[phreaker]

I love trey. He can sound amazing when he wants too, but his new CD wouldnt support his amazing ability to play the guitar. All the songs are really basic...I love that CD, nonetheless. I just don't like it when Phish sounds like they're all playing their own solos mixed with some feedback and lots of crash and fast high hat stuff. too intense.

but everytime i walk out of a Robert Randolph concert, Im usually trying to re-think everything that I thought was true in life. that man is not human.

[ded1hed]

yea your right on about buddy guy, i remember seeing a clip from lightning in a bottle, and it shows a young jimi standing front row at a buddy guy show. buddy said he didnt even know who jimi was. jimi said im gonna tape you then we'll jam later. you can def. hear where alot of jimis choops came from.

[jahozer]

Not calling them the best, but certainly of note, would be Ernest Ranglin. If you have not heard of him, check him out. Awesome reggae jazz player. Wont be alive too long if he even is at this point.
The California Guitar Trio guys are completely off the hook.
Nils Lofgrin is a very under rated player these days. Go see him and you will see what I mean.
George Benson Owns some props.
And there is a great guitar player playing small clubs called Johnny A. Awesome player!!!

[Kirshnikhov]

Joe Bonamasa (Sp) he's really underground but one of the most talented guitar players ive ever heard. Tap solos that put halen to shame and jams that rival clapton. he's got skills

[grateful4booze]

Nobody has mentioned Bobby?! My current favorite is Warren Haynes. But I still love Marc Ford, Steve Stills, Neil Young, Angus Young, and Buck Dharma.

[nedcat]

the question is ridiculous.....like who is the best politician alive right now? It is a matter of opinion and conception and intelligence combined with personal taste. Man .....get real!!.
Sorry I have to get back to my new job...working on "Borat 2-The In-laws"

[China Cat]

None of them are the best technical players around, but their music is the best around. Al Schneider, Chuck Garvey (guitarists of moe.), trey, dickey betts (if you want to credit trucks, you have to credit dickey, since he was around for derek's youth and im sure he taught him a few things), buddy guy

wait a minute........ many posts have been lacking:

BOBBY WEIR!!!!!!

Phil Lesh as well.

[China Cat]

*schnier

[colotic]

==SANTANA==

[hlblyhipy]

For me it's John Mclaughlin,
dickey betts jerry garcia
and derek trucks

[hlblyhipy]

Oh my god I can't believe I forgot this one
JIMMY HERRING
peace

[screaminaj]

Steve Sweney of ekoostik hookah.

[China Cat]

hlblyhipy, i hate to inform you, but jerry garcia is sadly no longer with us, and hasnt been since '95

[hlblyhipy]

thank you china cat for pointing that out I guess I forgot we were talking of living guitarists.
I cant believe it's been that long since I've been on the bus firs show was over 20 yrs ago

[Jimkkc]

I don't know who is the best player, but I can say that in the last 4 years, I have listened to two albums that had an immediate and lasting impact on my playing. The first was Warren's "Live at Bonnaroo" and the second was Kottke's "One Guitar, No Voice."

I'm not saying that my playing can hold a candle to either Warren or Leo; all I'm saying is that for some reason these two albums have made me a better player - how? I think these two albums have opened my ears to more melody, partial chords, and the interaction between lead playing and chords - anyways, two great albums.