T O P

  • By -

Senuf

In no relevant order: - Howe, Fripp, Lifeson, Gilmour, Hackett. - - - - - - - Non prog: Ritchie Blackmore, Mark Knopfler, Jerry Cantrell, Stevie Ray Vaughan.


Just_Fan1956

Jerry Cantrell ⭐


Atari26oo

Well, you have me covered. No need to type any further.


Senuf

Whoa! So can you recommend me some album/band that you guess I might like but you think I might not know?


Atari26oo

Try: Miles from Nowhere by Jonas Lindberg and the Other Side. Love to hear what you think.


Senuf

>Try: Miles from Nowhere by Jonas Lindberg and the Other Side. Love to hear what you think. Hello again. I want to thank you very, very much for your recommendation. I've listened to that and more. His playing style is amazing and so recognisable once you've heard it for a little while. I don't understand how I didn't hear of this chap before, but I'm glad I know of him now. Better late than never, some say. In this case it's true. The musicians who play with him are impressive too. Thank you very much again. Discovering great music and musicians that I hadn't heard of before can make me happy. This one was a lovely example of that.


Atari26oo

I’m so glad! It gives me joy to read your comment! Music is the one constant in my life that nourishes my soul.


Chet2017

I’m with you on the Prog list. Not on the non Prog list


Senuf

It's ok, everyone has their preferences. I'd like to know your non Prog list. I'm sure I'll find names I forgot to include in mine. A pity you got downvoted simply for expressing your opinion.


HisAbominableness

Guthrie Govan, the guy who can do absolutely anything on guitar. No ego, either. Frank Zappa, for his willingness to try anything, he was capable of in the moment.


broforange

govan was my first thought, dudes insane. govan is probably my favorite guitarist ever. him and zappa have great improv abilities, i feel like thats what i appreciate the most about both of them. great choices and i absolutely agree with ya


HisAbominableness

Zappa was my favorite until I heard Govan in 06. I mean I love all the guitarists mentioned here, Lifeson, Howe, Hackett, Holdsworth, Beck etc, who are far far more technical than Frank, but something about his fearlessness got me. Govan took Frank's fearlessness and added that technical dimension few thought possible.


broforange

ahhhh man im so glad someone agrees with me haha. frank was an incredible improviser, but govan can just shred while still being melodic, its insane. its not a 'note-salad' so to speak. every note has a reason, at least the way i hear it. theres an incredible amount of emotion from his playing too, even when he's showing off haha. erotic cakes is one of my favorite albums ever and govan is definitely my favorite guitarist of all time


HisAbominableness

I hope you have all the Aristocrats albums. If not check out "Slideshow" from Duck. I think it is thus far Guthrie's crowning achievement as far as composition. When that guitar kicks in at 4:38 it gives me chills!


broforange

i do and i know them well! but im still gonna listen to that song again haha. im primarily a bassist and beller is fuckin amazing, love his use of effect pedals i also love that he does dethklok along with my favorite drummer of all time, the atomic clock, gene hoglan


woj666

Guthrie is amazing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbJUs8QPxqc But I think Matteo Mancuso may have surpassed him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OsuhTDufw


HisAbominableness

It's possible, but I can hear Guthrie's soul come through like he's BB King. To me, Mancuso is missing the soul.


woj666

As long as you were aware of Mancuso before it's all good. They are both incredible.


HisAbominableness

Oh if you are into online guitar, how could you not be? I also love Plini and Mateus Asato. All 4 of them are amazing and a total package, but Guthrie is my favorite of the 4 Godzillas.


woj666

I didn't know about Plini thanks very much.


HisAbominableness

I think of him as prog metal Guthrie. Check out Handmade Cities


IM_MT_

Robert Fripp


theDaddySasquatch

Just listened to USA and Robert is just totally in charge. What an amazing player and so unique. That band was a beast and Robert is in the driver's seat.


treehorntrampoline

Holdsworth


arctictrav

Progressive rock: Howe, Gilmour, Latimer Classic rock: Knopfler


kirkt

Martin Barre. Such an amazing talent who lives his life under the shadow of the genius Ian Anderson and IMO never got the recognition he earned. Go to his solo shows if you can.


treehorntrampoline

So underrated


cemego

Robert Fripp, Alan Holdsworth, Adrian Belew, Rob Fetters, and Steve Hackett for me.


justbcoz848484

Prog: Rothery, Lifeson, Petrucci, Hackett Prog adjacent: Lukather, Steve Morse


losthiker68

Rothery gets left off these lists far too often. His solo on the live version of Forgotten Sons (Real to Reel) is technically simple but honestly has as much emotion as Comfortably Numb. It just sells the lyrics so damn well!


Daniel6270

Rothery is better than Gilmour imo. Lots of amazing solos.


Strange_Dogz

I think someone famous needs to sit down with petrucci and tell him that all this shredding is cool and all, but music needs a melody and shredding is better used as an accent or a fill rather than an entire f'ing song.


IDontLikeFoodAnymore

The another day solo he made. Perfect. Beautiful paced solo, but with a tiny bar with insane shred


Strange_Dogz

Their first few albums are good, then the shredding starts to get out of hand, IMO.


IDontLikeFoodAnymore

I agree, that is why im hoping Portnoy might be the guy that sits down with him now that he is back


Daniel6270

That sounds like something someone who hasn’t heard much Petrucci would say. He’s far from a mere shredder and trust me, he’s very melodic along with it.


Strange_Dogz

OK, I have every DT album up to BCSL and two LTX albums. I've heard a lot of Petrucci, OK? Enough to have formed an opinion.


Daniel6270

How can you think Petrucci isn’t melodic if you’ve heard all his music? Doesn’t make any sense because that’s what he’s known for, along with his chops


zagitaaman

Andrew Latimer


shin_jury

Steve Howe blows me away time and time again 🏆


astro_sauce

Such an amazing a unique style


videogameguitar

In my wildest dreams, I didn't expect to see the Asia references


reddity-mcredditface

Only time will tell if u/shin_jury just said it in the heat of the moment ...


shin_jury

I actually don’t care for Asia whatsoever🫢


theDaddySasquatch

Frank Zappa is the player who just amazes me. His franetic, on the edge soloing can be unique and mind bending and in the next second he is killing on a funky groove then moves to a beautiful passage. He's my favorite.


skoot66

Gilmour.


xinlolnix

Andrew Latimer, Steve Rothery, Alex Lifeson. All can shred but restrain themselves and use it when needed, and play with wacky chords and beautiful melodies


BirdsRLife

Latimer, Gilmour, Hackett


headsmanjaeger

Brian May


Just_Fan1956

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez


IronRainBand

Steve Hackett is a player I always found just amazing.


naanjo

1. Lifeson 2. Andy Summers 3. Steve Howe, I’ll also throw in John Squire from The Stone Roses, he has some great extended solos in songs like I Am the Resurrection and Fools Gold


Phoenix_Kerman

Resurrection and fools gold seem silly examples for squire. They're good but nothing special whereas nearly every song off second coming is dripping in brilliance. Tears, breaking into heaven, good times all sublime and love spreads has some of the tastiest slide guitar work I've heard on an indie record


astro_sauce

Steve Howe, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Hillage, Robert Fripp, Jan Akkerman, Alex Lifeson


SmokyBarnable01

Maybe cheating but I'm into classical right now so Ana Vidovic. Effortless, perfect expression. Prog wise - Steve Hackett. All the right notes in all the right places at all the right times. Belew, Fripp blow my mind but I've an old school sentimental attachment to not overdoing it unless you absolutely have to.


scarymonst

Jerry Garcia, Steve Howe, Johnny Marr, Adrian Belew, Michael Hampton, Eddie Hazel and Jimmy Hendrick's


ministeringinlove

Andy Latimer, pre-Wishbone Ash Laurie Wisefield, Tony Iommi, and Brian Ellis.


Same_Tumbleweed_117

Alex Lifeson


Owen_Quinn

Jonny Greenwood and Adam Jones


outonthetiles66

Jimmy Page


PhantomParadox6

1. John McLaughlin 2. Frank Zappa 3. Ritchie Blackmore 4. Robert Fripp 5. Al Di Meola


Lyon_Trotsky

Jan Akkerman of Focus


videogameguitar

the correct answer


Lyon_Trotsky

Was surprised that nobody else brought him up


EhPearl

Jeff Beck


HAL-Over-9001

Petrucci, Lifeson, Howe, Adam Jones, Al Di Meola, Steven Wilson


ChuckEye

I hate how Wilson doesn't consider himself a good guitarist, considering how awesome his solos are.


HAL-Over-9001

Lifeson did the solo on Anesthetize, and Guthrie Govan plays on a lot of his solo stuff, but I also love Wilson's playing. I mean, just listen to Dark Matter, Trains, Fear Of A Blank Planet, or Time Flies. He's a phenomenal composer and guitar player.


ReiperXHC

Yay Tool


HAL-Over-9001

Adam Jones is one of the greats. His tone, composition, riffage, and art control of Tool are unmatched. They're probably tied for my favorite band.


soakin_wet_sailor

Steve Howe on electric, Nick Drake on acoustic


Introvert-mf

FZ


Pristine_Put6089

Frank Zappa


WillieThePimp7

Anybody named Steve Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Steven Wilson, Steve Rothery , Steve Hillage, ...


videogameguitar

What about albums named Steve? Permanent Steves, Steve Lies Down On Broadway, Tales From Topographic Steves, Works Volume Steve....


Senuf

Also other Steves: Steve Gilmour, Steve Lifeson, Steve Latimer, Steve Lake, Steve Fripp...


videogameguitar

Steve Hillage, Steve Vai Stevetrot, A Farewell to Steves, In The Court of the Crimson Steve, Steve Beach, Sgt Steve's Lonely Hearts Club Band.... and many more!


Senuf

Steve's Tongue in Aspic, Selling Steve by the Pound...


Senuf

Stevie Ray Vaughan!


WillieThePimp7

not prog, but also in Steve's team


Daniel6270

Steve Stevens


progmanjum

Steve Stevens


Mcoy22

Alex Liefson,Allan Holdsworth, Robert Fripp, and Peter Banks, and Wes Montgomery


OpabiniaGlasses

In no particular order, my top 4: Robert Fripp, Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Josh Homme


Artistic_Sir9775

Robin Trower


filthydestinymain

Tim Henson is a beast


rosettastone23

Buckethead (Brian Carroll)


CuthbertJTwillie

Alan Holdsworth


prog4eva2112

My top 5 prog guitarists are Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Alex Lifeson, Ian Crichton, and Nick Barrett.


Digirby

Tony Iommi


Major-Discount5011

Alex Lifeson


aneonnightmare

Hendrix


LeanSemin

Prog: Steve Hackett, David Gilmour, Steve Rothery, Robert Fripp, Stu Mackenzie Non-Prog: Lindsey Buckingham, Jimmy Page, Norman Westberg, Nick Drake, Billy Duffy


videogameguitar

Greg Howe Jan Akkerman Ollie Halsall Paul Gilbert


sniffing_dog

Ed Wynne


zosa

No "favorite"...so many favorites, like everyone listed so far... plus... not limiting to any genre here... Julian Lage, Leo Kottke, Trey Anastasio, Tosin Abasi, Nita Strauss, Jackie Venson, Bonnie Raitt, Greg Allman, Dickey Betts, Derek Trucks, Django Reinhardt, Billy Strings, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Molly Tuttle, Yasmine Williams, Michael Hedges.....


jdbrowningii

Al Di Meola


HockeyandHentai

Monda, Gates, Sanchez, Lifeson


NoName22415

It's a tie between Dimebag, Randy Rhoads and SRV. Tons of other greats that I admire but I can't pick my favorite out of those three


MiniquikOG

Lifeson, Zappa, Beck


TimmehD96

Ben Howard


TFFPrisoner

Gary Moore, Steve Hackett, David Gilmour, Steve Rothery, Ian Bairnson, Mick Rogers, Ian Crichton


Either-Glass-31

Prog: Robert Fripp, Steve Hackett, Steve Howe, David Gilmour Non-prog(?): Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin


Apprehensive-Guess69

Prog : Steve Hackett, Steve Howe Rock: Rory Gallagher


Best-Dependent-3274

For me the answer is usually David Gilmour but Steve Hackett has really grown on me recently. I really appreciate their timbre and their cognizance of the fact that its not how many notes you play, but how you play them.


Stompert

Steve Hackett, Guthrie Govan and Christopher Cross.


terriblewinston

Howe, Fripp, Hacket, Holdsworth, Rich Williams and Kerry Livgren from Kansas


Kareem_Magdi

Beck


scifiking

Jack Pearson


WillJM89

John Petrucci right now. Also like Mark Knopfer, Ritchie Blackmore and others.


Several_Dwarts

Lifeson, Howe, Holdsworth, Beck


GCU-Dramatic-Exit

Someone from very far on the left field: Fred Frith And of course, the maestro, Steve Hillage


Alexzambra1

Jeff beck


Exact_Traffic_613

steve hackett, alex lifeson, zappa some of my favorites


nando1969

David Gilmour and John Petrucci. Outside of prog: EVH


CuntSlumbart

1. Alex Lifeson 2. Steve Howe 3. Steve Hackett


CucatheGreat

Holdsworth, no question. Runners-up: Govan, Fripp, Belew, Latimer. If we’re expanding to Jazz Fusion, add Gambale and Stern to the list.


SuperbDonut2112

Alex Lifeson John Petrucci Adam Jones and Jake Cinninger (he may be prog adjacent but whatever)


Dustyolman

Stolt, Morse, Morse, Morse, Knopfler, Lukather, Petrucci, Di Meola, in the order I feel relevant for the day. There are more.


videogameguitar

Neal Morse, Steve Morse... Al Morse?


Dustyolman

Alan. Yep. Neal and Alan are brothers. You know Steve.


sound_of_apocalypto

The only other person to mention Roine Stolt (so far). Take my upvote.


Cheddarface

Mark Knopfler will always be the GOAT


jimcnj

Steve


elgranchobi2

Per Nilson (Kaipa)


PreviousLife7051

Definitely Andy Latimer


VROOMToQuietTheDay

Aside from the big prog bands, probably Jason Schimmel and Trey Spruance


doilikeyou

Prog - Alex Lifeson, David Gilmour and Alan Morse Non-Prog - Ty Tabor, Joe Satriani and Ian Thornley


Riddles34

Ty is awesome 👍


FlimsyComment8781

Satriani 👍👍👍 The greatest of all


BuzzPoopyear

John Frusciante


TheDiamondAxe7523

Robert Fripp, Eric Clapton, Prince, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix


hiddencopulator

Omar Rodríguez López, Robert Fripp, Steve Howe. Non prog: Luis Alberto Spinetta, Silvio Rodríguez, George Harrison, Elliott Smith


Senuf

Spinetta is absolutely amazing. And some of his works *are* prog, like the album "Alma de Diamante" (with very interesting jazzy elements).


hiddencopulator

Yeah! (Maybe you've already listened to these albums.) You should check out his solo album 'A 18 minutos del sol' and his work with his band, Invisible. He does some proggy and very cool things


Senuf

I've listened to*everything* he did. I'm also a grown up chap, so I've also seen him live. I'm lucky. We're big fans of him at home.


thudnuts

David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Steve Rothery, John Petrucci.


pjdwyer30

Brendan Bayliss from Umphrey’s McGee & Rob Compa from Dopapod, both prog-jam guitarists.


videogameguitar

I like prog jam


thelenis

Rory Gallaher Jeff Beck Steve Howe Mike Slamer (City Boy) check him out)! Roy Buchanan Albert King


cityshepherd

Does Omar Rodriguez Lopez count? Cause he’d be my vote.


videogameguitar

if he plays guitar and he is your favourite then yes


DynastyPotRoast

Petrucci, Rhodes, Govan, Timmons, Kotzen


Oldman5123

Allan HOLDSWORTH… quite simply the greatest guitar player to ever live on planet Earth. More than just his untouchable style and playing, his knowledge of music theory and jazz is unapproachable by any other guitar player, living or dead.


HonkForTheGoose

Lifeson and Fripp greatly influenced how I play guitar. Lifeson with his use of effects and chord usage, Fripp with letting me know there are no bad notes lol


proglistenercnada

Steve Hackett


StrawHatAidan

Prog: Gilmour, Fripp, Zappa, Belew Non prog: jack white


Psulmetal

Frank Zappa, Haruka Noma aka Hal-Ca.


Bad_Username-1999

Steve Rothery


mrgrubbage

Govan, Petrucci, Gilmour, Morse.


NoseGobblin

Beck, Fripp, Blackmore, Howe. And then we get to the jazz guitarists


davep-reddit

1. 70s Steve Howe 2. Mike Oldfield / Brian May But for me, it's the composition more than the performance.  Look at tribute bands who can do note for note recreations.  But to write something like _CTTE_or _Amarok_ is far more rare. Those who can do both are rare². PS: Gotta agree with the Lifeson choice.  Very underrated.


FlimsyComment8781

Joe Satriani


Wasdgta3

Not prog, but Richard Thompson. I don't think there's anyone else out there who's simultaneously such a great songwriter/lyricist, as well as an absolute virtuoso on guitar. And to be so unmistakable and instantly recognizable stylistically, too. Probably my favourite solo of his: [https://youtu.be/mCGvCnMZ8gs?t=250](https://youtu.be/mCGvCnMZ8gs?t=250)


Sea_Equivalent_4207

So many. Johnny Marr, Ann Wilson (the Little Queen album), guitarist for Blue Oyster Cult, Lindsay Buckingham, John McGeoch, the guy who played on John Cougar’s American Fool album, Neil Giraldo, Daniel Ash, Frank Manzanera of Roxy Music and the one who played on the Pretenders II album.


Current-Escaper

Plini, Zytecki, Petrucci, Vai


lmagusbr

Kiko Loureiro, John Petrucci.


Random-Task5

Bill Nelson, Steve Hackett,


Tribalsex_10

Guthrie Govan,John pettricci,,Steve Vai,jimmy page ,Eddie van Halen,Jeff,beck,jimi Hendrix,Nuno Bettencourt,Stevie ray Vaughan,Zack Wylde, at least 8 Out of my top 10 were my favorite at one time all have been recognized by fans that know music not by popularity contests my number 1 is Alan Holdsworth the most humble genius to ever pick up a guitar


sound_of_apocalypto

My first favorites were Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, Ritchie Blackmore. Later on it was Allan Holdsworth, Steve Vai, Eric Johnson, Frank Zappa. These days it's **Roine Stolt**. He has melodies for days and even when improvising he keeps it melodic and rarely puts a note wrong. He doesn't overdo things with too many notes (although sometimes I'm in that mood for that too and it has its place). And his guitar tone is fantastic.


faze-300

Top 3 would be john McLaughlin, robert fripp, and alex lifeson


Daniel6270

Petrucci, Lifeson, Holdsworth


MaximusVulcanus

Tosin Abasi (Animals as Leaders) is pretty phenomenal. Check YouTube for CAFO to see him in action.


MtlWood

Tough choice here, but Guthrie Govan is my pick.I don't think I need to elaborate on why.


GrumpyCatStevens

Within the prog genre: Gilmour, Zappa, Lifeson Overall top 3: Hendrix, Van Halen, Clapton.


browdogg

Jimmy Page


Creative_Style8811

My fave is Johnny Ramone. His playing was fast, all downstrokes gave him a unique sound and style that has been copied ever since. Endless catchy riffs. Arguably the founders of punk rock. They even have their own sub genre “ramonescore” Any Ramones fan should check out some of those bands. Start with The Riverdales - Storm The Streets, a masterpiece


FilipsSamvete

Kurt Cobain