ok , me and a mate are having an argument about who is the better guitar player.. David Gilmour or Mark knopfler,

now I think dire straits are great, and Mark Knopfler is incrediable, but I think Dave Gilmour is just that bit more better...

what do you guys think, help solve this argument.

For the record, you're not suggesting either are the 'best of all time' or anything silly like that, are you?

best of all time.... I would think they were strong contenders

Gilmour,,,,just because,,,, ok?

I'm not saying they're bad, obviously they're both great. But not greatest ever IMO.

Of the two, I'd say Knopfler

out of interest , who would you say is the greatest ever?

Does George Formby count?

Anyway, those in the know seem to think Hendix was the best ever.

Maybe, but how many funny songs about window cleaners did he ever do, eh?

Gilmour for me the solo's on time and comfortably numb are iconic
Completely different guitar styles though, so as always its down to personal taste, and whilst were on about Taste one of the best I ever saw was Rory Gallagher

It's a difficult question because how do you define best?

Best innovator? Could be Page or Hendrix.

Best performer? Probably Omar Rodrigo Lopez (Mars Volta/At The Drive in).

Technically the best? Perhaps someone like Steve Vai or Ron Thal.

Most passion? I'd say Stevie Ray Vaughan.

In the end it comes down to personal preference and I'd have to give it to Hendrix.

Ask me another day - say, when I've just listened to Since I've Been Loving You - and I'll say Page.

I believe Christ Rea and Dire Straits were combining their efforts at one point.
They were going to be called Chris Straits.

Gilmour for this arguement.

But best guitarist: Hendrix, SRV, EVH, Vai, Satriana, Santana, Kossoff, Page, Hammett, Bruce Dickinson(Little Angels). Slash, Michael Schenker, Vernon Reid, Beck, George Harrison, Paul Gilbert, Angus, Blackmore, Tremonti, Mustaine, Iommi, and May.

Some of my personal favourite I'm sure I've missed some. But the best, Hendrix number 1 the rest number 2.

It's always going to be subjective, so what you have to do is find some objective measure, e.g. how much do the 'signature' guitars go for...


Eric Clapton: $4,040 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/f...electric-guitar
Mark Knopfler: $1,600 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/f...electric-guitar
Jeff Beck: $3,560 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/f...electric-guitar
Rory Gallagher: $4,080 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-custom-shop-rory-gallagher-signature-electric-guitar
Dave Gilmour: $4,280 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/f...electric-guitar

Which at first sight puts Mark at the bottom of the list, where he *obviously* doesn't belong... but the others have 'custom' strats available, where years of damage on their axes is lovingly replicated by cheap labour, whereas he gets only a 'signature' version. Perhaps this metric merely means that Mark looks after his guitars better!

Les Paul is the best then.

Are you kidding! You could buys house for that!

Or Dire Rea

Keep on topic please

Am I showing my age,but I don't know who any of them are other then Hendrix .

I'll play you some next week John while we working on the car

That's because boy bands don't play any instruments other than the pink oboe
Blackmore,,,,was my favourite when I were a lad!!!!!
Angus,,,,Page,,,etc
One of the best I saw live was Garry Moore,,,,,it's a personal taste thing though

The 2 Jimmys

Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page

Robin Trower was pretty nifty, and Slash can play a bit but the 2 Jimmys are/were the best in my humble opinion. The list is endless though; BB King, Eric Clapton, Brian May, Pete Townsend, Steve Howe, Richie Blackmore, Robert Fripp, Angus Young, etc. Dave Gilmour is one of my all time favourites. Mr Knofler is a damn fine guitarist but doesn't float my boat.

Ok thanks.
Do I need a tattooist and body piercer ready ?

Gordon Giltrap

But for me, up there with the best is Richie Blackmore

Too right \m/ \m/

Did you forget Rory Gallagher?

Well, if it was guitar playing that I actually liked listening to, then it would have to be Johnny Marr.

Technical ability is nothing if you don't care for the music - like judging a painting by the brushwork. There's a reason why so many of the so-called great guitarists come from the same sort of era around the 70's and it's nothing to do with a glut of talent in that decade.

And just for the pure joy of listening to a guitar and player as one, then BB King. When I went to see him at the Hammersmith Odeon in the mid-80's, Eric Clapton was in the audience.

Actually, here's a challenge: who's the best guitarist who WASN'T famous during the 70's? I think the list will be about 1/10th of those above.

I did say I missed some

Exactly the point I was going to make. I have a particular taste for the Blues guitarists, their playing seems to be more of the overall "sound" than with Rock guitarists. Not to be confused with me saying I don't like Rock music or guitarists.

Some interesting ratings and comments in this list, although they are only opinion.

Love that list - kinda to the same point. Kurt Cobain is another guitarist I love to listen to because of the great riffs he came up with. And the list isn't stuck in the 70's either

Been brought up listening too these http://youtu.be/S-St7llUX2I I wonder why I'm into rock guitarists?

10 points too anyone who recognises the lead singer.

[quote=porkypaul]Been brought up listening too these http://youtu.be/S-St7llUX2I I wonder why I'm into rock guitarists?

10 points too anyone who recognises the lead singer. [/quote

Is that your dad ?