Greatest guitarists for all the guitar lovers

Greatest guitarists of all time

We are deep diving into the decades old question and still to this date it is debated among the guitar players, musicians, music enthusiasts and common listeners.
The greatest guitarists of all time.

Now, even before we start, let’s put down some ground rules.This isn’t about speed, flash or just chart topping hits. We are talking about the influence, innovation, feel, tone, the cultural impact and that little magic which cannot be described but just felt.

This is our list of greatest guitarists of all time. If your favourite guitarist did not make the cut, perhaps check our honorable mentions below and also keep in mind that this list is quite subjective. Your list might differ from this list.

We are looking into the 10 greatest guitarists of all time across all genres but most of them will be from the Rock genre, as this is the genre that made the guitarists, Gods.

Alright so let’s dive ahead.

Starting with,

Eddie Van Halen

What can be said about EVH? His legacy, his vision and his music still lives on til today and will continue to do so for a long time. When Eddie Van Halen first came into the music, nobody had seen or heard anything like that before.

Suddenly guitar playing was not just about fast phrasing or flashy leads, it was more athletic, innovative and even charming to some extent. I am sure you all must have heard Eruption, that song pretty much showed the world about the two hands tapping technique.

Can you imagine listening to that for the first time, that too in the 70s? When music meant, disco, pop, funk, blues and even some rock n roll. But this? This was more than just Rock n roll, this was the future of guitar playing. But it wasn’t just the technique itself, it was the way he played it, the attitude and the sheer brilliance of it all. And what can be said about the guitar tone of EVH? Probably the most influential guitar tone. Do you know EVH amps? Yeah they are basically designed by the guitar god himself, the infamous EVH 5150 amps now and Peavey 5150 amps were basically the amps created to match Van Halen’s 5150 album’s guitar tone. The Peavey 5150 amplifier was initially created as a signature model for Eddie Van Halen.

David Gilmour

Remember, we said this list is not about speed or any flashy stuff? As much as the speed and flashy stuff impress the listener and leave them in awe, when the instrument is approached in the manner that Mr. David Gilmour does, it feels like someone is talking directly to your soul.
There is a meme circulating in the recent days on social media with the caption- “David Gilmour has sent more people in space than NASA”.

Truly, listening to David’s guitar work seriously feels like something out of this world.
Gilmour’s use of perfectly pitched string bends and his signature slow, deliberate, and deep vibrato are his trademark.
Another crucial element of his playing is the use of silence and space. He allows notes to breathe and ring out, building tension and release rather than rushing to fill every beat.

While his sound with Pink Floyd and even his solo project is quite progressive and psychedelic, his core technique is rooted firmly in the blues. You can hear the influence of blues masters in his choice of scale (often the minor pentatonic and blues scale).

We are not talking about his famous hits for example, Comfortably numb or Another Brick in the wall or Time. Although these all are no doubt classics but if you really wanna hear Gilmour’s feel, maybe listen to Echoes by Pink Floyd, The infamous arpeggio from Shine on you crazy Diamond, the mind bending solo from Hey you and more.

The Legacy and influence of David Gilmour can not be overstated, he truly is one unique guitarist who has influenced generations after generations of guitarists.

Jimmy Page

What can be said about Jimmy Page?
The Co-founder of the biggest band of the 70s, Led Zeppelin. His style is a mixture of Blues and Rock, which is unique and sounds like something a Guitar God would play.
To this date if you go to a guitar centre or any other music shop, you surely would find at least one person who is jamming Stairway to Heaven.

Jimmy Hendrix

When your guitar playing can shock David Gilmour, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, that ought to say something. He revolutionized guitar playing with his guitar skills and Avant Garde style. He was taken away from the world at the age of 27, and in such a short career he changed music forever.
Can you imagine the things we would’ve heard or seen if he was still alive?
Yes, Seen. Because Jimmy Hendrix was an experience, his live shows were a big part of his legacy.

First of all, the guy played the guitar upside down, he was a left handed guitarist.
When you go to Jimmy Hendrix’s live show you might get to see him play guitar with his teeth or even setting the guitar on fire.
Imagine seeing that in the late 60’s matched with truly unique playing, no wonder you go down as a guitar legend forever. Jimmy Hendrix certainly tops every list made for greatest guitarists of all tim

Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi often cannot be seen in the top 10 greatest guitarists of all time lists BUT in our list he certainly has a place.

Imagine yourself working in a factory in the industrial revolution period of England and you chop off your two middle fingers, most people would just give up the instrument after that, Not Mr. Iommi, He instead went on to create a new genre, Heavy Metal.

Sure there were Guitar players before Tony Iommi who were playing riffs but none heavier than Iommi. His iconic power chords playing, blistering riffs and his fuzz tone shaped the way for every heavy metal band which came after him.

Iron man is still the riff all metal guitar players learn when they first pick up the instrument. If you want to know the genius of Tony Iommi listen to his riffs like Into the Void, Paranoid, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Heaven and Hell and more.

Ritchie Blackmore

Another rock royalty in the list, well, because they are all so good and it would be criminal to not include most of them in the top 10 list. When it comes to greatest guitarists of all time, we just can’t leave Ritchie Blackmore out of that list. His genius in Rainbow and Deep Purple is pure wizardry.

Like we mentioned earlier Stairway to heaven is the song that everyone plays, Smoke on the Water is equally recognized and played riff, if not more. He was the creative genius in Deep Purple where every musician is already a virtuoso.

His iconic riffs like Smoke on the water, Burn, Black night and solos like Child in time, Soldier of Fortune are more than just iconic. And what can be said about his other venture in collaboration with the great late Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow is where he shines stronger than Deep Purple, with all the creative liberty and freedom to experiment.
Listen to the songs like, Catch the Rainbow, Temple of the King and Man on the Silver Mountain to listen to Blackmore’s soul captured in his guitar solos.

Randy Rhoads

Another guitarist, gone too soon. Randy’s guitar playing complimented and elevated The Prince of Darkness’s music to the level which is still appreciated today. Randy helped shape the sub genre called neoclassical metal where the influence of classical guitar is combined with the sound of heavy metal.

Have you seen this guitar shape before?
Yes, this is the RR shape which is short for ‘Randy Rhoads’. Jackson guitars, known for their association with Heavy metal were the stable for Randy Rhoads and the RR model is now in the top guitar shapes which are sold worldwide.

In such a short career with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads created a legacy which will last forever. A true Guitar hero and certainly among the greatest guitarists of all time.

Mark Knopfler

Mark Knopfler is a musical icon, a four-time Grammy Award winner, and has earned his rightful place on Rolling Stone’s esteemed list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”
Known for co-founding Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler’s unmistakable sound and storytelling through his guitar have solidified his place as a true legend. If David Gilmour is the king of expressing emotions through his guitar, Mark Knopfler is a Sultan.

Knopfler’s most defining characteristic, that unmistakable magic, is his innovative fingerstyle technique on the electric guitar. Unlike most rock guitarists who cling to a pick, Knopfler instead employs the flesh and nails of his thumb, index, and middle fingers. This approach gives his playing a unique set of qualities a truly distinct sound that’s instantly recognizable and deeply expressive. This finger attack crafts a softer, warmer, and more articulate tone, with better dynamic control and a vocal-like quality that truly makes his solos sing. Listen to the song- Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits to experience this. After Dire Straits officially disbanded in 1995, Knopfler channeled his energy into a solo career, producing ten solo albums that continued to showcase his unique, roots-infused sound. Watch this video to know the magic of Mr Knopfler-

BB King

He’s the undisputed “King of the Blues” and easily one of the 20th century’s most vital and influential electric guitarists.

B.B. King’s signature sound pretty much set the stage for a ton of blues and rock guitar legends, including absolute giants like Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, and Keith Richards. He didn’t just play the blues; he totally transformed it, taking it out of those small, smoky clubs and onto the main stage in concert halls and on TV. This basically introduced the genre to a massive new audience and completely changed popular music forever.

The thing that really made his playing stand out, that magic was his unique, shaky, wide, and super-fast vibrato. He pulled this off by shaking his entire fretting hand while holding a note. It made his single-note solos sound incredibly emotional, like he was actually having a dialogue with his singing.

Jeff Beck

If you ask your favourite guitarist, who is their favourite guitarist? Most of them would say Jeff Beck. He is Guitarist’s guitarist.

Jeff Beck was just on another level. He famously dropped the guitar pick, using his fingers and thumb to get this incredibly clear, expressive tone with total control over the dynamics. That fingerstyle, plus how he totally revolutionized the whammy bar, let him bend and stretch notes until they sounded like a voice or a slide guitar.
Basically, his sound was nearly impossible to copy or recreate.

From his time with The Yardbirds to instrumental classics like Blow by Blow and Wired, Beck was always a restless genius, constantly messing around with blues rock, hard rock, and jazz fusion right up to the end of his career.

Jeff Beck was a massive deal in the world of rock music. He took over from Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds, where he really spiced up their sound with psychedelic vibes and some seriously groundbreaking effects. After that, he formed The Jeff Beck Group, which was basically the place where Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood got their start. That group was super important for pioneering the heavier blues-rock sound that set the stage for bands like Led Zeppelin.

Honorable Mentions

Eric Clapton

‘Clapton is God’ the infamous graffiti is enough to tell you how respected guitarist he is, definitely a guitar god.

Slash

Well, the iconic hat, curls and a Les Paul guitar is enough to tell you who we are talking about. The legendary guitarist who inspired millions by his rockstar attitude and beautiful guitar solos.

Carlos Santana

Just watch his Woodstock 1969 performance, you will thank us.

Stevie Ray Vaughen

The Blues king. His career, sadly, was cut short in 1990 at just 35, due to a tragic helicopter crash. Yet, despite his early departure, he remains an undeniable guitar legend, earning his rightful place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 2015.

Yngwie Malmsteen

The guy who shocked the world with his super intense arpeggios, sweep picking and harmonic minor scale use. All about speed!

Chet Atkins

Known as “Mr. Guitar” and the “Country Gentleman,” he pretty much took the fingerpicking style (you might know it as “Travis picking”) and perfected it, elevating it to a whole new level of sophistication.

Frank Zappa

Frank Zappa was one of the most unique, prolific, and complex figures in 20th-century music far more than just a guitarist, he was an uncompromising composer, satirist, and bandleader.

Buddy Guy

An American blues legend, a colossal figure in the Chicago blues scene, and arguably the last living link to the golden era of electric blues.

Angus Young

The man responsible for AC/DC.

Robert Fripp

The Progressive rock guitar god and the founder of King Crimson. He is much more than just a guitarist; he’s an intellectual, a composer, and a technological innovator

FAQs

Who is the greatest guitarist now?

Well, there are many guitar legends popping up in the scene, some notable names are Tosin Abasi, Derek Trucks, Tim Henson, John Petrucci and more.

Is Jimi Hendrix the greatest guitarist ever?

Jimi is considered one of the most unique guitar players of all time who helped in shaping up guitar playing into what it is today.

Who is technically the best guitarist ever?

There are many guitarists who have flawless techniques, some names we suggest are, John Petrucci, EVH, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Tosin Abasi, Michael Angelo Batio, Joe Satriani and more.

What guitar the greatest guitarists play?

This question is difficult to answer since most of the guitarists mentioned above play different guitars but some common guitars are Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Les Paul, Gibson SG, and Jackson V.

What was Eddie Van Halen’s tapping technique?

Eddie Van Halen’s tapping technique, often called two-handed tapping or finger-tapping, was a groundbreaking method that effectively transformed the guitar fretboard into a piano keyboard. While he may not have invented the technique, he certainly rocketed it to levels of complexity and speed, famously showcased in his iconic instrumental, “Eruption.”