Comments so far

MD Liverpool
Buddy Holly - Invented iconic image of a youthful singer/guitarist/Pop Performer at the forefront of a band

andy - milton keynes
forget the rest - the most versatile and adeptly skilled is gary moore!

harry..isle of man
nobody comes near to the sound ,technique, chops, and overall control of the instrument like Allan Holdsworth.

Lewis, St. Albans
I'd say Guthrie Govan. Although he's relatively unheard of an upcoming he's shows outstanding talent and proficiency being able to play over a wide variety of genres, some of which are Fusion, Metal, Country/folk, Jazz and so on. Not to mention his solo stuff being awe-inspiring. On top of that he's hugely modest and doesn't seem to agree with all the "best guitarist ever" stuff since it's difficult to define, being based on opinion/taste and all. Definately deserving of some praise though. :P

paul / wilts
omar rodriguez,john frusciante,kirk hammet,johnny greenwood,johnny marr,matt belamy,are all brilliant in there diferent styles,also check out nick harper on harperspace,and mercedes murray from hot off the ice! (she,s only 14 ,a guitar prodigy, a name for the future)

Haner, Guildford
Um.. just to point out, it's A7X not AX7 and yes i think Syn is by far the greatest!!! ROCK ON

MVK,Pondy
In order, it would be:7. Jeff Beck6. Shawn Lane5. Paco Di Lucia4. Andres Segovia3. Al Di Meola2. Alan Holdsworth1. John McLaughlinI think 1, 2 & 3 clearly stand out in terms of their technique. McLaughlin stood out for being probably the greatest improvizer on guitar and one of the leading composers of our times in addition to having a playing technique as good as anyone on this list.. And his use of microtones and his fingernail sliding technique is simply amazing!

andy s / wolverhampton
synyster gates in the best by far AX7

Alex, Newcastle
SRV does it best! Must have magic powers in that hat...

chris
john frusciante and omar rodriguez are the best guitarists

Wayne Kerr, London
john frusciante a genius? jack no-talent white? 3 chord strummers like pj harvey?!?! you've got to be joking. this is the sort of pathetic mainstream pole for people who've never heard of greg howe or shawn lane but think relics like hendrix are still 'the greatest.' what absolute rubbish.

The Human Riff--The road, at the moment.
"Gonzo, Stockholm It must be Keith Richards. He is THE guitarist. Still alive and kickin´..." I love you. Simple as that. Not just for tipping your hat to Keith, but also for incorperating the good doctor in your name. Mostly for Keith, though. *father, son, holy ghost* Kudos.

Mick from Amsterdam
Dave Gilmour, Pink Floyd due to two great solo's on live version of 'Comfotable Numb' and 'Time' followed by Mike Oldfield particulalry for his guitar work on 'Incantations' and 'Ommadawn'

terry plymouth
John Frusciante is the greatest....just listen to his rhcp work and his solo albums....pure genius.....

malvern
tommy emmanuel

Philip, London
my all time fav. guitarist is always going to be john squire, then syd barrett and of course gotta throw ed o'brien and stephen malkmus in the mix as well

Sophie Brown. Carmarthenshire, South Wales
Synyster Gates HAS to be the greatest guitarist ever! No doubt about it.

Phil, Lichfield
Jimmy Page. End of argument

Chynna
if u wanna talk about awesome talent, and heart for playing the guitar, Angus Young all the way. No one can do what he does.

J B, Belfast
Robert Johnson. Go listen to him!!!

KIM HARRIS PLYMOUTH
JOHNNY MARR -THE SMITHS

Greg Harrop, King's Lynn
For versatility and fluidity, you have to think of the late, lamented Tommy Bolin.

jonathan, hull
2 words. Frank Zappa

Shaun, Bexleyheath
You don't know good music if it smacked you in the face. The musical output of the seventies was far superior when compared to present day. Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Malmsteen and Gilmour were all innovaters. The way they played guitar was simply revolutionary. The artists you suggested have done nothing new apart from frustate me. You are a numbskull and probably also deaf.

DM, Wilts
If only we knew what it actually meant to be the greatest - its just not a coherent idea. However, if you are yet to hear Michael Hedges, Tuck Andress, Pat Metheny, Joe Pass, SRV, Django, McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, Bensusan, Jansch, Richard Thompson, Stanley Jordan, Wes, Jeff Beck, or George Benson then it would be wise not to comment. Some players are just freaks of nature and deserve a listen. Then BB could floor 'em with just one sweet word from Lucille.... I love Marr, Greenwood, Mascis, The Edge et al but listening to Michael Hedges play "Aerial Boundaries", Stanley Jordan play "Eleanor Rigby", or Tuck Andress play "I wish" is another planet. And Hendrix weren't all that! - right time, right place, bless him.

Darren, Darlington
Still trying to sort the order of my top 10 guitarists. It's a painful process. So far I have the top 3 - 1) Slash 2) Hendrix 3) Steve Vai. The rest of the top 10, not in order - Tony Iommi, Rory Gallagher, Angus Young, Tom Morello, John Frusciante, Thurston Moore, Zakk Wylde. Currently enjoying Rodrigo y Gabriela, also like J Mascis, Satriani, and the old bluesmen.

Usaamah, Bhopal, India
Eric Johnson is THE preeminent guitarist of our times.

Andy, Basingstoke
Guitars came out of Spain over 1000 years ago. So it's Paco De Lucia, the flamenoc guitarist!

Alex, Boston Massachusetts
Zappa was, in my mind, the greatest guitarist ever. I enjoy all the standard "fret-molesters" of the 1960s/70s. I call Zappa the greatest molester because where most of the others are over rated, Zappa is severly under rated. He is a perfect balance between emotion and skill. As for the whole simplicity thing, I see nothing special in punk and have no idea how cutting down on musicianship makes for better music (perhaps that is why I like Rush and Zappa).

Steve G / Bridgend
Being an oldie I just like the guitar played well. There are many good - - no excellent guitarists I like. Steve Howe, Joe Satriani, John Petrucci (Dream Theater) and Florian Ophalle (Greg Lake band) come to mind.

matthew, london
dylan fowler is an amazing guitarist and musician. im sure he's technically brilliant, but he doesnt show it in the name of bravado. instead, he lets his brilliance show itself in the form of his compositions. As well as writing beautiful music, he is also able to create a texture that is quite unlike anything you might normally here from a guitarist.

jacob austin texas
mississipi john hurt. if you don't know who that is find out now. man never even a had a lesson or a proper guitar in 1911, didn't even know another guitar player. his playing will put anyone to shame past or present. sounds like three people.

Shaun, Cumbria
I'm not having a go at you Will (well actually maybe I am!) but there also seems to be an assumption on your part that those of us who like rock guitar virtuosos don't love the old blues masters. Come and see my CD collection! Again to use Satriani as an example, his playing is rooted in the blues. Tracks such as Satch Boogie for example evolved out of acoustic blues numbers he composed. Listen to the bends, vibrato and licks of many of the players you seem to hate including Yngwie, Satch, Vai and Van Halen and you'll hear echos of those crackly recordings of the past. I think "London" makes a very valid comment though. There is indeed a tendency to put forward your own "stylistic preferences" on here. I know I am guilty of that but at least I can appreciate great players from other genres including those styles of music I don't like very much such as folk.

Shaun, Cumbria
Hmmm...the trouble with your argument Will is that you talk as though technical command automatically means that a guitarist doesn't have feel. You mention Joe Satriani and I think that he's a good example. Apart from having great legato and many other techniques in his arsenal as well as being incredibly musical (a very nice fella too!) his playing is full of emotion. Also, some of the great guitar moments he's created over the years aren't that hard to play as he never lets technique get in the way of a good tune. However, his technique gives him a freedom of expression. I agree though that there are many players who are fantastic but have pretty basic technique and some technically accomplished players are c**p!!

London
Tedious article. I'm sick of people banging on their own stylistic preferences without any realisation of the lifetimes journey it takes to become a top musician in any genre. Take Steve Vai bashing, a popular hobby in the 1990's. What did he ever do? If you don't happen to like his music (I don't, honestly) don't listen to it. But give the man some respect - he's a phenomenal musician and has laboured long and hard to be able to do what he does. These things turn into a forum for people to vent their I think Johnny Greeenwood, Thurston Moore, Django Reindhardt and Allan Holdsworth are all great players. I don't persoanlly like Queen, but Brian May was a true innovator. Don't forget rythm guitar!

Will, Bury St. Edmunds
There are many guitarist who are technically brilliant (Steve Vai, Joe Satriani). Who cares? Why does technicality make a guitarist or music good? It should all be about the feel and soul of the music. All of these awful speed-guitarists who shred constantly seem to be incapable of writing any sort of listenable music - they have no feeling in their music, it is just trying to play as fast as possible. Ok, so Hendrix is mentioned on this page by pretty much everyone. But is this not because he is the greatest guitarist of all time? There are stories behind his lyrics and feeling behind is notes. He wrote with passion and energy to created the most amazing songs. Also, what's wrong with a bit of simplicity - the old Blues masters such as Robert Johnson wrote fantastic music. Talking of Blues - players such as Stevie Ray Vaughan made standard Blues and 12-Bar Blues absolutely magical. There are so many brilliant guitarists out there who write wonderful, touching music. So keep your shredders and your metal heads and your cheesy, glam rockers - I'm sure many people agree: Technicality or feel? Feel every time.

k fraser,paisley,scotland
well for me theres 5 guys who i wanna play along wioth more than any graham coxon,john frusciante,johnny marr,jonny greenwood,matt ballamy its not about how fast or how long,big ur solo is its all about the feeling :) and the noise ;P

jim D/Daphne AL
eric johnson is THE guitar god - plays piano pretty nicely too!

Tank from Malaga
I'm disappointed no-one mentioned John McLaughlin, listen to "The Inner Mounting Flame": I have since 1972 and it never ceases to amaze and excite me. Breathtaking passion and technique, not really human!

andy, bromley
john frusciante - red hot chili peppers

David Shields, Longford Ireland.
Tom Verlaine, on the strength of one tune, "marquee moon" alone, wins hands down, please do yourself a favour, and have a listen to the entire glorious ten minutes.....mmm, nice.

Tom Cole, No Fixed Abode
How can it be anyone other than Charlie Patton, the 1930s Mississippi delta bluesman responsible for introducing the world to the range a guitar offered? Forget Hendrix, Patton was doing all of his theatrics and more besides 30-40 yrs before Jimi...he even invened the technique of slapping his bass strings and using the guitar body to provide rhythm. Without Charlie Patton the guitar would be worthless.

Jonathon Halliwell - Leeds
John Squire - The Stone Roses

Crystal_spears Bellshil
Prince watch how on the rave 2000 DVD live he does his thing with Lenny Crapalotz sonngs.. Eddie Hazel...yup...

Rich from NYC
I think for overall technique and their vast understanding of musical styles, Steve Howe(he can jump from Carl Perkins to space rock in a drop of a dime) and Richard Thompson. I also really love Townshend. John Fahey also kicks major ass.

Andy, St Helens
Well done everybody who mentioned Roddie Frame, but no mention of Mark Knopfler anywhere...how very 6 Music! And Richard Hawley anyone?

Bert Lee, Brooklyn New York
I don't know how you can write three paragraphs about the 'greatest' guitarist and not mention Django Rheinhart. Come on people, rise above your petty genres and give it up for a guy that played like Paganini played violin. I sometimes think that rock and rollers have no perspective and that they have The Most Closed Minds of all music fans.

Lee, Manchester
Antonio Forcione is a genius

DOC MIKE HOLLYWOOD
IF YOU'RE TALKING PURE TALENT, CARLOS RIOS IS THE MAN

David, Glasgow
An impossble question? Can you say Jeff Beck is any worse than Eddie Van Halen -- or that Yngwie Malmsteen is worse than Steve Vai -- or Andreas Segovia is worse than Paco de Lucia...the guitar player that makes everyone's jaw drop (even the best of them) is Allan Holdsworth. So if there has to be a number one -- it's him.

Dirk from Kiel (Germany)
No doubt about it: David Gilmour is a must have. All other are a nice to have. Greetings from GER,

james, melbourne
the reason jimi henrdix, jimi page, and eddie van halen get mentioned so much as the greatest guitarists ever is because they are some of the greatest guitarists ever.

Shaun, Cumbria
But.......despite my love for those whose arsenal includes the ability to shred, ultimately if we think of greatness as being about creative genius, innovation and influence, and we are talking about rock as opposed to Flamenco, Jazz, classical etc, the top of the tree for me has to be Jimi Hendrix.

Shaun Cumbria
Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Steve Vai, Michael Schenker, Greg Howe, Shawn Lane, Al Di Meola, Tony Macalpine, Randy Rhodes, Vinnie Moore, Tommy Bolin, John Petrucci, Allan Holdsworth, EVH, Gary Moore, Vivian Campbell, Paul Gilbert to name but a few are in a different league to most of the people you've mentioned. For some reason it's seen as fashionable to knock the likes of Yngwie. As a 36 year old who's played guitar on and off for 21 years I'm old enough to remember how for a time YJM was the poster boy for guitar mags pre-grunge and I've been a fan since his days with Alcatraz. You refer to technical excellence as if it's a bad thing. The fact is Yngwie isn't a purely technical player. Indeed, there are lesser known guitarists out there who have chops and speed which would stop even Yngwie in his tracks. You could argue that he hasn't progressed in a creative sense as much as he could have but he still retains his great tone, feel, vibrato, superb alternate picking and that fiery style of Paganini meets Hendrix/Blackmore. You can't knock a guy for staying within a genre he more or less invented (Neo-Classical metal). Guess I'm in big trouble!!

Allan Colchester
Hank Marvin - because he did things that had never been done with a guitar before - and because he became an inspiration to so many of the great guitarists of later generations. Johnny Marr, Francis Rossi, Jeff Buckley, The Edge, Hendrix - How can you compare them? - its a bit like saying fish and chips are better than a porshe car - one is great if you are hungry!

hannah, carlisle
i think noel gallagher should be mentioned because of the way he can create amazing songs and guitar parts, take dont look back in anger, its simply beautiful

dave cumbria
there is only one answer, john frusciante. he has incredible feeling and passion. listen to some of the solos from Stadium arcdadium and you just get blown away. he gives you a spiritual sensation.

Bradford from Bradford
While a whole bunch of the names mentioned in comments are great - Charlie Christian, Marr, Frusciante, SRV, Edge, Townsend, Mick Jones etc, i bet if you asked them who THEY thought was the greatest you would get a uniform response. James Marshall Hendrix. A glib comment cannot convey the majesty of the mans work so i'd recommend you buy/borrow a copy of Charles Shaar Murray's brilliant 'Crosstown Traffic' to better understand why there simply is no question here. Or use your ears. Castles Made Of Sand would be a good as place to start as any.

Smoff, Stoke-On-Trent
it depends on what your rating the guitarist on because technically jimi hendrix isn't the best ever because there are people now who are technically better than him, he's rated as the best ever because he couldn't be tought guitar in the style he played because he started it off, technically in my opinion zakk wylde is the best as there is nothing he can't do!

Matthew, Minneapolis MN USA
SRV Derek Trucks Chris Duarte Steve Vai Yngwie Malmsteen Eric Clapton Joe Satriani Eric Johnson Lance Lopez Mato Nanji...in no particular order

David, Derby
I agree with Glenn - Ben Haynes from The 45 Rebellion...

Mark - Gosport
I would say David Bowie, check out the Lets Dance video, he could play guitar to a high standard wearing gloves! Bloody genius!

Gonzo, El Stockholmo - Sweden
Keith Richards is cruel... another favourite is Syl Sylvain from the New York Dolls, - those riffs...

Adam, Cardiff
I'm biased and would go for Johnny Marr, but the best guitarist I've ever seen is Bert Jansch. If you can see him live... well seeing is believing.

Derek, Roscommon
I've always wanted to play like either John Squire or Donald Ross Skinner

Michael, Ottawa, Canada
Phelps 'Catfish' Collins in his days with the JBs - his playing on the Live at the Olympia set is amazing and my favourite guitar moment. But if I could choose to play like anyone, it would be Mabon 'Teenie' Hodges, who played behind Al Green on his great 70s album. Nothing unecessary, nothing wasted.

Chris Stirling
My friend Dave, a classical/jazz guitar teacher has often said; "Most guitarists are either great rhythm guitarists or great lead guitarists. The annoying thing about the Edge is that he's both." Becuase of this I think he's probably a worthy contender for the greatest of all time. Just because a lot of the music he's inspired; Elbow, Embrace, Coldplay et al is dreck doesn't mean the man's not a genius.

dan t, oldham
graham coxon and jack white have got to be up there, but how about lee southall and bill ryder jones from the coral? very talented also brix e smith for the girls hehe

Neil, Oxford
PETE TOWNSHEND

Dave, London
the late great Stuart Adamson from Big Country & the Skids is massively underated. Tom Verlaine is also way up there.

BG, Daventry
Richard Thompson - a genius, and best ever, if only for his staggeringly original phrases and avoidance of tired old cliches.

c. nx. london.
Richard Thompson wins again hands down.

Scott Ashley/North London
The greatest guitarist in history has to be Jeff Buckley. Not only was he a fantastic singer, but his guitar playing was incredible, and is often underated. Probably due to the fact that his amazing vocal talent often detracts from his playing .An unbelievably talented musician. Second is Johnny Marr, and the man responsible for me wanting to buy a Rickenbacker when I was 11. My family couldn't afford one, but thanks to the joys of working for a living, i've got one now, oh the joys of ebay.

Bill, Leeds
1.Hendrix 2.Clapton 3.Santana 4.Satriani 5.Jack White

Gareth, Adelaide, South Australia
How come nobody mentions Eddie Hazel? Parliafunkadelicment would have been nothing without him. Maggot Brain is superlative!!!!

Zoe, Muswell Hill, London
Oh, and Viv Albertine from The Slits - free thinking and sometimes accidentally brilliant! And man, she could skank...

Zoe, Muswell Hill, North London
Pete Townshend has my vote!

Amanda Bray - London
Roddy Frame - hugely talented and hugely underrated.

Nick Sharjah
It depends on wether we are look at sound or technical ability. I tend to go for the former and have to go for Julian Cope, Peggy Suicide era.

Aleks, Belgrade, Serbia
John McGeoch and Keith Levene. McGeoch gave shape to the sound of Magazine, Siouxsie and the Banshees at their best period, PIL and Armoury Show. Levene's sound was revolutionary on first two PIL albums.

Dave - St Albans
James Dean Bradfield

Ritchie Blackmore, New York
Without doubt it's me!

David Smith, Cardiff
Jimi Hendrix is on top of the pile for me. His guitar was an extension of the senses for him and he played with so much feeling, technique, dynamics and innovation. Nick Drake and Jonny Marr are up there for their exquisite songwriting and interesting and new ways of playing classic chord patterns, as an unobtrusive and very complimentary base for the vocals. Of the current generation, John Frusciante is my favourite. Technically he is incredible but he reins it in showing a deep and soulful understanding of music. His solos are beautifully sensitive and restrained, yet live he takes songs onto another level. His sensitivity and understanding is sharply illuminated against Flea's bass playing which is a marvel yet a bit over the top and showy. Also an honourable mention for Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai and Kevin Shields for the depth and vision of their playing, and they way they transmit emotion with sound.

Rosa, Herts.
What an easy question - Bernard Butler hands down. He's never written a bad song.

Mike Teevan, Windygates, Fife
John Squire Johnny Greenwood (best haircut winner too) Nels Cline

Jose Huntington, NY Usa
Django Reinhardt, Steve Vei, Jimi, Jeff Beck, Joe Pass, Lefty Frizell, Ry Cooder, B B King...take ur pick

Andy Saxon, Sheffield
Tom Verlaine, the under-rated Mick Jones (The Clash not Foreigner), Will Sergeant (Verlaine again almost...),

John Kings, Tzaneen, South Africa
Frank Zappa, no contest

Carl, Aberdeen
John Squire! Why? Well listen to one of the great guitar albums, Second Coming - Stone Roses.Sod Ian Brown its Squires wide range on that album that makes it.Everything from quiet to full on Rock 'n' Roll.Heads up for Nick McCabe of the verve but only the up to and not including th "Lets sell out and write a pop record" Urban Hymns.

Jo Cadden, Yorkshire
By putting all the great guitarists in some kind of order of who is best etc implies that there is a right way and wrong way to play guitar. In every pub band in the country there are technically good players - but to be a true great it takes more. The great guitarists are those for whom the guitar becomes part of them, they aint just playing it. Nobody is the best because there s more than one way to play - otherwise wouldn't all music sound the same?

Simon, Manchester, England
Gary Lucas, Bill Harkleroad, Moris Tepper, Jeff Cotton - you get the idea... Oh, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Black & Polly Harvey too

Vanessa May Croydon
What about Alvin Lee? Its sad that he has been forgotten. Or how about Joe Satriani?

Tim, Preston
What a pointless exercise! Why on earth would I wish to talk about who's the greatest guitarist whilst being banned from mentioning Jimi Hendrix or Jimi Page? Let's talk about the most annoying journalist whilst being barred from mentioning Mark Sutherland instead shall we!

John, Virginia Beach, Virginia USA
I thought it was about the art of music and the player, would it be fare to say one painter is better or greater then the other maybe its like pizza, its all good.

Andrew Howie, Liverpool
he was HUGE in the states, but even though he's british, is not as well known as he should be in this country, but peter frampton was & still is an amazing guitarist!! Frampton Comes Alive! is the best live album ever & proves just what a guitarist he is.

Andrew Howie, Liverpool
extremely tough question!!! slash had the killer riffs! jimmy page = stairway to heaven & johnny marr = how soon is now! in the last 15 years, bernard butler & graham coxon were the best of the british, BUT! hendrix was the innovator & in such a short time became an icon, he could play ANY style, he is the greatest!! gone but NEVER forgotten.

Jon, Dartford
Jimi Hendrix gets my shout

Neil Tibbetts/Walton
Jimi Hendrix all day every day. Watch the full version of Jimi's Woodstock set on DVD, or Band of Gypsys Live at Fillmore East for proof. My favorite living player has to be Jonny Greenwood though. Being an ardent Radiohead fan does sway me here, but you have to agree the man is a musical genius. There is no limit to what he can turn his hand to but when he really lets fly on lead it would be hard to rival him in the current climate of wannabees. As for tricks and not showing off....saw Jonny at Hammersmith week before last playing guitar but also playing keyboard with the head of the same guitar he's playing....Hats off please!!!

Paul McVitie
Johnny Marr

Jp, N Wales
Nick Drake, completely amazing in everyway...

Gavin Culloty,Birmingham
Don't forget Mick Jones of The Clash either!

Gavin Culloty,Birmingham
Jimi Hendrix obviously, Jimmy Page of Led Zep, Steve Jones,Slash, Johnny Marr, Noel Gallagher, Keith Richards, Brian May,Pete Townsend, Johnny Ramone (He's very under-rated as a guitarist)and Graham Coxon he was great when I saw him support Kaiser Chiefs at the NIA.

Kevin Mahoney , Asbury Park, New Jersey
Anyway, anyhow, anywhere, the best guitarist will always be Pete Townshend.

Glyn, Long Eaton,Nottingham.
For pure innovation and re-invention (or even invention)of the electric guitar,no one comes close to the great James Marshall Hendrix.Of the new breed, I`m very impressed by Dan Auerbach of Black Keys and Ben Gautrey of Cooper Temple Clause.

Ross Harries, Cardiff
Stevie Ray Vaughan. This debate is often centred around technical ability vs soul/feel. Stevie Ray Vaughan provides evidence that you can have both - in abundance. Supremely technically gifted, but also unbelievably passionate and moving. He only ever played what was needed for the song, and could slay you with just one note. Also think John Frusciante is the nearest thing this generation has to Hendrix. Brilliantly inventive and imaginative.

Stu, Devon
Steve Rotheray of Marillion plays some cracking emotional, recorded on a mountain top at sunset type solos while in complete contrast, I also love Rick Parfitt's (of Staus Quo)12-bar savagery.

Nik Starmer-Smith, Hythe, Kent
I'm amazed that nobody has mentioned either Stevie Ray Vaughan or Roy Buchanan yet. Both were brilliant exponents of electric blues rock and were incredibly influential for many well-known guitarists. Having said that Johnny Marr was the mutts nuts too.

karl, broseley shropshire
best guitarist?, poison ivy from the cramps [ivy rorscach], no contest!.

gordian Reading
best guitarists/guitar moments for me have been mostly overlooked so far Adrian Belew, Robert Fripp, Antonio Forcione, Syd Barret. The unassuming Jonny Greenwood i fully expect to see at the top of such lists in the future.

Kryz, Derby
In terms of sheer musical genius and innovation it has to be Hendrix, I can still listen to Castles Made of Sand and be utterly amazed at the sounds he's wringing from that Strat. If we're talking interesting modern guitarists then Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead is definitely an innovator who always does something unexpected.

Paul Martin , Basingstoke
Andy Powell & Ted Turner from Wishbone Ash

James Legge, Liverpool
Nick Drake clearly never had the power or swagger of Hendrix,May, etc. but his songs were not only beautifully written but extremely impressive to play

Dan Broughton, Otley (Leeds)
JJ Cale - The most beautiful melodies played with masterful restraint... guitar God!

Andrew Grimmer . cambridge
Pete Green was one of the greatest guitarists ...... on a par with 'Slowhand'.. who I have always been a fan of since the 'Yardbird' and John Mayall days.... Totally different , but a true 'Great' in his own right , Jimi Hendrix......... but then you can go on and on........

King, Lewes
Sergio Dias of Os Mutantes. Pure Genius

Dave from Newcastle
If your avoiding the obvious then MC Lord Magrao of Guillemots. So unconventional, barely plays chords or solos but will be more often found creating sounds more like a creaky gate, drops of water or a haunted house. No one else is doing anything like him. Sure he's no Hendrix but he uses his head a great deal more than the rest.

Paul Day, Chester
For the 'Shoegaze' scene it's gotta be Brian Futter from the amazing and much missed 'Catherine Wheel'

Terry Starr, Northallerton
I don't think there is any question mark over the greatest guitarist of all time. Still, 36 years after his death, no other guitarist has ever come close to matching Jimi Hendrix for style or technique. His utter mastery of the dynamics of the electric guitar alone sets him way above any other practitioner. The grteatest living guitarist, I'm glad to say, is an Englishman. Just listen again to the guitar playing softly in the background on Fairport Convention's "Who knows where the time goes?", then listen to any of the consistently excellent solo albums he's made over the last twenty years, and you will see that there is no finer player, on either electric or acoustic guitar, than Richard Thompson.

Connor, Barrow
Toni Iommi from Black Sabbath- the godfather of heavy metal

Andy
There is no greatest guitarist!!! Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo from Sonic Youth

Andy
Josh Homme, Dean Deleo, Dean Ween, Rocky George, Mike Clark, J Mascis, Dimebag, Bob Mould. That'll do for now, just too many!!!

Gabi Hütköper at Hamburg, Germany
Craig Scanlon, Ex-The Fall.

Lauro, Nova Serrana
Slash from Guns n' Roses, it does not have doubt

mark, Newcastle upon tyne
public image limited's keith levine,shockingly underrated.

Edgar Balderas / Mexico
Mattias Jabs is the best guitarist ever! You just need to listen to some Scorpions songs, and you will find out!

Neil. Oxford.
You're talking rubbish. Hendrix is the answer. Regardless of how ignorant Mark Sutherland is of the full extent of Hendrix's work and style.

Graham, Barrow in Furness
Roddy Frame does it for me. From 16 to 42 years and not a string out of place. Brilliant! in the old but underrated category? George Harrison. Wildcard entry The Mighty Wah! Pete Wylie live is Awesome

GEORGE DONCASTER
SANTANA IS THE MAN!!!!HE CAN MAKE A GUITAR...SING...

Finlay, Edinburgh
Graham Coxon is really ace. He seems to concentrate on what sounds he can get out of his guitar rather than play bland solos. He uses interesting chords as well especially on Oily Water. Mind you, This is a Low is a real tear jerker.

gc, north wales
Will Sergeant,coolest dude on the planet

Chris - Nottingham
'Amen' from Lordi

Alex, London
A better question would have been what is people's favourite "guitar moment". The guitarists that people vote for in these surveys are usually on the basis that they have played a famous riff/solo in a famous song, not that they are personally "the best guitarist" based on their sound or technique, so the answers end up being given on a mixture of criteria and are difficult to compare. More often than not, people are judging the quality of the songwriting that they're performing, rather than the way they're hitting the strings. Usually, the famous riffs ARE written by the person who recorded them or performs them live.

Alex, London
A better question would have been what is people's favourite "guitar moment". The guitarists that people vote for in these surveys are usually on the basis that they have played a famous riff/solo in a famous song, not that they are personally "the best guitarist" based on their sound or technique, so the answers end up being given on a mixture of criteria and are difficult to compare. More often than not, people are judging the quality of the songwriting that they're performing, rather than the way they're hitting the strings. Usually, the famous riffs ARE written by the person who recorded them or performs them live.

Rob, Bradford
What the heck's wrong with being able to play? Having the passion's the only important thing...I'd say Neil Young AND Steve Vai.

paddy, belfast
has to be johnny marr, built the guitar round the vocals & never wanted to take centre stage over the lyrics or vocals but still managed to do it on songs such as charming man & ask!! more of a composer than just a guitarist (look at last night i dreamt, there is a light etc) johnny marr is quite simply a songwriters wet dream, he just happened to find the greatest songwriter ever :)

wes slough
Eric Sar(slideguitartastic)dinez.

Nik H - Blackburn, Lancs
For sheer unique originality and for influencing everyone from Metallica to Nirvana (via Slipknot, NIN et al) it's got to be Geordie Walker of Killing Joke. Often copied and emulated, no one on the planet actually matches his sound & style - he's by turns awe-inspiring, moving and scary. He sounds like the Pipes of Pan meets a Wagnerian orchestra and he's massively overlooked and underrated.

Richard Millks, Norwich
Zappa's a good bet, but Joe Satriani's eponymous album is a memsmerising blend of rock, blues & jazz (thrash jazz on Killer Bee-Bop) and haunting melody. It makes the hair on the back of the neck stand up, and takes me to another place (no, not the bathroom)

dave skipton
joe satriani took the guitar to a new level surely the inheritor jimis mantle

Frank, Belfast
John McGeouch, Robin Guthrie, Tom Verlaine. John & Dee O'Neill too.

mark loveday, Bath
Idon't know about 'ever', but Chuck Prophet {ex. Green on Red] is the greatest living guitarist. Check out GoR's summer dates!

Dave,Guildford
It's got to be Marr, although John Frusciante is no slouch.... Chris Olley 6x7? Unsung heroes....

chris, rugeley staffs.
gary moore of course. nobody can touch this man.

James, Redbridge
Sorry about the poor spelling on my comment.

James, Redbridge
Bernad Butler

Simon, Melbourne, Australia
Don't forget Carlos Santana

Portland Oregon United States
David Gilmore is overrated, never finishing a phrase he starts, but what about Roger Waters? Can't we discuss bass guitarists like him and Sir Paul in the same breath as the great guitarists? Those two alone might be on a short list of greatest modern musicians. Thanks.

Frank - Austin, Texas, USA
There are so many great guitar artists surfacing over the last several decades, but none can honestly compare to the creativity, originality, and lasting influence of Charlie Christian. If you don't know who Charlie Christian is, then please broaden your music listening experience.

Mark Unsworth, Cheltenham
Someone who is rarely mentioned in bepatches by the music press is the musical and guitar wonder that is Bill Nelson. Why is this great English guitarist and musical pioneer so overlooked? Bill has been an unsung creative force in British music for far to long, his playing style is truely his own and instantly recognisable.I believe he is surely Britain's greatest guitarist,if not one of the worlds greatest guitarist. My votes for Bill.

Gvn Notts
James Williamson on Iggy & The Stooges Raw Power

VINCE
Jimi Hendrix must be on the short list! George Harrison gets my vote. Geo. had a beautiful sound and could switch b/w elec. or acoustic amazingly well.

Tracy K Lincoln
Johnny Marr in his heyday could send shivers up your spine, but Jack White is best at the moment, especially when he's wrestling his guitar on the ground.

Bath
my list would be Jonny Greenwood thomas erak (the fall of troy) omar rodrigez lopez (mars volta) Johnny Marr Tom Verlaine

Mister Benn from the place that is Maidstone, Kent
Nick McCabe, Nick Drake and Adam Devlin's playing on The Bluetones' Expecting To Fly was a work of genius.

nick mccabe, the verve
nick mccabe could make some awesome noises with his guitar. otherwise its obviously hendrix. orvdave navarro....three days has an incredible solo

Tam Amsterdam
What about J.J.Cale, it may be old but it still sounds fresh, and he did influence a hell of a lot of artists like Eric Clapton etc, and at the time it was called the first kind of "pop music".Did he start it all?

Rob, Tamworth.
Paul Weller must be mentioned, a truly great guitarist. I also agree with Captain Sensible and Graham Coxon's inclusion. Here's a few wildcards to fuel the debate, though: Paul Simon, Kelly Jones and Jake Burns. All great in different ways.

James, Wrexham
Frank Zappa

John-Paul Corcoran, Cambridge.
Each decade, era, moment in history is graced with an omnipresent guitarist. This moment, right now, is being overseen by the genius of John Frusciante - the most empathic and passionate player of contemporary times.

Mark, Bristol
Y'know it's not that long ago when I would have been jumping to agree with the people saying Johnny Marr, however looking into his influences reveals the astonishing Bert Jansch. Extra fingers? You need extra hands to play like him! Seriously, why bother with judging people by solos when you can get the point across by playing brilliantly throughout the whole song?

Gary Cookson/Scarborough
I think J Marr, J Mascis, J Santiago, D Fielding (The Chameleons) and wait for this D Gedge should be classed as great guitarists, they all have a very distinct sound and that in my opinion makes them great.

TK, Harrogate
Robert Johnson is the greatest guitarist ever, becuse he invented playing fast - it was so revolutionary people reckoned he'd sold his soul to the devil (hence the Cream song crossroads)

Chris, Hamilton, Ontario
Johnny Marr

d, Aberystwyth
Dimebag darrell - Pantera

Sam, London
Impossible question. There are too many and a multitude of divergent styles. Tom Verlaine, John Perry (Only Ones), Marc Ribot, Nels Cline (various, Wilco), Maybelle Carter, David Rawlings (Gillian Welch) etc etc ...

Benedict, Bristol
John Squire still floats my boat. There's the lovely melodic playing and intricate arrangements of the Stone Roses circa '89. The 90's were his fret wanking years (still fantasitic if you ask me) then his solo albums combine the two. I'd also add a vote for Zappa. I hate it when people throw out the baby with the bath water when they critise technically skilled players. When has knowing more about something made you worse at it? Zappa was the best. Also Jeff Beck deserves a (big) mention. The White Stripes performed with a while back so I guess they like his noodling (or maybe his hair.)

Ian salisbury
Steve Jones from the Sex Pistols

Brummy lass
Ever heard of Duster Bennett? Look him up - he's great. And of course, Davy Graham

Ian, Ashby de la Zouch
Steve Vai isn't bad.

Ian, Ashby de la Zouch
Steve Vai isn't bad.

Graham from Nailsea
Look the best guitarist ever was almost certainly either gary moor or the late grate paul kossof just listen to come together in the morning would have to agree with me surly.

Andy / Ealing
Torn between Roddy Frame of Aztec Camera and Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe. Having see both live, they are both technivally brilliant and able to produce heart-melting licks.

Kenny, Sheffield
John Schmersal from Brainiac/Enon for his fantastic ability to bend dissonant guitar parts into grooves that manage to sound both wrong and right at the same time.

Hotpants, London Town
I find this voting for the best guitarist as quite ridiculous, but I still have a favourite (hahaha). That is Jonny Greenwod. Reason: he puts all his energy to find new ways of playing the strings and to make wicked sounds. Sounds that even make the listener have to do a second thought of what instrument that can be!

Beck, Derbyshire
The Edge's fluid style is unique despite U2 being a mainstream band (as of 1986).

Richie Edinburgh
The two sides of Neil Young - Delicate acoustc guitar and all out explosive distortion. Rockin in the free world!

Anthony, Derby
John Frusciante is the greatest guitarist of all time, he is amazing...A Pure Genius. His sound is truely unique!!!

Davide, Glasgow
Tom Verlaine is pretty special! Listen to Marquee Moon, or especially his solo album 'Flashlight' - not a note wasted. Johhny Marr is a genius and the stuff John Squire did before he convinced himself he was Jimmy Page was superb. Oh, and William Reid of the Mary Chain - as he said himself, he could do things with a guitar Eric Clapton hadn't even had a nightmare about!

Peter, Manchester
Roddy Frame. High Land Hard Rain was recorded when he was about 17, he was better than most then, and he's got better in the 20-odd years since then. And it's not all guitar w*nkery either

Louise Stephens, Suffolk
Johnny Marr, intricate, cool, jangly, individual and annoyingly talented. Most importantly though, he was very understated with it.

Glenn, Nottingham
It has to be Ben Haynes from The 45 Rebellion. An absolute master of pedals too. And a perfect gent!

Nestor Landeo, Lima, Perú, South America.
Eric Clapton was the first....

Sandy - Cambridge
John Fruciante and Matt Bellamy get my vote. Both are masters of the sonic capabilities of their intruments, capable of playing with both subtlty and flair

Per Ekstrom, Lund, Sweden
In principle always forgotten, so please remember Martin Barre of Jethro tull "fame" (since 1969 to date). Very efficient, very stylish, very humble and very rocking!

Dirk St Louis (Litter Picking On Scarborough Beac
Steve Rothery,Marillion- for sheer emotive expression and a charasmatic sound.His solos have brought tears to my eyes I have to admit.It is rumoured that he is the long lost and forgotten son of Dave Gilmour.

Gonzo, Stockholm
It must be Keith Richards. He is THE guitarist. Still alive and kickin´...

Josh
Frank Zappa...

Malibu Doghonkey, Bratislava, Slovakia
Alex from Thousand Yard Stare

Stan, Birkenhead
Tom Shidas from The Crabsticks, no question. Check out his solo on The Bitter Question.

Mike Dublin
Often over-looked but hard to argue against, Frank Zappa.

Martyn, Manchester
John Perry of The Only Ones - just listen to the solo on Another Girl Another Planet

Tony- Jersey
Captain Sensible of The Damned

Andy, Glasgow
Johnny Marr, has to be, you have to grow an extra finger to play This Charming Man

Laura Nesbitt, Bristol
I'm sure you have all heard the intro for The Smiths' Charming Man... I have to plug Johnny Marr for now - although I may be back.