I'm surprised no one has mentioned Guthrie Govan..

1. Leo Fender
2. Orville Gibson
3. Ralph Novak
4. Bernardo Rico
5. Charles Kaman

Yeah, these are all "guitarists" it takes a unique individual to play a guitar but an even more unique individual to build the guitar the musician is playing.

I dont know most of these wild names you guys are pullin out so heres my mainstream blues/rock list of the 10 i enjoy the most

Ridrigo and Gabriella
Jack White
John mayer
Jimi hendrix
Eric clapton
Jimmy Page
Eric Bell/ Scott Gorham
Angus Young

Depends how impressed by guitar Wankery you are. I prefer Malmsteen to Petrucci personally. No disrespect to Petrucci ofcourse, he bought a tear to my eye at last years Download when he had a guitar/keytar dual with Rudess xD

the thing is, he's not just all guitar wankery. sure, he can get a guitar off like very few others, but he's also an incredible song writer and he does have soul, contrary to what many people say. he's not all hypershred

Did you listen to Petrucci's solo album?

Should totally change your mind about him. People are way too biased on him when it comes to guitar playing since they only heard him with Dream Theater.

Either listen to his solo album or "An Evening With John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess". Hell, even some Liquid Tension Experiment songs are not only about wankery.

This.

Also, the lack of Tommy Emmanuel in this thread is disturbing.

im glad Superchum mention Django Reinhardt.. hes right up there near the top...

other guitarits of note to mention and NO these are not MY top 10, i just think they could be considered:


Rusty Cooley

Tony Iommi: the orignal metal dude, not to mention he had the tips of 2 of his fret hand fingers lobbed off in an industrial accident

how about Chuck Schuldiner?? Dude is amazing!

Jerry Cantrell: listen to Dirt... no further explaination needed.....

And i would have to put Chris Storey here as well... for those of you dont know he used to be the lead guitarist for All Shall Perish, that dude knows how to jam out in ways i simply cant fathom!

I wasn't actually aware he had a solo album. AFK - Illegally obtaining

Mkay, I lasted 3 songs into The Evening with Petrucci & Rudess - total shite. Can't believe I not only wasted my time, but also my iPod space.

I hate progressive music, thats a first. Secondly, classical bores me. Thirdly, I do not care for Petrucci or Rudess at all. They both un-interest me greatly.

Flame all you want - I gave it a try and did not like it.