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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The are many great guitarrists, but not that many that can trascend styles...I rather have a guy who can play classical, jazz, ragtime, blues and basicall fuse all the styles into a total that is greater than the sum of the parts...To, only Steve Howe and Richard Thompson fits that bill...Steve Hackett to some extent.

Its not about the style, its about which style these complete players wanna use to express the music...

Santana and Clapton? please!!
Believe it or not, there are more names that haven't mentioned. Oh, my top 10 list would include many of the names listed above: Jimi, Steve Howe, BB, Al Di Meola, Duane Allman, Pat Metheny, Clapton, Santana, the Edge, Pete T, etc. But here are three that haven't been mentioned: the underappreciated Robbie Krieger of Doors fame, progressive rock's Phil Manzanera, and Mick Ralphs of Mott the Hoople and Bad Company.
I can't let any of my guitar heros from some of my favorite albums slip by this thread: Joe Perry, Joe Walsh and Steve Miller. Some of the most recognizable riffs of all time came out of these guys.