If there is a better guitar player going today......

[natty]

Anyone is naturally going to think guitarists of the genre they prefer are going to be better. While the metal guys have great chops and are plenty talented, I'd prefer the guy from the OP. He has more of a voice than the guys that rip off as many notes as they can. I feel like those kind of players are trying more to impress people than play music and it usually sounds very boring to me.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I promise you this is the best guitar player in the world. He shreds electrics also. You should probably take the time to watch. starts playing at about 1:45

[Bronn]

Oh don't get me wrong... I love pretty much all music... I just feel like metal musicians are technically superior to most... except maybe some bluegrass musicians...

That said, give me another SRV any day of the week and I'd be happy. Talk about soul coming though music...

[cultclassiccat]

I promise you this is the best guitar player in the world. He shreds electrics also. You should probably take the time to watch. starts playing at about 1:45

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[natty]

Oh don't get me wrong... I love pretty much all music... I just feel like metal musicians are technically superior to most... except maybe some bluegrass musicians...

That said, give me another SRV any day of the week and I'd be happy. Talk about soul coming though music...

Actually, it's the usually exact opposite. Heavy distortion makes very sloppy playing sound good. If you want to play really fast and make it sound good distortion makes it a thousand times easier.

I have nothing against metal guitarists, but metal players and fans have a tendency to over inflated their abilities.

[Bronn]

I just feel

[KillerKat]

Anyone heard of Steve Vai?

[stirs]

Anyone heard of Steve Vai?

Cuttin Heads!

[stirs]

Anyone is naturally going to think guitarists of the genre they prefer are going to be better. While the metal guys have great chops and are plenty talented, I'd prefer the guy from the OP. He has more of a voice than the guys that rip off as many notes as they can. I feel like those kind of players are trying more to impress people than play music and it usually sounds very boring to me.

I agree. Speed does not equal quality nor talent in some realms of music.

Youtube is full of "fastest guitarist" stuff, but not very appealing to me. Guess it is just taste.

[Cary Kollins]

Jake from Umphrey's McGee is killer as well. Every time I see them they never fail to blow me away. I think he has mastered every style of music. Here's a cool little clip I found.

[twylyght]

Of the shredding variety, Nuno Bettencourt and Yngwie have to get a mention somewhere, though Nuno will have to get a nod for pure musicianship at some level.

Kravitz and Hendrix have to be recognized somewhere on the spectrum.

Michael Angelo Batio would have to get a nod on technical proficiency

Claypool is a must for anyone in the know with respect to his sheer talent even if he is inaccessible for many. Other musicians hard to peg are Steve Howe, David Gilmore, Adam Jones, and (though not a guitarist, a virtuoso in his own right) Ravi Shankar.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd continues to impress in blues circles.

For pure musicianship, Hans Zimmer is actually a little known commodity with respect to his chops.

If you want just a random peek at some of the prodigies on the way, here is a taste of what is on the way

[Bwood]

Anyone heard of Steve Vai?

I was actually neighbors with Steve Vai for a while. I would hang with his son 'Fire' a lot and jam guitars. Really cool guy.

[davos]

Excluding the obvious big names like Beck, Clapton, Gilmour, Vai, Knopfler, Petrucci, etc....

I've always thought Steve Howe was overlooked. Alex Lifeson is another great one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvEMPyZFRj0

[BigSyke]

well the all time best to me is jimi hendrix...he was from the future.......

now in the present time i dont really have favs but i do like some guys check this dude out.