James Marshall Hendrix.

Joe Satriani

check out this live version of Summer Song

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The Edge.

If you've seen U2 live, you'll know.

At one time, I would have. SRV introduced me to a lot of music that I will listen to for the rest of my life, but I don't remember the last time I've listened to one of his CDs. This is backwards logic, but every time I hear and SRV song on the radio these days, the first thing that pops into my mind is John Mayer's guitar face :)

I know there are jazzers bussing tables in a dozen different cities around the world that would cut Jimi Hendrix off at the knees, but nobody has ever plugged an electric guitar into an amplifier and changed things the way he did.

best I ever saw was Joe Pass.

Jimi wasn't a guitar player. He was a sonic genius from another planet.

The best depends on individual tastes. Hell, somebody wrote something about Jimi Hendrix learning Flamenco? I'm picturing a duet with Charo right now! I don't know about the best but honorable mention, Robert Cray, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Sonny Landreth? George whoever, that used to be on Saturday Nite Live did a lot of studio work with heavyweights.

One more for the Hendrix camp.

Edge (David Evans) is a decent choice too. He's up there. Maybe not the best of all time, but certainly a true innovator. I don't think I've ever heard anyone else with so much of an ability to track timing. He revolutionized the use of delay and turned it into a beautiful augmentation for the sound of the instrument. Very difficult to play well/effectively with lots of delay effects (try it sometime!) His technical ability isn't too bad either.

Esteban?

Its interesting, because best player ever leaves a lot open to interpretation.

Here's how I look at it-

If I could only hear ONE guitar player for the rest of my life, who would it be? I can hear any of their work, as often as I want, but nobody else.

It has to be Hendrix for me. It just feels incredibly good to hear the man play.

Al DiMeola, Allan Holdsworth, John Mclaughlin.

Ginger or Mary Ann? :D

Although I enjoy these threads much more than the repetitive political circle jerk threads.

You guys have named some awesome players already, but I think Carlos Santana has to get some mention also.......................

Thad; you should hear some of his acoustic work.

Roy Clark.

I used to play.. I met Al DiMeola once in Dallas back in the mid 80's went to his show that
night.... never picked up a guitar again !

The edge is creative but technically he is nothing special. Many guitar players could and do play circles around the guy just look at the Joe Satriani video I posted.

Jerry Garcia....forever
 

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Nicely said. :)

Someone you probably never heard of. Even Satriani brings the guy into the studio to lay licks.

Alex Skolnick