Top 10 Greatest Guitarists, According to Rolling Stone Magazine
,
prominent American guitarist, singer and songwriter. In 2009, Time magazine named Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time. Widely recognized as one of the most daring and inventive virtuosos in rock history.
,
prominent American guitarist bands The Allman Brothers Band, which he created with his brother Greg. Also known as a session guitarist.
,
According to one critic, "BBC King introduced us to a sophisticated guitar solo style based on smooth bending and brilliant vibrato that has influenced almost every follower of the electric guitar blues." One of his most famous compositions is "The Thrill Is Gone" (1969).
,
His nickname is "slow hand" (eng. Slowhand). Clapton became one of the most respected and influential musical figures in the rock era. His style has changed over time, but he's always stuck to his blues roots. He played with blues-rock bands (John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds), with hard rock bands (Cream), worked a lot solo and as a session musician.
,
legendary American musician and songwriter, one of the most famous bluesmen of the 20th century.
,
American singer, guitarist, songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll.
,
One of the most famous and influential guitarists in the world. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine named Stevie Ray Vaughn number seven on its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists, and Classic Rock magazine ranked him number three on their list of "The 100 Greatest Guitarists". cool heroes guitars" in 2007.
,
American guitarist, singer, songwriter and record producer. Known, among other things, for his masterful execution of the glissando technique. One of the most successful projects was the combined group Buena Vista Social Club.
,
English musician, arranger, composer, music producer and prominent rock guitarist who pioneered Led Zeppelin and until the very end remained the musical "brain" of the group. Before that, he was known as a session guitarist and member of The Yardbirds (from the end of 1966 to 1968).
,
English guitarist and poet, who together with Mick Jagger make up the unchanging backbone legendary rock band The Rolling Stones.
Rolling Stone recently decided to update their 2003 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
RS assembled a panel of renowned guitarists and other experts and asked them to list their favorite virtuosos and explain what made them stand out from the crowd. Keith Richards talks about Chuck Berry, Carlos Santana talks about Jerry Garcia, Tom Petty talks about George Harrison.
Among the experts were even the participants of this very rating: Ritchie Blackmore, Lenny Kravitz, Warren Haynes, Brian May, Tom Morello, Dave Mustaine, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen and others.
The list is headed by the great Jimi Hendrix. Behind him are Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.
So, your attention is presented to the list of the Top 100 great guitarists of all time:
1. Jimi Hendrix
Tom Morello (American Grammy-winning guitarist; played in bands such as Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave-
Jimi Hendrix turned our idea of what rock music could be: his instruments were the guitar, the studio and the stage. On songs like "Machine Gun" and "Voodoo Chile", his guitar becomes the voice of the roaring sixties, and on "Star-Spangled Banner" riots in the streets and bombs are heard. He played casually. Among all his records, there is not a second where you can hear that he is making an effort. The music seems to flow freely through it. His most beautiful song is "Little Wing". A guitarist can analyze this song all his life and still not unravel its secrets, not penetrate into its essence the way Jimi does. He weaves chords and sequences of single notes using moves not found in any textbook.
His solos acted like LSD, taking the listener to that crossroads where the devil himself got punched in the face by Jimi. There is some debate as to which guitarist was the first to use feedback - it doesn't matter, because Hendrix used it better than anyone anyway. He took what became known as funk in the seventies and ran it through a Marshall amp in a way that no one had done since. It is not known what Jimi would be doing today, but he seemed to be a very resourceful person. Maybe he would have become the elder of rock, Sir Jimi Hendrix. Or live somewhere in Vegas... In any case, you can be sure of his title of the greatest guitarist of all time.
Key tracks: "Little Wing", "Purple Haze", "Foxey Lady", "The Star-Spangled Banner", "Hey Joe"
2. Eric Clapton
Eddie Van Halen (American guitarist, founder of the eponymous hard rock band Van Halen)- approx. ed.) explains his choice:
In fact, Eric Clapton is the only guitarist who really influenced me, even though I don't play like him. There is simplicity in his playing, in his style, in the sound and mood of his music. He just took a Gibson, plugged it into a Marshall amp, and that was it. It's the basics, it's the blues. His solos were melodic and easy to remember, I could sing them to you - that's how it should be, guitar solos should be part of the song. I really liked Cream's live recordings, because you can hear that three people are playing on them. When you turn on "I'm So Glad" with "Goodbye", you can clearly hear the three. Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker were jazzmen and they kept Clapton moving forward.
I once read what Eric said about those times: "I had no idea what I was doing." He was just trying to keep up with the others. After the breakup of Cream, he changed. When he started playing "I Shot The Sheriff" and stuff like that, performing with Delaney And Bonnie, his style changed. Or at least it sounded different. He concentrated on singing rather than playing the guitar.
I respect him for everything he did and for what he is doing now, but it was his early work that inspired me and made me pick up the guitar. I can still play some of those solos now - they are forever engraved in my memory. That bluesy sound remains the foundation of modern rock guitar music.
Key tracks:"Bell Bottom Blues", "Crossroads", "White Room"
3. Jimmy Page
Listening to how Jimmy Page plays, you can be carried away into unknown distances. As a lead guitarist, he always plays what needs to be played. this moment He has impeccable taste. His solo in "Heartbreaker" is surprisingly direct, he plays to the limit of his abilities, but still achieves an amazing result. But talking about him, you can not evaluate his guitar playing in isolation from everything else.
Working as a session guitarist and playing in The Yardbirds, Jimmy gained tremendous experience, so when recording the first Led Zeppelin album, he knew exactly what sound he wanted to achieve. He knew how to go beyond the stereotype that it was possible to play the guitar. If you carefully follow the guitar part in "The Song Remains The Same", you can see how it changes, it becomes quieter, then louder, then quieter again. Jimmy wrote, played and produced the songs himself. I can't think of any guitarist since Les Paul who could boast the same.
Key tracks:"Dazed And Confused", "Heartbreaker", "Kashmir".
4. Keith Richards
Niels Lofgren (singer, guitarist from the E Street Band - ed.) explains his choice:
I remember hearing "Satisfaction" as a schoolboy - I was shocked. This combination of riff and chord progression. Keith wrote two- or three-note themes that were more effective than any solo. Listen to him play lead and rhythm guitar on "Gimme Shelter". In my opinion, no one else could create such a gloomy atmosphere. At the same time, there is enough space left between Keith's parts for Jagger's vocals. In addition, Richards is better than anyone else at handling non-traditional settings. I remember playing the chorus of "Beast Of Burden" and thinking, "The chords are right, but it doesn't sound like Keith at all." He used some special tuning, such that the guitar sang. This is the basis of any outstanding guitar part on The Rolling Stones records: Keith finds a tuning that allows him to forget about the technique - pressing, muting the strings - and directly express what he feels. I went to Keith's concert with the X-Pensive Winos. In the dressing room, he started playing the Chuck Berry riff. I've never heard it played like that in my life. I love Chuck Berry, but Keith played much better. Not in terms of technique - his playing was very emotional, and it touched me. Keith means as much to me as Chuck means to him.
Key tracks:"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", "Gimme Shelter".
5. Jeff Beck
Mike Campbell (guitarist and one of the founders of the Heartbreakers - approx. ed.) explains his choice:
Jeff Beck is a combination of outstanding technique and personal charm. It's like he's saying, "I'm Jeff Beck, I'm here, and I can't be ignored." Already in The Yardbirds, the sound of his instrument was melodic and defiant - juicy, prickly, catchy, but at the same time harmonious. It was immediately clear that he was a serious musician and gave his best. He didn't hold back his strength. In order to play with a vocalist, to have a dialogue with him and to push him, you need a special skill. This is the merit of two albums recorded by Jeff with Rod Stewart: "Truth" in 1968 and "Beck-Ola" in 1969. He does not interfere with Rod, he minds his own business. In addition, Beck managed to expand the boundaries of the blues. "Beck's Bolero" from "Truth" doesn't sound like blues at all, but it's blues at its core. One of my favorite Jeff songs is the cover of "I Ain't Superstitious" with "Truth". It is played with humor - remember that "croaking" guitar.
As great as Clapton is, I don't think he has that sense of humor. Jeff definitely has it. When Beck started playing fusion, I was instantly hooked on the cover of Stevie Wonder's "'Cause We've Ended As Lovers" from Blow By Blow. The sound of the guitar was so pure and gentle that it seemed as if there was a vocal part. But in fact, it was all played by Jeff. Last year I saw him play at a casino in San Diego and his guitar was talking. His playing was so lyrical that the absence of the vocalist was not noticed at all. Jeff is confident, he plays soulfully and does everything to keep his mark and remain a great performer. After that concert, I went home and started studying. You could say he taught me a lesson: If you want to be Jeff Beck, work hard.
Key tracks:"Beck's Bolero", "Freeway Jam", "A Day In The Life", "I Ain't Superstitious", "Heart Full Of Soul".
6. B.B. King
William Gibbons explains his choice:
B.B.'s playing style was influenced by the music he heard in early childhood. He grew up in Indianola, Mississippi, and is old enough to remember the songs of the workers and blues stalwarts like Charlie Patton and Robert Johnson. In addition, he was influenced by the minimalist style of T-Bone Walker. All this is heard in the melodies that BB sings, and in the way his guitar sings. bb play in short sentences but very lively, rich sound. He has good technique, clear phrasing. He is recognizable, his solos are sophisticated, the melodies are so intelligible that they are easy to record with notes. Not like John Lee Hooker - he's too complex to write down. BB is a born lead guitarist. BB has two signature moves that I was dying to master. He was the first to play this phrase: first he plays two notes, then he changes to another string and plays a note with a slide up. Now you can wake me up at night, and I will play like that. And he also sometimes plays a phrase of two or three notes and takes the last note with a band. Both of these tricks make you want to move - you can fall off your chair. The turning point in his work was in 1965, when BB released "Live At The Regal" - then he found the sound that he does not part with to this day: the front pickup is in antiphase with the rear one, it turns out such a rounded sound. BB also still uses a Gibson amplifier, long out of production. This combination is the secret of his sound. Only BB's guitar sounds like that.
Key tracks:"3 O'Clock Blues", "The Thrill Is Gone", "Sweet Little Angel".
7. Chuck Berry
Keith Richards explains his choice:
When I saw Chuck Berry as a teenager on Jazz On A Summer's Day, he was playing with a bunch of jazz guys. They were brilliant guys—Joe Jones on drums, Jack Teagarden on trombone—but they had that snobbery that jazz guys sometimes suffer from: “Oh, that rock and roll of yours.” And I was struck by the fact that Chuck played them against the grain. He played "Sweet Little Sixteen" and took them all by storm despite being hostile. I think it's the real blues. This is the right approach and real courage. And I myself wanted to be the same, with the only difference that I was white. I listened to Chuck and filmed all his parts. What Chuck learned from T-Bone Walker, I learned from Chuck, Muddy Waters, Elmore James and B.B. King. We are all part of the same family, the pedigree of which goes back thousands of years. All of us, by and large, simply pass on knowledge by inheritance. Chuck played slightly warmed up Chicago blues, the kind of guitar boogie that everyone was playing back then. But Chuck took it to new heights. He was a little younger than the bluesmen of his time, and his songs had more commercial potential, but at the same time they were not pop - this is difficult to achieve. Chuck had drive, and that's what rock and roll is all about. In addition, on early records he had an excellent line-up: Willie Dixon on bass, Johnny Johnson on piano, Abby Hardy or Freddie Bellow on drums. They understood what the essence of his music was, and just swung along with him. You can’t imagine a better composition. With Chuck it’s hard to find mutual language and it always annoyed me because he wrote such funny and smart songs. The old son of a bitch just turned eighty-five. I wish him all the best. I would like to go up to him and say: "Hey, Chuck, let's have a drink." But that won't work with him.
Key tracks:"Johnny B. Goode", "Maybellene", "Roll Over Beethoven".
8 Eddie Van Halen
Mike McCready (Pearl Jam guitarist - ed.) explains his choice:
One day, when I was eleven, I was sitting at my guitar teacher's house and he played "Eruption". It seemed like sounds from another planet. I was learning basic chords, AC/DC riffs, deep purple etc. I didn't really get into "Eruption", but it sounded amazing. The impression was as strong as from the first acquaintance with Mozart. Eddie is a master at riffing: "Unchained", "Take Your Whiskey Home", the beginning of "Ain't Talking 'Bout Love". Sometimes he makes the instrument produce sounds that are not typical for a guitar: some overtones, texture of sounds are the result of his specific playing style. A lot of it is in his hands, the way he holds the pick between his thumb and middle finger, which allows him to tap. (When I found out that he plays like that, I tried it myself, but it turned out to be too unusual for me.) But besides the technique, Eddie has a soul.
With him the same thing as with Hendrix - you can play note for note what he wrote, but there will be a twist that will not be repeated. This highlight in Eddie's game is still there. I saw Van Halen live during the reunion two years ago, and as soon as Eddie stepped on the stage, I felt again what I felt as a child. The master is immediately visible.
Key tracks:"Eruption", "Ain't Talking 'Bout Love", "Hot For Teacher".
9. Duane Allman
Robert Randolph explains his choice:
I grew up playing slide guitar in church - my job was to imitate the human voice. When the preacher or one of the old choristers stopped singing, we would jump in - we had to pick up the tune and play it exactly as they would sing it. This method Duane Allman brought to a new level. He played much more accurately than his predecessors. When I first heard the old Allman Brothers Band records, I found it strange how similar they sounded to the music I grew up listening to. Listen to "Layla" - especially towards the end, where Dwayne plays with a slide. I put this record on rippit before going to bed. As guitarists, we practice all the time, but this is the case when you want to put the guitar down and just listen.
Eric Clapton told me that he knew that working with Dane would revolutionize guitar music. They knew what they wanted to achieve and they achieved it. Eric recalled that he was very nervous, afraid to play a duet with another guitarist, but it was very easy with Dwayne - he just said: "Let's play!" Dwayne died young. It was clear that if he had survived, he would have played fifty times better. But God was pleased to take his soul, and we still have his music. I have all of Dwayne's records on my iPod. I listen to The Allman Brothers Band almost every day.
Key tracks:"Statesboro Blues", "Whipping Post", "Blue Sky".
10. Pete Townshend
Andy Summers explains his choice:
Pete Townshend doesn't play solo often, which is probably why so many people don't realize how good he is. But he is a very important figure in rock music - a visionary who brought a living spark to it. He's a very aggressive rhythm guitarist - wild in a way. There is an energy in his playing that you rarely see, his music is a reflection of his personality, Pete is very the strong man. He can be called the world's first punk, because it was he who first broke the guitar on stage. Back then, something like this was breathtaking. In addition, he is very educated. He loves to listen to jazz, and he told me that this is the kind of music he would like to play. On "Substitute," the chord progression combined with the D on an open string is influenced by Miles Davis' modal jazz. He started using feedback early - I think it was influenced by the European avant-garde, composers like Stockhausen - because he studied at art school. Loud ringing guitar chords that Pete often used when playing The Who, were a very lucky find considering how intense the bassist and drummer were in this band. One could say that Pete invented the power chord - The Who's music of the sixties in this sense anticipates Led Zeppelin. Much of what they used was invented by Pete.
Key tracks:"My Generation", "I Can See for Miles", "Summertime Blues".
| Top 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time (Rolling Stone) | |
|---|---|
| Place | Executor |
| 1 | Jimi Hendrix |
| 2 | Eric Clapton |
| 3 | Jimmy Page |
| 4 | Keith Richards |
| 5 | Jeff Beck |
| 6 | B.B. King |
| 7 | Chuck Berry |
| 8 | Eddie Van Halen |
| 9 | Duane Allman |
| 10 | Pete Townshend |
| 11 | George Harrison |
| 12 | Stevie Ray Vaughan |
| 13 | Albert King |
| 14 | David Gilmour |
| 15 | freddy king |
| 16 | Derek Trucks |
| 17 | Neil Young |
| 18 | Les Paul |
| 19 | James Burton |
| 20 | Carlos Santana |
| 21 | Chet Atkins |
| 22 | Frank Zappa |
| 23 | Buddy Guy |
| 24 | Angus Young |
| 25 | Tony Iommi |
| 26 | Brian May |
| 27 | Bo Diddley |
| 28 | Johnny Ramone |
| 29 | Scotty Moore |
| 30 | Elmore James |
| 31 | Ry Cooder |
| 32 | Billy Gibbons |
| 33 | Prince |
| 34 | Curtis Mayfield |
| 35 | John Lee Hooker |
| 36 | Randy Rhoads |
| 37 | Mick Taylor |
| 38 | The Edge |
| 39 | Steve Cropper |
| 40 | Tom Morello |
| 41 | Mick Ronson |
| 42 | Mike Bloomfield |
| 43 | Hubert Sumlin |
| 44 | Mark Knopfler |
| 45 | Link Wray |
| 46 | Jerry Garcia |
| 47 | Stephen Stills |
| 48 | Jonny Greenwood |
| 49 | Muddy Waters |
| 50 | Ritchie Blackmore |
| 51 | Johnny Marr |
| 52 | Clarence White |
| 53 | Otis Rush |
| 54 | Joe Walsh |
| 55 | John Lennon |
| 56 | Albert Collins |
| 57 | Rory Gallagher |
| 58 | Peter Green |
| 59 | Robbie Robertson |
| 60 | Ron Asheton |
| 61 | Dickey Betts |
| 62 | Robert Fripp |
| 63 | Johnny Winter |
| 64 | Duane Eddy |
| 65 | Slash |
| 66 | Leslie West |
| 67 | T-Bone Walker |
| 68 | John McLaughlin |
| 69 | Richard Thompson |
| 70 | Jack White |
| 71 | Robert Johnson |
| 72 | John Frusciante |
| 73 | Kurt Cobain |
| 74 | Dickdale |
| 75 | Joni Mitchell |
| 76 | Robby Krieger |
| 77 | Willie Nelson |
| 78 | John Fahey |
| 79 | Mike Campbell |
| 80 | Buddy Holly |
| 81 | Lou Reed |
| 82 | Nels Cline |
| 83 | Eddie Hazel |
| 84 | Joe Perry |
| 85 | Andy Summers |
| 86 | J Mascis |
| 87 | James Hetfield |
| 88 | Carl Perkins |
| 89 | Bonnie Raitt |
| 90 | Tom Verlaine |
| 91 | Dave Davies |
| 92 | Dimebag Darrell |
| 93 | Paul Simon |
| 94 | Peter Buck |
| 95 | Roger McGuinn |
| 96 | Bruce Springsteen |
| 97 | Steve Jones |
| 98 | Alex Lifeson |
| 99 | Thurston Moore |
| 100 | Lindsey Buckingham |
Help: Rolling Stone
Often, when watching a band perform or listening to a favorite song, we notice only the vocalist and completely forget about other musicians, namely, guitarists. But they play a key role in the activities of the groups, and many of them write melodies, which then will sit in your head for a long time ... We invite you to look at the most successful and great guitarists of all time and peoples. Each of them is good in its own way, but they are all united in one thing - they have made an invaluable contribution to the development different styles music.
1. Jimi Hendrix
It's not that Hendrix was more advanced in terms of guitar playing than his contemporaries. The fact is that he did everything more naturally. He was a creative person, as if he did not make any effort in his work. Hendrix himself personified the music he played. 2. Keith Richards
There's a reason people are willing to go to great lengths to watch Richards play. Of course, this guitarist is no longer at the peak of his powers, but this is definitely a person who created a lot of amazing and diverse songs and melodies. His guitar playing has always been innovative, and his use of ever-changing approaches has always been at the heart of the Rolling Stones' sonic sound. 3. BB King
Riley B King from the American town of Indianola, Mississippi, plunged into the blues almost from birth. His minimalist style and pure musical "narrative" have influenced generations of guitarists. Now 87, he is still the king of the blues and plays about 100 shows a year. 4 Eddie Van Halen
Van Halen's skill comes in part from how he plays the guitar. He mastered the tapping technique to perfection and even improved it. He is now 55 and continues to tour. 5. Django Reinhardt
Perhaps this is the first major European jazz musician, which played "jumping". Reinhardt's original style has become a musical tradition in French Gypsy culture. It is known that Reinhardt played all his guitar solos with two fingers, after he damaged two other fingers on his hand in a fire. 6. Mark Knopfler
One of the most respected fingerpicking guitarists of his generation. Knopfler's precision and melodiousness greatly slowed down the evolution of the punk scene in the late 70s. 7. Robert Johnson
There's a good reason that every article about Robert Johnson is accompanied by the same iconic photograph of him, because only two portraits of this blues musician have survived. Most Johnson spent his life outside of commercial success, playing on the streets or in diners, but he remains perhaps one of the most pivotal blues musicians in history. 8. Stevie Ray Vaughn
Stevie Ray Vaughn (right) left school at 17 and immersed himself in the world of music, working with blues musicians like Albert King and Muddy Waters, as well as rock musicians like Lonnie Mac and his idol Jimi Hendrix. Vaughn developed his own original style with a characteristic bold sound and, together with the group "Double Trouble" for seven years, enjoyed a successful musical career. Tragically, Vaughn died in a helicopter crash in Wisconsin. 9. Ry Cooder
Charismatic, versatile and extraordinary musician. He is best known for his main role at the Buena Vista Club. Cooder started out as a teenager and a promising blues musician, and to this day remains famous for his exquisite "glide" while playing the guitar. 10. Lonnie Johnson
An innovator in the field of jazz guitar and guitar solo on the same string. Johnson had a fairly successful commercial career. He is one of the few guitarists who can claim to have laid the foundation for blues and rock, and his influence has left a mark on the work of almost every electric blues guitarist who was born after him. 11. Carlos Santana
The "glassy" tone of Santana's guitar playing is recognizable as soon as he appears in the song. And this can not be said about all the musicians who are represented in this list. Santana's characteristic fusion of Latin rhythms, blues and jazz has become almost a cult, and his dizzyingly colorful outfits and a 65-year (!) career have deservedly led him to 10 Grammy awards and three Latin Grammy awards. 12. Jimmy Page
The guitarist of Led Zeppelin became one of the best "set the rhythm" of all time. However, he is also one of the greatest composers and producers in the world of rock. With such an extensive array of songs, solos and rhythms, Page easily became one of the titans of the industry. 13. Paco de Lucia
Definitely the greatest of all living representatives of flamenco on the guitar. De Lucia is an incredibly technical and talented guitarist. His work with John McLaughlin and Larry Coriel resulted in one of the most exciting albums ever written in the world of guitar music. 14. Eric Clapton
The only three-time winner of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton revolutionized guitar playing and became one of the most respected and influential musical figures in the rock era. His style has changed over time, but he's always stuck to his blues roots. 15. Brian May
The Commander of the Order of the British Empire is also a rock legend. His guitar playing is a real theatrical performance, and the list of Queen hits to which he had a hand is truly impressive. 16. Chet Atkins
Atkins mastered a huge number of styles - from country to jazz and classical. He developed own style 4 finger guitar games to play both melody and chords at the same time. He resurrected country music with a Nashville sound that is now integral to the musician's personality. 17. Slash
The Guns N' Roses guitarist wrote some of the most memorable tunes of all time, and his solos - on songs like "November Rain", "Sweet Child o' Mine" and more - have gone down in history. Guns N' Roses may be trying to replicate the success of their first album, but Slash's playing has always been successful. 18. Chuck Berry
Berry is best known for his formative rhythms and blues. As a result, he served as an inspiration for artists such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. As a guitarist, Chuck Berry was economical and clean, but as a showman, he was bright and witty. 19. David Gilmour
Gilmour's elegant solos, sometimes dreamy, sometimes melodic, became the basis of the band's music. Pink Floyd". His solos in the compositions "Comfortably Numb", "Time" and "Money" have forever stuck in the soul of many music lovers. He managed to create a sound that can not be confused with anything. 20. Jeff Beck
Like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, Beck is one of three famous guitarists who played with The Yardbirds. For this, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and then he entered there again thanks to his solo activities. The 68-year-old guitarist has produced some of the most exciting and mind-blowing guitar melodies in recent history music. And although he is no longer as commercially successful as many of his contemporaries, he is his influence in music world cannot be underestimated. This guitarist is known for his tapping technique - a very complex playing style that is not immediately given to every musician. He never took a lesson from a professional in his entire life. At 55, he still pleases the audience with virtuoso performances.
9. David Gilmour
Who does not remember the world famous guitarist and one of the leaders of the Pink Floyd group. His dreamy and melodic solos have become the hallmark of the band. If you don't know who is the soloist in Comfortably Numb or Time and Money, then know - it's David Gilmour.
8. Slash
This is the guitarist for Guns N' Roses. His real name is Saul Hudson. He is known for his solos on Sweet Child o' Mine, November Rain, Paradise City, etc. With Slash, the band reached its peak.
7. Brian May
6. Jimmy Page
One of the most famous producers and rock composers. The "musical brain" of Led Zeppelin, the creator of their unique style. Known for his guitar solo on the song Stairway to heaven.
5. Chuck Berry
Blues virtuoso and creator of formative rhythms. Known for his hits Roll Over Beethoven, Johnny B. Goode, etc., which were covered by the Rolling Stones, Beatles, The Animals, etc. Considered one of the most influential musicians of early rock and roll.
4. Dimebag Darrell
Guitar virtuoso, vocalist, one of the founders of the metal bands "Pantera" and "Damageplan". Known for his brutal riffs and harmonics. His guitar was called Dean From Hell
3. Keith Richards
This guitarist with his virtuoso playing in the Rolling Stones has gained many fans around the world. He created a large number of a wide variety of melodies, in addition, he is known for his huge collection, consisting of 3000 guitars. Together with Mick Jagger, he was the heart of the Rolling Stones.
2. Jeff Beck
We decided to give the second place in our unofficial rating to the guitarist who for a long time formed the backbone of The Yardbirds - Jeff Beck. His work has had a great influence on blues, hard rock and fusion. Despite the fact that he changed the direction of his activities, he everywhere succeeded.
1. Jimi HendrixJimi Hendrix
And, finally, the first place is occupied by a virtuoso guitarist, who himself personified the music he performed. Many critics point out that Jimi Hendrix expanded the range and vocabulary of the electric guitar and was also a huge influence on rock music. His talent was admired by such recognized musicians as Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Kurt Cobain, etc.
If you decide to learn how to play guitar rock, then your swim in the world of music, one way or another, will begin with the purchase of an acoustic or electric guitar. Now there are quite a few different manufacturers, types and lines of guitars for each of them. Even, sometimes, the eyes run wide. I will touch on the subject of choosing a guitar in future articles, but for now let's look at top ten guitars in the world, in the sound of which you can be more than sure. After all, it is not enough to know a couple of simple chords, learn the pentatonic boxes, be able to play the barre, or own several options for replacing the F chord, you also need to have a good, reliable instrument. A guitar that not only sounds great, but also suits the style of music you choose.
Among the best of the best you will find not only electric guitars, but also acoustic guitars. Since rock artists sometimes give unplugged (acoustic) concerts using all sorts of guitars, in our guitar top will meet and instruments for classical music and jazz. So, welcome to the world of legendary guitars, to the world of the best ever created by man. Luckily for us, these guitars can still be found in music stores in our cities. They are known all over the world because they have become cult, like their producers.
Top 10: The Best Guitars in the World
1. Archtops D "Angelico
Archtops D "Angelico
A guitar luthier named John D'Angelico is the creator of some of the finest jazz guitars in the history of music. The instruments are called archtops. This word comes from a combination of English nouns arch (arc) and top (upper deck). Highly the exact name for guitars whose tops are not flat like those classical guitars(see below), but curved with an upper arc, like a violin. Another element that these instruments have in common with violins is resonators in the form latin letter f. Therefore, if you see an enlarged six-string violin with frets on the fingerboard in the nearest music store, you should know that this is one of the archtops, possibly d'Angelico.
D "Angelico are high-level cans that are still being produced and are mainly used in jazz. Although many famous bluesmen and rockers also like to use these wonderful instruments.
These archtops feature a rich and warm sound, elegant finishes and a careful choice of materials.
Years of release of D "Angelico archtops: from 1932 to 1964, from 2011 to the present day.
Many guitarists like to play not only jazz and blues, but also are fond of flamenco and adore classical music. For them, Ramirez classical guitars were created, which most musicians consider the best of their kind. These guitars are named after their creator José Ramirez. They have been produced since the middle of the 19th century and significantly influenced the further production of classical guitars. It was Ramirez who replaced the gut strings with nylon strings, which are now used in classical guitars and give us a rich sound.
Nowadays Ramirez guitars also delight us with great workmanship and deep sound. The price for them is not cheap, but the guitars are worth it. According to the Spanish tradition, the name of Jose Ramirez was carried by several guitar masters - his heirs. He is also considered the founder of the Madrid School of Guitar Making.
Ramirez Classical Guitar Years: mid XIX centuries to this day.
Duo Rodrigo y Gabriela - Orion (Metallica cover)
This wonderful guitar has been in production since 1963. It was thanks to her that we could hear the sonorous and deep sound of such famous bands as the Beatles and Byrds. These are full body 12 string electric guitars. Ringing sound of guitars early Beatles and Byrds is business card Rickenbacker 360-12. You will not confuse the sound of these guitars with any other guitars. The full-bodied design made the sound warm and not as "electric". Since the 1980s, these guitars have again been in demand by a new generation of musicians due to their unique sound.
Rickenbacker 360-12 model years: since 1963.
4. Martin D-28
Since 1931, Martin has been making acoustic and dreadnought guitars. The Martin D-28 is one of those guitars. Its distinctive feature is a booming bass tone and a large body. Thanks to this, compositions performed on the Martin D-28 become recognizable from the first notes. As a result, acoustic guitars with metal strings began to be made with such a design.
Years of production Martin D-28: since 1931.
Perhaps you remember a country virtuoso like Chet Atkins? (Chet Atkins). So, Gretsch 6120 is exactly his favorite musical instrument. However, this guitar was used by many rock and country fans in the 50s and 60s due to its bright sound and full-body construction. Produced since 1954.
Years of production Gretsch 6120: since 1954.
This is Gibson's first solid body electric guitar. It is considered one of the symbols of rock music and one of the most popular guitars in the world. Developed in early 1950 by Ted McCarthy and guitarist Les Paul. It has a rich base sound that makes it an excellent instrument for playing hard rock and heavy metal. The body of the Gibson Les Paul is made with a single cutout. The importance and popularity of this guitar is confirmed by the fact that the Les Paul 1959 Standard today costs no less than $75,000.
Gibson Les Paul Years: since 1952.
This is a famous acoustic guitar with strong sound and attractive appearance. The Gibson J-200, thanks to steel strings and a large body, has become actively used by country guitarists. The year of birth of this guitar is 1937. The finish of the guitar is also at the highest level: rosewood with a bright pattern, inlaid bridges with a shape that looks a bit like a mustache. Thanks to these characteristics, the Gibson J-200 has become one of the most popular acoustic guitars in the world, and rightfully entered into top ten guitars in the world.
This is a semi-body guitar. Developed since 1958. Its sound is reminiscent of large archtops and solid body guitars. This is exactly what the developers wanted to achieve when they released the Gibson ES-335. And they did it. The guitar has a distinctive acoustic tone that can be played in both jazz and rock 'n' roll. This guitar was admired by English guitarist Andy Summers.
Gibson ES-335 release years: since 1958.
The world famous solid body electric guitar with two pickups. Spectacular construction and remarkable sound set a new direction in the production of electric guitars. It was introduced in the fall of 1949 and was the first guitar of its kind to be produced in large numbers. Telecaster guitars have become popular among country guitarists. The construction of the guitar consists of an alder or ash body, a maple neck and standard electronics, which remains a classic to this day.
Fender Telecaster Model Years: since 1954.
And closes our top 10 guitars Fender Stratocaster. The guitar was designed by Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Frendy Tavares in 1954. It is still being produced, which proves its popularity. Its distinguishing features: original sound, small size compared to jazz archtops and streamlined contours. This is what made it the best electric guitar in the world, and every self-respecting music store should have a couple of Fender Stratocaster guitars in their assortment.
Fender Stratocaster Model Years: since 1954.
This is what the top ten looks like best guitars in the world.
Note
Based review list top 10 guitars from Mark Philips (Music Director of Charry Lane Music) and John Chappel (Chief Editor of Guitar magazine).
I hope that the information turned out to be useful for you and you have chosen your desired guitar among them. And more rock and roll!
