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Posted by: Grmo Jul 6 2010, 03:47 PM

I know there was already one of these, but it was 3 years ago, so I though't I'd see what people would say now. This list should not be affected by how good you think the players are.

Here's my list, from most influencial to least(although the top 5 for any of us are probably hugely influencial, as they are with me), with the band that I had in mind:

1) Pat Metheny (Pat Metheny Group), for a) his soloing, which inspired me to learn about alternate and exotic scales to use in solos (such as chromatic or whole tone based licks in a normal chord), and b ) for his compositional style, which helped me learn how to vary rhythms and progressions in a whole new way. He also inspired me to take a much more creative approach to composing.

2) Michael Romeo (Symphony X), for both his rhythm and lead playing, which affected my style a lot. I was most strongly affected by his tapping arpegios, which I think can sound really cool with the right tone.

3) Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), for his dark playing style, interesting rhythms, and sometimes very creative playing (although the fact that he plays with only an EMG at the bridge is kind of lame).

4) Marty Friedman (Megadeth), because I've always loved how he's able to break free from the metal environment that he's playing in and just be completely free in his solos, which are brilliantly fluid and very creative.

5) Adam Jones (Tool), whose overdriven but still clear tone has influenced my sound a lot. His use of artificial harmonics and dynamics showed me that guitar playing can still be great without having much to do with techniquem though he can be a very technical player. He, and Tool overall, introduced me to an entirely new world of rhythm overlapping. See "The Grudge" off of Lateralus, where, near the end, they overlap several different rhythms that circle around to make one of the most epic crescendos ever.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiR1hmpk-x4 - starts at about 6:30)


Anyway, that's my list. Please feel free to share yours.

Posted by: Rain Jul 6 2010, 04:24 PM

1. Satoshi Katada
2. Takayoshi Ohmura
3. Syu (Galneryus)
4. Gentaro Satomura
5. Panther CV (Current Band: Cycle, - From Sex Machineguns)


The order changes over time - but in terms of style - that is the order. Enjoy Youtubing them

Posted by: Adrian Figallo Jul 6 2010, 04:33 PM

in any particular order:

Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
John Frusciante
Billy Gibbons
SRV

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jul 6 2010, 04:42 PM

most influential, no particular order:

- Steve Vai
- John Petrucci
- Vinnie Moore
- Alexi Laiho
- Michael Romeo

I also enjoy:

- Joe Satriani
- Yngwie Malmsteen
- SRV
- Marty Friedman
- Jason Becker
- Kristian Niemann

* Among many others...

Posted by: Staffy Jul 6 2010, 04:50 PM

I hardly never listens to guitar-players anymore, cause most of them bores me...
But in the old days it was:

Scofield
Metheny
Hendrix
Gary Moore
SRV
Ritchie Blackmore
(yeah, I know there is six, but I couldn't left any out)

in no particular order.

However, its hard to tell which are the most influential, since I never tried to copy none of them. I also listened to some 50 other guitar players as well. There was no transcriptions or tape recorders with half-speed around in the 70'ths, so people just played stuff similar to what they heard. (which in most cases was completely wrong, but maybe thats a reason for why all players back then had their own style)

//Staffay

Posted by: Chowy Fernandez Jul 6 2010, 05:31 PM

steve vai
shawn lane
greg howe
marty friedman
dimebag darrel

for me theres a top 20 or more than that haha

joe satriani, guthrie govan, jimy hendrix, srv, jimmi page, alex skolnick, blues saraceno,
ritchie kotzen, slash, van halen, gilmour, vernon reid, mattias ia eklundh, scot henderson,
nuno bettencourt, robert fripp, michael lee firkins, mike stern, robben ford,
eric johnson, john petrucci, michael romeo, kiko loureiro, alex hutchings,
gary moore, jason becker, malmsteen, blackmore, etc etc

i agree with staffy, the influences are one thing, then you got to take it to another
level, a level of own personality and atitude. that´s the hardest and the cool one!!

Posted by: Sollesnes Jul 6 2010, 05:52 PM

When I was first shown instrumental music, it was Cacophony and Marty Friedman I heard. The way he phrase things and plays things and everything was the reason I really got into guitar playing, and is probably one of the reasons I am still playing, and didn't give up when things first got hard (thats what she said). So Marty Friedman probably tops my list.
The other four? I guess it would be, in no particular order:
Kiko Loureiro
Greg Howe
Buckethead
Devin Townsend

But really, I find inspiration in all kinds of music. I love folk music from around the world, and tries to snatch things that sounds interesting into my own playing, without really copying anything or anyone.

Posted by: Vasilije Vukmirovic Jul 6 2010, 06:00 PM

Al di Meola, Santana, Zoran Starcevic, John Petrucci and Luiz Bonfa.

Posted by: superize Jul 6 2010, 07:22 PM

Well....

1. Syu
2. Alexi Laiho
3. Lian Gerbino(Had to put him in there he has meant so much for my guitar playing)
4. Yngwie Malmsteen
5. Jari Määnpä(Wintersun)

Posted by: ZakkWylde Jul 6 2010, 07:56 PM

We already have a thread like this one somewhere...
(in no particular order)

Lead:
-Jeff Loomis
-Syu
-Slash
-Kirk Hammett
-Zakk Wylde

Rythm:
-Kerry King
-Max Cavalera
-James Hetfield
-Jon Schaffer
-Mark Morton

Overall guitarists (leads and rythm):
-Dimebag Darrel
-Michael Amott
-Dave Mustaine
-Robb Flynn
-Michael Akerfeldt

Posted by: shredmaster1393 Jul 6 2010, 10:35 PM

my top 5 are :

1.John Frusciante
2.Carlos Santana
3.Jimi Hendrix
4.Steve Vai
5.Eric clapton

Posted by: Grmo Jul 6 2010, 11:10 PM

Yeah, but it's really old, so I made this one.

Posted by: Alexiaden93 Jul 6 2010, 11:38 PM

1. John Petrucci / Dream Theater
How they use theory and extreme musicianship to compose and perform very complex and melodic pieces, and also act as a great motivation, keeping in touch with their fans, especially keyboard player Jordan Rudess.

2. Marcus Lavendell
His vibrato is amazing, even more tasty than Yngwie Malmsteen's, and personally I think his composition is much more melodic, even though it isn't purely based on the Baroque era.

3. Slash
Although he really is one of the guitarists that got me into the instrument, his way of creating amazing solos and melodies without using any fancy techniques shows that no matter how insane a shredder you are, you do need to think this through to create "good" music.

4. Yngwie Malmsteen
Although his music can get tedious after a while, it's incredible how his technique permits him to play clearly with low output pickups, and without using too many effects. Extremely many pieces are just wonderful, and as I enjoy listening to classical music, this music is very inspirational.

5. Øystein Sollesnes
This fellow Norwegian is not only an extremely skilled guitar player technique-wise, but also knows a huge lot of theory, is skilled at composing, and has generally helped me since I started here on GMC. And that's what influence is all about.

Posted by: thefireball Jul 6 2010, 11:50 PM

Funtwo (Jay Lim) - His Canon Rock version inspired me to start guitar!
Many of you GMC instructors! I don't wanna leave anybody out that have been an influence.
Neil Zaza - His "I'm Alright" was my first song to start string-skipping on
Keith Wayett - his DVD on guitar helped me get started
Joe Satriani - can't think of anybody else but this guy right now

These aren't really in order, but they have definitely been an influence!

Posted by: Todd Simpson Jul 7 2010, 12:18 AM

[quote name='Rain' date='Jul 6 2010, 11:24 AM' post='489690']
1. Satoshi Katada
2. Takayoshi Ohmura
3. Syu (Galneryus)
4. Gentaro Satomura
5. Panther CV (Current Band: Cycle, - From Sex Machineguns)

Great list I'm a big fan of Japanese Metal myself and didn't know about some of these players. Thanks for the introduction! I'd have CV Panther on my list as well. I love old Sex Machine Guns to this day.

MY LIST TOP 5

Hmm.....

1.)Steve Vai
2.)Paul Gilbert
3.)Joe Satch
4.)Tony McAlpine
5.)CV Panther


CHOWEY: Small world! Shawn lane is from my home town of Atlanta, Georgia! It's incredible that players from all over the world have heard of him. He never made a hit record, or sold out, or did anything but play amazing guitar.

Todd

Posted by: ruben_mcn Jul 7 2010, 01:05 AM

1. Slash
2. Jimi Hendrix
3. Zakk Wylde
4. SRV
5. Nuno Bettencourt..

That´s all folks!

Posted by: JamesT Jul 7 2010, 02:54 AM

Jimmy Page
Van Halen
Joe Satriani
Santana
SRV

Posted by: The Uncreator Jul 7 2010, 03:53 AM

01. Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
The first person to make me really listen and understand the guitar - And in the process - Make me analyze and study music in a much more personal (and analytical) sense. His tone is as legendary as Iron Maiden itself, And his sense of melody, composition, structure, are all just beautifully well crafted.

02. Marcus Siepen/ Andre Olbrich (Blind Guardian)
Easily on par with Adrian and Dave from Iron Maiden for an immense guitar duo. Since I was about 11-12 years old these guys have always impressed me with an incomprehensible array of melodies. No song is without some catchy and memorable lick or riff, And once I bought "A Night In The Opera" - It really changed the way I view guitar. That album to me is as unique as the band itself, something about its tone, production, and atmosphere just set it apart from everything else in any music scene.

03. Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth)
He taught me that simplicity can be more powerful than complexity if used correctly. I have met him a few times, and he is just a super nice guy, who is way too modest and humble about his abilities. Tone wise he has created and atmosphere around his music that is - to me - 100% original. No band sounds like Opeth, and Opeth sounds like no other band.

04. Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth)
To put it simply, his riffs are impossibly monstrous. His music is melodic, and brutal. He has conceived some incredible stories, and taken some of the world in with it. Emotionally, you can always tell he gives everything a man can give - And puts it in every album. He is a musician who writes for the fans, and not to mention, he is also incredibly nice. He records not too far from my home town, and I have had the pleasure of running into him at shows a few times, Great guy, amazing music.

05. Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon/ Star One/ Guilt Machine)
Since I am a Science Fiction junkie, His music and writing spoke to me immediately. After that, his compositions are simply unparalleled. Ayreon is without a doubt, one of the most unique concept stories any band has done. His guitars are always smooth and creamy, with a tone and air about them that can really convey more than words. His ability to make far-future epics is amazing, And they present topics about humanity, personality, and reality in a way that no other musician has done.


No order really, except for #1

Posted by: fkalich Jul 7 2010, 06:12 AM

With occasional blips, your basic guitar god bores me to tears.

I will tell you someone I think really can play guitar. I was an early member, so he is newer to me.

Lucio Antolini

Every time I see him do a lesson I think "man can he play". You know, playing is a lot more than just this "oh I am fast look at me how technically skilled I am crap". Yawn. It is when a guy has that kind of feel, such as with Lucio, that you really have quality.


I looked at his bio, I see he is well respected in his country, my eyes and ears did not deceive me.

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Jul 7 2010, 03:14 PM

oh yeah, Kiko Loureiro, Greg Howe and Guthrie Govan!!

G3!! G3!!G3!!G3!!G3!!G3!!

Posted by: maharzan Jul 8 2010, 02:04 PM

I haven't really listened closely to any guitarists except Satriani, perhaps I just don't like the styles of others. Anyway, there are few if I may make a list.

1. Satriani (love his melody along with solo stuff, almost all the songs)
2. Andy Timmons (love his emotional playing, have heard a few and I m loving him)
3. Muris Varajic (his phrasing even in super fast speed is just awesome)
4. Vai (I only like his For Love of God, seems like he poses just too much, no offense, other songs are just a tad bit heavier on my ears)
5. Gilbert (I don't like his songs, superfast and like Vai just don't fit my ears but I like his tutorials on YouTube, I watched them often to get inspiration)

Who can forget Slash and his melodic solos with GNR.

Posted by: Skewlbuzz Jul 8 2010, 02:25 PM

My 5 in no particular order:

Tom Morello

Buckethead

John Petrucci

Zakk Wylde

David Gilmour

Posted by: OzRob Jul 13 2010, 09:14 AM

Joe Satriani
Mark Knopfler
Tommy Emmanuel
Richard Kruspe
Yngwie Malmsteen

Posted by: Zsolt Galambos Jul 13 2010, 03:43 PM

1. Paul Gilbert
2. Dimebag Darrell
3. Zakk Wylde
4. Jason Becker
5. Michael Romeo

Posted by: Gitarrero Jul 13 2010, 03:55 PM

James Hetfield
Billy Joe Armstrong
Lian Gerbino
These three influenced my playing the most, the top two cause I listened to their records when I started playing guitar, Lian because he is my mtp instructor and taught me so much.
Plus two I really admire:
Dave Murray
John Petrucci

Posted by: Attila Voros Jul 13 2010, 04:43 PM

Here are my all time or/and actuall top5:

1. Dimebag Darrell:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbiigf0XBxk Check out the lead of "Walk" at the end of this interview from 2:36 till the end.
What a great bendings and vibratos and... everything! Full of emotions! GRRR!:)

2. Jeff Loomis: my new fav piece from him/NM is the song called "The Blue Marble And The New Soul".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8QlYGQPvk
Don't You think that the lead section sounds like a Quentin Tarantino soundtrack just darker and way more depressed?

3: Emil Werstler: this is the future of the instrumeTal music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2l1Fc2B5B8 WOWOW!:)

4. Justin Derrico: Led Zeppelin by Pink: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tQubiPhhV0&feature=related
What a great sound, feeling and faces!

5. Marco Sfogli: one of my fav lead from him is the lead of the song called "oblivious": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHMGdQGVqMw&feature=related

I hope You like these links!
Cheerz!

Attila

Posted by: JkB Jul 13 2010, 04:59 PM

Here's my top 5 with no particular order :

David Gilmour : I was simply blown away when it first saw the live footage of Comfortably Numb from the P.U.L.S.E tour. There i realized how magnifient a guitar solo could be. The "waves" thing he does with the vibrato while this light ball opens up is still on of the most beautiful thing i heard/saw. Of course there are tons of others songs that are inspiring. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJZYG5qwHHI (that stage is totally awesome !!!)

Marcus lavendell : Well his vibrato ... nothing to add. Plus learning his solos and Winding roads in particular helped me to incorporate techniques such as tapping and sweeping in my overall playing. To me his compositions are like shred + super emotional playing

Nguyen Le : Well i guess no one here heard of him. He is a french/vietnamese guitar player and he's also my uncle so i've seen him play many times. On his records, he explores the beauty of traditionnal music and traditionnal instruments and let them shine, so that got me away from guitar only based music a bit. Through his music i discovered traditionnal vietnamese singing and, koto, tablas (indian percussions). He learned how to imitate those melodies oh the guitar. Moreover he showed me how to make beautiful music while almost always playing with a clean tone whereas i mostly listened to Vai & co and some nice whammy bar tricks in a relaxing and calm context ( means how to forget steve vai's madness) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4o9psdo86x0 the use of harmonics and whammy at the beginning are awesome to me

Steve Vai : The first shredder i really listened to, with For the love of god. I loved the sound of the lydian mode even though i didn't know what it was at the beginning. To me his music was technical and complex but still beautiful and i learned all the phrasing tricks like sliding, graced notes, whammy bar, pinch harmonics and wah pedal that i only knew through hendrix and funk stuff at the time. I loved how he could build around a theme like in For the love of god or Hand on heart.

Joe Satriani : For a long time i didn't like him and preferred Vai but i got into his music a while ago and i loved how he had a more classic rock vibe in his music in songs like come on baby, made of tears as well as more "mysterious" music like circles or flying in a blue dream. In the end he seems to be more versatile than vai and he's not such a poser. Last note : the final jam on "Always with Always with you" from the Satriani live album is just amazing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1DzRb4DHGw

It actually took me quite a while to write that sh** And i guess it's not always intereting and there must also be tons of other things to say on these guys but i hope some of you at least will read it

Posted by: Sergio Dorado Jul 13 2010, 06:50 PM

Electric:
1. Van Halen
2. Nuno Bettencourt
3. Paul Gilbert
4. Joe Satriani
5. Vinnie Moore

Flamenco:
1 Paco de Lucía
2 Vicente Amigo
3 Tomatito
4 Chicuelo
5 Gerardo Núñez

Classical:
1 John Williams
2 David Russell
3 Álvaro Pierri
4 María Esther Guzmán
5 Pepe Romero

Posted by: Keep_Rocking Jul 13 2010, 08:28 PM

Guys, I would spend my whole day quoting and commenting about what you have told!
But I'll be brief.

- Slash (I got the guitar for the first time because of him)
- Satriani (recently felt in love on his compositions)
- Guys from Helloween (Roland Grapow + Michael Weikath)
- Kiko Loureiro
- last but not the least, the GMC instructors!