Favourite 5 guitarists?

[-One-]

In no particular order:

Marc Okubo from Veil of Maya
Fredrik Thordendal from Meshuggah
Ryan Morgan from Misery Signals
Misha Mansoor from Periphery
Josh Travis from The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza and Glass Cloud

Without a doubt, the five guitarists that have influenced my playing/writing the most.

 

[Kullerbytta]

Most of my favorites are not excessively fantastic players. I like them because of the riffs and their songwriting.

Paul Allender from Cradle of Filth. I don't know how much of their earlier material was written by him exclusively but I did enjoy his solo work on Damnation and a Day in which he was the sole writing/recording guitarist.

Paul Gilbert - I simply love the songs he's written. I used to hate his lead tone (?!) but I've come to love it dearly in the past years.

Keith Merrow - Fantastic riffs and captivating songs.

Miya from MUCC - He's ultimately what ignited the 7-string GAS that lied dormant within me love his writing, playing, tone, creativity and the element of surprise when one song on an album is heavy as shit, the next song is alt. rock, one is jazzy and then suddenly they drop a huge emotional bomb of feelings in a 7-11 minute ballad.

Can't think of a last one right now.

 

[GiveUpGuitar]

Paul Gilbert for precision
Allan Holdsworth for legato
Yngwie Malmsteen for \m/
Derrick Trucks for the south
Fredrik Thordendal for low slow groove faces

 

[andyjanson]

Adrian Smith
Dave Gilmour
Paul Waggoner
EVH
Misha Mansoor

I think Tosin Abasi was edged out by EVH purely on nostalgia points...actually 4 of these could be different if you asked me again tomorrow, Adrian stays at the top always.

 

[ArtDecade]

My Five:

Adrian Belew ... for creativity
Dean Deleo ... for tones
Malcolm Young ... for riffs
Trey Anastastio ... for spontaneity
Brian Setzer ... for kicks

 

[Blackheim]

1. Guthrie Govan: He's a master of the guitar art. Even though I enjoy other guitarists from the same elite group (including Allan Holdsworth), none of them are as tasteful as Govan IMHO.
2. Ihsahn: Just check out the last Emperor album and all his solo work. Incredible musician and posses a great sense of orchestration.
3. Paul Waggoner: He's a beast.
4. Chuck Schuldiner: Chuck Schuldiner.
5. The guy from Fallujah (or guys). Whoever writes music for Fallujah kicks major a$$.

 

[metallidude3]

Rusty Cooley
Prince
Muhammed Suicmez
Derek Trucks
Jonny Lang
Honorable mentions: Tosin Abasi and SRV

Can we get some bass players down on this?!

Stu Hamm
Stefan Fimmers
Dan Briggs
Wooten
Steve Jenkins

 

[david_pri]

John Petrucci
Steve Vai
Guthrie Govan
Al di Meola
Alberto Rionda

 

[Vhyle]

Mikael Akerfeldt - although I'm unfortunately losing faith in Opeth nowadays, their MAYH - Deliverance era will always be very important to me. The man completely changed the way I approach guitar, songwriting and metal in general. Credit is definitely due here.

Jeff Loomis - virtuoso for sure, but can also maintain a great sense of emotion and energy in his playing. Far from the stale shredding league. I honestly put him up there with Jason Becker, and that says a lot.

Peta Lukacs - guitarist of European Mantra. Mind-blowing, very underrated fusion player.

John Petrucci - earlier Dream Theater is what influenced me to pick up the guitar in the first place - Awake to SFAM to be more specific.

Dimebag - he played his ass off, and didn't give a shit. And that's honestly the way it should be.

 

[Might-is-Right]

If I keep it to 5 within my genre I'd go

Karl Sanders (would have to include Dallas in there as well)
Rutan
Robert Vigna
Moyses Kolesne
Vogg

 

[Louis Cypher]

Prince

Incredible guitarist

Mine I guess are pretty old school

EVH
Randy Rhoads
George Lynch
Andy LaRocque
Warren DiMartini

Though have to shout out DLR/PaW era Vai, Dimebag, Harry Cody, Traci G & J from White Zombie

 

[shikamaru]

I feel mainstream because I have a hard time making a top 5 that isn’t someone else’s top 5.

The only exceptions are Hank Marvin and Marcel Dadi. Both are the first 100% instrumental guitarists I’ve ever listened to. My dad listened to them so I was pretty much raised listening to them. To this day they are still dude I admire a lot, and I actually think Stingray by the Shadows was the first extended range song I’ve heard.

So yeah here is my top 5:
- Marcel Dadi
- Hank Marvin
- John Petrucci
- Guthrie Govan
- Tosin Abasi

So many other guitarists I love could be part of this list though…

 

[jerm]

Steve Vai
Per Nilsson
Dark Tranquillity's guitarists
James Malone from Arsis
Mors Principium Est's guitarists.

 

[Pav]

Mikael Akerfeldt
Paul Gilbert
Paul Waggoner
Alexi Laiho (can't leave him out!)
John 5

And an extra mention for Emil Werstler and Randy Rhoads.

 

[watson503]

Randy Rhoads
Andy LaRocque
Jeff Hanneman
Dave Mustaine
Trey Azagthoth

 

[FILTHnFEAR]

Not in any particular order, not necessarily because of their most recent offerings, and not because they are ultrashredders/guitar gods. Just the influence they have had on me. And it's more than 5 guys(I mean c'mon).

James Hetfield/Kirk Hammet) fawk:the haters)
Ville Friman/Ville Vanni (Insomnium)
Max Cavalera (1 of the reasons I picked up the instrument)
Scott Ian/Charlie Benante(drummer yes, but wrote at least 1/2 their riffs)
Michael Akerfeldt/Perter Lindgren
Tim Sult (Clutch)
Darrell Abbott (RIP) (the other reason I play)
Alex Wade/Ben Savage
Jonas Renske/Anders Nystrom (Katatonia)
Kerry King/Jeff Hanneman (RIP)

 

[FantasyMetal]

Jimmy Page
David Gilmour
Al Di Meola
John Petrucci
Revolving 5th Spot (Michael Romeo, Michael Amott, Mikael Akerfeldt)
Special Mention: Jon Schaffer - Probably the most influential for the way I play guitar (you know, "that" Iced Earth riff)

 

[BEADGBE7]

Guthrie Govan can hold all 5 spots for me

but you know, too many great players to think like this

 

[HungryGuitarStudent]

In no particular order:

Steve Vai
Per Nilsson
Marty Friedman (Rust in Piece era)
Alex Skolnick (Testament era)
Joe Satriani (early stuff)
Andy Larocque
Darrell Abbott
John Petrucci (early Dream Theater albums)
Al DiMeola
... (it's hard to stop)

 

[TheShreddinHand]

Currently:

John Petrucci
Marco Sfogli
Andy James
Per Nilsson
Jeff Loomis