Top Ten Most Underrated Guitarists

I've seen a lot of bad guitarists on the top and great guys way down. So here are the most underrated guitar players.
The Top Ten
1 Gary Moore Robert William Gary Moore was a Northern Irish musician, most widely recognised as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso rock and blues guitarist.

One of the issues with these Top 10 or whatever lists is that they are very heavily influenced/voted on by people in America. Guitarists like Gary Moore may not be that well known by folks in America hence the reason they don't vote for him. Stunning guitarist who can make his guitar, sing, cry,. Whilst he can be very fast way, faster than Van Halen he also has a beautiful melodic tone. Some of his blues works are simply outstanding, when he wrings out every possible note.

As for the list of so called Top 20 guitarists, seriously Buckethead, Slash, decent guitarists but...

This legend defines what a real guitarist is. Why the hell does some guy from R.E.M. rank higher than the Lord of the Strings? Gary Moore could play ANY style of music, adding better character to songs than the original. For example, "Walking By Myself", "Stormy Monday"... The list goes on. And who can forget the album that defines rock ballads "Corridors Of Power", and what about the 40 second sustain of "Parisienne Walkways" at Blues Alive? SMELL THE ROSES YOU LOT!

Very Underrated. From His time with Thin Lizzy to his solo work, you will love his music. Listen To Still Got The Blues and The Boys Are Back In Town and you'll fall in love.

Gary is epic. By the way how is Gilmour underrated as everyone raises him to high heaven. No doubt a great guitarist, but not underrated in every respect.

2 Brian May Brian Harold May is an English musician, singer, songwriter and astrophysicist, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.

If you don't think Brian May is an amazing guitarist then you're just plain ignorant to the guitar and music as a whole. Listen to "good company" by Queen and just guess at how many instruments you hear. I have ashed my girl friend, close friends I've had for a very long time and all of them come up with different lists of instruments. Its ALL bass, ukulele, drums and guitar. No flutes, penny whistles or anything. That last solo is 24 different guitar tracks layered over each other. I DARE anyone to name a guitarist that has layered 24 different guitar tracks together and made it sound this good.

Queen's complex musical setup was such that Brian, or for that matter so single individual, with the possible exception of Freddie, could really show their full potential to the audience. When he did though, he was terrific. And incredibly difficult to replicate. Elements on Brighton Rock or Bohemian Rhapsody are some of the best ever guitar works. Plus, a great human being, who preferred to remain in the background and let the master showman that Freddie was, take the limelight.

He's not only one of the best guitarists of all time but also one of the best songwriters. he has written some of the most famous queen songs and still when you say Brian May no one knows who you're talking about.

Perfectionist. Went back to university and completed his astronomy degree. Can read music notes. Can sing. Far from drug doing. Tell me he isn't on the list of the few greatest out there.

3 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.

Often overshadowed by his bandmates, Alex is probably one of the best out there who made amazing music for 40+ years AND still continues to do so. He doesn't always shred and to my knowledge has never used tapping like Eddie Van Halen or Joe Satriani (who I'm not putting down, Eddie Van Halen and Satriani are great guitarists), but the thing is, he doesn't need to. He can express more emotion through a two minute acoustic solo/interlude between songs than some others can do in 10 minutes with a full blown shred-fest. Alex is great without all of the "showy" techniques, and still managed to push the guitar to the forefront of Rush's music even in the synthesizer era of the 80's (which yielded some of his best work).

My favourite guitarist of all time is Brian May but in terms of underrated guitarists Alex Lifeson takes everyone by a landslide. In a band that already has both Geddy Lee on bass and vocals, and the best drummer of all time Neil Peurt, Alex is severely underrated, his solos on Freewill and Limelight are just previews of what this guy is capable of doing on guitar, I think this guy is the best Canadian guitarist for sure

4 David Gilmour - Pink Floyd David Jon Gilmour is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968.

Looking at names above Gilmour on this list and it's just an enigma. If you can't see it, then you never will, but if you have listened, I mean actually listened, digested and dissected the complexity of what is Floyd... The riffs, the runs, the magical compositions that just flow from his fingers are sometimes lost in the whole of the Floyd. Unmistakable virtuoso of the guitar as an existential expression of his soul...
The sun is the same in a relative way but you're older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time

This guy is absolutely incredible! In 2011 Rolling Stone ranked him 14th best all-time, which is better that 82nd back in 2003, but for me that still doesn't give him justice. His guitar sound is unlike anything I've ever heard, he was the guitarist for Pink Floyd, definitely one of the greatest bands of all time, and he also has a great singing voice. Some of his greatest solos are "Comfortably Numb, " "Money, " and "Time. " "Comfortably Numb" might as well be the single greatest guitar solo ever recorded. Pink Floyd rules!

This is the mot revolutionary guitarist ever. He always gets put so far down on lists of greatest guitarists and I don't get it. He wrote and played some of the greatest solos of all time. Listen to Comfortably Numb Live on Pulse and you'll hear what I mean. A few other goodies with fantastical solos are Echoes, Time, Money, Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Dogs, Another Brick In The Wall Pt. 2, Hey You and High Hopes just to name a few

David Gilmour is a part of two pantheons. Rock gods and Guitar gods. Seeing dumb people putting names like Slash and Stevie Ray Vaughn ahead of him is just ludicrous. David Gilmour is more revered as a guitar god than anyone else on this list but he is still more underrated than they are. That's how incredible he is.

5 Al Di Meola Al Di Meola is an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist, composer, and record producer of Italian origin.

First time I heard Al Di Meola's playing was on Paco De Lucia's Guitar Trio. Then when I listened to his solo work I almost burst into tears. I felt so sorry for him that no one pays any attention to all his skill.

Also David Gilmour? Brian May? Dave Mustanine?
Gilmour and Brian May are widely accepted as 2 of the greatest guitarists of all time and Dave Mustaine is accepted as one of the greatest metal guitarists and that brings me to my conclusion? WHY ARE THEY HIGHER THAN AL DI MEOLA?

Al Di Meola is an absolute giant when placed next to other guitarists. Watching him play alongside John McLaughlin and Paco De Lucia will change how you view guitar.

Going to see him in a few months.

6 Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Now you're talking! Yes, Steven Stills is VERY talented and a VERY underrated songwriter and guitarist. Brilliant musician, the heart of Buffalo Springfield and CSNY. Great solo albums, too. When Sambora can come up with a song to equal Love the One You're With, I'll consider the fact that he might be better. Right now, it isn't close.

People listen to CSN for the vocal harmonies, but forget the great music behind them. From "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" to "Woodstock" Stephen Stills' guitar has shredded the shroud of musical apathy, leading the way for the voices behind it.

Thank you. I went on this list to find Stills but I didn't think I would.

7 Richie Sambora Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter who was the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi for 30 years. He is known for his work with Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He is a very praised guitarist who played solos for songs like Dry County, Stranger In This town And Wanted Dead Or Alive. He has 3 solo albums - Stranger In This town (1991) Undiscovered... read more

He's the greatest that ever lived! Listen to his stranger in this town album and be amazed by his vocals, guitar and his talent! He is more than a guitarist to me. He's my hero, and the one person who I think understands things the way we do. He is also an amazing person and a brilliant friend to his past bandmates. I don't know what's next for him, but Richie, he's got a lot of great things coming his way.

Richie is one of the most soulful, amazing guitar players I've ever heard! He is so versatile in his playing ability to go from rock, pop or blues. You combine that with his incredible soulful singing voice and his amazing song writing ability, you have one hell of a musician! He so deserves to be recognized as such!

Richie couldn't be the best technical guitar player, but for sure he left and still contribute with a lot of very good musics and performances. As part of Bon Jovi band which is co-author of most of their songs, also have great solo works. Besides he is not only a guitar player, can be vocal lead and a great backup vocal player in band.

8 Robin Trower

Robin Trower is unequalled in tone, style, and ability to deftly translate pure emotion through his instrument. He is the greatest living guitarist on the planet, simply rapturous to see live. Although he was influenced by Hendrix, in my opinion he is much more than Jimi ever was.

Robin was dogged for years with the label 'Britain's Jimi Hendrix'. Hugely unfair as he has an amazing soulful, personal sound. Never solos for the sake of it, but always integrated into the song. And he's still going strong in his late 60s!

Amazing guitarist. He has been present and pertinent for years now yet he is still not regarded as highly as some others. Go listen to Bridge of Sighs, or go on YouTube and listen to some of his stuff.

Just saw Robin Trower perform at 71 years old. He was amazing, and I too have a hard time seeing the many guitarists on Rolling Stone's Top 100 that are good, but no where near as talented as Trower.

9 Ritchie Blackmore Richard Hugh "Ritchie" Blackmore is an English guitarist and songwriter, best known for his work in the hard rock/metal bands Deep Purple and Rainbow. He was ranked number 16 on Guitar World's "100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time" in 2004, and number 50 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the ...read more.

He doesn't have the fame that he deserves.
The most people talk about Paige and his rifts.
But Blackmore created one of the best rifts ever (smoke on the water) and one of the best solos ever (Highway star).

He is so magnificent. Never got his due credit. Ritchie is hands down top 5. Innovation and technical abilities composed into one = Ritchie Blackmore.

Seeing as he is #25 or so on the top 10 guitarists poll, yes, I would say he is very underrated.

One of the most iconic and charismatic guitar players ever.

10 Roy Buchanan

In my opinion the greatest white Blues Rock guitarist ever. Check out his "Second Album" from Polydor. Then go to "Guitar on Fire" during his Atlantic time. Then go to any of his time with Alligator records.

Roy's speed, phrasing precision. Just extra-ordinary.

The Contenders
11 Robby Krieger Robert Alan "Robby" Krieger is an American guitarist and singer-songwriter best known as the guitarist of the rock band the Doors, and as such has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Robby has various influences and has his own unique style, one of the coolest yet underrated players there is.

Robby Krieger the flamenco, jazz, psych, delta blues guitarist. Wait... he's just one player what! Highly underrated

Do it Robby, do it!

12 John Frusciante John Anthony Frusciante is an American guitarist, singer, producer and composer.He is best known for his time with the Funk Rock California based band the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He was also part of the Mars Volta, Swahili Blonde, Ataxia and more.

You have to be kidding! Frusciante is a musical genius! I've never seen someone so dedicated to music. Practicing for 10 hours a day as a kid and leaving the band due to stardom early on. He's humble, has a great work ethic, and is a guitar god. "Dani California" "can't stop" etc, don't unveil his true potential. Have you tried playing "snow? " His live stuff is amazing! He should be #1 I can write pages on why. Check out "don't forget me live la cigale" on YouTube. For those of you who appreciate fast guitar more than melodic here you go. Otherwise JF focuses on emotional, focused, slow solos that are not appreciated today which is a shame.

John is a good man he is very real. Every riff he do is so perfect to the bones like snow, can't stop, dani California, californication etc. He might not be the best guitarist technically but this man can do difficult riffs (jimmy page level) and you can see his diversity and emotion in every note. Few people know this man because he is so humble he don't like to be so famous. That makes him the most underrated and the best guitarist for me.

John is seriously my favorite guitarist I know he ain't the best but he is definitely in the top ten. Just listen to key tracks like Snow, can't Stop, Dani California, Wet Sand. I know its hard with Flea also excelling in these songs so just try to edge him out and listen only to the guitar in these songs. John is underrated for his musical style and even for that he is the best. Dani California and Scar Tissue are one of the not many songs where he does a solo because he doesn't like the and just listen to the tribute to Hendrix in the Dani California and you really will know that he could play anything and be the best in it if wanted to.

A great and emotional guitarist probably the best of this generation. Can play complex riffs with melody. Also one of the most prolific solo artists around 10 solo albums plus ataxia and appears on most mars Volta albums on lead guitar with Omar Rodriguez. Just loves playing music more than I can say for a lot of others.

13 Dave Mustaine - Megadeth David Scott "Dave" Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor and author. Mustaine is best known as a pioneer in Thrash Metal, being the former lead guitarist of Metallica before his dismissal in 1983, leading to finding and becoming the front man of his own ...read more.

I would say Dave is probably the inspiration for much of what Kirk Hammett has done... If not the original composer of some of it. I totally disagree with Slash being number 1. Slash is a good guitarist, but he's judged more on popularity than his prowess... Dave Mustaine doesn't win the popularity vote against other guitarists (which is one of the reasons I like him even more) but has the raw talent and creativity that the rest lack.

Only underrated cause he, as well as his band, aren't considered to be as good as Metallica, despite being better, especially in the department of guitar-kickassery. He's certainly better than Hammett, Hetfield, or Slash, and a better songwriter than most. Anybody who actually listens to Megadeth's best material vs. Metallica's best material would realize that Dave Mustaine is the best guitarist in thrash.

If anything then overrated. He is mostly a rhythm guitarist and he's on top of the "best metal guitarist" list. So, metal guitarists like Randy Rhoads, Michael Angelo Batio, John Petrucci or Alex Skolnick who are better than him and also play lead guitar are lower than him?

Dave mustaine is not only a shredder from hell but he has written some of the ickiest metal licks ever! And then he overcame some nerve damage only to shred once again! I'd also put Michael bloomfield and roy buchanan on the list.

14 Harvey Mandel

Best (lamb) chops ever. This guy rips - just grab yourself a copy of his album, Christo Redentor.

The snake is awesome

15 Adam Jones - Tool Adam Thomas Jones (born January 15, 1965) is a three-time Grammy Award-winning American musician and visual artist, best known for his position as the guitarist for Tool.

He has this supernatural ability along with Maynard James Keenan to create an atmosphere that is so amazing yet not many can understand.

He has an almost supernatural ability aside Maynard James Keenan to create atmosphere, people just don't understand it.

Very climatic and melodic riffs he makes. Deserves more praise

16 Dave Murray - Iron Maiden David Michael Murray is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as one of the earliest members of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden.

You can only be underrated if you can play with both technical skill and emotion, Dave Murray plays with those and much more. The only guitarist I think should be on this list above Dave, is Joe Satriani.

Every song of iron maiden have a great guitar sound. Their is no a weak guitar performance.
Dave Murray and adrian smith is the best tag team guitarists ever. Definitely underrated.

He is quoted as the quietiest member of the band but when he plays he is the loudest guitarists in the world. His solos made me an IRON!

He is one of my favorite if not my favorite of all time. He is also one of the best yet if you ask just about any one they don't know him

17 Jerry Cantrell Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American musician, singer-songwriter and guitarist best known as the founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist and main songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains.

Easily the best guitarist in grunge.
Very heavy and yet melodic riffs and solos, and an amazing co-vocalist aside Layne Staley and later William DuVall in Alice In Chains. Their harmonies are just so incredibly haunting, beautiful and give me goose bumps.

Jerry Cantrell wrote or co-wrote most of AIC's songs. Besides, his nasty guitar solos and riffs are unique to AIC. Who else sounds like them?

This man deserves more recognition. His solos and riffs are great.

He makes Alice in Chains the awesome band it is.

18 Mark Tremonti Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge.

He is one of the best guitarists of all time, yet not many people have heard of him. He should definitely be in the top 3 of this list. Just listen to the solo in dust by tremonti and you will know what I mean. In fact listen most of his songs from alter bridge and his own band tremonti.

Forget about Creed for a second and listen to his work with Alter Bridge. The solo from blackbird, brand new start, cry of Achilles, all amazing. Mark Tremonti is a guitar god who happen to come at the wrong time. If it would be the 80s Alter Bridge would be with the best of them

Known mostly for creed where some of his best riffs were shown, he is always underrated and never given recognition for the complex simplicity of his guitar-work. Just give "My Own Prison" a listen and you will see.

19 Malcolm Young Malcolm Mitchell Young was an Australian musician and songwriter, best known as a co-founder, rhythm guitarist, backing vocalist and songwriter for the hard rock band AC/DC.

I love the Young brothers to death, but I get a little annoyed about how Angus Young gets all the spotlight, Brian Johnson (the front man) isn't even the most famous member. Malcolm's amazing rhythmic guitar playing is the back bone of AC/DC. I also think Cliff Williams (the bassist) and Phil Rudd (the drummer) don't get enough credit.

One of the best rhythm guitarists of our time. He was never the kind of guy to showboat, but it is really difficult to imitate the nuances in his playing. Angus was the face of AC/DC, but Malcolm was the backbone. Deserves to be higher than David Crosby. RIP Malcolm!

Just Hear what he is playing on the guitar and hear his great voice, he is incredible and no one can play the guitar like him and sing at the same time! in fact... he is the Best! AC/DC Rocks! and without him it wouldn't be the same! Fernando Mendoza

Just Hear what he is playing at the guitar and hear his great voice in all the chorus of the songs! He's the best of what he do! AC/DC Rocks! and he is the brain of AC/DC!

20 David Crosby David Van Cortlandt Crosby was an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: the Byrds; Crosby, Stills & Nash; and CPR.

I'm not so sure about guitar, but David Crosby should definitely be on the best singers list. Great voice, and great body of work from the Byrds to CSN to his solo stuff.

21 Mick Ronson
22 Prince Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21st, 2016) was an American musician, best known for being one of the most popular and influential artists from the 80s, with songs such as "Purple Rain", "Little Red Corvette", "1999", and "When Doves Cry" .

Prince has a bad rep but that guy danced, sang, and played guitar in stage better than anyone else (dare I say it? ) EVER! He had so much energy I'd say he had even more energy than Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers! I don't care about which way he swings, he is one of the most underrated guitarists ever!

Seriously? If he is not #1 it has to be because people just don't think he is underrated...this man with a guitar in his hand is EPIC

Listen to his guitar solo on Purple Rain and tell me that he shouldn't be number one on this list.

Dude the fact that he's not at the top of this list shows just how underrated he is.

23 Lindsey Buckingham Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, best known as lead guitarist and one of the vocalists of the musical group Fleetwood Mac from 1975 to 1987, and then 1997 to the present day.

The guy is just amazing...his guitar sings the song as easily as his voice. His solo and work throughout on "the Chain" is enough to merit mention here.

The way he improvises solos, oh my god it's orgasmic. listen to sara live in tuscon and go your own way from the dance

24 Jeff Waters Jeff Waters (born February 13, 1966) is a Canadian metal musician and founder of the metal band Annihilator. He's best known as the guitarist for Annihilator, appreciated for his fast riffs and solos. Waters is also the primary songwriter in the band. Very often he has taken on the role of lead singer, bass player, engineer and producer. He has owned Watersound Studios Inc. since 1994. At a young age he took some classical and jazz guitar lessons. Notable songs include Alison Hell, Human Insecticide, The Trend, Ultra-Motion, Detonation.

He is definitely one of the best guitarist in metal scene. And the most underrated guitarist. Listen to Annihilator's album and you'll know how good he is.

25 Randy California

Likely the best all-around guitarist ever. He could play it all - rock, jazz, blues, metal, folk, whatever. Sure, there are better guitarists in one style, but not all. Also a pioneer in special effects. His use of the Echoplex was mind blowing.

Definitely one of the top guitarists. An innovator and an inventor. Had one of the first versions of therimin built into his guitar. A fluid player who made everything look easy and a great harmonic sense.

I love Spirit, and their sweet rock/jazz fusion. Jimmy, you stole it, just admit it.

8Load More
PSearch List