jimi liked billy gibbons(zz top) so much he gave him a guitar. billy rocks too.

Vini Reilly.

That settles the matter.

Carlos Santana

George Harrison. Technically, no but he knew how to work it into a song.

Stevie Ray Vaughan!

Although my personal choice is Jimmy Page, I can't believe no one has mentioned Al Di Meola.

Zappa if I had to limit to just one.

For me, Jimmy Page is #1 and always will be.

I am amazed however that as of now there had been no mention of David Gilmour or Tom Morello, they are both amazing guitarists, Morello definitely has a sound all his own and while not necessarily the fastest or most technical guitarist (though he is damn good technically) he may be the most original guitarist of the past 30-40 years.

I agree that there is no one correct answer. Most of those mentioned deserve recognition. My two most recent favorites are Carlos Santana and Buddy Guy (I have heard him sound like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton, and Jimi Hendrix.)

Three that should be listed are David Bromberg, John McLaughlin and Doc Watson!

Andrés Segovia for classical and Phil Keaggy for gospel and jazz.

Tom Morello!

Page ftw.

Jimmy Page!!!!

reggaemyelitis wrote:Technically, a ukelele is not a guitar.

Technically, it was a joke.

Someone really should mention the one that made all of the above possible: Gibson Guitar

dancingdoc2 wrote:This list is in really Dire Straits without Mark Knopfler.

Knopfler's guitar is most excellent as an accompaniment to his voice and his poetry. I don't know if it's fair to him to categorize him as simply a "guitarist."

loubriccant wrote:Technically, it was a joke.

Technically, Tiny Tim was a joke.

I have to support the Airborne - Jimi 4ever.

bose301s wrote:For me, Jimmy Page is #1 and always will be.

I am amazed however that as of now there had been no mention of David Gilmour or Tom Morello, they are both amazing guitarists, Morello definitely has a sound all his own and while not necessarily the fastest or most technical guitarist (though he is damn good technically) he may be the most original guitarist of the past 30-40 years.

thanks for touting Gilmour, I too had forgotten him, thanks for the reminder. Have a cigar?

Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden!!! anyone,anyone?

olperfesser wrote:My personal favorite - Roy Buchanan. The Best Unknown Guitarist in the World. Look him up on You tube - "When a Guitar Plays the Blues"

A rousing second for Roy, I was hoping to see him mentioned.

BTW, he and Enzo Ferrari died on the same day.

STEVE VAI!!!!

Dan Miller of TMBG.

new poll please

Wow, it looks like the Woot! poll-writers really...

[sunglasses]

...touched a chord!

YEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in the Jeff Beck / Knoppfler / Gilmour / Buckingham circle. But reading all of these names, what stands out to me (as it has many times before with the drinking buddies) is this. What a magnificent era we all were fortunate enough to be borne into? There have been great musical eras in the past (classical, swing, etc) but this was truly the age of the guitarist and the media engine to spread that music all over creation. How fortunate we can feel that we were in that vanguard and had the rare opportuunity to see most of it live and up close. These days it is painful to watch what passes for entertainment (present Woot! offerings excepted), but we have the satisfaction at least of having "all of the above" to fall back on.

Stevie Ray Vaughan.

firebirdude wrote:new poll please

ahhh, bugger off!!! lol

The great Pete Anderson.

Easy: Jimmy Paige of Zeppelin fame

I'm going to put my support behind the Electric Samurai, Tomoyasu Hotei.

SLASH. Obvious choice . . . and my personal fave.

It absolutely boggles my mind how not one person mentioned Paul Gilbert...

Hard to believe only one person mentioned Doc Watson. I saw Doc twice; once with Merle and once after Merle died. Doc was awesome both times. Yep, he has to be on the list.

I would say Segovia is the most talented, but he never played electric, which is what these discussions usually revolve around, so:

In no order, my list of top electric guitarists:

SRV
Buddy Guy (who is awesome to see live btw)
Satch
Hendrix (though I wonder if the mystique surrounding him makes people like him more than he deserves? I know - blasphemy)

What, no Clapton or Page? Come on man...

Clapton. Durr.

Personal preference. Jeff Beck. The usual suspects, Clapton, Hendrix, ect are always in play with people. I love Beck for his dynamic style. Again, every one on the above lists, are worthy. Well not Buckethead-get real-but all the others. I also love Chris Whitley and Rory Gallagher, but few would include them in the greatest ever

Michael Hedges. Absolutely stunning in performance, & heartbreaking that he died so young.