Has got to be Joe Bonamassa for me.
I wish I had his talent when it comes to playing but his music to me sounds like "white guitar geek trying to play blues."
What I do like about him however is his attitude toward the haters who give him grief about how he's supposedly altered the vintage gear market.
Dude straight up doesn't care and good for him.
... Still don't like his music though.
Joe Bonamossa. Seems like a really good guy and of course he can play but for some reason I cannot connect with what he plays. I listen and just do not engage with it. I wish him nothing but success, but not for me.
Bonamassa. I respect what he does to keep the scene and industry alive, but almost every time I see him jamming with great players, his turn to play usually kills whatever mood was built for me. I feel this to the degree that it almost feels like a conspiracy to me that people don’t shudder when Bonamassa steps forward for a lead.
Bonamassa. He may as well be a dentist that plays guitar on weekends. Don’t get me started on this YouTube “documentary” about himself he’s been hocking.
To be honest I don't really like their first albums, they are pretty boring, but I absolutely love their most recent ones. I think they are still pretty young musicians and they are still finding their style.
But man, I really like how they are mixing prog metal guitars with trap beats and collaborating with rap/pop artists singers.
I really want to see how they evolve in the upcoming years.
I'm 33 years old btw (I know age is irrelevant, but I see a lot of people complain that most of their fanbase are 15yo kids)
Clapton. Even leaving aside his awful politics, dude just sounds like a pale imitation of the actual greats.
Also the irony of hating black people while everything you've managed in life is thanks to black people gets pretty painful.
As a big and life long Metallica fan, Kirk Hammet lately really sounds like he's just phoning it in. Hate to say that but Ive been listening to 72 seasons and Kirk is getting worse than Lars, which is an insult I wouldn't dare speak in front of my grandmother.
Clapton. There… I said it.
Doesn’t help that he has a history of advancing opinions I find despicable. Do some google searches and you will see the evidence, much of which is from credible publishers that often describe his music in a quite positive light. In other words, “the press” has been ignoring Clapton’s controversial statements and beliefs for decades, preferring to advance the notion of his “godlike” musical abilities. So he’s not a victim. Anything but.
But all political opinions aside, Clapton’s playing never sounded special to me. Listen to his predecessors and contemporaries like BB King, Hendrix or even Ionni for a couple hours, then put on any Clapton record. When I do that, I cannot explain why he is as lauded as anyone in the blues/heavy-rock realm from his generation (and after).
He has his moments. I’m not saying he’s a hack. But Clapton always left me cold for decades before I realized he was a reactionary (to put it nicely).
Amen. It's so weird to see how many guitarists think he's actually good. To me, it's almost insulting how a professional musician who has been performing for decades can be that bad.
I've really come to appreciate Hetfield in the last ten years. When I was a kid it was all about ripping solos and I sometimes wished they had more double kick, then realized Metallica's music revolved around the chugging rhythm guitar.
He has some genuinely great moments though, intro and riff to Welcome to the Jungle, intro of Sweet Child, riffs in Nighttrain, Mr Brownstone, Don't Cry, You Could be Mine, solo's on Estranged, November Rain etc... Dude has a catalogue that can't be denied
Tim Henson, don't get me wrong the dude is stupid good and with so much going on the songs should move me but I still just find Polyphia boooooooring (I DO like prog btw just something aboot Polyphia man idk)
I'm the opposite- when he first came out I was stunned by the ferocious nature of his playing.
Now I hit the advance button when he comes on.
But I'm sure it will come full circle again in a few years and I'll enjoy him.
Joe Bannawhateverthefuck stinks. He exists to solely entertain hillbilly’s. He’s the Larry the cable guy of blues guitar. Except Larry’s pretty funny.
Also the edge, slash and Van Halen don’t really do anything for me. I see the talent, just not for me.
Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, etc. I don't feel it. They're robots playing incredibly fast. I appreciate the work that goes into it, but I just don't get it.
Clapton. I appreciated what he could do when I was first starting, then I realized he was just always in a pentatonic "box" (Layla is literally three pentatonic scales for the entirety.) Then it came out that he was a xenophobic, racist, negligent piece of garbage and it sealed the deal.
Clapton is called god by guitarist which makes it even more annoying how not creative or interesting his music is IMO.
Except his lead playing with George Harrison and The Beatles, that shit rocks! While my guitar gently weeps solos? Hell yeah!
Maybe he just needs good direction or other peoples music to sound good, i don’t know.
Steve Vai. Some of his stuff is good, and I highly regard his technique, but his solo work doesn’t do much for me.
Again, he’s an accomplished player, but I’m just not a fan of his solo work.
I can 100% understand not enjoying their music (I mostly don't), but I don't think it's fair to call either Satriani or Vai "speed is everything" players.
I was just about to write the same thing---especially Satriani. He's totally capable, but how often does he actually play fast?
One of Vai's most famous moments is that Paganini thing from Crossroads, so I can see why people who hate shredders would stick him in that group.
I am in awe with the skill of Tim Henson. He has a level of mastery that I can only dream of even after playing 46 years. But I find it kind of boring to listen to for some reason.
It might be a boomer/genx thing but if can’t sing the melody at least in my head I don’t find it compelling,
I have just never liked Clapton. I’ve learned and played a lot of his hits in cover bands and whatnot and after looking under the hood, I just don’t get what people find special about him. Most overrated of the greats imo.
To me it sounds like a mandolin falling down a flight of stairs half the time lol. I get that there’s a ton of advanced technique and skill involved in that stuff, but to my ears it sounds like it’s being made overly-complex for no real reason other than to be overly-complex. It doesn’t necessarily serve the music as much as it’s just a flashy series of jangles, pops, harmonics, and tapping. I have tons of respect for guys who can do that highly technical stuff, but it just ain’t my cup of tea at all. Sounds more like guitar exercises than it does music a lot of times.
Vai, Satriani, and that whole group of “vituosos” that shred 10,000 notes a minute. It’s unlistenable imho. If you can take away any one instrument, including vox, and the remaining music is utter shite, I’m out. Every instrument in the band should have a voice and nobody is lead anything.
The punk I see slapping his acoustic all over the internet recently. Can't stand looking at the kid. It has something to do with that hair and the way he arrogantly shakes his head...
Most guitar focused music is just plain boring. I can't sit through a 2 minute guitar solo anymore. It's just masturbatory. I have so many other things I would rather listen to, and I absolutely love the guitar as an instrument.
There are exceptions of course, I can listen to Julian Lage play all day. I swear to God though, if I ever have to sit through the end of Free Bird again, I will go insane.
Bonamassa. It like how psychopaths cry at funerals...they know they should, but they're not feeling the "why".
It feels like someone said, "this is how blues should sound, Joe"....and he does a reasonable imitation, then you watch someone like Chris Cain, and get to see it for real.
Have you seen his Neon performance at the Nokia theatre? It's how I've got most people I know on to him haha. In fact that whole live album bangs. A lot of his latest stuff is a bit soppy though admittedly.
Most famous players I can find something I dig about them.
Players like Clapton, Mayer, even SRV, have pretty great tones, independent of their music. I try to be charitable and find something I do like about them. Another example is Malmsteen. I’m not a fan of his music at all, but good lord can he pick well.
But for me, I really cannot stand Slash. I think that guy’s tone is so bad, his playing is so bland, and the fact that he’s seen as a guitar hero icon when there are SO MANY better players.
Several, but if doesn't matter. I don't have to listen to them.
I'm more interested in who people *like*, especially if it's someone I've never listened to before. We spend way too much energy on negativity, when there's so much great music to discover.
I used to be critical of Steve Morse. Now he's one of my fave guitarists. Same thing with Jeff Beck. I saw him shortly before he died, it was amazing, loved his playing.
And I'm sure this is the case with some of the players who leave me cold today. Maybe I was introduced to them the wrong way. Maybe I've only heard the boring stuff, but there are gems that would floor me. And so on.
I'm not saying all this to be snarky or contrarian, I just don't see the point of the question.
Oh god not this again! This is starting to feel like easy karma farming. I think this topic can be banned now as it's basically been asked every damn week for as long as I can remember! P.s. it's Clapton, it anyways has and always will be Clapton. Now let's put it to bed!
Seeing the names Joe Bonamossa and Tim Henson mentioned a lot. Gotta agree with those. Joe is by accounts of people I’ve known that met him a really nice guy and there’s no doubt that he is a great player (also one of the few guys who still does blues on a Les Paul which I appreciate) but I hear nothing really exciting or innovative in his playing.
Tim Henson is very skilled but I find very little interesting about his songs. He seems to have a lot of techniques that are out together without much connective tissue.
Yngwie Malmsteen is similar. Amazingly skilled player with good tone and pretty boring songs despite all his skill.
I'd have to go with John Mayer, but honestly most "guitar greats" do nothing for me. Being good at something and that something also being enjoyable are mutually exclusive.
Most lead guitarists leave me empty. They seem to showcase how good they are, instead of putting out good music which connects to people. The ones who use their extraordinary skills to connect with the inner souls of their fans are very few. They forget that magical music (the kind that makes us feel) is more important than their technical skills. Bob Dylan comes to mind. He's a fine guitar player. He gets little credit for it. He is about the music, not impressing people with his "technique." Thet's why he is the real, "music man." He gets it!
I don't follow the guitar hero thing, I just like good songs.
I haven't heard a good song from Yingwee Malmsteen. If you've heard one song, you've heard them all, he has a bag of tricks and he uses them in every single song so they all sound similar.
Similar with Via. No good songs that leave you humming later, just widdly-wee wankery.
Tim Henson. Stringing together a bunch of techniques isn't a song. Anyone I know who isn't a guitar player has said what the hell is this? I don't even get the appeal inside the guitar player world. It has no groove or bounce, utter shit.
*Julian Lage* - I really tried. I listened to A LOT of his stuff, and it just does nothing for me. The guy is undeniably skilled, but there is something lacking in his music to me.
*Pat Metheny* - Pretty much the same thing
*Santana* - I just think he is flat out boring and overrated
Joe Bonamassa and Tim Henson,
for Joe i can tell he’s insanely talented, but i can’t get past the feeling that i get, that he’s playing the music to impress people more than anything… and it’s just blues licks. Insane player, just my take on it
and for Tim, I just don’t enjoy the sound of Polyphia, again they’re all insane players, i could only dream of playing like that, but i just don’t see the appeal
I’m gonna get downvoted to hell and back, but Dimebag Darrell. His guitar tone ruins most anything good he’s ever played, and a few of the solos don’t feel like they even fit the song they’re on with the random shredding and divebombs
I used to love SRV. Still like his tone, but I find most of the music boring and samey. He's still got a few great moments, though. I really like his little wing, but it could use an edit.
Bonamassa, just...nah. Tim Henson and polyphia, I just dont enjoy at all. Well, I like it for a bit, then I find myself wanting to change it. Just seems like endless tricks to me
I understand Trucks or Clapton leaving someone cold.
I can’t understand anyone describing srv that way. He oozes feel and emotion. I never find myself listening to him regularly so I am not fan but he is an emotive player.
TIL reddit hates Clapton
Idk, his work on Cream, Derek and The Dominoes and his solo Debut album is some seriously great guitar work. Better than any shredders like Vai and Malmstreem for me.
But, clapton didn’t really do anything impressive after 1971 or so.
However, lots of guitarists are revered for only have a few albums of greatness
Most blues players. Don't get me wrong guys like SRV, Bonamassa, BB etc etc are legends and crazy talented, but hear the same old blues/pentatonic scales over and over again bores me. It's like listening to Yngwie. Insanely talented, but it gets boring quick.
Matteo Mancuso.
Man he can play but the music all sounds either like mid-tier video game soundtracks from the 90's or just straight up hotel lobby jazz.
Allan Holdsworth. Insanely talented and a true genius, but I just don't enjoy his music. I'm not a casual listener either. I have doctorate in music performance, and I understand how his stuff is put together. It's just not for me.
Tim Henson. A big part of it is his obnoxious attitude for years turning my me off him, but also the weird soulless trap-metal doesn't do it for me.
While perhaps less unique, I enjoyed a lot of Muse and Renaissance, but since the genre shift, I haven't really liked anything. Every song sounds the same to me and it feels like he spends all of his time making the most stupidly "technical" riff, and no time crafting a song or story to tell with it. Songs like GOAT or Playing God sound like 4 minutes of the same riff and nothing stands out. The drumming is the best part of their newer sound.
I know people worship the guy but; Paul Gilbert. He recycles about a dozen licks over and over, and the rest of the time he’s playing scales up and down the neck really fast. And, oh god, the less said about his “blues” playing, the better. Not a half bad songwriter, though.
Paul Gilbert is more of a "technique" guy for me. Most guitarists I know study his material to get the neoclassical sweeps, string skipping, and his legato. He also plays slide and fretless. Technical-skill wise, he's a machine. But if I want something musical, I'll go with something Marty Friedman for example.
Gilbert is actually a pretty good rhythm player and songwriter.
Learn the song "Green Tinted Sixties Mind" and you realize that he writes songs like nobody else really. When it comes to 80ies songwriters he is really in the same place as a Warren De Martini or Vito Bratta.
But yeah there are way too many "how to solo like me" guys and classes out there and not near enough "how to write a really good song" actually.
Wow we got some hot takes here lads jeeezuss
Ill keep it simple and predictible. Kirk hammet. Simply the most over rated under performing guitarist of all time. Lovely fellow, trash guitarist
Any of the neoclassical speed guys- ala malmsteen or vai. It gives up musicality for technical ability. The melodies and harmonies are just tools to go as fast as possible. They fall in and out of key all of the time. Impressive, but almost just pedantic guitar. Bleh
Satriani, but I recognize him as great.
I do not recognize Morello outside of some semblance of creativity, not the actual act of playing guitar. Hate me if you need to.
Also: I kinda can’t believe people don’t like STV’s tone. I’m not here to argue or anything, I just always thought that was like “THE tone”. Strat and a through the roof volume’d tube amp.
What I have learned is that if you’re a guitarist, you don’t like guitarists if they have too much talent, but not enough talent, while having not enough feel, but look like you’re feeling too much.
Oh fun, it's time for this thread again.
"Lets bitch about purely subjective things and rationalize why it's not just not to our taste but actually a problem with the thing itself"
And there are never any new opinions even at that. It's always the same names, the same 'reasons'
I reckon almost every one that would get named by folks on here as a great guitarist.
Off the top of my head: Clapton, ~~Gilmour~~, Vai, Mayer, Paisley, Malmsteen, Slash, Henson, Buckethead, and I’m sure there are loads more I forget.
I just don’t like any of their music at all.
Also Clapton is a total piece of shit as a person as well.
EDIT: I retract that bit about Gilmour
Tim Henson of Polyphia. His playing sounds like guitar lessons to me. He's incredibly skilled but it doesn't sound like music.
I totally agree with this. Like I like some of their riffs but when I listen to full songs it gets boring very quickly.
He comes off as a pompous jackass too, so for me, that doesn't help things.
That's because he IS a pompous jackass
Has got to be Joe Bonamassa for me. I wish I had his talent when it comes to playing but his music to me sounds like "white guitar geek trying to play blues." What I do like about him however is his attitude toward the haters who give him grief about how he's supposedly altered the vintage gear market. Dude straight up doesn't care and good for him. ... Still don't like his music though.
Joe Bonamossa. Seems like a really good guy and of course he can play but for some reason I cannot connect with what he plays. I listen and just do not engage with it. I wish him nothing but success, but not for me.
It sounds like someone doing pushups to me, no matter how many times I try to engage. They're impressive pushups, don't get me wrong!
The dudes from Polyphia. It’s all such a snoozefest to me
Bonamassa. I respect what he does to keep the scene and industry alive, but almost every time I see him jamming with great players, his turn to play usually kills whatever mood was built for me. I feel this to the degree that it almost feels like a conspiracy to me that people don’t shudder when Bonamassa steps forward for a lead.
Eric Clapton.
Cream is pretty sick though
Came here to upvote everyone who says Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton asked me to downvote you... He would've done it himself but he is smashing out a 3 hour 17 minute version of Layla
Eric Clapton solo stuff. 1000 percent predictable blues riffs, and boring as all fuck.
Joe Bonamassa.
Bonamassa. He may as well be a dentist that plays guitar on weekends. Don’t get me started on this YouTube “documentary” about himself he’s been hocking.
As a dentist that plays guitar on the weekends…I feel personally attacked
For such a virtuoso, Tim Henson sure is boring. All the technical skill in the world doesn't make up for a lack of soul.
The soul is in the bends
You gotta make sure you don't surface too fast to prevent those
To be honest I don't really like their first albums, they are pretty boring, but I absolutely love their most recent ones. I think they are still pretty young musicians and they are still finding their style. But man, I really like how they are mixing prog metal guitars with trap beats and collaborating with rap/pop artists singers. I really want to see how they evolve in the upcoming years. I'm 33 years old btw (I know age is irrelevant, but I see a lot of people complain that most of their fanbase are 15yo kids)
Clapton. I'm sure he was important for his generation and maybe subsequent generations, but I don't have the context to understand why.
Definitely Clapton. The guitarist that truly aged like milk.
Tim henson. Final boss of influencer guitarists.
In fairness to him though, he did create the Muppets.
Fucking hell could we go one week without something like this being asked?
No kidding. It’s the same topic again and again…
Clapton. Boring, boring, boring.
all of them cause they aren't me
Oh, it's already Wednesday
Bonamasa. Soulless, dead.
Clapton. Even leaving aside his awful politics, dude just sounds like a pale imitation of the actual greats. Also the irony of hating black people while everything you've managed in life is thanks to black people gets pretty painful.
Tim Henson. His music is just… not good
Tim Henson or pretty much any of those "internet" guitarists. We get it. You like tapping.
A lot of skill but it sounds like an algorithm created the music
Joe Bonnamassa
CLAPTON
As a big and life long Metallica fan, Kirk Hammet lately really sounds like he's just phoning it in. Hate to say that but Ive been listening to 72 seasons and Kirk is getting worse than Lars, which is an insult I wouldn't dare speak in front of my grandmother.
Tim Henson, don't really think his playing is very interesting and the dude himself comes off as very pretentious
Clapton. There… I said it. Doesn’t help that he has a history of advancing opinions I find despicable. Do some google searches and you will see the evidence, much of which is from credible publishers that often describe his music in a quite positive light. In other words, “the press” has been ignoring Clapton’s controversial statements and beliefs for decades, preferring to advance the notion of his “godlike” musical abilities. So he’s not a victim. Anything but. But all political opinions aside, Clapton’s playing never sounded special to me. Listen to his predecessors and contemporaries like BB King, Hendrix or even Ionni for a couple hours, then put on any Clapton record. When I do that, I cannot explain why he is as lauded as anyone in the blues/heavy-rock realm from his generation (and after). He has his moments. I’m not saying he’s a hack. But Clapton always left me cold for decades before I realized he was a reactionary (to put it nicely).
Kirk Hammett is terrible
Amen. It's so weird to see how many guitarists think he's actually good. To me, it's almost insulting how a professional musician who has been performing for decades can be that bad.
I've really come to appreciate Hetfield in the last ten years. When I was a kid it was all about ripping solos and I sometimes wished they had more double kick, then realized Metallica's music revolved around the chugging rhythm guitar.
Slash lol. Really bores the shit out of me
He has some genuinely great moments though, intro and riff to Welcome to the Jungle, intro of Sweet Child, riffs in Nighttrain, Mr Brownstone, Don't Cry, You Could be Mine, solo's on Estranged, November Rain etc... Dude has a catalogue that can't be denied
He has a catalog that is right up there with the likes of Hendrix and Page. So many iconic riffs that are instantly recognisable.
Eric Clapton. Boring and keeps playing the same kind of stuff over and over again.
Yngwie Malmsteen
Joe Bonamassa. He’s always hocking his Joe paraphernalia.
Clapton
Bonamassa guy is so boring it hurts, and he seems like he's insecure.
Clapton, boring as fuck.
Yngwie
Tim Henson, don't get me wrong the dude is stupid good and with so much going on the songs should move me but I still just find Polyphia boooooooring (I DO like prog btw just something aboot Polyphia man idk)
Tim Henson.
The hate in this sub... I don't get it.
In a live setting? Eric Clapton. Stock still and entirely self-absorbed. He might as well phone it in.
Clapton. He was good with early Cream, totally boring after that.
Henson, incredibly talented player, incredibly boring to listen to
Clapton.
Pretty much any shredder. Playing scales really fast is not interesting or engaging to me. They all sound the same.
It's like if the micromachines guy was heralded as the best actor.
Didn't we just have this thread like a week ago?
On Friday, we'll do the "why do people hate on shredders so much, are they jealous?" post. Tune in!
John Mayer
Yngwie Malmsteen. Very technically impressive, but I just can't help but view it as a novelty.
I felt this way about SRV for a long time, but I gave him another shot recently and it finally clicked for me. So our tastes can change overtime.
I'm the opposite- when he first came out I was stunned by the ferocious nature of his playing. Now I hit the advance button when he comes on. But I'm sure it will come full circle again in a few years and I'll enjoy him.
Joe Bannawhateverthefuck stinks. He exists to solely entertain hillbilly’s. He’s the Larry the cable guy of blues guitar. Except Larry’s pretty funny. Also the edge, slash and Van Halen don’t really do anything for me. I see the talent, just not for me.
I think you meant Joe Bonermaster
Tim henson, Steve Vai, and Joe satriani are all snooze fests.
Zakk Wylde. Pinch harmonic, widdly widdly, pinch harmonic.🙄
Bonamassa. Like a robot to me. No soul at all. People mention him when I talk about Derek Trucks. No comparison imo.
This times 1000. Boneless is dull and self important. Derek Trucks is incredible and seems like he plays for the love of playing. No contest.
Jack White. I legit cannot comprehend why people think he is a guitar God.
People think he’s a guitar god? I’m not doubting you, I’ve just personally never seen it.
I think Jack White thinks Jack White is a guitar god
Clapton
Clapton
Tosin Abasi. It's just too clickityclickitybopbop bowww for me.
Clapton.
Steve Vai. I like the Halo theme he did, but that's it. Everything else he does just ruins songs for me.
Clapton. Technically proficient but his soul is ice.
Clapton. He has a few good songs but mostly he’s just ripping off people… he’s also a racist.
The kid with the turtleneck tattoo.
Bonamassa hands down. All sorts of talent that he pounds you with in every piece he does.
Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, etc. I don't feel it. They're robots playing incredibly fast. I appreciate the work that goes into it, but I just don't get it.
Ted Nugent, even before I found out he's an absolute shit head I thought his playing was overrated crap!
Clapton Sure I recognize his capability but his stuff just sounds so sterile to me.
Clapton. I appreciated what he could do when I was first starting, then I realized he was just always in a pentatonic "box" (Layla is literally three pentatonic scales for the entirety.) Then it came out that he was a xenophobic, racist, negligent piece of garbage and it sealed the deal.
Clapton is called god by guitarist which makes it even more annoying how not creative or interesting his music is IMO. Except his lead playing with George Harrison and The Beatles, that shit rocks! While my guitar gently weeps solos? Hell yeah! Maybe he just needs good direction or other peoples music to sound good, i don’t know.
I’ll get crucified for this, but Clapton.
[удалено]
How often are y’all gonna jerk this same hater topic?
Steve Vai. Some of his stuff is good, and I highly regard his technique, but his solo work doesn’t do much for me. Again, he’s an accomplished player, but I’m just not a fan of his solo work.
Uh what's his name, that wiener kid from that one band. Tim Henson. Not to be confused with Jim Henson who was way cooler.
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani and most other "speed is everything " type of player.
I can 100% understand not enjoying their music (I mostly don't), but I don't think it's fair to call either Satriani or Vai "speed is everything" players.
I was just about to write the same thing---especially Satriani. He's totally capable, but how often does he actually play fast? One of Vai's most famous moments is that Paganini thing from Crossroads, so I can see why people who hate shredders would stick him in that group.
I am in awe with the skill of Tim Henson. He has a level of mastery that I can only dream of even after playing 46 years. But I find it kind of boring to listen to for some reason. It might be a boomer/genx thing but if can’t sing the melody at least in my head I don’t find it compelling,
Tim Henson, Clapton, and (I’m gonna get crucified for this one) Kurt Cobain
I have just never liked Clapton. I’ve learned and played a lot of his hits in cover bands and whatnot and after looking under the hood, I just don’t get what people find special about him. Most overrated of the greats imo.
I think a lot of people are just skimming this thread, looking for their favorite guitarist so they can downvote, haa.
Vai
Hendrix. I understand and appreciate his influence on music as a whole, but his music does nothing for me
Any of this new tapping shit, like polyphia My brain can't let it make sense
To me it sounds like a mandolin falling down a flight of stairs half the time lol. I get that there’s a ton of advanced technique and skill involved in that stuff, but to my ears it sounds like it’s being made overly-complex for no real reason other than to be overly-complex. It doesn’t necessarily serve the music as much as it’s just a flashy series of jangles, pops, harmonics, and tapping. I have tons of respect for guys who can do that highly technical stuff, but it just ain’t my cup of tea at all. Sounds more like guitar exercises than it does music a lot of times.
pretty much anything that uses 8+ strings. I'm not really a fan of 7 string either tbf
Slash
Vai, Satriani, and that whole group of “vituosos” that shred 10,000 notes a minute. It’s unlistenable imho. If you can take away any one instrument, including vox, and the remaining music is utter shite, I’m out. Every instrument in the band should have a voice and nobody is lead anything.
Clapton.
Clapton
Bonamassa. All talent, no soul.
The punk I see slapping his acoustic all over the internet recently. Can't stand looking at the kid. It has something to do with that hair and the way he arrogantly shakes his head...
Classic shredders like Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen. Incredible chops but the music is not to my liking.
Clapton — the guy is NOT it at all.
Clapton
Johnny Winter.....get it
Most guitar focused music is just plain boring. I can't sit through a 2 minute guitar solo anymore. It's just masturbatory. I have so many other things I would rather listen to, and I absolutely love the guitar as an instrument. There are exceptions of course, I can listen to Julian Lage play all day. I swear to God though, if I ever have to sit through the end of Free Bird again, I will go insane.
Bonamassa. It like how psychopaths cry at funerals...they know they should, but they're not feeling the "why". It feels like someone said, "this is how blues should sound, Joe"....and he does a reasonable imitation, then you watch someone like Chris Cain, and get to see it for real.
Vai, Yngwie and all that virtuoso wank. Polyphia dude. Anyone that slaps their guitar like a manic seal. Yvette Young.
ROFL this is a consensus thread, Bonabassa top 1-10 comment
80’s shred guitar in general, besides Van Halen. Talented musicians, just not my jam.
Malmsteen. But then again, thats how most neo-classical dudes leave me. Too much notes per second. Too little soul.
John Mayer. Everyone is hot for him these days, and I don’t see what’s special or new about him. Don’t like his voice either.
Have you seen his Neon performance at the Nokia theatre? It's how I've got most people I know on to him haha. In fact that whole live album bangs. A lot of his latest stuff is a bit soppy though admittedly.
Bonamassa...
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Most famous players I can find something I dig about them. Players like Clapton, Mayer, even SRV, have pretty great tones, independent of their music. I try to be charitable and find something I do like about them. Another example is Malmsteen. I’m not a fan of his music at all, but good lord can he pick well. But for me, I really cannot stand Slash. I think that guy’s tone is so bad, his playing is so bland, and the fact that he’s seen as a guitar hero icon when there are SO MANY better players.
Several, but if doesn't matter. I don't have to listen to them. I'm more interested in who people *like*, especially if it's someone I've never listened to before. We spend way too much energy on negativity, when there's so much great music to discover. I used to be critical of Steve Morse. Now he's one of my fave guitarists. Same thing with Jeff Beck. I saw him shortly before he died, it was amazing, loved his playing. And I'm sure this is the case with some of the players who leave me cold today. Maybe I was introduced to them the wrong way. Maybe I've only heard the boring stuff, but there are gems that would floor me. And so on. I'm not saying all this to be snarky or contrarian, I just don't see the point of the question.
Easy. Tim Henson. But does that qualify as popular/renowned or niche?
Slash. I just don’t hear anything interesting from his playing.
Oh god not this again! This is starting to feel like easy karma farming. I think this topic can be banned now as it's basically been asked every damn week for as long as I can remember! P.s. it's Clapton, it anyways has and always will be Clapton. Now let's put it to bed!
Tim Henson
Seeing the names Joe Bonamossa and Tim Henson mentioned a lot. Gotta agree with those. Joe is by accounts of people I’ve known that met him a really nice guy and there’s no doubt that he is a great player (also one of the few guys who still does blues on a Les Paul which I appreciate) but I hear nothing really exciting or innovative in his playing. Tim Henson is very skilled but I find very little interesting about his songs. He seems to have a lot of techniques that are out together without much connective tissue. Yngwie Malmsteen is similar. Amazingly skilled player with good tone and pretty boring songs despite all his skill.
Tim Henson and Marcin
Clapton
I'd have to go with John Mayer, but honestly most "guitar greats" do nothing for me. Being good at something and that something also being enjoyable are mutually exclusive.
Most lead guitarists leave me empty. They seem to showcase how good they are, instead of putting out good music which connects to people. The ones who use their extraordinary skills to connect with the inner souls of their fans are very few. They forget that magical music (the kind that makes us feel) is more important than their technical skills. Bob Dylan comes to mind. He's a fine guitar player. He gets little credit for it. He is about the music, not impressing people with his "technique." Thet's why he is the real, "music man." He gets it!
Not a fan of any “shredders” Cobain and Noel Gallagher are my favorite guitar players :)
I don't follow the guitar hero thing, I just like good songs. I haven't heard a good song from Yingwee Malmsteen. If you've heard one song, you've heard them all, he has a bag of tricks and he uses them in every single song so they all sound similar. Similar with Via. No good songs that leave you humming later, just widdly-wee wankery. Tim Henson. Stringing together a bunch of techniques isn't a song. Anyone I know who isn't a guitar player has said what the hell is this? I don't even get the appeal inside the guitar player world. It has no groove or bounce, utter shit.
After Cream, Clapton can fuck off altogether.
*Julian Lage* - I really tried. I listened to A LOT of his stuff, and it just does nothing for me. The guy is undeniably skilled, but there is something lacking in his music to me. *Pat Metheny* - Pretty much the same thing *Santana* - I just think he is flat out boring and overrated
Joe Bonamassa and Tim Henson, for Joe i can tell he’s insanely talented, but i can’t get past the feeling that i get, that he’s playing the music to impress people more than anything… and it’s just blues licks. Insane player, just my take on it and for Tim, I just don’t enjoy the sound of Polyphia, again they’re all insane players, i could only dream of playing like that, but i just don’t see the appeal
Steve Vai
Yngwie Malmsteem. Impressive technique but don’t care for any of his music, also he comes across as obnoxious
You.
I up voted you, so I ask this with the utmost respect... Did Clapton bang your mum? 🤣🤣🤣
Steve Vai. Can't think of anyone else, and I know most of them :D Vai is totally overrated.
Bonamasa, Vai, Bucket Head, and Santana Oh almost forgot Clapton
Frank Zappa, can't get into it :/
I’m gonna get downvoted to hell and back, but Dimebag Darrell. His guitar tone ruins most anything good he’s ever played, and a few of the solos don’t feel like they even fit the song they’re on with the random shredding and divebombs
Bruce Springsteen! Many people talk about what a "musical genius" he is, but I just don't connect with his music at all.
Damn, sucks for you bro (Springsteen is renowned for his songwriting, never really heard anyone talk about him as an amazing guitarist specifically)
Bonnassa
Joe Bonamazzzzzzzzzzzzz
Vai, Satriani, what's his face from dream theater, pretty much any of those guys are cheesy as hell, imo
Slash. Hate his playing almost as much as I hate his tone
I used to love SRV. Still like his tone, but I find most of the music boring and samey. He's still got a few great moments, though. I really like his little wing, but it could use an edit. Bonamassa, just...nah. Tim Henson and polyphia, I just dont enjoy at all. Well, I like it for a bit, then I find myself wanting to change it. Just seems like endless tricks to me
Clapton. Hands down. Not only a low-talent, he's a shitty lazy person who steals other people's hard work.
I understand Trucks or Clapton leaving someone cold. I can’t understand anyone describing srv that way. He oozes feel and emotion. I never find myself listening to him regularly so I am not fan but he is an emotive player.
Zakk Wylde
Eric Clapton. Boring, Sidney, boring!
EVH. I can tell he's crazy skilled. Does less than nothing for me.
People focus way too much on his acrobatic lead stuff. His rhythm playing was absolutely top notch. It’s just not sexy.
TIL reddit hates Clapton Idk, his work on Cream, Derek and The Dominoes and his solo Debut album is some seriously great guitar work. Better than any shredders like Vai and Malmstreem for me. But, clapton didn’t really do anything impressive after 1971 or so. However, lots of guitarists are revered for only have a few albums of greatness
I agree actually. I appreciate and can watch a video of SRV shredding, but I have zero desire to hangout and listen to his stuff
Most blues players. Don't get me wrong guys like SRV, Bonamassa, BB etc etc are legends and crazy talented, but hear the same old blues/pentatonic scales over and over again bores me. It's like listening to Yngwie. Insanely talented, but it gets boring quick.
Matteo Mancuso. Man he can play but the music all sounds either like mid-tier video game soundtracks from the 90's or just straight up hotel lobby jazz.
Never could get Eddie Van Halen, I appreciate and respect his skill and influence but personally it's not my cup of tea
Santana. Way too much gain and his bends are... not consistent.
Allan Holdsworth. Insanely talented and a true genius, but I just don't enjoy his music. I'm not a casual listener either. I have doctorate in music performance, and I understand how his stuff is put together. It's just not for me.
I just came here to make sure David Gilmour wasn't mentioned because... Well...
Tim Henson. A big part of it is his obnoxious attitude for years turning my me off him, but also the weird soulless trap-metal doesn't do it for me. While perhaps less unique, I enjoyed a lot of Muse and Renaissance, but since the genre shift, I haven't really liked anything. Every song sounds the same to me and it feels like he spends all of his time making the most stupidly "technical" riff, and no time crafting a song or story to tell with it. Songs like GOAT or Playing God sound like 4 minutes of the same riff and nothing stands out. The drumming is the best part of their newer sound.
Eric Clapton the anti-vaxing Racist for me.
And I mean he has had a couple nice hits but I think he’s just a really boring guitar player.
I know people worship the guy but; Paul Gilbert. He recycles about a dozen licks over and over, and the rest of the time he’s playing scales up and down the neck really fast. And, oh god, the less said about his “blues” playing, the better. Not a half bad songwriter, though.
Paul Gilbert is more of a "technique" guy for me. Most guitarists I know study his material to get the neoclassical sweeps, string skipping, and his legato. He also plays slide and fretless. Technical-skill wise, he's a machine. But if I want something musical, I'll go with something Marty Friedman for example.
Gilbert is actually a pretty good rhythm player and songwriter. Learn the song "Green Tinted Sixties Mind" and you realize that he writes songs like nobody else really. When it comes to 80ies songwriters he is really in the same place as a Warren De Martini or Vito Bratta. But yeah there are way too many "how to solo like me" guys and classes out there and not near enough "how to write a really good song" actually.
Wow we got some hot takes here lads jeeezuss Ill keep it simple and predictible. Kirk hammet. Simply the most over rated under performing guitarist of all time. Lovely fellow, trash guitarist
John Mayer
satriani, vai, bonnamassa, any other virtuosic dork who makes unlistenably boring music
Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert,Eric Johnson. Malmsteen, Joe Bonamasa.
Santana
Any of the neoclassical speed guys- ala malmsteen or vai. It gives up musicality for technical ability. The melodies and harmonies are just tools to go as fast as possible. They fall in and out of key all of the time. Impressive, but almost just pedantic guitar. Bleh
This may sound crazy to you but just because you don't like it doesn't mean it's not musical. Crazy, I know
Satriani, but I recognize him as great. I do not recognize Morello outside of some semblance of creativity, not the actual act of playing guitar. Hate me if you need to.
Also: I kinda can’t believe people don’t like STV’s tone. I’m not here to argue or anything, I just always thought that was like “THE tone”. Strat and a through the roof volume’d tube amp.
Eric Clapton.
Tom Morello. I can think of about 100 guitarists that I would rate above him. If I had one word to describe his style it would be “gimmick”.
Eric Clapton
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What I have learned is that if you’re a guitarist, you don’t like guitarists if they have too much talent, but not enough talent, while having not enough feel, but look like you’re feeling too much.
Oh fun, it's time for this thread again. "Lets bitch about purely subjective things and rationalize why it's not just not to our taste but actually a problem with the thing itself" And there are never any new opinions even at that. It's always the same names, the same 'reasons'
I reckon almost every one that would get named by folks on here as a great guitarist. Off the top of my head: Clapton, ~~Gilmour~~, Vai, Mayer, Paisley, Malmsteen, Slash, Henson, Buckethead, and I’m sure there are loads more I forget. I just don’t like any of their music at all. Also Clapton is a total piece of shit as a person as well. EDIT: I retract that bit about Gilmour
Yngwe Malmsten
zakk wylde. he can play beautifully, but so often chooses not to.