# In terms of pure skill and ability to push the envelope, who are the greatest guitarist of all time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 5, 2013, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059 "2013-03-05T01:43:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/41 "2013-03-05T19:10:27Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Eric Clapton, and Phil Keaggy are two of my top guitar guys that tour. > [Phil Keaggy ripping the guitar.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T3to3DHLIE) I saw Keaggy sometime in the 90’s and he blew me away. It’s even more impressive knowing that he is considered an expert “finger style” guitarist (according to Wikipdia) but he is missing half his middle finger on his right hand. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/42 "2013-03-05T19:13:19Z")
Just because no one has mentioned them yet Steve Cropper Link Wray Dick Dale Eddie Hazel ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/43 "2013-03-05T19:21:09Z")
Doc Watson was in a league by himself. Awesome talent. I need to get _Legacy_ on my mp3 player ASAP. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/44 "2013-03-05T19:32:05Z")
For all his clowning, [Roy Clark](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipweRXwPFiQ) does a hell of a job. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/45 "2013-03-05T19:37:08Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > See post #18. Whoops! OK, here’s one I’m pretty sure nobody mentioned: [Sabicas](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabicas), generally considered the greatest [flamenco guitarist](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZkWa4MaNxQ) of the 20th century. Oh yeah, and [Merle Travis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_Travis)… how many guitarists have a style named after them? ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/46 "2013-03-05T19:38:58Z")
Skill and innovation is going to be a different from my favorite guitarists list. I love Petrucci, but he doesn’t push the envelope (in his genre) as much as some of the guys below. (Yes, he pushes it more than the vast majority of rock/blues guitarists, but that’s largely a part of a genre that was established ahead of him.) Likewise, I enjoy Satriani and Vai, but I don’t see them venturing off the trodden path. The already mentioned Robert Fripp. The first King Crimson album is amazing. He’s forged new styles and pulled other styles into rock. Jimi Hendrix. I don’t care as much for his music as others do, but I can’t deny skill. He seems like the most innovative of the blues-based guitarists of the era. I prefer Clapton, but Jimi was way farther outside the box. Tom Morello. He’s not as skilled on the fretboard as Fripp or Hendrix (or at least not as showy about it), but the way he plays with the role and sound of a guitar is fun an innovative. Frank Zappa, though I think he was far more innovative as a band leader and composer than as a guitarist. The Shut Up ‘n’ Play Yer Guitar series is an interesting enough listen for his guitar work that his other strengths pull him onto my list. As much as he’s knocked at the top of this thread, Al di Meola deserves mention for pushing boundaries and skill. I don’t care for jazz, and I’m no fan of his music, but there’s no denying his skill or ability to push the envelope. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/47 "2013-03-05T19:42:33Z")
[Leo Kottke](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJthGsBB5YQ) amazing fingerstyle and 12-string work. Heck, [have another one.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tew_fIhz3eY) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Conqueror\_Worm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@The\_Conqueror\_Worm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Conqueror_Worm)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/48 "2013-03-05T20:16:57Z")
I’m going to show **Larry Carlton** a bit of love. FYI, he is the guy that laid down most of the guitar tracks for **Steely Dan** way back when. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/49 "2013-03-05T20:26:37Z")
[Jeff](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiabIo-8zKU) [Linsky](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl_KMjHB4n4) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/50 "2013-03-05T21:09:53Z")
As always I have to go with Steve Morse above all others. I’m very glad I was able to see Michael Hedges once before he died. On the acoustic side I think he pushed the envelope the most. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/51 "2013-03-05T21:35:40Z")
[What](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfVf7N8CJEA) [about](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R9tEb3Dl2c) [Charo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68M-dgVq7fY). ---
**Author:** ![Rib\_Eye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/53a042/32.png) [@Rib\_Eye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rib_Eye)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/52 "2013-03-06T00:22:55Z")
Randy Rhoads. 'Nuff said. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/53 "2013-03-06T00:35:23Z")
Michael Hedges Richard Thompson Hendrix Leo Kottke ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/54 "2013-03-06T01:00:01Z")
I’m not a guitarist, but I’d also add Robert Cray and Lightning Hopkins. The other 2 on my list, already mentioned, Santana and Mark knopfler. ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/55 "2013-03-06T19:42:26Z")
Ry Cooder ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/56 "2013-03-06T19:56:42Z")
Adrian Belew ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/57 "2013-03-06T20:19:56Z")
Where Dick Dale is the ultimate shredder of guitar instrumentals, [Paul Johnson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuEVLHA4mHw) is the ultimate technician of that genre. (Something’s seriously wrong with the world when the composer of “Mr. Moto” doesn’t even have his own wikipedia page.) ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/58 "2013-03-06T20:26:22Z")
All these lists… I always thought “guitarist” was singular…? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Greekfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@Greekfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greekfreak)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/59 "2013-03-07T00:54:10Z")
Johnny Marr Steve Stevens Mel Brown Johnny Thunders Guitar Slim John McLaughlin Eddie Van Halen David Pritchard All the wizards from Thin Lizzy ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059/60 "2013-03-07T01:40:56Z")
I’ve enjoyed this thread a lot. Loads of folk I didn’t know about, but now do. Can’t say I’m a huge fan of the more technical (?) stuff, but whatever, it’s just an opinion. Richard Thompson is ace, and I didn’t know I knew some of his stuff, he’s also warm and funny: [Richard Thompson - Oops I Did It Again - YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4WGsMplGxU) (It’s a Britney song) Kevin Shields must be mentioned in terms of what is possible to do with guitars [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-terms-of-pure-skill-and-ability-to-push-the-envelope-who-are-the-greatest-guitarist-of-all-time/652059.md?page=4)