Top 10 Greatest Guitar Players (Guitarists)

Lists: All, Music ; Written or Posted by: TopTenz Master

From guitar faces to the different kinds of axes, here is the Top 10 Greatest Guitar Players. Squeezing the talent that’s blessed our ears for all these years into a list of 10 is just as difficult as choosing which limbs to lose or keep. The list is by no means definitive, but it’s an accurate representation for the uniqueness of the music the guitarist has made. In short, these guitarists have played the melodies that have made grown men cry, and probably gave you a taste of how your guitar face would look like pretending to play that solo. Of course many great guitarists may not have made this top 10 list, but feel free to add your own favorites in the comments.

10. Tom Morello

The guitar player who makes his guitar sound anything but a guitar. Helicopter rudders, disc scratching, and his use of the kill switch for staccato like guitar riffs has made him probably the most innovative guitar player of our time. He is a guitarist who can take feedback, and ground hum from his own body into coherent music. Be it Rage Against The Machine, or Audioslave you can always see Morello’s signature licks shining through.

9. John Mayer

Whoa whoa wait, what? This pop artist? A guitar player? If all you’ve ever heard from Mayer is Your Body Is Wonderland, or Daughters, then you’ve got to give his new album Continuum a listen to. He is no Shakespeare, but his guitar playing speaks to your soul. His songs will make most glorified tough guys miss their old girlfriend, and the rest just go to a corner and cry. If you think that his songs are all too depressing, then watch some videos of him playing. His guitar face is priceless.

8. Jack White

Mr. White is an incredibly underrated guitarist. His singles (From the White Stripes) always span with just three to four chords and his simplistic blues rhythm and picking styles have him overlooked most of the time. However, his masterful use of the Digitech Whammy and is erratic playing make for some of the most memorable guitar solos ever. Check out Ball and a Biscuit and try not to like that solo. One of my favorite Jack White moments was during the 2004 Grammys, where he took 7 Nation Army and went into a cover of Son House’s Death Letter (another artist who I had to unwillingly cut out of the list). In an awards show celebrating Justin Timberlake and Missy Eliot, Jack White took time to give a salute to where things got started, to an artist born a century ago.

7. Jimmy Page

Admit it. You’ve slow danced to Stairway To Heaven before. Page’s playing have influenced so many guitar players of today, and Led Zeppelin revolutionalized Rock and Roll blending acoustic guitars, banjos, and mandolins while still staying with the same gritty rock image. His guitar riffs are forever etched into Rock and Roll’s hall of fame. How influential was he? Step into a guitar store, and you’ll see. Thousands of 12 year old kids across the globe are playing the intro to Stairway. Now that’s how you know you’ve made it.

6. BB King

Yeah. He may have to sit down when he plays, but he’ll have you on your feet when he does. BB’s creamy yet piercing tone, his unique vibrato and his absolute flawless ability to express his emotions through the guitar earn him a spot in the top ten. King’s years of fame haven’t gone to his head. He is still as humble as ever giving front row seat tickets to fans waiting in a cold parking lot just to have a glimpse of him. BB King can’t play chords. Nor does he sing and play at the same time. But he has worldwide recognition of his accomplishments as an artist. That’s a mark of a truly great guitarist.

5. David Gilmour

Gilmour was made famous by his haunting guitar scores in Pink Floyd. This “replacement” guitarist surpassed expectations and helped shape Pink Floyd’s unique sound. You can always expect hairs at the back of your neck to stand whenever you hear one of his solos – be it for the first or hundredth time you’re listening to it. All the emotion that Gilmour’s poured into his guitar work lives on in the music and is channeled through anyone who’s ever wanted to cover a Pink Floyd song. I know several guitar players (myself included) who whenever playing the Comfortably Numb solo - whether they are alone in their bedrooms or on stage - have always been unwillingly brought to tears, near the point of crying. How could you not expect things to get esoteric and mystical when it comes to music?

4. John Frusciante

Let’s get it straight. Froo – Shawn – Tey. If you don’t know him, he’s the lead guitarist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Frusciante is the author of the brilliant chord progression on Under the Bridge, the haunting intro to Californication and the simplistic solo and riff on Otherside. If you’re the casual listener of the Chili Peppers, then you may wonder why John has made it so far up this list. But a tad of a closer look will reveal that his simple catchy riffs are the tip of the ice berg. One can catch a glimpse at his technical skill in the Dani California solo. A bit deeper and you’ll run into Lyon 06.06.06 in one of the B Sides. John takes his influences (Page, Hendrix) and mixes his own nuances into a sound that’s pleasantly different, but melodically having the same effects on you. A track to look out for on his solo work – Ramparts - showcasing four or so guitars layered upon each other in an introspective orchestra.

3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

Now if this house is rocking, don’t bother knockin. Famous words by Stevie. Many people perhaps know him for Hendrix covers, but where Jimi left off Stevie continued, and continued he did. The elements of Hendrix were alive and plain to see in SRV, but with it, he also mixed in his own influences such as Albert King and his own soul to make it his sound a trademark spot on his songs. I vaguely remember a car commercial where I spotted Stevie’s playing (Pride and Joy) in a Nissan ad. That was much before I really got into Vaughan’s work. SRV was an artist who could play while absolutely stoned face. And when he did sober up, he actually played better. His newfound health and love for life and music are showcased on In Step his last album before his death a year later. Stevie’s footprints will always be in the air and in our hearts.

2. Jimi Hendrix

Hendrix was known for a lot of things. The beautiful chord embellishments on Little Wing, the grit of the solo in Voodoo Child, his cover of the Dylan song All Along The Watchtower, and the backwards solo in Castles Made of Sand, but known as a great innovative guitar player over and over gain. His short but explosive career influenced many artists many years past his death. His short eight year career had effects on people decades later and still is to this date. To make that much of a difference in such a short amount of time truly earns Jimi a spot as number two. But…then you may ask, “Who is deserving of number one?!”

1. Robert Johnson

Bobby Jo is number one on this list. Every artist has unknowingly been influenced by him. Starting in the Mississippi Delta, Johnson’s life is rife with myths, and allegory. His deal with the devil and death are full of folklore and mysticism, and it only adds to his haunting voice and groundbreaking guitar playing. His songs are just a pure expression of emotion with no bars held. He led the groundwork for early blues to be filled in and worked upon by all the artists on this list. He also worked on breaking down social barriers. A black man in the early 20th century was not exactly the best place to be. But his music was to add interest by white musicians and help the civil movements of the sixties. Politically or musically, Robert Johnson is deserving of number one on this list.

written by Clarence F.

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119 Responses to “Top 10 Greatest Guitar Players (Guitarists)”

mjoe on September 14th, 2008 3:58 am

I´m so happy there is no Santana onthe list, because he is not as half as good as most people think!
Jude on September 14th, 2008 12:19 pm

How could you miss Buddy Guy who influenced and taught so many .. including Jimmy Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jonny Lang and more. The man is a master!
Tracy H on September 14th, 2008 1:55 pm

How could you forget Christian artist Phil Keaggy?
Topher on September 14th, 2008 3:13 pm

The fact that you would list John Mayer in the top 10 guitarists of all time is ludicrous!

You can’t seriously say he’s better than…
Angus Young (AC/DC)
Eric Clapton
Jeff Beck
Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
Pete Townshend (The Who)
Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
Duane Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)
Joe Satriani
Eddie Van Halen
Stevie Vai

I’d even put Yngwie Malmsteen, who’s not top-ten worthy, before Mayer.

And you left off Chuck Berry, that’s downright inexcusable.
TopTenz Master on September 14th, 2008 6:41 pm

Hey, Topher.

Like all the lists, there will always be a difference of opinion. Thanks for submitting additional guitarists. I look forward to watching the videos you added. Rock on!
ha on September 14th, 2008 9:41 pm

uninformed list by a youngster.

no angus young?
no eric clapton? holy crap.
no gary moore?
stevie is not number 1?
wtf no buddy guy?

got a lot of growing up to do musically…

but it is a good highly opinionated list
Writer on September 14th, 2008 10:26 pm

Making a comprehensive list of the top 10 guitarists , I had to cut out some of my own favorites as an artist.

If I could have added more, I would’ve and I most likely would’ve added the artists you all have mentioned (Save Malmsteem. Yuck. Mayer’s soul is ages beyond him), but limiting it to 10 is the whole point of this site.

Rolling Stones top 100 guitarists named Angus Young at a tepid 96. Mr Cobain was 12. It’s all opinion my friends, don’t get offended :).

Besides, I hope to NEVER stop growing musically. To stop growing is to die, and I hope you never do either.

Love
Clarence.
ah on September 14th, 2008 10:30 pm

Music is NOT a competition. Why do guitar players (like me) have such a hard time with this? Just enjoy the great ones.

Besides, what about Eric Clapton, Duane Allman, Lenny Breau, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Albert King, Freddie King, Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, Chet Atkins, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Van Halen, Wes Montgomery, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Tal Farlow, or Joe Pass? I dare any guitarist to consider shredding “hard” after attempting to learn even a slowly paced Joe Pass tune.

Music is not a competition.
RPO on September 15th, 2008 12:01 pm

Joe Satriani deserves to be on this list, but its a good list regardless!
HogieWan on September 15th, 2008 2:44 pm

ah - all these lists should be called “Top *** Guitar Players that I have heard of.”
njvrstgn on September 15th, 2008 4:26 pm

I am surprised that none of you have mentioned John Petrucci on your list. He definitely be in my “top 10.”
rich on September 15th, 2008 10:28 pm

Expand your musical tastes. AT LEAST HALF of this list would be heavy metal guitarists. and I personally know guitarists who could BURY Robert Johnson.
afan on September 17th, 2008 12:10 pm

Let’s go to a different genre: chet adkins, roy clark, brad paisley, ricky skaggs, just to name a few. purely subjective list like this serve no purpose except to elicit arguments.
TopTenz Master on September 17th, 2008 12:27 pm

Afan, I think I am going to agree with you to a point. This list was NOT created to elicit arguments but to elicit new thoughts and introduce different guitarists to our readers.

But I’m wondering if we shouldn’t have split this into music genre. I personally don’t like heavy metal guitar but enjoy classical and folk guitar. Lesson learned. But still I am happy with the list and the comments made. Everyone has their own favorites and shouldn’t take offense to anyone else having a different opinion.
chet atkins on September 17th, 2008 1:58 pm

hurr hurr hurr lololol fap fap fap
Mimi on September 17th, 2008 2:25 pm

Antonio Carlos Jobim, no list of guitar players is complete without him.
Bobo on September 18th, 2008 4:19 pm

This is a rather biased listing of guitarists, and when you say “best guitarists” you can’t just say that… there’s no best, you need to break it to technical abilities, style, influence…etc…

Either way, I’d only agree with this list on one maybe two guitarists, but like stated before, music isn’t a competition, it’s supposed to be an expression….John Mayer is a horrid guitarist…
RC67 on September 18th, 2008 6:11 pm

Dude, John Mayer? unbelievable. Angus young, Gary moore I agree Eric Clapton you bet. but, it is an opinion. I think Michael Schenker is badass, and what about Steve Morse. I just saw Rush in Rio, and I forgot just how good Alex lifeson is. What about George Lynch? Tony MacAlpine. so I will let you have John Mayer, because he makes you feel something, for me, it’s nausea…..Oh, and I forgot Brian May. Doyle Bramhall, I could go on.
Joe on September 19th, 2008 1:07 pm

Frusciante? Are you kidding? He’s a glorified rhythm guitarist.
Jordan Goldenberg on September 22nd, 2008 9:59 pm

I myself would’ve put Steven Wilson on that list before John Mayer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Wilson
Gianni on September 23rd, 2008 10:08 am

I never understood the ‘top 10′ thing applied to music…I understand if we are talking about record sales as it is a tangible measurement, but there are no real parameters here…
christopher babb on September 26th, 2008 11:41 am

Rhandy Rhodes is the greatest of all time.
kdvicious on September 26th, 2008 4:00 pm

Umm…

Duane Allman?
Eric Clapton?

and I’m still in disbelief that John Mayer is on that list. DEREK TRUCKS deserves the spot of modern guitarist on that list.
Ashevegaspicker on September 26th, 2008 5:06 pm

Also, remember
Django Reinhardt, Andres Segovia & Tony Rice
prowler on September 29th, 2008 11:52 am

ok. ok. I play better guitar thean frusciante
Brian on September 30th, 2008 12:39 pm

A list that’s bound to be disagreed with, and I do. Although I love Hendrix, Clapton, etc. I’m still most impressed with Mississippi Fred McDowell. Bass line, rhythm, lead slide, and singing simultaneously and effortlessly. Several video performance on DVD are available, in case you listen to just an audio recording and wondered “who are the other guitarists playing, they’re really good together?” nope, just Fred.
chrisy on October 12th, 2008 5:30 am

I was shocked when Jack White and John Frusciante were on the list.

They are absolutely amazing…Yet “Top Lists” seem to think only the greatest players are those from the past.

They’re making way for a whole new style…
Mike on October 13th, 2008 8:37 pm

John Mayer? Dude…… are you insane?
Jill on October 15th, 2008 9:28 am

John Frusciante is a great guitarist. try To Record Only Water for 10 Days or The Will To Death. Very good albums, and he plays a majority of the instruments. He is deserving of that spot. I think George Harrison should be on this list. He was one of the most influential guitar players of all time.
JSL on October 18th, 2008 7:44 am

The list is leaving off some HUGE names. You absolutely cannot leave out Clapton and Van Halen. However, you apparent uninformed people saying that John Mayer shouldn’t be on the list should wake up and get in your music. He is on track to waxing this whole list by the end of his career. Clapton is practically handing him the torch. But then again, I guess that Tiger Woods will never be as good as Jack to some.
Tony on October 19th, 2008 11:36 pm

JSL, I agree with you on the Mayer comment. Any one who is bashing him needs to listen to his latest live album. kid rips plain and simple. I have to disagree with you on the Van Halen comment, not that he isn’t a great player, but to me his playing always lacked substance, no soul to it. Now, I can’t stand Clapton, (I won’t get into why), but he should definitely be on the list.
Manok on October 20th, 2008 10:36 am

Where’s Santana, Grant Green, and, (of course) Eddie Hazel?

My top 10 would indeed also include Buddy Guy, B.B King and Joe Satriani.

Some of the best guitar ever recorder is of course “Maggotbrain”. Play it, LOUD, then come back here and say something nice about Eddie Hazel.
Bill on October 24th, 2008 1:19 pm

Heres a few no one has brought up … very under rated or possibly not well enough known …. Jeff Beck , Steve Vai , BucketHead , Ry Cooder , Eric Johnson ,Gary Moore , Ritchie Blackmore , Andy Summers ,John Petrucci ,Vivian Campbell , Paul Gilbert , Uli John Roth ,Robert Fripp ,Akira Takasaki ,Steve Howe ,MICHAEL ANGELO BATIO ,CHRIS IMPELLITTERI ,ZAKK WYLDE , Vinnie Vincent , Stevie Stevens , and my choice for best overall would definetely be Randy Rhoads…
Robert on October 24th, 2008 6:03 pm

Agree with JSL and Tony Completely, all of you ignorant people who say john mayer is not a good guitarist should take a listen to some of his acoustic stuff or JMT (John Mayer Trio) and be prepared to be blown out of the water. This guy is ridiculous.
bobby sandhu on October 25th, 2008 8:31 am

No Joe Satriani? strange list…. i wont say Santana is great or Glen Fray are the greatest… but they are not ranked lower then John Mayer… Mayer is good, but not one of the world top 10…
Tomasco on October 25th, 2008 2:32 pm

Unbelievable…. Not one mention of Zappa. Zappa was the best. I suggest his 3 album “Shut up and Play Yer Guitar” for those who think Frank was just the ‘Yellow Snow’ guy. Frank was an absolute genius. There isn’t any band anywhere that could play his music short of a symphony orchestra and it would be hard for them. Genius…
Tomasco on October 25th, 2008 2:33 pm

…Segovia
brixnx on October 30th, 2008 7:29 pm

what about buckethead? or mattrach? maybe michael angelo batio or HIM’s guitarrist!
Tomasco on October 30th, 2008 9:26 pm

Mayer is about the sloppiest guitar player I’ve ever seen. Pure slop. Shades of Neil Young……
ftaang on October 31st, 2008 9:04 am

Dude, you’re missing some of the greats. Frank Zappa, Mick Ronson, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton…

John Mayer? Seriously? If you wanted to do a current pop guitarist at least do Hugh Harris from The Kooks. Considering they recorded their first album when he was like 17/18.
toughguy on November 5th, 2008 10:36 pm

theres no way that wannabe from the red hot chili peppers is better than jimmy page just no damn way
Tony on November 6th, 2008 2:50 pm

Speaking of Slop. Jimmy Page wrote the book on sloppy guitar playing. His studio work is amazing, but his live stuff is slop at it’s finest.
Apocrypha on November 6th, 2008 5:19 pm

Tom Morello?! Jack White?! This list needs guys like Andy Latimer, Robert Fripp, Alex Lifeson, Mikael Akerfeldt, Steve Hackett and Steve Howe. The only credible entry is David Gilmour.
boti on November 8th, 2008 12:49 am

where is synyster gates(avenged sevenfold)?
ken herman on November 11th, 2008 8:11 pm

OK, OK, kids!
Probably one of the greatest is Glenn Schwartz, formerly of the James Gang and Pacific Gas & Electric. Considered to be a “white” Jimi Hendrix, he was asked by Jimi to play at what was to be his last birthday party. Glenn played behind his back and with his teeth (now with his gums) before Jimi ever did. Now out of the limelight (and out of his mind) Glenn plays (and preaches) on Thursdays at a blue collar bar in Cleveland. ONE F*CKING INCREDIBLE PLAYER. Should be on any list.
Abhijeet Bhardwaj on November 15th, 2008 4:21 am

Ok!. Why young and van halen and clapton aren’t there I don’t know but Uh SLASH (GNR).
rckstr on November 15th, 2008 9:44 pm

I know everyone may cringe at this one, but Billy Corgan can play the hell out of a guitar. he makes his guitar soar like a blend of tom morrello-meets-david gilmore. I know he hasn’t put out much worth listening to in a while, but the guy is a virtuoso. more so than nearly everyone on the list. how about Doug Martsch? absolute genious.
Alex on November 16th, 2008 5:11 pm

Ehm perhaps this has been said before but … where’s Slash ? from Guns ‘n’ Roses?

I know he would be in my list …

But great list nevertheless!
Paul on November 19th, 2008 4:16 am

More than significant, each of these guys were/are influential monsters in their own right, yet still unmentioned here:

John Fahey
Rory Gallagher
Peter Green
Wes Montgomery
Larry Carlton
Jeff Healey
YouForgot on November 20th, 2008 8:40 pm

Eddie Van Halen. Slash. Eric Clapton. Pete Townsend. Angus Young.
eh on November 21st, 2008 12:24 pm

Where the heck is Brian May (Queen)?! No-one’s mentioned him already, that’s a shame… And Robby Krieger of The Doors should also be on the list. He’s one of the most underrated musicians.
D.B. on December 3rd, 2008 5:29 pm

I am absolutely stunned that no previous commenter has mentioned John McLaughlin. He’s more creative AND way faster than any on the list and yet plays with intense emotion even when “shredding”. Frusciante is a tasteful player and comes up with nice tunes, but plenty of bar-band guitarists can hit the same riff over and over at high speed.
sean on December 3rd, 2008 10:20 pm

not even close. No offense but John Mayer is trash absolute trash. Jack White is decent but not a guitar god at all. This is my list, and I’m going to leave out every guitar player that came before the Beatles, not saying Chuck Berry or B.B. King couldn’t shred, but I’m trying to relate to the modern idea of Rock and Roll. I’m also judging on a lot more than just ability to “shred”. And to the one goon…Jimmy Page SHINED live, that was Led Zeppelins appeal, you felt like you were at the biggest show on Earth…you probably just watched a few videos on youtube from the end of the band’s career when he was a herion addict.

10.Joe Satriani
9. Elliott Smith
8. Doug Martsch
7. Eric Clapton
6. Nick Drake
5. Neil Young
4. David Gilmour
3. Jimmy Page
2. George Harrison
1. Jimi Hendrix. no question
bob on December 5th, 2008 12:28 am

10 Joe Walsh
9 Carlos Santana
8 Alexi Laiho
7 Jimmy Page
6 Eddie Van Halen
5 Joe Satriani
4 Stevie Ray Vaughn
3 Eric Clapton
T1 Dave Mustaine( created the genre of thrash metal with out his work he started with metallica and carries on in megadeth there would not be 3/4 of the metal bands there are today) and Jimi Hendrix(who is clearly great he brought a whole to idea about how to play a guitar and created techniques never used before)
Alan Thompson on December 7th, 2008 3:11 am

I see a couple of ommissions in these lists, one is Randy Rhodes and the other is so glaring that I can only assume that the list had no imput from anyone over 25 years of age. Has anyone ever heard of a man named Andres Segovia, the original guitar master!
John Corcoran, Jr on December 11th, 2008 7:52 pm

Amazing… A top Ten list and all these responses and no one comes up with Les Paul?

Who in the Hades do you think invented and developed the most famous R&R electric guitar? And overdubbing? But he’s not just an inventor. Listen to the music he recorded on 1950s technology. It will blow you away.

Django Rhinehart…Only had two working fingers and could outplay most if not all your list.

Anyone who ever heard Danny Gatton play–few have–would list him, too.

No one knows his way around a 12 string Rickenbacher like The Byrds Roger McGuinn.

Call this list what it really is. One man’s top ten FAVORITE guitarists.
Jill....NOT Jill on December 12th, 2008 9:12 am

Uhm…John Corcoran, Les Claypool is a bassist…not a guitarist.
Tony on December 16th, 2008 2:02 pm

Jill….NOT Jill,

John Corcoran never said anything about Les Claypool. Read it again more carefully.
John Locke on December 23rd, 2008 11:36 am

This dude should have made the list!
Ray Alnz on December 24th, 2008 7:12 pm

wtf?!?!?!?!
jimmy page should be higher…no clapton…dude ur screwd up….no curt cobain?….tom morello..no way!
aj on December 26th, 2008 2:47 am

What about Derek Trucks? Mark Knopfler? Trey Anastacio? Chuck Berry? Even Eddie Van Halen deserves some credit–more than John Mayer does for guitar playing. John Mayer’s fame as a guitarist piggybacks on his commercial success, which is a result of targeting a demographic of 13 year old girls. He’s no doubt a skilled guitar player, but over-rated as a guitarist relative to guys like Van Halen, Knopfler, etc.
Chris Walker on December 26th, 2008 5:38 pm

I’m bias to shred

10 Guthrie Govan
9 Dime bag Darrel
8 Ty Tabor
7 Steve Vai
6 Steve Morse
5 Greg Howe
4 Joe Satriani
3 Paul Gilbert
2 Eddie Van Halen
1 John Petrucci
IRB on January 5th, 2009 6:08 pm

there are to many to list just 10 and everyone would disagree on any list. With some of the names mentioned could never hold a string to Johnny Winter or Ronnie Montrose.
Tim on January 6th, 2009 11:44 pm

Phil Keagy hands down.
Red House on January 9th, 2009 11:23 am

Where is Gary Moore?
Harold on January 10th, 2009 2:59 pm

Sean’s list is pretty much dead on, though I’d probably add Dean Ween on to it.

If he added pre-Beatles the list would need Django and there’s like 90 billion other amazing jazz guitarists through the 60’s and 70’s.

For classical guitarists the biggest name has to be John Williams, who is pretty much just a robot with no feeling - yeah I went there. I’d go with Segovia over him, though I’m not even well versed when it comes to classical guitarists.

So I guess my list would be something like

8. Frank Zappa
7. Dean Ween
6. David Gilmour
5. Nick Drake
4. Elliott Smith
3. Jimmy Page
2. George Harrison
2. Django Reinhardt
1. Jimi Hendrix.

Also thanks for introducing me to Doug Martsch and Danny Gatton.
Nikki on January 12th, 2009 12:00 am

Where’s Brian May?! (From Queen).
MAN!! He’d be #1 on my list!!
I Love Brian May!
Bruce on January 20th, 2009 11:17 pm

I’m speechless… a top guitarist list that does not include Eric Clapton, Marty Friedman or Eddie Van Halen…

…seriously speechless…

I give you props for some of your choices though, solid stuff!
Mike on January 22nd, 2009 5:16 pm

What about the guitar trio John Mclaughlin,Paco De Lucia and Al di Meola?
Uros on January 24th, 2009 11:52 am

This list is OK, but i would put it this way:
1.Stevie Ray Vaughan
2.Jimi Hendrix
3.Buddy Guy
4.Eric Clapton
Anyway that is only my choice but i like your list to…There are many people commenting the list who don’t have a clue about guitar playing…Buddy Guy is the best alive guitarist…not only to me…go ask Clapton
batman on January 30th, 2009 12:20 pm

I really respect this list, but here is my humble suggestion for a list. I’m glad we can all debate this and not be insulting. <–Edited from original comment.

1.Jimmy Hendrix
2.Eric Clapton
3.Jimmy Paige
4.bb king
5.buddy guy
6.Slash
7.Eddie Van Hallen
8.Bucket Head
9.Stevie Ray Vaughan
10.LES PAUL
Who made this list? on February 6th, 2009 10:54 am

No BucketHead? Slash? Van Halen? Paige? Hammet? Les Paul? Satriani? and don’t even get me started about Clapton not being on here.. -.-
XUSNLT on February 10th, 2009 8:33 pm

I just read all of the comments and couldn’t believe how long it too for someone (John Corcoran) to mention Les Paul. As for the ‘tard who “knows” better players than Robert Johnson, just remember that Johnson INVENTED the sound and everyone else is just copying him or building upon his foundation. This list might work better split up by genre. Segovia may be one of the best guitarists ever, but he doesn’t work with the others on the list. Stanley Jordan is incredible, but he’d be out of place on this list. What about Charo - yes, the Coochie Coochie girl from Hollywood Squares plays a mean classical and flamenco guitar! TopTenzMaster - let’s see a bunch of subcategory lists…
Chatchai Kittikun on February 16th, 2009 12:13 am

Chet Atkins
Mark Knopfler
John Williams

…. are my best picks ever.
Lars Mullett on February 17th, 2009 6:04 pm

It’s an ok list, but you are definitely missing some Guitarists
namely:
- Joe Satriani
-Kirk Hammett
-Randy Rhodes
-Slash
-Eddie Van Halen

Another thing. Some of the guitarists aren’t any good. you should delete:

-John Mayer
-John White
-BB. King
-Stevie Ray Vaughn
-Robert Johnson
HendrixSrv on February 17th, 2009 7:26 pm

lol………….delete Stevie Ray…this must be a joke.He is like 10 times better than slash and that is a fact…
july on February 18th, 2009 11:40 am

joe perry. if you can make your guitar sing sweet emotion you should be in top ten. The first notes of sweet child of mine puts slash up there as well
Lars Mullett on February 18th, 2009 10:14 pm

im just saying, stevie ray vaughn is no good compared to the REAL rockers out there
Ric on February 23rd, 2009 5:45 pm

Kirk Hammett should seriously be on everyones list as a top 5 guitar player of all time. I saw monsters of rock in the mid 80s eddie van halen introduced Kirk as the greatest guitar player ever.
betzblue on February 24th, 2009 2:12 pm

How about Kenny Wayne Sheppard?

What about Jon Butcher? He’s not even mentioned?
John Mayer may be mentioned due to the large amount of Anniston fans on the panel….
But as was said before…everyone has their own lists of “favourites”….
Alice on February 25th, 2009 12:58 pm

No Brian May or Jimi Hendrix or Slash or Angus Young? This list has never been more out!
hendrixSRVClapton on March 1st, 2009 4:14 pm

Lol… john mayer?hehe and where’s clapton…robert johnson > Jimi hendirx ?? -.- come on man…
This is my opinion:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eric Clapton
3. Jimmy Page
4. Stevie Ray Vaughn
5. Eddie Van Halen
6. David Gilmour
7. Ritchie Blackmore
8. Randy Rhoads
9. Steve Vai
10.Tony Iommi
markus on March 1st, 2009 5:20 pm

come on man, no eric clapton or Eddie van halen, they are better than most of these yokels on here, alternative rock cant stand up against classic rock when it comes to guitar players and hendrix is #1 and always will be, none can touch him high or sober lol
Gage Henning on March 2nd, 2009 1:29 am

Okay this list is not at all accurate if you ask me. It doesn’t include Buckethead - a remarkable guitarist(Soothsayer is my favorite of his) or KIRK HAMMETT!! How can you not put Kirk Hammett, one of if not THE GREATEST guitarist of all time!?
Gage Henning on March 2nd, 2009 1:30 am

Here’s your REAL #1 - Kirk Hammett
Geoffrey on March 7th, 2009 10:11 am

AT LAST!! some gd stuf about john frusciante, hes the best living guitarist in my opinion. i don’t get people who think those random metal shredders should belong in the top 10 list…. bein insanely good just on technical stuff means nothing… its kinda like shredding as fast as possible on a pentatonic scale, people will respect the skills, but wheres the soul? this is the exact reason why hendrix and jimmy page always get on these lists but not guitarists like buckethead, i mean seriously he has less tone then any of the GnR guitarists.. if slash is not on the list, theres no way the kfc man can get any close. to all the haters, tom morello is a very innovative guitarist and by far more creative then buckethead. I swear the world is no longer a place for good music.
P.S. JOHN FRUSCIANTE INCREASES UR SPERM COUNT
Paige on March 9th, 2009 8:50 pm

You think those guys are good? They are, but you should hear my uncle- Chris Lambert- and my cousin -Brent Lambert-. My uncle works at the Shadow Box in Columbus (or is it Cincinnati?) Ohio. He plays in a whole bunch of the music shows as a guitarist, and he rocks. Sometimes my cousin works there, too. Brent is just as good as my uncle, and they’re both as good as the people you put on here.
Alan Thompson on March 18th, 2009 6:01 am

A top ten list without Randy Rhodes or Andre Segovia, what a joke. Segovia is considered the ultimate master of guitar and Randy Rhodes in the few short years he had, proved, without a doubt, that he was the ultimate Rock guitarist. Wake up people and smell the music.
Alan Thompson on March 18th, 2009 6:03 am

oops, sorry bad spelling, Andres Segovia
Samme J on March 21st, 2009 1:40 am

where the hell on this list is eric clapton or Beck or Duane come on as a guitar player and berkley graduate for 30 years they should always be on the list. they were so of the most mentioned and taught in class.
moganz on March 22nd, 2009 10:49 am

hey i am a guitarist and i know who is better than none and only unique guitar player is kirk buckethead is the flash and slash is the monster hendrix is the father guitarist
Allan on March 25th, 2009 11:50 pm

What about the legendary Les Paul?
mick on March 26th, 2009 5:05 pm

some great guitarists here are my top 10

1 ritchie blackmore
2 paul kossoff
3 gary moore
4 jimmy page
5 dave gilmour
6 randy rhodes
7 jimmy hendrix
8 peter green
9 jeff beck
10 angus young
Nuno Graça on April 3rd, 2009 10:22 am

Sometimes people forget that the greatest musician is not the one who can plays faster. I play guitar and I admire who plays fast, but i admire more the ones who can make beatiful music, even if it’s simple. Frusciante is one of the few guys who can do so (beside Hendrix). And Frusciante could play all of Jimi’s songs when he was 12 years old, and I guess he still can. So for those who compare them to Steve Vai, you should listen to music and not watch to the speed of their fingers.
Pádraig on April 6th, 2009 8:36 am

I can destroy your list with two words…

Rory Gallagher
Nathan on April 8th, 2009 7:15 pm

For all of you who say ” people who say John Mayer shouldn’t be on the list should wake up and get in your music” (from JSL) or something similar…

You, sir, is a joke, and an ignorant fool. Stop trying to be cool.

Look at the title again.

TOP 10 GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER.

Do you understand the meaning of ‘GREATEST’ ?

Yeah, John Mayer is good, but he is NOT the greatest. Not even one of them. Maybe later in his career, that would happen. But not now.

The Greatest of all the guitar player (mind you there are millions of guitar player out there) , is the one that inspire thousands and make records that last through time. Well we sure don’t know about John Mayer yet.

Want a good example ? Eric Clapton.
CJ on April 10th, 2009 2:58 pm

How about a guy who can make one guitar sound like a whole band….Tommy Emmanuel.
Pedro G on April 10th, 2009 10:02 pm

I recently discovered Tommy Emmanuel’s work.
I’m totally addicted…

When i saw this top10 list, The first guitar player that I thought about, was Tommy Emmanuel =P
Although I don’t think he should be considered “the greatest of all” (whatever that means) Tommy can play some outstanding sounds out of a single acoustic guitar!

Listen to his work and judge for yourselves…
jon-paul on April 11th, 2009 10:06 am

why is it only guitrists that are pre 2000 getting a mention. i love music from every decade but one of the best i have ever seen is matt bellamy from muse he has took guitar playing to a completly different level. and i feel this guy deserves a mention..
people like like jack white are good guitarists but not really at that level but he is the only recent guy mentioned in that top 10..
theloveman on April 13th, 2009 12:00 pm

what about Ernest Isley - he is easily in the top 3 of all times - no one can match this guy’s riffs in songs like summer breese - who’;s that lady - who loves better - hope you feel better - voyage to atlantis, and liquid love just to name a few of many powerful guitar riffs - y99u guys are missing a treat is you haven’t heard Erney Isley get down
Guitar Fan... xD on April 16th, 2009 11:19 am

OMG! John Mayer??? are you serious!?…Dude, I think you should have explored more on the guitar world before making the list…

The absence of Joe Satriani makes this list, in my opinion, ridiculous. And how about, Steve Vai, John Petrucci and maybe throw in Michael Angelo Batio, I’m pretty sure they’re better than John Mayer..
John on April 20th, 2009 5:25 pm

Where is Kirk Hammet or Eddie Van Halen? They always added something unique to thier albums. You won’t find anything unique about John Mayor.
fuck you on April 28th, 2009 7:20 pm

jimmy page
…
there are highschool bands who play zepplin songs…

where the hell are joe satriani and eddie van halen and get some metal guitarists in there
Harmon k on May 6th, 2009 11:07 pm

What about Rick Derringer Johnny Winter Wes Montgomery. No Pete Townshend? The list is great I am not a Clapton Fan or a BB King guy but the list is a good accounting of the top guitarists over the last 30 years…..
UglyShirts on May 9th, 2009 7:41 pm

No Brian May?

FAIL.
Crystaldream on May 11th, 2009 11:47 am

Jimi Hendrix the best
Malmsteen speed
Slash feeling and improvisation
Buckethead improvisation and shred
Henrik on May 12th, 2009 12:02 pm

Dude– Ace Frehley. He took some great guitar work and amped it up to 11 billion

Not only that, but he writes real songs
john on May 19th, 2009 6:09 pm

tony iommi would mop the floor with that list. jon mayer give me a break
Arkash on May 24th, 2009 5:25 am

Man, come on, how could you not have listed Alexi Laiho, he’s the be(a)st!
Mark Perry on May 25th, 2009 4:59 pm

Some personal favorites not on the list… and I stress personal…

Brian May
Gary Moore.. my favorite
Richie Blackmore
Eric Clapton
Kenny Wayne Sheppard
Tom Morello
Jeff Beck
Alvin Lee… has everyone forgot about Woodstock?
Tofa on May 26th, 2009 10:19 am

Excuse me for interrupting but I think that it’s not properly to complain about who Clarence didn’t added and who he didn’t..if you search another site the top 10 will be different..i bet there are no sites who have exactly the same top 10 artists… I found this site because i just wanted to know names of great guitarists.Since you already know some you can create your personal Top 10 for yourself or for a blog or anything. I don’t think it’s right to influence others with your own opinion. I’m not really that expertised but I thought it would be nice to react. Thank you and no flames intended ^^
Joe Schmoe on June 3rd, 2009 12:02 am

This list is ridiculous… Jack White?? and a guy named John Mayer is on the list? What were you thinking! Do you have a man-crush on John Mayer??? With all the great guitarists like Clapton, Jeff Beck, Page, SRV, Tom Scholz, Slash, you don’t put a guy named John Mayer on that list…
Brian Johnson on June 3rd, 2009 12:35 pm

What about Angus Young? He should be at least #5
bob on June 4th, 2009 6:11 am

ok guys whats up my top ten is no where near alot of yours however it is strictly opinion and thats what makes this so fun so here it is!!

10.) chet atkins

9.) eddie van halen

8.) “dimebag” darrell abbott

7.) joe satriani

6.) B.B. king

5.) randy rhoades

4.) eric clapton

3.) ace frehley ( for his work on solos and originallity )

2.) les paul

1.) stevie ray vaughn

I know I will catch alot of crap on the ace frehley pick but thats ok he is still awesome! and in the seventies ahead of his time! dont forget he was a bluesy guitarist!!

I hope the list is somewhat correct on peoples lists although it is just an opinion! and just a small thought and insight on angus young he might not make the top 50 for me he plays just a few chords and everything sounds the same, he is with a unique voice and a band who was made by bon scot that put ac/dc on the map!! I know of no really good guitar player that names angus young as their inspiration or was influenced by angus young it is just that his work was too simple!!
Anthony on June 17th, 2009 8:14 pm

Where’s Dave Murray of Iron Maiden? He’s got the smoothest legato style anybody will ever hear.
L on June 18th, 2009 1:45 am

Okay, seriously, how did omar rodriguez lopez not make the list?
Sinner on June 21st, 2009 3:11 am

Where on earth is Richie Sambora? He is legendary! Although I have to agree that Jimi Hendrix is amazing
Vinnie on June 26th, 2009 1:42 pm

Let’s not forget Warren Haynes from Government Mule
James on June 30th, 2009 1:02 am

How can Sambora be legendary when he still plays?

Some folks get too worked up over top 10 lists.

You could make 50 top 10 lists and make a good arguement for each of them. One poster mentioned Jon Butcher. I saw him as the opening act for Rush back in 1983 and he was excellent.

A couple years ago, I saw a poll of guitar players taken as to who they thought were the best ever. Two names that showed up that really suprised me were (Don’t laugh) Glen Campbell and Christopher Cross. The musicians commented that you had to look at Cross’ work before his wimpy music days.

Several also said people forget that for years, Campbell was a studio musician and had to be able to adapt to many different styles of music and that popular on the charts didn’t mean best. Several stated that Campbell was one of the best they had ever heard play.

The opinion of Van Halen as one of the 10 best I don’t get. He is skilled but his music strikes me as lifeless.