pretty much appreciate that Vai is better than Prince.

Also, I do think that this list aims to reveer those who have accomplished reaching a high level of guitar playing in terms of technique, but also in combination with great song writing. If not, then what's the purpose of this list?

There is nothing wrong with using pentatonic scales, but isn't it more impressive when a guitarist breaks that boundary and treads on more complex ground?

I think it is a little unfair how often Metal or Hard Rock guitarists are overlooked. I think this list was composed with a hint of ignorance. Metal and Hard Rock guitarists offer a lot. I think that's why Yngwie was on this list.

Well my point was merely that nobody, Steve Vai included, will match the criteria to be number one. I don't believe he composes great music, and I'm a very open minded listener (regardless of what my contributions here might suggest).

I DO think that its about both technique and musical composition, that's something I wrote much earlier on. That's why I say Iommi doesn't cut it. Most people have the technical side down, few people can compose music that the world will universally respect as great, while showing an inspiring amount of skill too, which is what Slash did [and continues to do so].

Some people suggest he just did Appetite for Destruction and everything else was boring... its insanity of the most extreme kind. I've never known anyone to play his solo's like him, or write solo's like him.

Rock and Metal aren't overlooked. Technique in terms of sweep picking, fast riffs, clean playing i.e. Hetfield, alone isn't enough, and in most rock and metal (unlike Metallica and several rare exemptions) don't have enough music in them.

There is a difference between having complex music theory being applied, and having high standard music being performed. The latter should always come first.

If you have to find out that a guitarist uses complex scales before you appreciate his work, then you and him are both very naive.

[Elfraddor]

No Angus or Satriani?

[Phil.]

I think everyone is gonna have a different list due to the subjectivity of music which is really cool but, this list sucks and is totaly misinformed. It seems like a list of the first 10 guitarists this guy could think of (except yngwie). Prince?!!!

[jimi-h]

jimi-h 4 top he is the best GUITARIST ever

[BornToRun]

Prince LMAO

[starfire666]

Slash? Prince? Are you insane, people?! Those really aren't even guitar players, should anyone ask me
1. John Petrucci
2. Steve Vai
3. Yngwie Malmsteen
4. Paul Gilbert
5. Joe Satriani
etc

[Rysis]

Its funny that there isn't any metal guitarist up there, Like Dave mustaine. Jimi hendrix is highly overrated :/ So is slash. Where is Synester gates? Also John Petrucci is great.

[FearOfTheDuck]

Slash is awesome, may not be the best guitarist, just like Angus Young, they greatly influenced a lot of people. Like Hendrix.
Dimebag, Adrian Smith, Eddie Van Halen, people with feeling in their guitar sound not like the stupid shred guitarists because they just play fast... so what?

[gibsonsg145]

i cnt belive joe satriani ent in here omg thats so whack.

[ListeNROck11]

I think Slash should be 1st.

[music-hippie]

I know that everyone will have different opinions, but mine is that Joe Perry of Aerosmith should be up there. He helped write Walk This Way, Sweet Emotion, Dream On etc. To me he wrote more memorable riffs than Keith even though I'm a huge Rolling stones fan.

And Prince should not be on the list, nothing against him but there are other guitarists that should be on the list before him, like Angus Young or Mick Mars or George Thorogood.

AND! where the hell is Pete Townshend?

[chad6919]

I love Hendrix, but where is SRV! Stevie Ray Vaughan should be at the top!

[kkquick]

jayyshep wrote:

didnt we all know jimi hendrix was no. 1 already? in my opinion clapton and page should be at 2 and 3, carlos santana and angus young should be on ther somewhere...

I agree almost completely but I don't think that Angus has anything to do on that list, he can make some good solos but when it comes to the music they did everybody knows that Malcom was the riffwriter and Angus is more of a showman. I think he is awesome but I don't think he belongs there.

[MH400]

Slash is over rated.

[espal]

These kinds of lists are totally retarded, man. There are just too many genres of music. I mean, those people that like blues and stuff have chosen Hendrix as "the best ever", and maybe he really is "the best one", in blues or somethin', but definately, NOT IN EVERY F***ING TYPE OF MUSIC!!! Has he ever played heavy metal? F*** NO!!!
Of course, electric guitars started with blues, but it's like "Time Magazine readers" have never heard of Dimebag, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Marty Friedman, Jake E. Lee, Dave Mustaine, and so many more... If there was no heavy metal, then this list would be ok, but... they're not alone in this world.

[nailsarecruel]

kellen.dobmeier wrote:

nailsarecruel :
Replace Eric Clapton with George Van Eps and that list is pretty decent.

Are you retarded? Clapton should be at number 1 and if any guitarist who's relatively new to the scene should be on that list it should be John Mayer.

You're special. And you have no idea who George Van Eps is.

[Mr.Feather]

ListeNROck11 wrote:

I think Slash should be last.

fixed.

okay, maybe not last. but he certainly shouldn't be in the top 10.

[Made in Mexico]

What exactly constitutes "the greatest". Its now just accepted that Hendrix is the best. To argue this with non-guitar playing music lovers always gets the same reaction of you being an "idiot".

Im pretty sure the guitarists I admire wont be on any lists:

Johnny Marr, Bernard Sumner and Graham Coxon.

[Phil.]

I don't even think the order this guy wrote his top ten is right! For the most part these guitarists would appear in a top 100, although I could probably think of 100 guitarists better than prince, no offence to him!

[Helpy Helperton]

Yeah this list is pure balls, top10's etc always are. All it does is compile a bunch of well known guitarists into some kind of order.

Few people who should be on any top10 list:

Tommy Emmanuel (So much music both accoustic and electric is top notch)
Eric Johnson (arguably the master of tone)
Joe Satriani (great electric player with some amazing songs).

Slash ahead of any of these guys is a joke really, and don't argue that shedders shouldn't be on as malmsteen is (as he rightly should be).

I think these lists are just written by 1 guy who doesn't know much about guitar and just names a bunch of famous ones.

[pearl182]

Rory Gallagher. He should be up there. Simply because Jimi Hendrix was once asked how it feels to be the greatest guitar player in the world and he replied with 'I don't know, ask Rory Gallagher'.

[jimi-h]

I dont think the list is 100% correct
this is mine
1.Jimi hendrix
2.Carlos Santana
3.Bob Dylan
4.Jimmy Page
5.John Frusciante
6.Kirk Hammet
7.Kurt Cobain
8.Slash
9.Les Paul
10.Jennifer Bannet(Jeff Beck, Michael Jackson)

[Astyan]

I don't know what pisses me off the most.

Awful, subjective lists with Jimmi Hendrix on top that include any form of "greatest ever" title and include the same artists than 10 years ago.

Or whiney people going all "but [insert Petrucci, Paul Gilbert, Satriana, Buckethead etc. here] only shreds, he has no soul" because they can't stand the fact that they both technically better and just as inventive as their classic, overrated generation idols.

You prefer a Hendrix to a Petrucci, right, no problem here. But that's only a matter of opinion. FACTS such as raw speed but also overall technique, creativity, diversity of the techniques used, composition skills and complexity indicate that Petrucci ATOMIZES any player from this ridiculous top 10.

In short. Anybody's free to prefer any guitarist they like. But please cut the crap and let the "no soul" argument choke on its own vomit.

[rancidryan]

what the hell?!?!

this isnt eve real news!

[SomeMetalLover]

how is it possible to vote "A BEST GUITARIST OFF ALL TIME"????? its impassible!!!!!

Ther a milions of great guitarist all over the world. Famous or not famous.

so stupid man ,,,,, -.-

[RUSH is GOD2112]

alex lifeson plays more passionately and melodicly in his little finger...

[rtl999]

Slash
Keith Richards
Prince
I'm sorry but what the **** is this

[voodoochile000]

Trey Anastasio = #1

[Cerberus7string]

well my best guitarist is and will always be dime

[philwhite]

Gus G is better than all of them together. Sad.

[Dio10101]

How can Yngwie be on the list and not Satch, Dime, Randy Rhoads, and everyone else who deserves to be on that list

[JohnnyV]

Hendrix wasn't even a good guitar player. He was a better songwriter. *Barrel roll

[qcollis]

lists are pointless

[23dannybhoy23]

What's the point in magazines making lists like that? The "best" guitarist is a fairly relative concept, after all.

[doo138]

why does everybody care....everybody tells me its not about technical skill and years of practice its about soul and emotion blah blah the truth is, its all the same stop with the arguing.. I don't hear the soul in jimi hendrix's guitar....seems like everybody else does...i feel so much more soul in dimebag's solo's, listen to the sleep solo its amazing...its like he's singing but on the guitar....it's all in the eye of the beholder...what's good for you isn't good for me and the same the other way around...there should'nt be a top ten list because there really is no top ten..maybe my top ten...or your top ten...but not a top ten for everyone...stop fighting and start talking about what really moves you whether its actual skill or just emotion and the ability to play catchy music..

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[doo138]

one more to add to the list that noboddy though of....the unkown guitarist....he's the guy in his basement or garage that isn't popular by any means but will smoke any guitarist in this category.

[King Twili]

I hate top 10's, they're ALWAYS the same.

[tcangusyoung123]

King Twili wrote:

I hate top 10's, they're ALWAYS the same.

Not true. This one has Prince in the top 10 for some reason...

[njc3190]

ok.. i think i might just go and throw up

[bcrich1234bc]

well what can you expect, readers of time magazine voted for this horrible list. Personally id like to see one based on actual greatness, i would like to see jeff loomis on that list. But as for prrice... come on, weak.

[hendrixthe2nd]

they should try looking at some modern guitarists who could replace these guys instead of it just staying the same all the time. (corey out of trivium and Mark morton out of lamb of god)
And i disagree with this top ten where the hell is steve vai or paul gilbert and even joe satriani these guys a great!!!

[daktrgonzo]

everybody who says that some guitarist shouldent be there is dumb becouse next thing that person will do is put his own favorite guitarist to that chart...come on people enjoy music and dont get mad becouse of this f@cking chart...

[goozers]

k this is when the world has to realise that Jimi Hendrix is the past, and we are living in the now. I am a big fan of Jimi and have always been but come on Jon Petrucci, Marty Friedman, Dime Bag Darrel. THEY ARNT EVEN IN ROLLING STONES HUNDRED GREATEST GUITARESTS OF ALL TIME.

[MarkSlayer2009]

Gary Moore anyone? Probably the greatest guitarist of ALL time.....

[marcelaguiar]

JImi was great and everything, but in my opinion he was a little bit overrated.

Uh, TOM MOrello? THe time he puts into practicing and the knowledge of guitar is more than Jimi hendriz by a lot IM GUESSING.

[Slooj]

Mine:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Stevie Ray Vaughan
3. Slash
4. Jimmy Page
5. Dave Gilmour
6. Tom Morello
7. John Frusciante
8. Dave Navarro
9. Vernon Reid
10. BB. King

[floydpinkerton]

my list is as follows:

1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Stevie Ray Vaughan
3. Jeff Beck
4. Eric Clapton
5. David Gilmour
6. B.B King
7. Jimmy Page
8. Angus Young
9. Eddie Van Halen
10. Steve Howe

That's who I think is the best, not personal preference. I would have had Mike McCready and Alex Lifeson on there. Jimmy Page is my Number 1 favorite to listen to.

[goozers]

btw this is my top TWENTY
1. Yngwie malmsteen
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Jon Petrucci
4. Satch
5. Vai
6. Eric Clapton
7. Marty Friedman
8. Paul Gilbert
9. Ted Nugent
10. Duane Allman
11. Kurt Cobain
12. Tom Morello
13. Dime Bag Darrel
14. Kirk Hammet
15. Jon Frusciante
16. Kerry King
17. Randy Rhoads
18. Chris Broderick
19. Dave Mustaine
20. Buckethead
21. "The Unknown Guitarists around the world"

Peace out UG
Goozers

[stratdud39]

what the hell is prince doing on that list?!?!

[niqolaise]

"Rating guitarists is a stupid hobby." (quote from Frank Zappa) Otherwise, I'm happy with Jimi as number one, but I don't get Slash being so high.

[Raider76]

excuse me but WHERE THE FUCK IS EDDIE VAN HALEN?!?!? and WHY ISNT HE NO. 1????

[Phil.]

Partying like its 1999...!

[GuitarRat]

Slash on second? I mean,, he is one of my favourite guitar players, but hasn't made as much influense as bb. king, clapton, jimmy page, les paul... They praticle made him

[PapaDelicious]

slow news day

[wolfrock780]

why the **** would they put prince on the list and not EDDIE VAN HALEN....AND ALSO FUCK yngwie too...hes no legend ...instead they should have put Randy Rhoads or Kirk Hammet

[kfong03]

fair list i guess... but why's prince on it? where's john petrucci? paul gilbert? dime? chris broderick? buckethead?

[busted_hater]

ihavenoname93 wrote:

les paul wouldnt even be on here if he hadnt just died, and jimi hendrix wouldnt be first if he wasnt dead.

why are the dead glorified so much?

Les paul may not have been in the rock scene or anything like that, but for the jazz scene he was pure legend! He was playing gigs to the day he died! So if you if you can name another guitarist that has played till 94 and has created a worldwide known guitar! then say he shouldnt be there.

[Cruel]

so I heard this is the 'top 10 overrated guitarists ever' and I was like ok ya. but then i read that it's 'the top 10 greatest' and i was like lol no.

[Jamma]

goozers wrote:

btw this is my top TWENTY
1. Yngwie malmsteen
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Jon Petrucci
4. Satch
5. Vai
6. Eric Clapton
7. Marty Friedman
8. Paul Gilbert
9. Ted Nugent
10. Duane Allman
11. Kurt Cobain
12. Tom Morello
13. Dime Bag Darrel
14. Kirk Hammet
15. Jon Frusciante
16. Kerry King
17. Randy Rhoads
18. Chris Broderick
19. Dave Mustaine
20. Buckethead
21. "The Unknown Guitarists around the world"

Peace out UG
Goozers

HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH....
.....
...HAH HA... *regains breathe*

There is so much wrong with this post, I won't even begin

[busted_hater]

so many people here whos limited knowledge of guitarists is making them look silly. JUST BECAUSE THEY DONT PLAY MEGA FAST DOESNT MAKE THEM BAD!!!

[SlyDevil13]

This is garbage, sure jimmi was good, but there are so many more guitarists now that are probably better than him. Just cause he was the best of his time doesn't mean he's the best forever. Where is John Petrucci? Tom Schols, the underrated Boston guitar player, Eddie Van Halen, Dime Bag, Kirk Hammet Dave Mustaine, Tom Morello, Bucket head etc

[Dssaviors]

KidBARTLEY wrote:

ALEXI LAIHO FOR THE F*****G WIN

Lol ....okkkaaayyyy..-.-

[busted_hater]

SlyDevil13 wrote:

This is garbage, sure jimmi was good, but there are so many more guitarists now that are probably better than him. Just cause he was the best of his time doesn't mean he's the best forever. Where is John Petrucci? Tom Schols, the underrated Boston guitar player, Eddie Van Halen, Dime Bag, Kirk Hammet Dave Mustaine, Tom Morello, Bucket head etc

Best guitarist of all time some are pretty good hendrix les paul all these people inspired the people that most people are requesting. Therefore pretty damn good and deserve a place

[ozzynator]

lmao !!! Slash at number 2 ! and they say he aint overrated XD
crap list.

[metalheadrenzo]

lol@ Slash!

Edgar Cruz, Allan Holdsworth, Joe Pass, Chris Broderick, Marco Sfogli, George Benson and etc.

The overrated and the dead always get the win. But agreed on Jimi being number 1 thou.

[TomErasmus]

good list, glad to see that wasnt snubbed, where is Eddie Van Halen though?

[TheConjuration]

lol @ anyone who says that overrated piece of trash Dimebag deserved to be in the top 10. Also, Hendrix and Slash in the top spots? Funny stuff.

Where are Steve Vai, Adrian Belew, David Gilmour?

[b_flo]

The only way to do this is to categorize them, then rank them within that category. It's like comparing apples to oranges. For example, Hendrix (my all-time favorite)is ranked #1, but when it comes to flamenco, or classical, there's other guitarists better than him in those categories. The other one is time....EVH is regarded as a guitar genius, but not according to the last solo he did on their last tour.

[TimBFMV]

01. Jimi Hendrix
02. Slash
03. B.B. King
04. Keith Richards
05. Eric Clapton
06. Jimmy Page
07. Chuck Berry
08. Les Paul
09. Yngwie Malmsteen
10. Prince

Well, that is quite agreeable

[Viking_Swede666]

philwhite wrote:

Gus G is better than all of them together. Sad.

I really wish there were a lot more educated people like you on this site.

+100

Gus G is the best.

[El Maurizio]

To everyone that is bashing Slash: Im not a fan but he has done some of the most memorable guitar work out there and that seems to be where this list is about; its not that much about skill but more about what the guitarists have done. As proven by Richards at no. 4 wtf?

[Chaosinborn]

Id like to see the population sample they used to conduct this. Since it says it was done by the readers of time id like everyone to think about who subscribes to Time magazine. I doube many people that are hardcore guitar fans subscribe to Time magazine. Let alone many of the younger generation. So taken into account the chances of having a very good population sampels for this is very slim. This is the opinion of middle age america.

[wndrw982]

where is Duane Allman?

[wndrw982]

slash, yngwie, and prince should be replaced...or omitted. a top 7 would be better than a top 10 with those guys in there!

[sw@gshredder]

lurch_276 :
Splashed wrote:

grimms wrote:

This is the same list that was once in Guitar World Magazine, and every other top 10 magazine ever.

Jimmy Page sucks entirely, and had one of the worst guitar sounds i've ever heard in my life.

Joe Satriani, Petrucci, Buckethead, Stump, 100s of better guitarists.
Stump? Like Patrick Stump?

Ya please tell me u didn't mean patrick stump
ikr wth. thinking jimmy page was horrible is like slapping god across the face and where the hell is santana

[El Maurizio]

Im sure that guy meant Joe Stump and not Patrick Stump. If not he's crazy.

[DethMetalManiac]

Prince????? REALLY????? I can think of like 20 other guitarist who deserve number ten more than prince. How about Rany Rhodes, Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, Steve Via, Paul Gilbert, I mean c'mon, Thats an insult. I could beat prince in a guitar duel.

[Lou_dog 71]

Yea man Santana for sure!
And How is Keith Richards 4th ?!
He played Rhythm guitar!
and Yngwie Malmsteen is such a doucher
but Hendrix definitely deserves this title.

[sewoo55]

Santana should be on the list and Slash is way overrated

[d2frontman25]

"voted the greatest electric guitar player of all time by the readers of Time Magazine."

Maybe the people who vote in Time Magazine polls don't know much about guitar? This was a poll, not a written opinion from the editor of the article.

Personally, I think John Frusciante should be high on the list, but that's biased because he's my favorite guitar player. I'd also like to see Tony Iommi, Duane Allman, Carlos Santana, Robert Fripp, and David Gilmoure.. No denying Buckethead's talent, either.

[slayaplaya]

I hate these lists

[Philly080]

Hahaha this is a TERRIBLE list. You know why? Because it was voted be the readers of Time Magazine...Time Magazine! A magazine that has virtually nothing to do with music.

[Zoslowhand]

What the?! Page is #1!! Slash shouldn't be on there!,
Les Paul should be higher!, this is messed up.

[BloodyAugust]

This list is a joke. There's are hundreds of guitarists currently performing that are far superior in skill and talent to these guys. Sure, they had great music, but just because they're old ("classic") doesn't make them the best at what they do.

The only guitarists who deserves to be on that list is Malmsteen. Leave to Time Magazine to release some tripe article carefully sculpted for the brain-dead masses. Fuck.

[deFactoX87]

Jimi is great, but Slash is so ovvvvverrated!!!
I don't like these lists. You can never see Robert Fripp or Steve Howe in the top ten, because a lot of people didn't heard of them. I also like Guthrie Govan,Al DiMeola,Buckethead, Satriani ... but i don't think these kind of players (shredders) deserve to be in the top ten. When will people stop making these stupid lists?

[DethMetalManiac]

There should be a Guitar World Magazine readers list. that would be much better.

[ccam555]

ayreon37 wrote:

UnaLaguna wrote:

Joe Satriani. Steve Hackett. Tony Iommi. Ritchie Blackmore. Buckethead. Alex Lifeson.

+1 and this guy doesn't even have some of my picks in his post.
The top 10 is fail.

plus 2.

[PatMcKraken]

Man this top ten sucks. Wheres Eddie Marty and Kirk? Sure Jimi's good but not the greatest. theres too many to choose from. And Slash doesnt deserve number 2. thats ridiculous. you cant get much worse on this

[hak_hap]

1. Matt Bellamy
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Mark Knopfler
4. John Frusciante
5. Kurt Cobain
6. Carlos Santana
7. Tom Morello
8. Kirk Hammet
9. Eddie van Halen
10. Steve Vai

I love it when a guitarist gives the audience some real emotion rather than pure stone cold technique...well, bellamy has it all to me, hes also techniqually really good, gives me chills down my spine and is very experimental...

...steve vai is last cos hes the only emotional one under those other perfect ones: malmsteen, petrucci and so on...hate those. their solos are perfect and astounding but give me nothing.

and btw: this is just an opinion and im sure someone will quote me in order to be a jackass cuz noone will notice...including me *lol*

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[Philly080]

BloodyAugust wrote:

This list is a joke. There's are hundreds of guitarists currently performing that are far superior in skill and talent to these guys. Sure, they had great music, but just because they're old ("classic") doesn't make them the best at what they do.

The only guitarists who deserves to be on that list is Malmsteen. Leave to Time Magazine to release some tripe article carefully sculpted for the brain-dead masses. Fuck.

You know it's not all about technical skill. I agree this top 10 is terrible but Malmsteen is definetely not the only one that deserves to be on the list.

[ArnaudJ]

Drama!!
1st of all..
The list is too short to put good guitarists there, and it's far more complicated than saying " page 1st, slash 14th, satriani 5th,etc."
We have to take in count the technique, emotion, experience, what they re-invented if they did,etc.

Secundo..
This list is from TIME MAGAZINE. 'nuff said.
Third..
A top 100 would have been better, and we should make one here!!

[HendrixClaptonP]

Hendrix is No1 to mee, but there are a hundred guys at number two. Django reinhardt, George bensen, larry Carlton, Vai, Satch, Eric Johnson, Page, Clapton, Jeff Beck, SRV, Eddie Hazel, just to name a few.

[StilletoBoy]

RenKaiya wrote:

AWW YEAH KURT HAMMER

EPIC WIN.

Dude, This is my new Top 5

1.Chuck Berry
2.Jimmy Page
3.Jimmy Hendrix
4.Eric Clapton
5.Keith Richards

[TheDissident]

Almost died when someone called Clapton boring. White Room puts me to sleep every time, as does Tales of Brave Ulysses. God those epic wah solos bored me to tears....

[Gh.]

Santana anyone? Maybe Son House or Robert Johnson?

[guitarist1214]

Jimi Hendrix was the greatest of all time. Ridiculous playing in mulitple styles. He changed guitar playing. your cool little 80s shredders wouldnt exist without him. This list kinda sucks tho, but it depends totally on what kind of list it is. you cant just have a "greatest players ever" list. has to be like, greatest shredders, greatests bluesmen, greatest acoustic,etc. Dave Matthews' creativity and skill is much higher than alot of the metal guitarists. i think Kaki King should be on there personally. EVH, Jeff Beck, Joe Walsh, SRV, and some of the bluesmen. Miles Doughty from Slightly Stoopid would make an acoustic top 10.

[POWERMETAL!]

TERRIBLE LIST. , keith richards really? slash??

[jimirules]

It really blows my mind at how ignorant people are. The ability to shred so fast that your guitar catches on fire does not automatically make you a "great guitarist." Eric Clapton should probably be about number two and he doesn't play particularly fast.

Jimi Hendrix definitely deserves the number one spot. He revolutionized guitar playing. He was one of the first to really use feedback while playing and the things that he could do with the guitar were mind blowing, to say the least.

Everybody thinks Keith Richards is so cool, just cause he's in the Stones. Big whoop people. Slash does not deserve the number two spot. He's good, no doubt, but number two good. Also, Prince? I think not. I wouldn't complain if Tom Morello was on there, considering that he pretty much invented a new style of playing and he's friggin awesome.

Lastly, I laughed when I saw hak_hap's post. Kurt Cobain at number 5? I hang out with kids who can play guitar 1000 times than he could. The formula for Nirvana songs was 3 chords + simple solos. Not even top 200 material.

[talonpc]

anyone who was to make a list on here would make it differently, and yeah, this one might have been a popularity contest. but guitarists get exposure for reasons, like jimi who basically revolutionized the way that guitar was (and is) played. I think that there should be a poll on this site, the people who actually know the guitar.

[Louissparks76]

WOW
really?
WOW
readers of time magazine have thier heads up their ass
i respect hendrix in the top 5, but seriously? slash?
the only reason why he's #2 is because hes on guitar hero 3, and all the little kids who play that game think hes the shit because of welcome to the jungle, sweet child of mine, and the guitar battle against him
what of players greater than he?
Eddie Van Halen isnt there, and he practiccaly rewrote the guitar book in the 70's
george harrison is a fantastic player, but no one listens to the beatles anymore because they're judgemental and kids thinks they suck just becausr they dont play at 50000 mph like dragonforce (who also sucks)
this is who it SHOULD be
1 - Jimmy Page (greatest rock guitarist of all time, absolutely incredible)
2 - Eric Clapton (amazingly melodic, amazing blues songwriter, one of the starting forces of the creation of rock)
3 - Jimi Hendrix (again, amazingly melodic and catchy riffs that really get your foot taping, and wasnt afraid to destroy his guitar)
4 - Joe Perry (early Aerosmith kicks effin ass! have you listened to thier first album? every song gets you dancing right out of your chair! incredibly catchy rock riff/songwriter)
5 - BB King (if u need and explanation for why hes on the list, than you dont know ANYTHING about the creation of rock)
6 - George Harrsion (simple, yet extremely well sounding riffs, excellent songwriter all together)
7 - Les Paul (amazing jazz/pop writer, again, a founder of rock 'n' roll, and built the les paul gutiar)
8 - Keith Richards (an icon of rock music altogether, incredibly talented)
9 - Pete Townshend (again, absolute rock icon and incredibly talented)
10- Kurt Cobain (this is arguementative, mainly because his genre is so brutal. excellent songwriter)

thats how it SHOULD be

[Bassist87]

ChondriacGroove :
Look I'm not sure if you guys realize this but these top ten list are constructed from the writers opinion. Everyone has a opinion & of course people will debate on this topic till the end of time (Such as kids on popular guitar tablature websites). Jimi was one of a kind & their will never be another like him, I would have loved to see Muddy Waters & Albert King on there but you don't see me complaining. I admire players who have soul and heart Jimi is a fine example of that, listen to Band Of Gypsys & live at the Fillmore east please

Yes I just bought Band of Gypsys live at the Fillmore east and its amazing it not only shows his ability as a guitar player but also as a songwriter.I think that if he didn't die so early in his career that he would of pushed the barriers of music even further and would of made mind blowing music.

Also Prince? WTF? Wheres EVH or SRV?

[Mechabot4]

Ok i know jimi did all the first stuff with an electric guitar but i just dont like his work that much. Hes more of the creator of the guitar and other people advanced farther then him.

[voodoochile000]

divided sky and the wind blows high
divided sky and the wind blows high

[voodoochile000]

Tipsy fuddled boozy groggy elevated prime did edit her
Hellborn elfchild roadhog mountain fortune hunter man beheaded her
Fat bulk expanse mass lump block clod

[TheIceCreamMan]

Sooo...How many people actually listen to Les Paul?

[dx4life68]

rancidryan wrote:

what the hell?!?!

this isnt eve real news!

my thoughts exactly, yet it has definately stirred up a reaction when you see 1064 comments in less then 35 hours that's a comment every two minutes

and let me just say that Kirk Hammet is overrated for all those who think kirk hammet should be on the list...

[voodoochile000]

divided sky and the wind blows high
divided sky and the wind blows high

[voodoochile000]

john mclaughlin

[voodoochile000]

voodoochile000 wrote:

john mclaughlin

yess!!!! that's what i'm talkin about

[voodoochile000]

the wind blows high and divided sky
the wind blows high and divided sky

[voodoochile000]

this list just blows the wind. if i were a tumbleweed i would be happy as a pig in sh*t but that is not a good thing since i am not a pig and do not enjoy rolling in sh*t. i can't even begin to conceive what is wrong with the person who concocted this insanity.

[Jazzcat#1201]

Zeldaik wrote:

KingGohma wrote:

Colohue wrote:

John Petrucci? Ritchie Blackmore?

Bad list.

I love Petrucci and all, but I'm not a fan of the mindset which implies that only rock and metal guitarists are worthy of inclusion on this sort of list.

Django Reinhardt? Pat Metheny?

Django Reinhardt could make it but Eff Pat Metheny.

You obviously have never heard Pat Metheny or don't know much about music... sorry to be offensive like that but... Pat's a musician, one of the best. He's the only person to really take jazz to a different level so that it doesn't sound the same since the 70's. That's not just why I think so highly of him though. Having seen him live and owning one of his DVD's has shown me what's really possible on the guitar. Following extremely complex/long charts (if you've never seen a chart for a Metheny song your missing out) he creates brilliant melodies (all improv, like all jazz guys) with incredible technique (far more then shredding the pentatonic like pretty much every else listed). Seriously, if you've never heard much Metheny... check him out. Theres some great stuff on Youtube. Pat Metheny Group, Trio, solo baritone guitar, movie soundtracks... whatever. All stuff you can find via Itunes/youtube.

[brasilkid16]

at first when i read this headline, i was like what the ****, guitar world.
then after reading the first paragraph i didnt think it was so bad. what do the readers of time magazine know about good guitar players? most of them are undiscovered to the musically-uninclined society? I mean, some people used to think that lenny Kravitz was a superb guitar player. HAH!
and its not only rock guitarists that are worthy of the top 10 list. pat metheny is an amazing guitarist and always will be. Joe satriani as well, steve vai, etc... theyre all worthy of being on this list, but most readers of Time magazine have no idea who these legends are because theyre pretty much ignorant to any music thats not on popular radio stations!
oh well.. sorry for my rant that probably wont change anyone's mind about music haha.

[ludabam24]

1.Jimi Hendrix
2.Jimmy Page
3.Eddie Van Halen
4.Stevie Ray Vaughn
5.Eric Clapton
6.Carlos Santana
7.George Harrison
8.Pete Townsend
9.Keith Richards
10.Ted Nugent

Jimi Hendrix is the best guitarist that ever lived without a doubtu wouldnt even have this list if it wasnt for him r.i.p. jimi

[allfooie]

Nirvanarien wrote:

Even tho Jimi is a great Guitar Player and i am a great fan of his music always seeing the same people in these kinds of top 10's gets kind of boring

you're a fool - it must mean the info is correct?!

[jaked521]

there is no way slash, b.b king, eric clapton, and keith richards are better than jimmy page? keith richards? come jimmy page wrote stairway to ****in heaven

[doo138]

like i said....everybody wants their favorite guitarist on the list....we should just make 2 lists-one for the guitarists that are good at writing pop and then one for guitarists that have skill and technicality...maybe people won't be so upset if we do that cause that's allways what it comes down to..who plays good pop music and who's good technically so here goes.....
POP
1. Stevie Ray Vaughn-took what jimi did and put more soul into it
2. James Hetfield-not lead but technicality isn't on this list. he wrote just about every metallica song and kept them pop icons when they should have been a small metal group
3. Slash- had some of the most memorable solos-the ones you can hum all the way through in your head
4. hendrix clapton allman blah blah blah classic rock guitarists that kept the genre still alive today
5.Prince lol jk

Technicality
1. Petrucci has the ability to play any style imaginable better than just about anybody imaginable. that's why he trumps here.
2. Neo classical guitarists yngwie Michael angelo batio romero(who btw can play hendrix solos better than hendrix lol almost anybody can play hendrix solos better than hendrix)
3. Django Reinhardt imo he revolutionized guitar and went unnoticed
4. Chet Atkins everybody forgets about the country greats
5. Anybody else that people comment on can go here. i saved a special spot for them

Everybody gripes about how great and revolutionary classic rock guitarists are but don't know anything about the era before them.. it seems like the 60s made people dumb down on guitar and lean on one scale set. Django played sweep guitar in the 30's with 2 fingers to play with lol then hendrix is cannonized as the greatest ever just becuase you could bend a string well. lol its almost like that time period wiped the slate clean for guitarists so that everything they did they became the "first" to do it. Everything has allready been done before.lol

[doo138]

like i said....everybody wants their favorite guitarist on the list....we should just make 2 lists-one for the guitarists that are good at writing pop and then one for guitarists that have skill and technicality...maybe people won't be so upset if we do that cause that's allways what it comes down to..who plays good pop music and who's good technically so here goes.....
POP
1. Stevie Ray Vaughn-took what jimi did and put more soul into it
2. James Hetfield-not lead but technicality isn't on this list. he wrote just about every metallica song and kept them pop icons when they should have been a small metal group
3. Slash- had some of the most memorable solos-the ones you can hum all the way through in your head
4. hendrix clapton allman blah blah blah classic rock guitarists that kept the genre still alive today
5.Prince lol jk

Technicality
1. Petrucci has the ability to play any style imaginable better than just about anybody imaginable. that's why he trumps here.
2. Neo classical guitarists yngwie Michael angelo batio romero(who btw can play hendrix solos better than hendrix lol almost anybody can play hendrix solos better than hendrix)
3. Django Reinhardt imo he revolutionized guitar and went unnoticed
4. Chet Atkins everybody forgets about the country greats
5. Anybody else that people comment on can go here. i saved a special spot for them

Everybody gripes about how great and revolutionary classic rock guitarists are but don't know anything about the era before them.. it seems like the 60s made people dumb down on guitar and lean on one scale set. Django played sweep guitar in the 30's with 2 fingers to play with lol then hendrix is cannonized as the greatest ever just becuase you could bend a string well. lol its almost like that time period wiped the slate clean for guitarists so that everything they did they became the "first" to do it. Everything has allready been done before.lol

[kilipeti]

Eric Clapton just number 5? lol

Slash at #2? are you kidding? ok, he has very emotional solos, but he is not that good...

Yngwie? lol. He's such a shitface nowdays...

Where's Joe Satriani? He IS the best...
Van Halen, Petrucci, Blackmore, Vaughn?

I like that Santana is never on the lists. He's the most famous guitarist in the world.. And he is no-where just a hyped man..

This list shouldn't be based on the guitarists that revolutionized the guitars and playing, but should be based on the best guitar players... Then, Joe Satriani would be the very best with his very emotional and amazing-awesome music

[Deep*Kick]

I lol'd

Shawn lane, Guthrie, DiMeola, Holdsworth.

lol at him calling slash precise.

[guitargod131]

Everybody just gtfo. I'm pissed as shit now

[BIGD2]

LMFAO....and...prince in the list,,,,ha fukin,,,ha

[CianW555]

joe satriani any1?

[jollyjolly]

Al Di Meola #1

[hak_hap]

matthew bellamy...

[VeNgeaNce_4444]

petrucci, mustaine, hide and pata.....

[Jacksabbath_44]

how the hell can anybody write keith richards name over eric clapton (and basically everyone in the list) and PRINCE? where the hell is steve vai, or brian may? george harrison?... mark knoppler? ... well is a guy who probably thinks that an elecric guitar is plugged like a lamp and if it's wireless is because it's a battery powered one :s **** time magazine