Top 5 Guitar Players In The World
Determining the world’s best guitar players is no easy task. With all the talented guitarists out there it’s hard to say someone is the best guitar player in the world. With that said, it is a fun conversation to have, so we gave it a shot. Here are the top 5 modern day guitar players in the world.
Others that can be included are Walter Trout, Davy Knowles, Carlos Santana, Danny Bryant, Warren Haynes, Stevie Nimmo, Jimmy Thackery
100% agree on Davy Knowles!
Matt Schofield would be in my top 5 together with Robben Ford, Derek Trucks, Ritchie Blackmore and Tony Iommi.
5 – Guthrie Govan
Agree with Eric gales
Eric Gillette
Marcel Coenen
Jeff Beck
I can understand the argument for all five artists stated here. Right now my top five, in no particular order would be; Joe Bonamassa, Dan Patlansky, Ryan McGarvey, Derek Trucks and Philip Sayce.
Walter Trout absolutely has to be in the discussion. I’m also big on Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Albert Castiglia, Albert Cummings, Warren Haynes and Jimmy Thackery.
I see you like Blues Rock…….Sean Chambers is someone to check out..
Tough choosing five but I go:
Dan Patlansky
Matt Schofield
Albert Cummings
Albert Castiglia
Joe Bonamassa
Agree with the listed artists, but would like to add some that I think are worth mentioning:
Frank Marino
Monte Montgomery
Dan Patlansky
Lesley West
Eddie van Halen
Joe Bonamassa
Carlos Santana
Jerry Garcia
Warren Haynes
Derek Trucks
I totally agree with this selection. Although I’m not yet ready to grasp Derek Trucks as Slide King as Sonny is still with us but Derek’s day will be recognized. Just as JoeB’s was after his idol passed. Keep up the fun challenges and Keep the Blues Alive! Groovy Hoovy (small college Radio DJ spinning the Blues on Sundays)
It’s always hard to pick but right now.I will say not based on just past works but in the now.
Joe Bonamassa
Philip Sayce
Al Dimeola
Eric Gales
JD Simo
That’s where my head is at right now
What about Dan Patlansky?
In no particular order:
Sonny Landreth
Joe Bonamassa
Warren Haynes
Jeff Beck
Eric Clapton (still there)
Tough to pick 5, but one that always comes to mind when someone asks is Ronnie Earl. Perhaps more a personal favorite, but is also on Bonamassa’s short list for blues guitar. I’d suggest something “live in Germany” from Youtube. Maybe “Blues in D Natural”
Dani Rabin, from the band Marnin.
Dani was my college roommate at Berklee but this isn’t why I’m recommending him.
He has quickly become a world class guitarist especially in the progressive Jazz genre.
His album The Last Chapter of Dreaming is a masterpiece. He has only gotten better since.
Dani Rabin, one of the best guitarists in the world.
Sorry, I’m on my phone and the keyboard is touchy.
The band is called Marbin
Yngwie Malmsteen
David Knopfler
Joe Bonamassa Kenny Wayne Shepherd Brad Paisley Keith Urban Brad Whitford
*John Mayer……… to humbly name a few (seems like Joe is the
common factor in this little contest of
opinions)…..*honorable mention
Hey…
Like all of those listed above and would like to add Marc Bonilla to the list.
Eric Clapton is not on many peoples lists but he’s still up there. Buddy Guy as well.JB and Derek Trucks. Bernie Marsden?
And don’t forget the ladies. Rory Block, Joanne Shaw-Taylor, Samantha Fish, Bonnie Rait…. the list goes on. Five is not enough.
Peter Frampton, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, Kim Mitchell, Alex Lifeson – just to name a few more.
Pat Metheny, Eric Johnson, Bill Frisel, Derek Trucks, Jeff Beck
Clapto, Clapton, Clapton, Clapton, Clapton
Clapto, Clapton, Clapton, Clapton, Maybe Joe Bonamassa
ALVIN LEE PHILIP SAYCE JEFF BECK JIMMY PAGE STEVE VIE
Matt Bellamy, Chris Buck, Dani Rabin, Joanne Shaw Taylor,
So many great names here.Right now I am really enjoying listening to Davy Knowles. Incredible guitar skills paired with an outstanding voice. His shows are so damn good!
So glad you included Philip Sayce! Have been a big fan of his for a long time, wish more people listened to him, appreciated him — and you’re right, he’s the reincarnation of SRV and Hendrix in many ways, plus himself thrown in. Brilliant…
I have a few others that I feel should be considered….Matt Schofield, Josh Smith, Eric Steckel and Kirk Fletcher….
I love this Pete. One typically sees the “Top 100” or something; reducing to 5 is a whole new ball game, well done. Made me an instant fan.
I notice your choices are very blues/blues-rock oriented, and why wouldn’t they be; you’re the EIC of Blues Rock Review, I get it.
That being said, makes it tough since jazz and classical players are sort of overlooked (except Tommy Emmanuel, you hit that one right on the head!).
Great jazz players can play tremendous blues-rock in their sleep then wake up and rip something far more complicated, so it’s hard to put them beneath blues-oriented players.
Two guys that have the most complete game in the world that I’ve heard are Steve Lukather and Larry Carlton. I mean, come on LC has been known throughout the music business as the greatest living guitarist for decades. Personally I put Luke a tiny notch above LC these days because he can play wicked jazz on stage with LC but then shred serious metal with Joe Satriani, which I think would be out of LC’s comfort zone.
And just beneath them you have people like Jeff Beck, George Benson, many more.
If we forget all of that and concentrate on blues/blues-rock, the Phillip Sayce, Eric Gales and Joe Bon choices are great, I love them. But, all 3 have a tendency to overplay, especially Sayce. So I’d like to ask you if you’re familiar with Chris Duarte (surely you are). He can kill any style, and if you’re looking for some blues he will wring your neck; check out his ODell Legends performance of “Bottle Blues” for example. Cream of the crop.
Another is Davy Knowles (PHENOMENAL). Has an entire performance at Daryl Hall’s Club that is off the charts. Have seen him myself, as I have all the aforementioned artists, and he is special.
The Derek Trucks selection I’d definitely never argue with, for he may be the best slide player ever. Which is extreme praise coming from me, being a big fan of both Joe Walsh and Johnny Winter. Derek can just do things with a slide I’ve never heard or seen before, can’t deny it.
Pete Francis – It may come as a surprise to you, but Eric Gales is actually right handed. His oldest brother, Eugene, id left handed and taught himself to play upside down,then taught his 2 right handed younger brothers to play that way. The middle brother, Manuel, performed as Little Jimi King, and died about 15 years ago. Check him out, too. He actually played in Albert King’s band. The three Brothers actually once made an album as the Gales Brothers Band called “Left Hand Brand”. Check that out, too. When I saw Eric signing autographs right handed, I ssked his wife about it, and she told me the story. My reaction at the time was, that’s messed up.
Okay it’s Blues-Rock Review and therefore the top 5 guitarists would presumably be the top 5 in that genre. So I’m surprised (but delighted being Australian myself) that Tommy Emmanuel is included. Tommy is fabulous but I’m not sure he should be ‘classified’ as blues-rock. I do believe Warren Haynes should be in this list.
However the big one who is ALWAYS overlooked (and I just don’t understand why) is Robin Trower! Sure Robin’s roots were in prog rock, but at 72 he is putting out some exceptional blues-rock work and still touring. Vastly under-rated talent that needs far more recognition before we lose him like so many others.
David Gilmour, Joe Bonamassa, KWS, Buddy Guy, Joe Satriani.
First off, where the hell is Jimmy Herring?
Second I see you put Tommy Emanuel there, so you clearly have some acoustic players knowledge but then where is Preston Reed?
Love everyone mentioned however
Johnny A one of the most underrated guitarist of our time
he has incredible chordal voicing setting that leaves you wanting more.
Alex Skolnick over Lukather : better shredder and plays Jazz when not touring with Testament