Favorite to play the guitar

[Dougfirtree]

In no particular order (and based on a balance of technical skills, musicality, my tastes and influence/importance, etc:

Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopfler
David Gilmour
Jerry Garcia
Trey Anastasio
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Eddie Van Halen
Jimmie Page
Joe Satriani
Frank Zappa

Honorable mention: I don't know if he'll ever see the kind of exposure that would get him on a list like this, but Billy Strings is a total powerhouse on the acoustic guitar.

 

[2rocky]

SRV
Albert King
Eric Clapton
Mark Knopfler

 

[BigHornRam]

Rickey is not the most talented guitar player out there. He does get bonus points for performance and longevity IMO.

 

[Djfan]

Phil Keaggy. Far and away the best, IMO.

Another all-time great song

 

[noharleyyet]

Hafta add Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)

 

[BigHornRam]

Hafta add Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)

Second solo of the three. Unique style and extremely talented.

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Mmm…not the best per se, but 10 of my faves to just plain listen to play the guitar, in no particular order.

SRV
Frusciante
Gary Clark Jr.
Zakk Wylde
Herman Li
Kim Thayil
Steve Earle
Dimebag Darrell
Jason Isbell in all iterations
Josh Homme

 

[Zach]

Gilmour
Scruggs
Clark
Paul
King
Owens
Beck
Van Halen
Bonamassa

quickly off the top of my head

 

[noharleyyet]

Mmm…not the best per se, but 10 of my faves to just plain listen to play the guitar, in no particular order.

SRV
Frusciante
Gary Clark Jr.
Zakk Wylde
Herman Li
Kim Thayil
Steve Earle
Dimebag Darrell
Jason Isbell in all iterations
Josh Homme

Both Jason Isbell and co-400 Unit player Sadler Vaden deserve mention...

 

[BigHornRam]

With all the great mentions in this thread, it's time for @mtmuley to post up his top ten.

 

[HuntTalk Freak]

Hendrix
Yngwie Malmsteen is probably the fastest of all time.
Tony Iommi
Jeff Haneman
Chet Atkins
Django
Stevie Ray
Jimmy Page
Steve Vai
Robert Johnson

Some of those guys are very technical and some just write great riffs, most everyone of them influenced and created greater players.

 

[mtmuley]

I got some listening to do. mtmuley

 

[JCS]

I like most everyone's list but I have to add Ted nugent to mine.

 

[Dave N]

I like most everyone's list but I have to add Ted nugent to mine.

I thought about that but figured I'd get flamed saying so. The solo in Dog Eat Dog

 

[Irishman]

Carlos Santana
The Edge
Duane Eddy
Eric Clapton
Angus Young
Eddie Van Halen
Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopler
Prince
Slash

 

[Treeshark]

I could have missed it, but no Terry Kath? Jimi Hendrix supposedly claimed Kath was the best he’d ever seen.

 

[Hem]

Carlos Santana
The Edge
Duane Eddy
Eric Clapton
Angus Young
Eddie Van Halen
Jimi Hendrix
Mark Knopler
Prince
Slash

And another to my list.
The Edge.
Damn, how could I?

 

[Treeshark]

Not a Bon Jovi fan. Never thought too highly of Richie Sambora, until I saw this.

 

[Treeshark]

Another band that I’m not really that fond of… but have to give credit where it is due.

Linsey Buckingham is a great guitarist.

 

[mtmuley]

I might have missed it, but no ladies? mtmuley