As a guitar player myself I’ve always found the conversation of “Whose the best?” absurdly reductive since “best” can be interpreted in many different ways.
There’s “best” in terms of raw technical skill and facility with the instrument. Stuff like being able to execute fast alternate picked arpeggios cleanly or, even more impressively, doing so without a plectrum (fingerpicking). Knopfler is certainly a damn good fingerpicking player, so are Jeff Beck and Lindsey Buckingham. Legendary gypsy jazz player Django Reinhardt was the true innovator in that space and he only had 3 fully functioning fingers on his left hand! But in modern times Matteo Mancuso is pretty much a grand master of those techniques. There’s also techniques like sweep picking, two handed tapping (think Van Halen), hybrid picking, slapping and popping and double thumbing (primarily used in electric bass playing but lots of modern guitarist incorporate it too), and loads of other techniques of varying difficulties.
Then there’s the “best” in terms of applying a deep musical knowledge (theory) in truly creatives ways. Most guitar players would probably name the late, great Allan Holdsworth as the master of imaginative outside the box playing. Guthrie Govan is a truly masterful and creative player too as well as being technically proficient at the highest levels.
Then there’s the “best” in terms of influencing other guitar players. People like Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen are all massively influential.
Then finally, there’s the “best” in terms of just writing and performing the best music and playing memorable solos and other guitar parts in that context. This is the category that most non musicians mean when they consider who is the best generally. Obviously it’s all subjective, but in my opinion the best guitar solos are usually ones that contain catchy passages that be hummed or song along with. They connect with people and stick with them like a great vocal line does. In many cases, such solos aren’t actually that difficult to play. As an example, think of the guitar solo in Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit”. It literally is just the main chorus vocal line played on guitar.
Edit: Damn, this reads like I generated it with AI. I swear I didn’t…
BTW, AD, if you listen to the above link you’ll note the definite classical music influence in the structure of the entire song. The best rock musicians from that era often show the classical training they had when learning. Ian Anderson and Justin Hayward being obvious examples.
Nonapod,
Yeah, I’m also a guitar player…though run-of-the-mill hacker like my golf game. I understand what you’re saying.
I would put him in at #1, just slightly above Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton (limiting it to classic rock guitarists). The reason being is that he does everything via finger picking and comes up with amazing solos that fit in perfectly with the song. Not saying that Page and Clapton don’t do the same, but I think his technique is unique. He’s too modest about his talent.
I think Knopfler could play this (albeit with some practice if it’s outside his ken) and I for one would be pleased to listen. Crossover stuff has always been an amusing interest to me though. It would be fun too, to hear Yamashita with a Telecaster and Marshall amps having a go at Sultans of Swing.
What an utterly unctuous interviewer. He should be ashamed of himself.
The way Knopfler plays with his right hand is seriously difficult, I don’t think it can be taught.
Well stated, Nonapod.
It’s an absurd question, but sure does get me thinking. A few that come to mind, (in my humble opinion): Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Curt Kirkwood, Jimi Hendrix, Pat Metheny, Dave Navarro, Jimmy Page. Anyway, see what I mean?
Mitchell Strand…
I do believe that “utterly unctuous interviewer” is Waleed Ali… and you’re too kind. He’s much worse.
There are too many subtle, subjective dimensions, as Nonapod enumerates, to guitar greatness to select one player as the GOAT.
I love so many. None were replaceable.
Bless Mark Knopfler for his humility.
@Art Deco: Never heard of [Mark Knopfler].
And just like that AD disqualifies himself from having any opinions about rock guitarists since the 1970s.
I still adore the story of Mark Knopfler showing up on Chet Atkins’ doorstep and saying hello.
Perhaps AD has heard of Chet Atkins. Though I wouldn’t count on it.
Anyway. Knopfler knew of Chet Atkins — a major influence. And Atkins certainly knew of Mark Knopfler. They sat down and worked it out.
A very fine guitarist’s album came out of that meeting and won two Grammy awards. You can hear the whole thing here:
Hux why do I have a feeling AD was…as they say…taking the piss…?
@ tallowpot > “tallowpot on September 26, 2025 at 11:31 am said:
The best guitar player, hands down, is the one YOU like the best!
I like” – John Williams: Isaac Albeniz – Asturias (Leyenda) Part 7/9
AesopSpouse studied classical guitar for a few years and bought a lot of CDs by John Williams, Christopher Parkening and others.
“Asturias” has always been one of my favorites.
Sadly, taking up an instrument like guitar after age 50 is much too late to develop that level of skill, but he enjoys it.
Enjoyed it, rather; a few years ago he transferred his interest to the viola, and hasn’t had his guitar out for awhile.
I have to admit I liked hearing him practice the guitar better!
And just like that AD disqualifies himself from having any opinions about rock guitarists since the 1970s.
==
The number of times I’ve ever expressed any such opinion sums to zero.
== Perhaps AD has heard of Chet Atkins.
==
You have your interests and I have mine.
John Williams again, this time after a comic lead-in.
The quality of the recording is not the greatest and there is one glitch in it, but there are some really good close-ups of his fingers doing the triple tremolo that is the hallmark of this piece.
From the program notes:
Nov 14, 2018
From BringBackMyYesterday on YouTube: Roy Clark performs a flaming “Malagueña” on a 12-string Ovation Adamas on stage at his own theatre in Branson, Missouri (1993 or 1994). We hope you enjoy his performance and thank you all for viewing and liking our channel.*
*This clip was carefully transferred from VHS, an analogue recording videotape cassette, encoded in FM on a magnetic tape. The videotape was more than 20 years old at the time of its discovery and subsequent transfer to DVD. Although the quality of this video is not the best, our intention was simply to preserve and share this rare and brilliant performance by the remarkable Roy Clark. Thanks again for watching.
@ nonapod “Legendary gypsy jazz player Django Reinhardt was the true innovator in that space and he only had 3 fully functioning fingers on his left hand! ”
“Here’s a remarkable short film of the great gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, violinist Stéphane Grappelli and their band the “Quintette du Hot Club de France” performing on a movie set in 1938. The film was hastily organized by the band’s British agent Lew Grade as a way to introduce the band’s unique style of guitar and violin-based jazz to the British public before their first UK tour.”
A comment above about Knopfler reminded me of reading an interview with Chet Atkins. He said that most guitarists, himself included, built their styles and licks on a foundation of other players’ work, but Jerry Reed pulled his playing out of space, totally original.
There is a story around Minneapolis that someone asked Eric Clapton, “What’s it like to be the best guitar player in history?” To which Clapton replied, “I don’t know. Ask Prince.”
I suspect it is a made-up story.
Mark Knopfler looks really old!
For the record I think that the late Jeff Beck was the greatest guitar player.
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Never heard of him.
==
Now for something agreeable:
==
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcdS2hbpZcY
As a guitar player myself I’ve always found the conversation of “Whose the best?” absurdly reductive since “best” can be interpreted in many different ways.
There’s “best” in terms of raw technical skill and facility with the instrument. Stuff like being able to execute fast alternate picked arpeggios cleanly or, even more impressively, doing so without a plectrum (fingerpicking). Knopfler is certainly a damn good fingerpicking player, so are Jeff Beck and Lindsey Buckingham. Legendary gypsy jazz player Django Reinhardt was the true innovator in that space and he only had 3 fully functioning fingers on his left hand! But in modern times Matteo Mancuso is pretty much a grand master of those techniques. There’s also techniques like sweep picking, two handed tapping (think Van Halen), hybrid picking, slapping and popping and double thumbing (primarily used in electric bass playing but lots of modern guitarist incorporate it too), and loads of other techniques of varying difficulties.
Then there’s the “best” in terms of applying a deep musical knowledge (theory) in truly creatives ways. Most guitar players would probably name the late, great Allan Holdsworth as the master of imaginative outside the box playing. Guthrie Govan is a truly masterful and creative player too as well as being technically proficient at the highest levels.
Then there’s the “best” in terms of influencing other guitar players. People like Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen are all massively influential.
Then finally, there’s the “best” in terms of just writing and performing the best music and playing memorable solos and other guitar parts in that context. This is the category that most non musicians mean when they consider who is the best generally. Obviously it’s all subjective, but in my opinion the best guitar solos are usually ones that contain catchy passages that be hummed or song along with. They connect with people and stick with them like a great vocal line does. In many cases, such solos aren’t actually that difficult to play. As an example, think of the guitar solo in Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit”. It literally is just the main chorus vocal line played on guitar.
Edit: Damn, this reads like I generated it with AI. I swear I didn’t…
Never heard of Mark Knoplfer???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pa9x9fZBtY
BTW, AD, if you listen to the above link you’ll note the definite classical music influence in the structure of the entire song. The best rock musicians from that era often show the classical training they had when learning. Ian Anderson and Justin Hayward being obvious examples.
Nonapod,
Yeah, I’m also a guitar player…though run-of-the-mill hacker like my golf game. I understand what you’re saying.
I would put him in at #1, just slightly above Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton (limiting it to classic rock guitarists). The reason being is that he does everything via finger picking and comes up with amazing solos that fit in perfectly with the song. Not saying that Page and Clapton don’t do the same, but I think his technique is unique. He’s too modest about his talent.
Heitor Villa-Lobos, Etude no. 7 [4:54](Yamashita): https://youtu.be/_ywsIbtxRko
I think Knopfler could play this (albeit with some practice if it’s outside his ken) and I for one would be pleased to listen. Crossover stuff has always been an amusing interest to me though. It would be fun too, to hear Yamashita with a Telecaster and Marshall amps having a go at Sultans of Swing.
The best guitar player, hands down, is the one YOU like the best!
I like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY5y4Rp3tU8&list=RDGY5y4Rp3tU8&start_radio=1
Just for fun, Danny Gatton with “What’d I Say?”: https://youtu.be/MS5XH84mmI4
What an utterly unctuous interviewer. He should be ashamed of himself.
The way Knopfler plays with his right hand is seriously difficult, I don’t think it can be taught.
Well stated, Nonapod.
It’s an absurd question, but sure does get me thinking. A few that come to mind, (in my humble opinion): Steve Vai, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, Curt Kirkwood, Jimi Hendrix, Pat Metheny, Dave Navarro, Jimmy Page. Anyway, see what I mean?
Mitchell Strand…
I do believe that “utterly unctuous interviewer” is Waleed Ali… and you’re too kind. He’s much worse.
There are too many subtle, subjective dimensions, as Nonapod enumerates, to guitar greatness to select one player as the GOAT.
I love so many. None were replaceable.
Bless Mark Knopfler for his humility.
@Art Deco: Never heard of [Mark Knopfler].
And just like that AD disqualifies himself from having any opinions about rock guitarists since the 1970s.
I still adore the story of Mark Knopfler showing up on Chet Atkins’ doorstep and saying hello.
Perhaps AD has heard of Chet Atkins. Though I wouldn’t count on it.
Anyway. Knopfler knew of Chet Atkins — a major influence. And Atkins certainly knew of Mark Knopfler. They sat down and worked it out.
A very fine guitarist’s album came out of that meeting and won two Grammy awards. You can hear the whole thing here:
–Chet Atkins & Mark Knopfler, “Neck and Neck” (1990)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwTg409JuWI
Roy Clark. Watch him play the Malaguena. Wow!!
Hux why do I have a feeling AD was…as they say…taking the piss…?
@ tallowpot > “tallowpot on September 26, 2025 at 11:31 am said:
The best guitar player, hands down, is the one YOU like the best!
I like” – John Williams: Isaac Albeniz – Asturias (Leyenda) Part 7/9
AesopSpouse studied classical guitar for a few years and bought a lot of CDs by John Williams, Christopher Parkening and others.
“Asturias” has always been one of my favorites.
Sadly, taking up an instrument like guitar after age 50 is much too late to develop that level of skill, but he enjoys it.
Enjoyed it, rather; a few years ago he transferred his interest to the viola, and hasn’t had his guitar out for awhile.
I have to admit I liked hearing him practice the guitar better!
And just like that AD disqualifies himself from having any opinions about rock guitarists since the 1970s.
==
The number of times I’ve ever expressed any such opinion sums to zero.
==
Perhaps AD has heard of Chet Atkins.
==
You have your interests and I have mine.
John Williams again, this time after a comic lead-in.
The quality of the recording is not the greatest and there is one glitch in it, but there are some really good close-ups of his fingers doing the triple tremolo that is the hallmark of this piece.
Recuerdos de la Alhambra played by John Williams
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDlQE9djIxE&list=RDGY5y4Rp3tU8&index=15
I’ve had the “next selection” going on the computer since listening to the link from tallowpot; nice background to read the news by!
Malaguena by Pepe Romero.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COc1ljZEb-M&list=RDGY5y4Rp3tU8&index=16
Atkins: (random selection from the internet)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puylV6CapBg&list=RDpuylV6CapBg&start_radio=1
Roy Clark was very different from the others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz2hXI7Ny9I&list=RDPz2hXI7Ny9I&start_radio=1
From the program notes:
Nov 14, 2018
From BringBackMyYesterday on YouTube: Roy Clark performs a flaming “Malagueña” on a 12-string Ovation Adamas on stage at his own theatre in Branson, Missouri (1993 or 1994). We hope you enjoy his performance and thank you all for viewing and liking our channel.*
*This clip was carefully transferred from VHS, an analogue recording videotape cassette, encoded in FM on a magnetic tape. The videotape was more than 20 years old at the time of its discovery and subsequent transfer to DVD. Although the quality of this video is not the best, our intention was simply to preserve and share this rare and brilliant performance by the remarkable Roy Clark. Thanks again for watching.
Mark Knopfler and Chet Atkins – Imagine (Lennon)
If you imagine that you don’t know the lyrics, the song is really very nice to listen to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IbDN2XhmaQ&list=RDpuylV6CapBg&index=2
@ nonapod “Legendary gypsy jazz player Django Reinhardt was the true innovator in that space and he only had 3 fully functioning fingers on his left hand! ”
You can find everything on the internet.
Jazz Hot (1938) The Rare Short Film With Jazz Legend Django Reinhardt
“How it was played is what matters, not how it was written.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxQxajcOyCI&list=RDcxQxajcOyCI&start_radio=1
“Here’s a remarkable short film of the great gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, violinist Stéphane Grappelli and their band the “Quintette du Hot Club de France” performing on a movie set in 1938. The film was hastily organized by the band’s British agent Lew Grade as a way to introduce the band’s unique style of guitar and violin-based jazz to the British public before their first UK tour.”
A comment above about Knopfler reminded me of reading an interview with Chet Atkins. He said that most guitarists, himself included, built their styles and licks on a foundation of other players’ work, but Jerry Reed pulled his playing out of space, totally original.
There is a story around Minneapolis that someone asked Eric Clapton, “What’s it like to be the best guitar player in history?” To which Clapton replied, “I don’t know. Ask Prince.”
I suspect it is a made-up story.
Mark Knopfler looks really old!
For the record I think that the late Jeff Beck was the greatest guitar player.