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The best axeman......?


saint lard

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All down to opinions,but that's what counts,who is the greatest.....

 

I will get the ball rolling by naming a couple of greats.In no particular order...

 

Hendrix

Steve Vai

Joe Bonamassa

Slash (met him,nice bloke too)

Micheal Schenker

Gary Moore

Jimmy Page

James Hetfield

Kirk Hammett

Dave Gilmore

 

The list goes on and on...

 

Steve Vai is technically gifted but lacks a certain 'soul' for the want of a better expression.

Going to see Bonamassa at the Guildhall,really cant wait.

One of the greatest solo's imo is on Comfortably Numb,so much feeling and emotion,probably not the most intricate but jeez it gets me every time.

If only i could replicate that on my Uke.

 

This is pretty nifty.......

 

Bonamassa strolls into his record store and...

 

And doing his stuff in the studio...

Edited by saint lard
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An interesting thread that is sure to spark some debate.

 

I would strike Jimmy Page's name from the list.

Ever since I realised that the so-called 'best guitar solo ever' (Stairway to Heaven) was a fraud, I never saw him in the same light again.

 

My nomination for best electric would be Steve Hillage.

 

But what about those REAL guitarists who prefer not to plug their instrument into an amp and hide their flaws behind feedback and distortion?????

 

Surely John Renbourn is the most technically accomplished British guitarist ever!

And what about Bert Jansch...... his version of Davey Graham's 'Angie' makes wannabe guitarists dribble and drool.

If you don't believe me......have a listen

Incidentally, Davey Graham should be on the list too.

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Good shout with Kossoff. However, the correct answer is James Hetfield.

 

Notable mentions for Dave Mustaine, Jerry Cantrell and Mark Tremonti. Vai does nothing for me.

 

Got to be Kirk if we are going down the metallica route ??

 

Hendrix was just unbelievable

 

And i have to mention mark Knopfler,

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An interesting thread that is sure to spark some debate.

 

I would strike Jimmy Page's name from the list.

Ever since I realised that the so-called 'best guitar solo ever' (Stairway to Heaven) was a fraud, I never saw him in the same light again.

 

Tell me more - I've never heard of this before.

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I'd say that the term 'axeman' must mean a heavy metal guitarist, no?

 

Some lovely stuff linked above but not all what I'd consider 'axemen'.

 

For me it has to be someone who gets the crowd going mental and purely from personal memories of 'Monsters of Rock' and 'Heavy Metal Holocaust' and Sabbath's 'Mob Rules' tour to name but threee would lead me towards a bit of mesmerising by Angus Young or praps Iommi's genius.

 

For Those About To Rock (we salute you):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua0xlqfR6gg

 

Ultimately it has to be Tony Iommi - (enjoy, and apologies for using a clip with that knob Phil Collins in it):

...and he's only got TWO fingers, even more amazing.

 

I should add that I discarded my cut off denim jacket way back, so my opinions really count for diddly squat probably.

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Got to be Kirk if we are going down the metallica route ??

 

Disagree. Just because Hammett is the lead guitarist doesn't make him the best. Papa Het created most of the great Metallica riffs and his rhythm playing is second to none. No slouch on the few solos that he does either.

 

Hetfield really does pwn Hammett IMO, although Hammett is cool as well (probably wouldn't be in my top 10 though). I should also declare that I am firmly a rhythm guitarist and find myself in utter awe of Hetfield's technique, creativity and attitude.

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The top 10 is something like:

 

1. Hetfield

2. Kossoff

3. Hendrix

4. Mustaine

5. Cantrell

6. Tremonti

7. Iommi

8. Page

9. Angus Young

10. Neil Young

 

There or thereabouts include Morello, Gilmour, Knopfler (even if he did play a a g*y Fender), Stevie Ray, Blackmore and Thayil. Slash and Hammett some way behind these, although I like both.

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Keef - he is the human riff after all. Forgot all your noodley nonses, riffing is where its at (says the firmly rhythm guitar player)

 

Err.... no. ;)

 

Electric lead guitarists need only apply. Loads of great ones named out there [NOT Keef], but no mention of Rory Gallagher. I've amended that now.

 

EDIT: Oops, just spotted him in post 27 by Trader [sounds like a band name]. Well seconded, anyhow.

Edited by St Landrew
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I'd go for Mussolini, with Franco on bass, Mosley on rhythm and Adolf on the traps. Not sure who would be frontman material. Flamboyance wasn't really their thing.

I'd put General Galtieri on drums and put Adolf up front - they could then do a cover of 'I never loved Eva Braun' by the Boomtown Rats.

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Tell me more - I've never heard of this before.

 

The solo on the album is not 'one take' but rather, a series of edits.

Listen carefully and you'll hear them punch in.

I had always thought that it was one take and Jimmy had practised/sold his soul etc until it was perfect.

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Do they have to be metal, or can it be anyone?

 

John McLaughlin

John Fahey

Johnny Marr

John Martyn

 

plus some others not called John.

 

Jim O'Rourke

Loren Mazzacane Connors

Prince

 

YES!

Of course.......what a good call.

His work with Shakti is incredible.......and of course, he played with Miles.

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The solo on the album is not 'one take' but rather, a series of edits.

Listen carefully and you'll hear them punch in.

I had always thought that it was one take and Jimmy had practised/sold his soul etc until it was perfect.

 

Not really that shocking. I would assume 90+% of solos committed to record are done this way. As are 99% of vocals, drums, bass, keyboards, strings...

 

When you consider that the tones from the solo are also obviously from different guitars and set ups, then its a given.

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Billy Gibbons

Robert Cray

 

Already been mentioned but also class:

Clapton

Hendrix

Gary Moore

 

Also would add George Harrison - much under-rated as a guitarist...

 

He was not a naturally-talented guitarist. If you read Geoff Emerick's book about the Beatles Here, There and Everywhere (he was the chief engineer on Revolver, Sgt. Pepper ..., and Magical Mystery Tour), George often had a difficult time working out and perfecting many of his guitar solos. Geoff remembers several occasions in the studio when George would keep the others waiting for ages whilst he struggled with a particular solo. Paul sometimes played the lead instead, often nailing it on the first take.

 

 

BTW, I don't think anyone mentioned Jeff Beck - an amazingly versatile guitarist - I love his jazzy stuff.

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Not really that shocking. I would assume 90+% of solos committed to record are done this way. As are 99% of vocals, drums, bass, keyboards, strings...

 

When you consider that the tones from the solo are also obviously from different guitars and set ups, then its a given.

 

Sad but true.

Conclusion: there are no good guitarists.

;)

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The solo on the album is not 'one take' but rather, a series of edits.

Listen carefully and you'll hear them punch in.

I had always thought that it was one take and Jimmy had practised/sold his soul etc until it was perfect.

 

I saw him do it live twice in a week at Knebworth in '79, sounded pretty amazing to me then though.

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