top ten guitarists in history

Jimi Hendrix is #1 on many lists; Jimmy Page; David Gilmour; Stevie Ray Vaughan; Eddie Van Halen; to name a few.

Wheres the love from deadheads for Jerry?

In no particular order...

Allan Holdsworth...(gong/UK)
Al DiMiola...(RTF)
Scott Henderson...(Chick Corea)
Steve Vai...(Frank Zappa/solo)
Preston Reed...(solo acoustic)
Tommy Emanuele...(solo acoustic)
John Petrucci...(Dream Theatre)
Jan Ackerman...(Focus)
John McLaughlin...(mahavishnu orchestra)
Robert Fripp...(King Crimson)

Chris Degarmo, George Lynch, Randy Rhoades, myself

Tommy Tedesco of The Wreaking Crew just about invented the tracks of every group in the industry and changed Rock Guitar forever .
60's-70's super star.

... and not to forget !

Galrads should be in there. And Boban — he’s the only person I know who can play guitar wearing boxing gloves.

Johnny Winter!

Jeff Beck's worth a mention, he also reckons John McLoughlin is probably the greatest living guitarist!

I would love to see Tommy Emmanuel playing a gold top (or mebbe an Ibanez, better suited to his style) through a Marshall stack. Makes me smile just to think about it

slash, eric Clapton and mark knopfler

On a side note to my list, these are in no particular order. It is absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to choose one stand out guitarist from all of the incredibly tallented musicians we have been blessed with. Just saying.

1. Stevie Ray Vaughn

2. Keith Richards

3. Gary Moore

4. Prince

5. Jerry Reed

6. Phil Keagy

7. Eric Clapton

8. Dimebag Darrell

9. Gary Hoey

10. Eddie Van Halen

Stevie RayVaughn

lol gilmore hendrix petrucci knopfler bonnamassa not in the list

All great rockers, try acoustic like Leo Kottke

Knopfler!!

DAVID GILMOUR

JEFF BECK

ROY GALLIGER

PETE TOWNSEND

JIMMY PAGE

EDDIE VANHALEN

JIMI HENDRIX

TONY IOMMI

LESLIE WEST

RANDY RHOADS

ALEX LIFESON

BILLY GIBBONS

GLEN TIPTON KK DOWNING

ADRIAN SMITH DAVE MURRAY

Have to just say 'Lemmy and Glenn Frey' RIP guys!!!!

For me: Steve Vai is the best. Satriani learned from him all the tricks.

Neal Schon
Mattias Eklund
Jeff Beck
Scott Henderson
Steve Lukather
Jan Akkerman
Richie Blackmore
Stef Burns
Norbert Krief
Kee Marcello

I agree. do you think Chet Atkins, Mark Knopler Carlos Santana and Joe Walsh could have been under consideration here

Jesse Cook
Carlos Santana

Its impossible to say who's better than the other! They are all amazing!! By the way who ever put Kurt Cobain down needs their brain tested!! He's a guitar hack at best!!!!

George lynch john Petrucci

I don't know why no one seems to ever recognize Dwayne Allman. To date there has never been any person ever that could bring forth the sweet crystal clear notes this young man could reach and grasp. Though his carrier was very short lived, a great part of his musical work came from the albums he sat in on and recorded with many other big name greats that wanted or needed his expertise during their studio recording sessions, down in Macon and else wheres. His anthology albums would give you a taste of it. Not opinion, fact - no one has ever been able to play as well and wonderful as him. If you don't believe me (or your ears) just ask Eric Clapton. Or I'm sure the many other greats that brought him in on their recordings.

Eric Clapton and Eddie Van Halen

Malmsteen, is the best guitarist I've ever heard......where's angus young...lol, but there's so many styles of guitarist....I'm dc fan so I'm a rock blues guitarist.....hard to judge.....but you have a great list.........

best rock electric guitarist: jimmy paige
best blues electric guitarist: stevie ray vaughan
best rock acoustic guitarist: neil young
best blues acoustic guitarist: big bill broonzy

I know it's mostly subjective, but Stevie Ray Vaughan in my books would have to be in anyone's top three.

Tom morello shouldnt be forgotten

Respectfully, I'd like to add Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King, George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Buddy Guy for consideration.

Guys.. if we just talk about tecnique.. ok guitarrist like Satriani.. but if we want to talk about sounds, earing, melody and a little bit of tecnique... ok, God is a good guy, but David Gilmour is something unreachable..

Hey Tonic1, good idea about the list, but I bet you wished you never bothered. Me I'm nearly 70 and know nothing about guitar players, so I'll be off now :-)

Great list,all deserving.Personally I would have had Jeff Beck,Hendrix(he did change the era),Duane Allman(taught Clapton to play slide),Buddy Guy,Page,Carlos Santana,Clapton,Eric Johnson,Mr.B.B.& Stevie Ray.In no set order.

brian may
hank marvin
jet harris

Stevie ray Vaughan , Steve vay, Albert king....

Why does it always have to be Rock guitarists?
Has anyone ever heard of Wes Montgomery?