Best Technical Guitarists

Other than John Petrucci and Steve Vai, this is a horrible list. No way that the guitarist for 30 seconds to mars should even be here, or the guy from muse. Van Halen was good BACK THEN. I could name 10 dudes who blow these guys out of the water easy. Kirk should not be above Dime, and I don't think herman deserves to be here because he basically only plays the same major scale and taps a lot.

This is just a bad list.

I've never heard of tomo milicevic, so I won't say anything about him, but petrucci not only plays fast, he uses the right techniques at the right time. His well placed arpeggios and screaming pinch harmonics add that extra bit to his songs. He also does all this while changing time signatures every couple bars

Who the hell is Tomo Milicevic compared to him? He is just very popular and no matter what the question is his fans vote for him. That is just wrong, only because he has lots of fans doesn't mean he is the best guitarist. Try looking at John Petrucci's solo's and Tomo's solos and just admit it

Very versatile clean badass, fast, creative, innovative, soulful, what more to say.

obvious choice is obvious. Matt Bellamy's good too. Who's Tomo Millicevic with 47. 3 votes? Oh and Tom Morello should be in the top 5. TECHNICAL GUITARIST! - AymanKabir

People who would put Matt Bellemy up there obviously have no knowledge of the guitar what so ever.

How are Tomo and Matt more technically proficient than this ultra prolific (13 albums in a single year) man?

He can do anything on a guitar and make it sound amazing.

Steve Vai is unreal I mean he shouldn't only be top of this list he should be at the top of best guitarists of all time as well I mean he quite obviously has shoul because he looks like a dork whilst playing guitar so therefore he has soul and his tremolo bar work is unreal and so is his speed I just tried to play the intro of speeding (one of his songs that he recorded but choose not to release that early on forgot what that type of song is called) and I literally found it impossible clearly someone with no musical talent and listens to chart music has been voting on this list

People often pick guitarist from their favorites bands and while they might be a good guitarist, technically they often are not even close to Steve Vai and I am certainly not a Vai fan. I have my own favorites but this is about being technical wether you the music like it or not. Steve Vai is in control of his instrument but what he actually does might not always be clear to everybody, his amazing skills go by unnoticed.

Technique is about control of one's instrument; this is about playing precisely as well as quickly. And in songs like 'Tender Surrender' and 'Call it Sleep' Vai's ability to control every tiny noise of his instrument is mind-blowing. And this is still technique, rather than musicianship or artistry or whatever.

Playing guitar for him is like breathing. I can't understand how buckethead and (who is? ) Tomo Milicevic are placed higher?!

This is a music theory encyclopedia...He's forgotten more chords and scales than the rest of this list put together - that said... I don't think his feel can match several of these guys but the list is for TECHNICAL players

Joes range of Skills is endless, The guy can play "AnyThing"! ( Sounds like a hands down winner to me! )

How can Satriani not be in the top ten? another crappy list - vinzomo

Jaw dropping, melodic truly brilliant.

Everyone who voted for this guy has clearly never sean a 30 seconds to mars tab compared to a megadeth tab or maybe they've never even heard a technically proficient guitarist because this is just beyond wrong

I am not saying he isn't technical or bad. But seriously on top 2! - zxm

Technical...really

This dude must be the most incredibly, unbelievably, inhumanly technical guitarist ever. He synchronises his guitar with scenes from movies and cartoons (see 'A Wild Hare by Spastic Ink- synchronised to Bambi, or 'Cereal Mouse' by the same band) He writes loads of stuff in 12 tone, which is one of the most difficult ways of writing, and he does this thing where he assigns notes to letters of the alphabet and spells out words, like his name for example. The songs still sound amazing after all this!

He is the most unbelievably awesome guitarist ever. He has written an album with 45 songs, which can be played from any song and still sound great, and sounds like one 45 minute song if played from the start. He has written an album of songs synchronised to scenes from movies. And, he writes everything in twelve tone, a really complicated system of playing instruments. Listen to 'Cretaceous Chasm' by Blotted Science and you will know what I mean...

My favorite. He does things that you only imagine doing. All of his music is creative and gets the brain-juices flowing. He destroys everyone on this list. He can tap on every genre and not have it sound silly or lame. I liken his music to the classical greats that many don't know or have forgotten. He is at the top of my favorite guitar players. From elderly to young, when you play people the music that he has done everyone enjoys it. I can't think of a more accomplished player when it comes to writing, playing and creativity. My favorite stuff he's done is his Blotted Science stuff. When is the new album coming out?

A headache and a 64th. - Feirceraven

Ygnwie Malmsteen is easily as technical as the majority of the people on this list and is only really NEAR equaled by the likes Of John petrucci, Ron Jarzombek, Joe satriani, Chris boderick (although chris is much lower on this list) and Fredrik Thordendal (depending on which song. )

The only guitarist on this list who actually plays more complex pieces of music (and only for brief moments.. usually less than 1 minute at A time. ) is MUHAMMAD SUICMEZ.

How Ygnwie Malmsteen is behind SYNYSTER GATES is completely beyond me.

I'm not saying he should top the list either... nor is he my favourite guitarst (that would be someone like Christian Meunzer, Jari maenpaa or something along these lines. ) but he most certainly deserves to be above at least 99% of the players on this list.

I'm also shocked that kirk and dimebag even got A mention on this list, sure you could argue they make great music but neither of them play anything as complex as your average MODERN ...more - technicalbrutaldeath

Inspired and entire generation of shredders and neoclassical music in general

Extremely technical player, should be FAR higher

YNGWIE!

My gosh! This guy is THE most technical guitarist that ever stepped earth! He made one album by himself and played guitar on Necrophagist 's Epitaph... Like a boss. People should appreciate the master skills of Mr. Muhammad Suicmez.

Come on guys he's like the KING of guitar techniques. Just listen to one of his solos and you will understand.

He...is...not... human...like...not!

Trying to learn his songs, even the riffs is a real agony,yet very muscial and emotional,he is easily on of the most technical guitarists and composers of all time!

The only reason this guy isn't number one is that he isn't particularly well know. Google 'Animals As Leaders' and listen to a song or two. He is one of the most, insanely, ridiculously technical guitarists ever, along with Jeff Loomis and Ron Jarzombek.

Just watch him. Please. Do yourself a favor. Doesn't get any better than Tosin.

Come on. CAFO and An Infinite Regression should at least get him in the top 5.

Op

This guy is amazing.

He came after the greatests yngwie malmsteen, jason becker and marty friedman to develop their style and music, very fast and einstein of metal music

He was a pioneer mixing classical with metal.

Michael Angelo Batio can smoke Petrucci and Buckethead no problem. And which other guitarist can play two guitars at once without even picking it, and invented the under over technique and can play a guitar upside down. No guitarist in the world can really reach Michael's level of technical proficiency and speed. He is the only guitarist that was able to smoke his teachers at age 12 after two years of playing. Not to mention he has advanced knowledge of music theory and is one of the most versatile players ever.

Technically he's already been voted the fastest guitarist.

How isn't MAB the first? this guy plays 2 guitars at once and I have never seen somebody more technical than him

More technical than Eddie Van Halen, the Tomo Guy, Chuck Schuldiner or
Matt Bellemy. Even he's more technical than Yngwie Malmsteen. - zxm

All right, whomever thinks that Eddie isn't the most technically proficient guitarist ever is an Ass. Rolling stone even ranked him no.2 after Hendrix saying and I quote "Eddie is the most technically proficient Guitarist that ever lived, but hendrix had much, much more soul!. "

His technical innovations are unrivaled;
He revolutionized tapping, used a power drill at the beginning of the song "Poundcake", and used the tuning dials on the guitar not only to adjust but used them in the Instrumental "Cathedral" to sound like a synthesizer. He also had his guitars made of chainsaw parts, and other weird shit not normally used giving him that unique sound that no matter if you can pick like him, or play as fat as him. You will never duplicate his playing. EVER!.

Eddie Van Halen is the best technical guitarist of all time. He can do things that only a few others can do. Steve Vai is right up there with him, but Eddie gets the crown by a nose.

Greatest guitarist of all time. Most influential.

Hmm, it all started with eruption. - zxm

I admit I can't believe that Paul wasn't part of the best list until now. He's amongst the best out there, both in technique and song-writing

Paul is the most technical guitarist in the world. No one can beat him he's a guitar God.

Paul gilbert is the best well he is second to john petrucci but I be damn if he ain't close

This top 10 sucks

This man needed to be in the list! He deserves to be in the top ten lists! Listen to Vanished, Sane, and Soul Burn. The main reason to listen to the great technicality of Meshuggah.

Should be much higher than #22. How is Kirk Hammett higher than him? - Metal_Treasure

Hey, this guy invented djent! Should be much higher than this. - Metal_Treasure

He's very good, but I don't think he's very technical. - zxm

Her riffs and sweep picking is awesome

this boss

I agree... The ability that he had to use harmonics make a guitar squeal was amazing.

Just cover some of his song and you will understand!

Guthrie Govan at 28... he is quite literally the most technically proficient guitarist on Earth right now. Tosin Abasi has even said 'he is the most complete guitarist on the planet'. He rejected an album recording offer from Steve Vai. Surely that should be enough to at least put him in the top ten.

Guthrie at 18 and '30 seconds from Mars' guitarist at number 1. This is quite possibly the most hilarious list I have EVER seen. Anyone who honestly believes this list needs a serious psychological intervention.

Why is he so low... My guitar teacher has been playing guitar for over 20 years and struggled to ear transcribe the first minute of waves let alone play it... And that's the easy bit

The easiest way to explain why he is in a class of his own is. If you take for example the top 5 on this list. Guthrie can play everthing all 5 of thos eplayers can play with ease and so much more that they cannot.

This guy is a Viking

Best and most technical guitarist ever

Well off the radar, up there with the best. Listen to his solo album and Cacophany with Friedman. If ALS hadn't taken his hands, he would be the best ever.

Not technically a virtuoso, but his lack of playing scales at extremely fast speeds is replaced by using his instrument in a way no other guitarist has. He used every noise producing facet of his instrument in a ways that weren't just unique but fit in perfectly with his compositions. His riffs are also unsurpassed by anyone except perhaps Nuno Bettercourt. Listened to Tomo Milicevic and Matt Bellemy who are in the top three. They shouldn't even be listed in the top million. I know guys who sit in their bedroom with higher guitar virtuosity and talent than those two players. The rest on the list can be subjectively argued as amazing guitarists. Kirk Hammetts solos were pretty hacky though. Amazing riffage though. This lists voting should be directed at musicians only, otherwise it's just a popularity contest of what band you like best..

Well I've seen guys that are just as technical as mustaine but no one more technical (ever heard a song called rattlehead? Or maybe this day we fight? ) but in addition to this he also does vocals which I've never seen the other ultra technical guitarists do so I'll pick mustaine. Also I feel it's worth mentioning that I haven't seen anyone surpass him in any level of guitar playing ability (not just technical ability) but there are tons of guys who are as good as him in most or al areas but they don't do vocals. Although I'll admit that I'm biased because megadeth us my favourite band and I don't play guitar so I might be mistaken. But I'm stil going with mustaine.

Is technically much better than kirk

Kirk hammett is not good technical guitarist a great technical guitarist is Broderick he's not my favorite but in technical view he almost beat anyone Petrucci is another great technical guitarist My favorite guitarist is Mustaine I don't vote for him so stop putting Hammett and Synyster Emo

Chris broderick must be at top 5, just hear

This is about the best technical guitarist not best guitarist, you guys must see chris�' shred or his mozart cover then you can vote and stop voting for dave mustain or kilk hammelt

I think Kirk's ability is very underrated. His solos are very intricate and well structured. I don't think he belongs on this list, but he is extremely talented.

Kirk shouldn't be in the list he is bull paul gilbert is the most technical guitarist in the world

Uhh... Metallica sucks and their music is about as exciting as an enema.

Desert Storm 1 & 2, Oshamajik, Guti (the finale), Boshe Achi, Arrival, Omanush, Hotasha, Na, Shomoy etc. He's technical cause he followed neoclassical metal guitarists most when he was young. Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai etc. He doesn't care much about rhythm guitar.He mostly cares about lead guitar (solos). - zxm

The most underrated player in the most underrated band in the music industry. Lukather has it ALL. He applies his incredible jazz licks and scales to soft and hard rock songs, creating amazing, unique sounds. I can't believe buckethead is 3rd... that's ridiculous. The rest of the top ten is terrible as well. Lukather should definitely be in top 5.

Steve should be Top 5 at least! So Under rated. If you want to hear his insane yet subtle technical genius, spend a couple of hours listening to "Falling in Between Live in Paris" Just Incredible!

What to say he can make that guitar cry and sounds like there are 3 guitarist as the same time he sing very good!

He is one of the very best- as a player myself for 50+ years-

Richie was probably the first actual metal guitarist I tried to emulate - he put the zing in the metal strings by bringing in classical riffs and shreds. Fabulous!

How the first metal shredder is so low? - Metal_Treasure

He was the GOAT; it's a tragedy he's so low on the list. Not only a technician, but also a soulful intellectual. To quote Guthrie Govan (who I'd place second on this list) "I love Shawn Lane's playing. Unbelievable player, unbelievable mind! That wasn't just a guy who practiced a lot at being fast; he had this huge brain, and this big warm heart and this special music came out of him. He will be missed."

People. This man was the fastest shredder who ever lived at speeds of up to 19 notes per second while doing extremely wide stretches. Satriani, Petrucci, Vai, Paul Gilbert, Michael Angelo Batio, and Guthrie Govan all agree that he was a terrifying and unstoppable guitar player. Look up "how to develop an outside sound" on YouTube and it will show his insane speed.

No one had the TOTAL package like this guy. He had top end speed, pin point accuracy, perfect tone, insane melodic lines and not to mention his unbelievable ability to pick every note while doing insane stretches at high speeds. Just listen to the solo at the end of Get you back.

Phenomenal guitarist and pianist. The entire Powers of Ten album recording was all instruments played by the man himself. Not just the ability to play incredibly fast but also a great songwriter and amazing rhythmic timing also. Fantastic musician, innovator, intellectual and most important of all a great human being.

43rd on this list is an insult
The guitarists' guitarist Shawn Lane

Believe me tommo milicevic can't play the solo from tornado of souls, hangar 18. And another god guitarist who deserves to be in top 10 is Jimmy page Led zeppelin. His solo in stairway to heaven is regarded as the best solo and the hardest to play along with eddie van halen's solo in eruption.

Way better than almost everyone above jim

Master of octaves (especially the gothic octave), classical chromatics, and legato techniques. Marty Friedman #2.

He isn't the best technically, maybe on rhythms and soloing he is really good too, so yes he is really cool

I'm familiar with most of the skilled guitarists and Nuno is best of them.

Oh yes, definitely! - Metal_Treasure