Great Guitar

This is a short collection of some of the great guitarist both living and dead. It is by no means a complete list of my favorite players as don't intend to write "The Guitarist Guide" version of The Stand. Maybe someone will draw interest and inspiration from this list and uncover some new flavors for there ears. Let the list begin:

Steve Morse: Steve is one of the All Round Greatest Guitarist Alive today. He combined mind boggling chops, a picking hand from another dimension with an excellent feel for melody and taste. He also happens to be one of the all time greatest composers for instrumental guitar, well adept in Rock/Metal/Blues/Classical/Country etc. You name it Steve plays it. To top it off he's a very low key, humble guy and one of the hardest working guitarist over the past 30 years. You can hear Steve with his former band the Dixie Dregs, his solo band Steve Morse Band as well as his current band, Deep Purple. Actually, Steve's still currently active with all three bands. 

Frank Zappa: Along with Aaron Copland and Charles Ives frank was one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century. In addition to that Frank was a mighty fine guitar player as well. His playing was truely his own. My favorite Album in terms of composition was probably Hot Rats though it's hard for me to really pick a favorite so I suggest you decide for yourself Frank Zappa

Gary Moore: A guitar legend amoung guitarist and virtually unknown amoung the masses, Gary Moore is one of the best Blues/Rock Guitarist to ever put on a guitar. From his teenage days in the band Skid Row (not the 80's Band) to his stints with Thin Lizzy and various other side projects such as the great Greg Lake and Gary Moore live album, as well as the lesser known BBM to his numerous solo projects Gary Moore he never fails to amaze.  

Steve Howe: Steve is best known as the guitarist for the Classic Prog Band Yes. Steve was somewhat of an unorthodox Rock Guitarist in the sense he didn't use distortion and played what was closer to Jazz and Classical runs rather than the typical pentatonic lines of the British Blues Rock Scene. Steve is adept in a variety of styles including finger style classical guitar, his solo piece from the Fragile album "Mood for a Day" shows off his classical side, while his solo piece "Clap" from The Yes Album showcase his all round style, drawing elements from both Classical and Ragtime to Blues and Country. Steve Howe also has several solo albums and side projects to his credit.

Jimi Hendrix: Jimi needs no introduction being one of the most recognized figures to ever set a Strat on fire. Jimi was a self contained entity impossible to seperate the Rock Star/Entertainer from the Guitarist/ Singer from the Visionary/Poet, the real Jimi from the Legend. An outstanding lead player, Jimi was perhaps the greatest rythym guitarist the Rock World has ever known. Jimi was one of a kind which is really the only way to describe him.

David Gilmour: Pink Floyd guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour is one of Rock's Alltime tastiest Players. Dave has the uncanny knack to always play the right note at the right time complete with beautiful tone, an outstanding bending technique, emotional musical phrasing and a signature sound all his own. You can pick Mr. Gimour's playing out in a heartbeat amongst a thousand other guitarist. The True Voice and Sound of Pink Floyd (Sorry Roger).

Ronie Stolt: The relatively low profile musical visionary/voice of The Flower Kings. Oh yea, Ronie happens to be one of the finest guitarist around. His playing at times can be David Gilmour like with hints of Steve Hackett, Steve Howe, and Frank Zappa tossed in for good measure. Yet at the same time he manages to secure his own signature guitar voice combining Blues/Rock/Prog/Jazz and Classical lines into his playing.