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I would have to go with Kirk Hammett. His powerful and awesome solos, riffs, and performance style have made him quite famous with Metallica.

Secondly, Eric Clapton was also an outstanding guitarist. His smooth and edgy playing style is known all over. He is also well known for rocking "Blackie"!

I also think I should mention Mark Knopfler from the Dire Straits. He was an amazing guitarist. His finger picking style has made him one of the greatest of all time. His Fender Stratocaster matched him perfectly. His style on guitar was fluid and powerful whenever he performed.

I can't believe it! No one's mentioned Brian May! Pure genius: both as a guitarist and songwriter!

I think Stanley Jordan should be in the conversation. When he plays he sounds like he is playing multiple guitars at once!

Yngwie Malmsteen!
He is the best metal player

John Williams
classical guitar

Carlos Santana is good too

whoever does cliffs of dover is good too

im sorry for the double comment but i HAVE to mention Kirk Hammet. He is amazing, his solos are great, and his riffs are unbeatable.

i would most definitely say Slash. all time best and favorite!!!

Slash is best guitarist of my generation. The best guitarist of all time would have to be Jimi Hendrix,for sure. Here is my Top 5:
1. Jimi Hendrix
2. Eric Clapton
3. Santana
4. Jimmy Page
5. Slash

van halen

Eddie Van Halen was great,but he kind of became self absorbed in his work and thought he was better than he really was. The same can be said of Slash. In fact,I replace Slash with Tony Iommi on my top 5 list. He was ranked #1 on Rolling Stone's list of greatest guitarists,and his work is legendary.

Ummmm. . .Rolling Stone named Hendrix number one, not Iommi. Iommi was farther down the list.

Also, RS's list sucks. They put the guitarist from the Rolling Stones in the top 10, and his guitarwork is far from impressive.

Sorry,I got my facts wrong. Pete Townshend,not a bad guitarist himself,wrote the entry.

I'm not saying he is the best, but Jack White is pretty darn good!

I'm not saying he's the best,but Rick Derringer played a mean guitar. Here are some examples: Eat It
Hang On Sloopy
Rock N' Roll Hootchie Koo
Also,I think Derringer should be in consideration for the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. He's got good credentials. Rick Derringer's Wikipedia Page

I would ahve to go wit Kirk Hammett, from Metallica. Beast at solos, and knows how to use the guitar!

METALLICA FTW!

Kirk Hammett's good,but sometimes I think he abuses his guitar playing ability.