Top 10 Best Instrumental Guitarists

1. Joe Satriani

   

   Joseph Satriani (born July 15, 1956) is an American instrumental rock guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. Early in his career, Satriani worked as a guitar instructor, with many of his former students achieving fame, including Steve Vai, Larry LaLonde, Rick Hunolt, Kirk Hammett, Andy Timmons, Charlie... read more

   I have listened to Satriani and Vai for a couple of decades, and in my opinion, Joe Satriani is the best that has ever lived. He is so versatile, and his skill and knowledge are unmatched. He inspired me to want to learn. Twenty years later, I am still playing. Thanks, Joe. I'm sure my neighbors wouldn't thank him, though. LOL.

   An unexcelled master of musical electricity.

   One of the greatest musical geniuses of all time, possibly the greatest. He doesn't just play the guitar - the guitar plays him.

   If you are a player, you will love them all. They can all do melodic work, but Joe is mesmerizing, especially live!

   To say who is best is just plain silly. It's all very personal.

   Bruce Sloan (Scotland)

2. Steve Vai

   

   Steven Siro "Steve" Vai (born June 6, 1960) is an American guitarist, composer, singer, songwriter, and producer. He is known for his virtuosic guitar playing and has released numerous solo albums. Vai was born and raised on Long Island, New York.

   Vai puts so much of himself into what he does with the guitar - some would say too much if you've ever seen him live. But that's what's so great about him. He'd be selling himself and us short if he didn't.

   I'm a product of the '80s, and my introduction to Vai happened twice on the same day. I saw the Yankee Rose and Going Crazy videos back-to-back, and that same night my dad took me to see Crossroads with Ralph Macchio, where I got to see Vai play Jack Butler. I've been hooked ever since. Vai is my Hendrix.

   "Malmsteen, Satriani, Vai, Van Halen, Vinnie Moore, Steve Stevens, John Norum, Michael Angelo Batio, Greg Howe, Andy Timmons, Marty Friedman."

   The reason I posted here is to correct the guy who said "Steve Vai was Joe's teacher." Joe Satriani taught Vai and Jeff Tyson - the only two who actually passed. Andy Timmons was a great student too.

3. Buckethead

   

   Brian Patrick Carroll, known professionally as Buckethead, is an American guitarist and multi-instrumentalist who has released over 300 studio albums. He is recognized for his unique style and stage persona, which includes wearing a KFC bucket on his head and a white mask. Buckethead has worked across... read more

   Just when you think all of the boundaries and limitations of an instrument have been exposed, along comes a bold artist that proves us wrong.

   Buckethead has defined a new vocabulary for the instrument with the enviable way he uses the killswitch and Digitech Whammy Pedal. He is the most prolific guitar composer to date, giving us the largest studio discography of over 600 albums.

   What really separates him from the rest is his seemingly unlimited, tastefully broad range and mastery of multi-genre compositions. A Buckethead composition that is average for him can easily beat other artists' "A"-rated material.

   Buckethead is head and shoulders above all others. I've been an instrumental guitar fanatic for most of my 56 years and have never experienced a more diverse talent than the Bucket-master. He takes all guitar styles to another dimension like no other.

   I recently saw him in Detroit, where his king-crab-sized hands feverishly danced on the fretboard. Truly an amazing artist.

4. Eric Johnson

   

   Eric Johnson (born August 17, 1954) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist from Austin, Texas. He is best known for his exceptional electric guitar skills, but he is also highly proficient on acoustic guitar, lap steel, resonator, and bass. In addition to his guitar work, Johnson is an accomplished... read more

   Cliffs of Dover is much harder to play than Surfing with the Alien because, even though it's based around the same area of notes, the fluidity of Johnson's playing style is almost impossible to pull off with ease.

   Eric Johnson took the melodic flow of Hendrix and turned the tempo way, way up!

5. John Petrucci

   

   John Peter Petrucci is an American guitarist, composer, and producer, best known as a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater. He is widely recognized for his technical proficiency and complex compositions. Despite his acclaim among musicians and fans of progressive metal, he remains... read more

   What can I say? Number 1 is like Jesus. Greatest of all time. Respect, Sir.

6. Paul Gilbert

   

   Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American hard rock and heavy metal guitarist. He is best known as the co-founder of the band Mr. Big. He was also a member of Racer X, with whom he released several albums, including Street Lethal and Second Heat.

   Shred master, aggressive tone.

7. Yngwie Malmsteen

   

   Yngwie Johan Malmsteen is a Swedish guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader born June 30, 1963, in Stockholm, Sweden. He's renowned for his neoclassical metal playing style. Malmsteen gained prominence in the 1980s with virtuoso albums such as Rising Force (1984).

   He is no less than Satriani or others. He's just not that popular.

8. Peter Lennodo

   

   Peter Lennodo is a British musician. He is also a composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the vocalist, lead guitarist and main songwriter of the rock band The Arcana.

   Listen to Flying High, We in the Moonlight, Time Is on the River, and Coming in the Motion.

9. Micheal Angelo Batio

   A great shredder. He must be number 2 after Joe Satriani. He can even play with four guitars at the same time!

   Best guitarist in the world, in my opinion. I love his playing and style.

10. Jason Becker

    

    Jason Eli Becker (born July 22, 1969) is an American neoclassical metal guitarist and composer. At age 16, he became part of the Shrapnel Records-produced duo Cacophony alongside his friend Marty Friedman. They released two albums, Speed Metal Symphony in 1987 and Go Off! in 1988.... read more

    Jason is a legendary composer. He hit all the little nuances, from simple vibrato to a variety of tonal ranges. I can listen to Vai, Satriani, and Malmsteen and mostly understand what they are doing after a few listens, but with Jason, it takes much more focus to grasp all the subtle nuances.

    For me, Becker is number one, and Guthrie Govan is probably number two.

    Listen to Altitudes, Images, Air, Mabel's Fatal Fable, and Opus Pocus... and then decide whom you should vote for!

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Plini

    So creative, so inspiring - he makes his guitar sing beautifully. Many guitar players on this list are actually from bands, not true instrumental guitarists.

    Discovered Plini this year. Incredibly creative and unique. One of my favorite new artists.

    Not much technical, but intelligently musical! Best new guitarist.

12. ?

    Carlos Santana

    

    Carlos Santana is a Mexican and American musician who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, which pioneered a fusion of rock and Latin American jazz. Santana's performance at Woodstock in 1969 helped launch his career. He has won ten Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammy... read more

    Carlos Santana is a Mexican-American guitarist who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana. The band pioneered a fusion of rock and roll with Latin American jazz.

    Having Carlos Santana at 50 or 51 is criminal. He is one of the most influential guitarists of his generation. What a shame.

The Contenders

13. Alex Lifeson

    

    Aleksandar Živojinović, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a Canadian musician best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. He co-founded the band in 1968 alongside Geddy Lee and John Rutsey. Lifeson has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Rush... read more

    His style, both rhythm and lead, has inspired so many other masters. What he was doing from the mid-70s to the mid-80s was way ahead of its time.

    La Villa, YYZ, Leave That Thing Alone. His solos are amazing and all different.

14. Django Reinhardt

    

    Django Reinhardt was a famous guitarist in the genre of jazz. He lost the use of two fingers on his left hand in a fire but continued to play, developing a unique style that would influence generations of musicians.

    Reinhardt later inspired others, such as Arthur Guitar Boogie Smith, Steven Seagal... read more

15. Al Di Meola

    

    Al Di Meola is an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist, composer, and record producer of Italian descent. He gained fame in the 1970s as a member of the jazz fusion group Return to Forever. Di Meola is known for his complex guitar work and contributions to world music.

    My personal favorite guitar virtuoso. He has an impeccable sense of melody, improvisation, and fast-paced guitar technique. It's hard to imagine most guitarists being able to pull off the guitar-string-happy likes of Race with Devil on a Spanish Highway. But his most soulful, timeless work, in my opinion, is in his acoustic flamenco tracks. Mediterranean Sundance is definitely an obvious choice, but Passion, Grace and Fire is otherworldly as well. DEFINITELY give this guy a listen if you love instrumental guitar work. Also listen to Land of the Midnight Sun, my personal favorite among his electric guitar tracks!

16. Jeff Beck

    

    Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck was an English rock guitarist. He was one of the three notable guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds, alongside Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page. Beck also formed The Jeff Beck Group and the power trio Beck, Bogert and Appice.

    Jeff Beck is the god of instrumental classic rock. He is No. 5 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Keith Richards are not instrumental guitarists, so Jeff Beck should be Number 1.

    Jeff Beck is the Musician's Musician, and he only gets better with age.

17. Tommy Emmanuel

    

    William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He is best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and his use of percussive effects on the guitar. Emmanuel has received multiple awards and honors throughout his career, including being... read more

18. Guthrie Govan

    

    Guthrie Govan is an English virtuoso guitarist and guitar teacher, known for his technical proficiency and improvisational skill. He has performed with bands including The Aristocrats, Asia, GPS, The Young Punx, and The Fellowship. Govan is also known for his solo album Erotic Cakes and his work as... read more

    Can't believe there is no Guthrie Govan! Seriously, I expected him to be in the top 10. He is a true maestro of the guitar. Haven't heard of him? Check him out.

    This guy is literally light years away from just your standard shredder!

    Easily superior to all of these other guys.

19. Hizaki

    Hizaki blends blues, gothic scales, and other varied sounds into symphonic power metal, bringing a true sense of music and technique. He is a true master of the guitar, and his unique style deserves more recognition.

    His guitar playing makes me feel exactly the way I want to feel - it is food for my soul. I don't need anything more.

    His technique is just awesome, and his solos are epic. When you go to one of his live shows, you will definitely be impressed by his performance.

20. Neil Zaza

    A highly underrated instrumentalist! Classy and inspirational melodic tunes. He also makes amazing Christmas music.

    Melody-wise, he is the best! With fewer technical elements, his songs are truly melodic.

21. Hank Marvin

    The greatest and most iconic lead guitarist who has influenced generations of budding guitarists.

    The maestro. His joy in music is as infectious as his nimble-fingered artistry.

    An absolutely clinical exponent of the guitar, using a minimum of effects.

22. Andy Timmons

    Phenomenal. Danger Danger was his fallback when Neal Schon (one of the greatest guitarists of all time) decided to support Bad English on tour after recording their first album. Hence, Andy was the odd man out, considering Bad English was half of Journey.

    Although his Danger Danger material was fantastic, he was lumped into the glam band genre and never got the credit he deserved. Pick up any Pawn Kings or Andy Timmons Band record and give it a listen - pure genius.

    Moreover, he is a great guy who is humble and more than willing to share his knowledge. Watch him and Satch have a duel on YouTube, and you will know the truth about Andy Timmons!

    Underrated for sure. Got overlooked because Danger Danger was not a great band. Fortunately, Andy was able to move on to a great solo career.

23. Marty Friedman

    

    Martin Adam "Marty" Friedman is an American guitarist known for his technical skill and genre-blending style. He was the lead guitarist for Megadeth throughout the 1990s and previously played in the band Cacophony with Jason Becker. Since 2003, he has lived in Tokyo, Japan, where he has hosted several... read more

    One of the most melodic guitarists on the list. His use of exotic scales and the way every lead guitar solo he plays feels like "a song within a song" is something we've rarely heard from most Western guitarists.

    He knew when to play fast and when not to. He could play circles around Yngwie and Jason Becker, but he prioritized musicality over technique. Even when he plays super fast, his melodies are still beautiful to listen to.

    He also has a badass rhythm guitar style. Just watch his Megadeth audition or their live performances during the Rust in Peace tour. He even pushed the rhythm parts harder than Dave Mustaine.

24. Wes Montgomery

    

    John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the most influential jazz guitarists, following the legacy of Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian. Montgomery was known for his thumb picking technique and octave-based solos, which helped define his distinctive... read more

    Non-contemporary artists generally do not do well because younger audiences may have only a fleeting awareness of them. Across time, Wes Montgomery has wowed and awed his audience, even beyond the jazz genre.

    I am a complete fan of his ability to communicate and evoke common sensations through his music.

25. Gary Moore

    

    Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, celebrated as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock/blues guitarist. His solo career included the hit album Still Got the Blues (1990).

    The best instrumental guitarist ever. Listen to The Loner - the emotion he portrays with his guitar is surreal. An incredible guitarist.

26. David Gilmour

    

    David Jon Gilmour (born March 6, 1946) is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in late 1967 after the departure of founding member Syd Barrett. His arrival helped solidify the band's signature sound.... read more

    I'm surprised that he is ranked so low. He has more instrumental pieces than I can count. Angus Young is anything but an instrumental guitarist - what is he doing ahead of David Gilmour?

27. Tosin Abasi

    

    Oluwatosin Ayoyinka Olumide "Tosin" Abasi (born January 7, 1983) is a Nigerian American musician, best known as the founder and lead guitarist of the instrumental progressive metal band Animals as Leaders. Before founding Animals as Leaders, he was the guitarist for the technical metalcore band Reflux... read more