Who is your overall favorite guitarist?


At 44 years of age, I personally feel fortunate to have lived in an era along with some of the finest guitarists who have ever lived. I have always had an overwhelming love of music. As I look back to my earlier years of music appreciation (I took formal piano training for 17 years) I remember how my instructor would suggest exposing myself to the many different styles and disciplines of music.

These were such valuable words of wisdom. Considering the fact that this suggestion, more or less, forced me to be more open to musicians other than those that played in strictly rock and roll bands.

Wow, was I surprised to find that I could be as entertained by Chet Atkins and Les Paul as I could be by Ritchie Blackmore or Carlos Santana. Just think about some of the finest from our time. Jimi Hendrix, John McLaughlin, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Steve Howe, Al DiMeola, the list could seem almost endless. All such incredible musicians.

Although it's very hard to pick one person or style in particular, let's remember the key words, "overall favorite".
I would probably have to say that my overall favorite would have to be Steve Morse (from Dixie Dregs fame).

Who is your favorite?
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Showing 3 responses by dekay

Kind of funny that nobody has mentioned Michael J. Fox and Steve Martin (he also plays the guitar you know:-).

Seriously (even though I usually cater to electric guitar) my favorite to listen to is Bob Dylan (on acoustic) when he performs solo and orchestrates the music in his rambling/rough "train song" kind of way (I suppose that his lousy voice and artsy lyrics may have something to do with it).

For the creative surprise factor my vote would probably go to Alen Holdsworth (who has consistantly produced music for thought over the years).

A handfull of the names mentioned above are studio session/technical players (who have also done solo work) and these are my least favorites as they tend to be quite boring in the long run. People who play themselves know where I am coming from.
4yanx:

All right, GO Gobel!!!

I always lusted after his Blonde archtop while playing my cheap Harmony, as a kid (the guitar, not the crewcut:-).