Top 10 Best Christian Guitarists

Brother Phil has 19 different ways that he tunes his guitars. His layering techniques and the way he can put songs together on the fly after playing the different parts live is unbelievable, but still, he does it with seemingly effortless application. His music is different from all others. His heart speaks his emotions through his playing and stirs the soul.

Once you know the feel of his music, you can pick it out in a tune, even when you don't know that it was him playing. His playing is fluid, sharp, mellow, and multifaceted, yet he delivers it with an inspiringly humble spirit. He plays for his Heavenly Father, and we are all privileged to get to listen too.

Ben Kasica is the best! He can play solos with his teeth and behind his neck! He can also play awesome solos and rock out with the other band members!

Ben Kasica is far better than most of the top secular guitarists out there today. I mean better than Kirk Hammett.

One of the best guitarists today, hands down.

The most creative guitarist to date. Give him a gold medal for his pedals and effects that transformed the sound of Delirious? and brought us Yanks the British modern sound without having to smoke pot.

Stu G of Delirious? is seriously one of the best guitar players in Christian music that I have ever heard. His tone and technicality are better than most others on this list by far.

The most versatile guitarist I know! Stu can play many styles, and his long journey with Delirious? combined with his work as a producer makes him a very prolific musician. Stu for number 1!

First saw Lincoln when he was playing guitar on Steve Perry's "Love of Strange Medicine" CD and tour. The night I saw him in Atlanta, Steve announced that Lincoln was 21. He was great live. I followed him over to Christian music! His playing is great, but so are his writing and singing. I liked his stuff so much that I have bought his CDs in the past just so I could give them away to other people. I think he deserves to be in the top 10!

Lincoln's professionalism, showmanship, accuracy, and God-given talented abilities to wow audiences while playing his guitar is absolutely mind-blowing. He is by far one of the best guitar players of our time.

Bob is solid as a rock in his message and in his playing. If you want a guy who can play solid, straight-up rock and roll - classic or modern - Bob is your man. His lead playing is also exceptional. You can tell he really spent time crafting and shaping his leads because none of them sound the same.

I started playing guitar at the age of ten. Bob has definitely been my biggest influence to date. I've had the opportunity to meet Bob and have talked with him several times, and I have found that he's a really nice guy! I bought one of his Zion guitars from him at the age of fifteen, and bought another Zion of his a few years ago. I feel very lucky and proud to own such fine instruments of his that he used in spreading the Gospel all over the world. Definitely a unique privilege.

I grew up listening to lots of Christian guitarists such as Keaggy, Palacios, Carroll, Wooten, and the late Dana Key, who I also love, but Bob's playing keeps me coming back for more! Bob has my vote, hands down! Keep up the good work, Bob!

Yngwie Malmsteen sometimes is so focused on the technicals and the neo-classical style that he doesn't "get it." Grimmark "gets it" while still holding on to the neo-classical style. The melodies are there. The technical aspects are there. In my opinion, he isn't just the best Christian guitarist, he's in the top five guitarists, period. And the secular world doesn't seem to know who he is. If you look at top metal guitarist lists, you'll find tons of guys ahead of Grimmark and Impellitteri who have no business being there because of exposure.

If you haven't heard "Living Water" by Narnia, treat yourself.

-Shelby

He is a legendary player and virtuoso. Few guitarists have been able to combine blues, soul, progressive rock, and metal as seamlessly as Ty.

I love a lot of these guys, especially Oz. But when you listen to "Moanjam" from the album "Faith Hope Love," I think it surely speaks for itself.

Amazing guitarist! Look up his rendition of Carol of the Bells on YouTube. Watch and learn.

Rex is the best guitarist. He stayed true to himself through all the years, and he is still as fast as he was back in the day. His heart is in the right place, and he is a true musician. He can shred like no one else. He is fast, and he is also a funny man. He loves his fans, and he gives himself totally for the cause, not for the money like many others (even Christian guitarists) are! That makes him number one! Besides, he can play any style. Tell him what to play, and he will bring it to you!

Rex Carroll is the Van Halen of Christian metal. Like Chris Impellitteri, Ken Tamplin, and Lanny Cordola, he can play any style of music from metal to jazz. What makes Rex's solos stand out is his classical influence. His ten-finger tapping arpeggios are to die for. While Rex isn't the fastest (Chris Impellitteri has to be), he still has enormous speed. Also, his music never gets boring. It's either energy-packed or full of emotion. Check out Hammer And Nail or Eternal Fire to fully understand.

Tony's work on "Miracle Mile" was outstanding - top-notch! "Swing, Swang, Swung" showed a very versatile side to his craft, proving that acoustic has soul. "Buzz" proved a tasteful, grungy ability while still sounding technical at times. He didn't stop there because he then moved into a more modern era with "Bottle Rocket," proving that he adapts well with the change of the times. With new work coming out soon, he also inspires the imagination: "What next?"

Hands down, the best! Tony has the skill and the speed, but most importantly, he has the "feeling." He could take simple licks and make them seem impossible to recreate just by making them vibe. By the same token, he could turn around and scream up and down the fretboard. His solo project, "Epic Tales of Whoa," is a must to check out!

I've been listening to all of Tommy's music for a little over a year now, and coming from a guy who loves neo-classical guitar, Tommy is one of the best I've ever heard. His melodies and techniques are downright amazing, and he's an excellent cover artist as well. I can only see him getting better, and I really look forward to that.

Tommy has an excellent musical background and has provided so much material, singlehandedly it seems, that is of such quality never heard before. There is nothing to compare, but Johansson is the greatest Christian guitarist on account of his extraordinary performances.

Absolutely amazing guitarist! Loved his talent since I was a teenager. I had an opportunity to meet him after a show. Straight up nice guy!

He is one of the greatest. Period!

The star, the legend, the man, the myth. Oz Fox is one of the best showmen in the scene, and his style with the axe is flawless.

This is a unique guitarist with a unique style of playing. He is the best not just at playing tunes fast, but with his accuracy and being the fastest among the fast. Impressive and impossible riffs and interludes with solos of his style. Cheers to this guy. God bless.

I think without question, Chris should be #1. As a guitarist myself, it's easy to see the skills, technique, and speed he plays with ease. However, I don't really think that his band gives glory to Our Lord Jesus. I wish I could see a lot more of this.

This guy is top five for sure. A one-time member of Whiteheart, he hit the big time with his mainstream band Giant. He went on to do session work for countless Christian and mainstream artists, including the likes of Madonna. I'm a fan of his work in Giant. Show this guy some love!

He has played with the best Christian singers and made great contributions. For me, he's in position 1. He goes beyond fast fingers. He makes listening music, and that, for me, is more important.

This guy's resume speaks for itself. Across all genres and styles, Dann can do it all.

Parallels, their Electric Eye cover, and so many others.

A top 10-worthy player. Afram is one of the best Brazilian guitar players, side by side with Megadeth's Loureiro and Angra's Bittencourt. His "DDG Experiment" album has the best Christian prog metal you will listen to.

Seth is my favorite guitarist. His shredding really kills! In the song "Circus for a Psycho," he really rocks. His solos in "Not Gonna Die" and "Freakshow" are heavenly, while the "Salvation" solo is wicked! Seth is a guitarist who can really rock one's face off. Go Seth! You rock!

Seth Morrison is Skillet's new guitarist on their "Rise" album. Morrison is a very good young guitarist, and if you listen to Skillet's new song "Circus For A Psycho," you can hear his skills in soloing very well!

Seth is AMAZING! How about you try going and playing lead in Circus For A Psycho? Then you'll see why he belongs in the top 10.

Worship is not about being a virtuoso. It's about bringing skill and heart to the song. No electric guitarist does it better than Nigel, in my opinion.

This guy inspired me to leave the piano, and now I play the guitar. He's such a blessing to me and my worship.

The best for me, so blessed, and he uses this gift accordingly!

Torbjörn Weinesjö has some of the most creative soloing I've heard. His guitar work in Veni Domine is truly inspired!