If you say I’m great, thank you very much. But I know what I am. I could be better, man, you know?
Keith Richards
According to Rolling Stone magazine, this legendary guitar player ranks fourth best of all time. If he contends he still has much to learn, what does that mean for today's guitar players? As soon as you decide to learn the guitar, you set yourself on a lifelong learning path, as today's great guitarists have.
| Name | Years Active | Primary Genres | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jimi Hendrix | 1964–1970 | Rock; Blues | Reinvented electric guitar; iconic tracks like 'Voodoo Child'; widely regarded as greatest guitarist ever" |
| Eric Clapton | 1962–present | Rock; Blues | 3‑time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; influential tracks like 'Layla' and 'Wonderful Tonight'; major influence for blues rock |
| B.B. King | 1948–2015 | Blues | 15 Grammys; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee; performed ~300 shows a year; brought blues to global audience |
| Jimmy Page | 1966–present | Rock; Blues; Folk | Led Zeppelin founding member; co‑wrote 'Stairway to Heaven'; known for cello‑bow solos |
| Stevie Ray Vaughan | 1970–1990 | Blues; Blues rock | Revived Texas blues; virtuosic playing; widely acclaimed in Rolling Stone top lists |
| Carlos Santana | 1966–present | Rock; Latin rock | Fusion pioneer; multiple Grammys; Woodstock performance legendary |
| David Gilmour | 1968–present | Progressive rock | Pink Floyd guitarist; noted for melodic solos; ranked best prog guitarist by Rolling Stone fan forums |
| Eddie Van Halen | 1972–2020 | Rock; Hard rock | Revolutionized tapping technique; hugely influential on rock/metal guitar |
| Chuck Berry | 1953–2017 | Rock & Roll | Father of rock guitar; songs like 'Johnny B. Goode'; iconic riffs influenced generations |
| Duane Allman | 1964–1971 | Rock; Blues rock | Slide‑guitar pioneer; co‑founder of Allman Brothers Band; top‑ranked in Rolling Stone |
| Jeff Beck | 1963–2023 | Blues rock; Jazz fusion | Rolling Stone top‑5 guitarist; 8 Grammys; innovator across genres; Rock Hall inductee |
| John Frusciante | 1988–present | Alternative rock; Funk rock | Key RHCP guitarist; praised for melodic and minimalist style |
| John Mayer | 1998–present | Pop rock; Blues rock | Grammy‑winning solo artist; respected guitarist admired in online guitar communities |
| Bob Dylan | 1961–present | Folk rock | Influential as a folk guitarist; key figure in 1960s music |
| Peter Buck | 1980–present | Alternative rock | R.E.M. guitarist; ranked around #106 in Rolling Stone top 250 list |
| Tosin Abasi | 2003–present | Progressive metal | Pioneered djent; ranked #99 in Rolling Stone 250 greats |
| Nile Rodgers | 1970–present | Funk; Disco rock | Rhythm guitar innovator; ranked #7 in RS 250 |
| Sister Rosetta Tharpe | 1938–1970 | Gospel; Early rock | Trailblazer for electric guitar in gospel/rock; ranked #6 in RS 250 |
It’s no wonder that music fans and guitarists debate who today's best guitarists are. For some, the artist's technical skills are the deciding factor, and for others, it’s a question of emotion. This article presents an admittedly subjective selection of guitarists. Which guitarists are your favourites, and why?
Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is one of the most famous rock and blues guitarists still actively playing, more than 60 years after his debut. His fans unabashedly refer to him as 'God', but 'Slow Hand' is his more pedestrian nickname.
To this day, his music inspires guitar instructors who give guitar lessons across Greater London, including Surrey - Clapton's old stomping grounds.
Playing style:
- Blues
- rock
- anything!
Instrument(s):
- Fender - Telecaster, Jazzmaster
- Gibson - ES-335, Les Paul
- Gretsch 6120 double cutaway
Known for:
- Only 3-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee
- the original 'Guitar Hero'
When his guitar strings broke mid-concert, he would stop the show to change them on-stage. This time-consuming process caused audiences to break into a slow clap.
Contrary to popular belief, he did not earn his nickname for intricate playing, especially playing blues songs. Today, he's the guitarist to emulate, for his fluidity and precision. You'll hear those qualities in Slowhand's sexy songs for the guitar, like Layla or Wonderful Tonight.
Jimmy Page
One of the founding and leading members of Led Zeppelin features on every list of the top 10 best guitarists on the planet. Known as “The Wizard,” Page plays guitar with a cello bow when he solos.
He co-wrote one of rock music's greatest anthems, Stairway to Heaven. Anyone taking guitar lessons will pick out that song's intro, likely sooner than later.
Playing style:
influences from blues, country, and international folk music
Instruments:
- Gibson - various models
- Fender - various models
- Danelectro 3021
Known for:
- creative riffs
- melodic solos
- varying guitar tunings
- playing guitar with a cello bow
He bought his oft-used Gibson Les Paul from Joe Walsh. The Fender Telecaster he played the Stairway solo on, The Dragon, was a gift from Jeff Beck.
Steve Vai
Steve Vai never aspired to front a world-renowned band or be at the top of the pop charts. From childhood, he had an instinctual understanding of music theory, and finds novel ways of creating music.
Today, his grounding in solfège inspires guitar students - and those taking bass guitar lessons, to take music theory seriously.
Playing style:
virtuoso, instinctive
Instruments:
- Ibanez JEM six-string
- Onyx Black Ibanez
- PIA
- other makes, including Fender, Charvel, and Gavtone
Known for:
- legato
- two-handed tapping
- hybrid and sweep picking
- whammy bar acrobatics
Steve Vai's connection to our next guitarist is profound. He began guitar lessons when he was 13; Joe Satriani was his teacher. Now, for anyone taking guitar lessons in Birmingham: is your guitar instructor on the edge of fame?
Joe Satriani
Nobody searching for guitar lessons for beginners today could be as lucky as Steve Vai was. In those days, Joe Satriani was busy filling holes in the guitar music world. It was a time of transition, when music (in general), and the guitar, didn't quite know which direction to take.
Satriani's musical phrasing and the way he coaxed till-then unheard emotion from his instrument reshaped the concept of guitar music. Today, the clear, crisp notes he plays make his music immediately recognisable. He's the guitarist many guitar learners aspire to play like.
Playing style:
- metal
- rock
- rock fusion
Instruments:
Ibanez JS series
Known for:
- speed and fluidity
- evocative playing
- science fiction themes
- teaching/inspiring some of today's greatest guitar players
His inspiration for taking guitar lessons has macabre origins. He learned of Jimi Hendrix's passing during football practice. Leaving the field, he told his coach he was quitting the sport to learn the guitar. The sport's loss is the music world's gain, especially with such tracks as these to his name.
Jimi Hendrix
Whether you’re after emotion or technique, many contend that Jimi Hendrix is the uncontested master of the guitar. This self-taught guitar genius practically reinvented the world of rock and blues. He was an experimenter, and equally good as a soloist and melodist.
Jimmy still inspires big names and beginner guitarists today. Shout-out to anyone taking guitar lessons in Belfast: why not try your hand at “Voodoo Child” or "Red House"?
Playing style:
every style imaginable, including 'piano style', which he invented
Instruments:
- Fender - Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Duosonic, Jaguar
- Gibson - Les Paul, SG
Known for:
- pioneering techniques
- inspiring left-handed guitar players
- inspiring every guitar player
Today's guitars can accommodate left- and right-handed players; that wasn't the case in Hendrix's time. When he restrung his Stratocaster upside-down, the slanted bridge pickup gave his lowest string a bright sound.
It was a novelty unfortunately lost with today's new guitar construction. Still, for lefties still unsure about playing the guitar, online guitar lessons can help you discover your unique sound.
Adrian Smith
Many metal music fans insist that Iron Maiden never got its due. Guitar aficionados lament that Adrian Smith, in particular, is overlooked as one of the world's best guitar players.
In both cases, it's because neither the band nor the guitarist was interested in what the music industry said it wanted from them.
Playing style:
- progressive rock
- heavy metal
- classical influences
Instruments:
- Gibson - Les Paul Goldtop Explorers SGs
- Fender - Stratocaster, Superstrat
- Ibanez Destroyer
- Hamer Scarab
- Lado - various models
Known for:
- sonic texture
- unique phrasing
- melodic sense
Total Guitar ranks Adrian Smith the eighth-best metal guitarist of all time. Guitar World places him at #11 on their list of all-time greatest metal guitarists.
For all the playing styles Adrian incorporates into his music, his unique guitar sound is immediately recognisable. No metal guitarist can quite match him on slide or rhythm. As for his songwriting chops, we'll let him tell you himself.
Misha Mansoor
Misha dabbled in music throughout his childhood but didn't get serious about it until his college years. Then, he adopted his Bulb identity, and posted music on various guitar forums. His renown is wholly organic; it grew thanks to his hard work - rather than commercial promotion.
Playing style:
- djent
- metalcore
- progressive metal
Instruments:
- Fender - Jackson, Stratocaster
- Ibanez
- Ernie Ball
- Mayones
Known for:
- early djent assays
- unique shredding
- Horizon Devices - a guitar gear and pedal company
Misha was studying sociology and philosophy in college, before dropping out to pursue music. His current career as a guitarist is doing more to calm nerves and unite mankind than any sociology study could. What an ironic twist! Witness how he plays with full focus, and his heart in every composition.
Derek Trucks
Derek has spurred many music lovers to seek guitar lessons for kids so their child might follow in his footsteps.
A certified guitar prodigy, Derek began playing professionally when he was 11 years old. However, his youthful hand size made it hard to play properly, so he learned how to use a slide.
Playing style:
- jam
- jazz
- Southern Rock
- qawwali
Instruments:
- Gibson - various models
- Washburn E300 custom
- Silvertone Artist PRS
Known for:
- instinctive playing
- slide abilities
- blending genres
He suspects his parents' love for Derek and the Dominoes, Eric Clapton's early band, played a large role in choosing their son's name. This proves the guitar world truly is close-knit!
John Mayer
John's early career was a masterclass on how you can earn money playing the guitar. He received heavy criticism after his first televised concerts in 2001, and for dunking on women - one, in particular.
Many dismissed John Mayer as just one of those artist-composers who makes music for lovelorn adolescents, and big paydays. Still, we saw hints of his greater musicality even in those early days, as the 2006 track below demonstrates.
Playing style:
blues with heavy melodic overtones
Instruments:
- Martin - various models
- Fender - various models
- John owns hundreds of guitars!
Known for:
- breaking away from commercial music
- collaborations with guitar greats
Fortunately, John himself soon realised that talent is a terrible thing to waste. After the worst criticisms, he stepped back to reclaim his dignity. He's been making inspiring music ever since (did you happen to catch him in the clip above?). Now calling anyone taking Guitar lessons Glasgow: how many Mayer songs in your repertoire?
Matteo Mancuso
Like Derek Trucks, Matteo started playing professionally when he was 11 years old. Both these guitar players come from musical families. Those two facts don't make Matteo an impressive guitarist, though. His speed, technical skill, and blending jazz, classical and progressive styles do.
Playing style:
- classical-electric fusion
- jazz
- progressive
- unique finger usage
Instrument:
Yamaha Revstar Custom
Known for:
- sonic richness
- style-blending
- technical abilities
Legendary guitarists like Al di Meola and Steve Vai hail Matteo as 'the future of electric guitar'. Anyone who can solo without a pick and adapt flamenco techniques to the electric guitar is surely worth such praise. In fact, my mate taking guitar lessons Leeds plays this Matteo track on their way to class, to get in the mood.
Tosin Abasi
Watching Tosin play his eight-string guitar, it's hard to believe he taught himself guitar fundamentals.
Nobody knows where or when he came to the conclusion that guitar technique needed updating. Perhaps it's precisely because he had little formal training. Still, he set himself to the task and, today, he outdoes even the old masters in technical ability.
Playing style:
- djent
- metalcore
- instrumental rock
Instruments:
- Ernie Ball Music Man
- Ibanez - various models
- Abasi Concepts
Known for:
- playing 8-string guitar
- revolutionary technique
- intricate phrasing
- sel-picking
Though not quite in Misha Mansour's league of shredding, Tosin's abilities are still remarkable. Clearly, he enjoys the many benefits of guitar playing, not the least of which is finding bliss in playing. Note in this clip, how he surrenders to the music, and lets his ultra-talented hands carry him along.
Robert Johnson
We close this exposé with one of the most intriguing guitarists in blues guitar lore. His story is a fascinating chapter in music history as well as a record of past events. Robert Johnson merits inclusion not just for his playing skills, but for the mystery that shrouds his 27-year life.
He grew up in Memphis, the son of a relatively prosperous man, at a time when lynchings were still common. When he picked up the guitar is uncertain, but he made the instrument his life in 1929, at 18 years old. As the legend goes, he proclaimed he would sell his soul to the devil himself in return for guitar-playing talent.
Playing style:
Delta blues
Instrument:
Stella Gibson L-1
Kalamazoo KG-14
Known for:
- popularising Delta Blues music
- unique playing style
- influencing today's best guitarists
Robert's death was equally mysterious, and further heightens his legend. Some posit congenital syphilis; poisoning is the more likely explanation, but nobody's sure how he died. Not much remains of his work, so we're fortunate to have some samples of his phenomenal talent. If you're taking guitar lessons anywhere in the UK, you might quiz your teacher about Robert Johnson's guitar feats.
Who Is The Best Guitarist In The World? 🏆
There’s no definitive answer to who the “best guitarist in the world” is—it depends on genre, style, and personal taste. However, here are some names frequently mentioned as the greatest in different categories:
| Name | Why They’re Considered the Best | |
|---|---|---|
| Jimi Hendrix | Revolutionary electric guitar techniques; expressive | iconic sound |
| Eric Clapton | Blues mastery; longevity and influence across multiple decades | |
| Jimmy Page | Led Zeppelin guitarist; complex riffs and solos | |
| Eddie Van Halen | Invented "tapping" technique; reshaped rock guitar in the 1980s | |
| B.B. King | King of Blues; signature vibrato and emotional phrasing | |
| Andrés Segovia | Classical guitar pioneer; brought classical guitar to concert halls |
In your opinion, who is the best guitarist in the world?
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