The Greatest Rock 'N' Roll Guitarist

Jeff Beck, hands down.

Hendrix was great, of course, as an innovator and in his style, but he really wasn't all that technically proficient. And Beck literally taught Page a lot of stuff. Beck has outdone them all by never getting stagnant, always growing and changing. I myself have played for over 40 years, so I have a pretty good idea of what it's all about, and Jeff never ceases to amaze me.

Here's a blues number, lousy video, but great playing...

And his rendition of the Beatle's "A Day in the Life", which he just won a Grammy for...(Jimmy Page is in the audience)...

F**k yeah! Jeff Beck! The man's a genius. And that "Drown" video perfectly showcases his ability. Nobody can sing with their guitar like that man.

Do you have the "Live at Ronnie Scott's" album? I really recommend it. Jeff's band is also amazing there - Tal Wilkenfeld (an AMAZING female bassist, around 21 years old at the time) and Vinnie 'Hands Down' Colaiuta on drums.

Bump

I'm sticking with my off the Board choice in Andrew Latimer (Camel) Though Latimer also played an amazing flute (Really he did.)

On the board: (still) David Gilmour

And I love how Carlos Santana isn't on here either He's

And this is just me, but i don't see Malmsteen as a "great" guitarist Just me

And It's kinda interesting to see 2/3 (Gilmour, Satriana, Petrucci) who are Prog Guitarists on here, and then McLaughlin, being in Mahavishnu orchestra and how they played

Another one i'd say: Al Di Meola, his solo work and work with Return To Forever (Prog/ Jazz Fusion) was amazing.

Yep, Santana is absolutely amazing. I absolutely recommend his band's first three albums (self-titled, Abraxas, and the third one). Incredible music.

Here's my current Top 10 for guitarists:

1. Jimi Hendrix
   
2. Jeff Beck
   
3. Jimmy Page
   
4. David Gilmour
   
5. Tom Morello
   
6. John Frusciante
   
7. Carlos Santana
   
8. Derek Trucks
   
9. Warren Haynes
   
10. John McLaughlin
    

Abraxas is just a masterpiece all in itself

Nice list, but i don't know of number 8 or 9

Jimi by far !

My top 3

1.Jimi Hendrix - I don't consider him the greatest skill wise but he was the most iconic and inspired countless guitarist so he deserves to be first. No one sounded like him before. One of the most original guitarist to ever live. He could be sloppy when playing live but he was wayyyyy ahead of his time. 

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan - He attacked the strings with a ferocity and finesse that I've never witnessed before . Other greats like Stevie Vai, Jeff Beck, and Eric Johnson were amazed by his ability and intensity. When he opened or co-headlined with Clapton or Satriani he would blow them outta the water. Clapton said he was very nervous when following Stevie because he knew he couldn't match that intensity and emotion.

3.Jimmy Page - Wrote some of the greatest and catchiest riffs in rock history. You can't overlook just how amazing he was with Led Zeppelin.

Shout out to a few not on the list - Joe Bonamassa, Scotty Moore, Carl Perkins, Buddy Guy, Albert King