Most Over-rated guitarists

[wilds_dog]

Since the 'under-rated guitarist' thread was turning into this, let's give it it's own thread.

I'll go with SANTANA.

I think he is a really good player, but his work doesn't move me.

[RockStringBender]

Going on the "just don't move me" thought (no hits on his technical skills) and I ask for forgiveness as I post this as I love Cream & Derrick & the Dominos but......


Eric Clapton

[Rippin Rod]

The douche bags I saw on Saturday Night Live the other night. Who are these punks and why are they famous? :scratchhe

One of these days Metal and big hair will have to rise again. That was the best of music and the best of times. :headbang

[Shwayman11]

dont kill me but Hendrix.

Dont get me wrong- a great and very influential guitarist but i dont think that he is the best which is what he is made out to be

[Shwayman11]

Going on the "just don't move me" thought (no hits on his technical skills) and I ask for forgiveness as I post this as I love Cream & Derrick & the Dominos but......


Eric Clapton

i agree

[Louie Music]

I have a few that come to mind real fast.

First, The Edge from U2. I mean seriously.

Two, Kurt Cobain... no explaination needed.

Three, Kim Thayill (sp?) from Sound Garden... I really hate him almost as much as Kurt.

I better put on a bullet proof vest for this one... man am I about to piss off alot of people... but just about the most over rated guitarist in my opnion is... Randy Rhoads.

Yes, that's right, Randy Rhoads. Yes, he was good and better than the other guys I listed by far, but he's not everything people make him out to be. If he had never died he'd have been forgotten when Vai, Satch, Yngwie, & Paul Gilbert burst in the scene. To me EVH and Lynch were already beyond him.

[amerturk]

Hey guys, don't forget that when these guys like Jimi, Eric, EVH and Carlos hit the scene, they didn't just play the standard crap everyone else was playing. In thier own right, they re-invented the sounds of the time. Looking back, some of it looks and sounds lame at times.

Hell, you got young kids playing Eruption like it's nothing. At the time, all of us were mesmerized and kneeling to the new guitar God. Fast forward to today; I hear some kids saying "What's the big deal"

But at the time, it was earth shattering. Let's not confuse personal taste with acknowledged talent. Overrated would be someone like Cobain...talented song writer and lyricist, but not so good on the 6 string.

I can only hope a new guitar God comes out for our new generation of ax slingers...until then, they will not truely understand the profound impact that one of these guys can make.

[Louie Music]

Hey guys, don't forget that when these guys like Jimi, Eric, EVH and Carlos hit the scene, they didn't just play the standard crap everyone else was playing. In thier own right, they re-invented the sounds of the time. Looking back, some of it looks and sounds lame at times.

Damn good point man.

[RockStringBender]

Hey guys, don't forget that when these guys like Jimi, Eric, EVH and Carlos hit the scene, they didn't just play the standard crap everyone else was playing. In thier own right, they re-invented the sounds of the time. Looking back, some of it looks and sounds lame at times.

Hell, you got young kids playing Eruption like it's nothing. At the time, all of us were mesmerized and kneeling to the new guitar God. Fast forward to today; I hear some kids saying "What's the big deal"

But at the time, it was earth shattering. Let's not confuse personal taste with acknowledged talent. Overrated would be someone like Cobain...talented song writer and lyricist, but not so good on the 6 string.

I can only hope a new guitar God comes out for our new generation of ax slingers...until then, they will not truely understand the profound impact that one of these guys can make.


Man, I just wrote out a three paragraph response that was going into splitting hairs. I abandoned that and re-read your post.

That was a very well presented perspective and it is bulletproof. Can't argue with truth brother. :thumbsup :thumbsup :thumbsup

[Lightningdan]

Most over-rated guitarist of today....


Dave Navarro.

Why is everyone calling him a guitar god?
Even "Heart" introduced him at one of their live shows as "Guitar god, Dave Navarro"

What's he done besides some punk-funk stuff with Chili peppers? Can anyone tell me what the fuss with him is all about?

[Padja]

That guy from the White Stripes, I don't know his name (and I don't wanna know) but it just baffles me that guitar magazines are wasting paper on tabbing out his songs, which you could figure out by just listening to them...not that you'd want to!

Cheers, Padja.

[KramerAmsterdam]

Well..choosing only one is hard, but as to profile and talent..
I'd say Ritchie Sambora. He's much more singer/writer than what people think he is, guitarwise-his solos are average at most.. imo anyway.

Kobain..well was he seen as a guitarplayer-he was more like Sting-is he a bassplayer?

Clapton was subtle too back in the day..I had some tabs once of a song from way back..very bluesy and subtle..think you can't tell how he plays is the reason they called him Slowhand.

From newer bands...I do not even know any names...

Remy

[christian hairrocker]

I would defintley say kurt cobain......... i8 was once a nirvana DIE HARD!!!!!!! then well............... i saw the stryper light!.

I also think ( but i hope my dad dont see this ) is bernie marsden............ dont ask me why his riffs on whitesnakes slide it in album the uk version really do rock but when i saw him live last year with m3 i just sat in the corner.

To some extent i dont agree with the term "guitar god" its like well saying your the best guitarist in the world.............. and just because your the best doesnt mean your the greatest!, ive seen many of my friends easily dupilcate vai and eddie thats how influenced they are by the players.......... but dont deny it eddie is an original just listen to house of pain that solo was the first solo that took me away.

Anyway back to over-rated in my way is SLASH and i mean SLASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! grrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! its like well............ what can i say????????????? maybe a sick bucket could well describe my words for me :bong everyones like "oh slash is the best" all i gotta say is look at his very poor attempt of doing the "beat it" solo at a micheal jackson concert in 2001......... :-x

I do in some aspects think that VAI is over-rated........ i think his best work was with david lee roth ive got many whitesnake 1990 bootlegs with vai and really......... vandenburg did just as well alongside him and he at the time was recovering from a broken hand!.......... mustve been the kramer sustainer he was using at the concert........ and yes it was a kramer!.

right i must go for a while :rant

[pel666]

First name that pops up in my head is Kirk...

[_xxx_]

Most over-rated guitarist of today....


Dave Navarro.

Why is everyone calling him a guitar god?
Even "Heart" introduced him at one of their live shows as "Guitar god, Dave Navarro"

What's he done besides some punk-funk stuff with Chili peppers? Can anyone tell me what the fuss with him is all about?

Listen to some old Jane's Addiction stuff, he seriously rocks there. A great guitarist, though surely nowhere near the top 10 list.

----------

Back on topic, the list is too long. I'd say EVERY single one of these "new metal" (what an awful description!) bands' guitarists suck. Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park and that kind of shite. They also all play PRS guitars, seems to be fashionable there :guns

[_xxx_]

First name that pops up in my head is Kirk...

LOL, yes! :thumbsup

[KramerGeek]

I have many friends here and would like to keep that number as high as possible.

I won't be telling who I think is over rated. In all honesty though, I think think I am very over rated by my personal friends.

Have you ever noticed that...No matter how much a person sucks on a given instrument, their friends will usually go to the extreme of looking like a moron to express how good the person is?

[kramerProAxer]

I think Kirk Hammett is EXCEPTIONALLY overrated.

I think his solos have about as much 'feeling' as Saddam Hussein.

In his defense though, he's a great rhythmn player and has great stage presence.

-KramerProAxer

[BeN5150]

I will say that Slash is terribly over-rated.

The reason I think people think he's good is because he played hair metal on a Les Paul. BUT anyone could. I play Skid Row on an Epi LP Classic, But I'm no guitar hero (atleast, not yet :D )

Lots of hair metal guys wound up playing LP's.

One example, who happens to be my favourite guitarist (and sadly dead) is, Derek Frigo. (I'm not calling him over rated, because nobody knows who he is lol)

He played LP's around 1992, but in 91 he was playing Proaxe's, and also On his last tour with Enuff Z'Nuff, there are alot of pics of him with an old Kramer like 2 years ago. So he went back to where he felt like home

Sorry for the long post lol

:rant

[KramerGeek]

Wanna hear someone tear up a Les Paul?

Gary Moore...... He goes on the list of UNDER rated guitarists.

[sumrnitz]

Have you ever noticed that...No matter how much a person sucks on a given instrument, their friends will usually go to the extreme of looking like a moron to express how good the person is?

Pat is a badass guitarist.........no really... he can play!

Chris

[BeN5150]

lmao :lol

[fubarguitars1]

I think Kieth Richards has always been over rated.Jimmy Page also.They came up with a few cool riffs but I think they both were the weak members of their bands.

[jumbowolfe]

A few come to mind after reading all your posts...

Jimmy Page - as a guitarist overrated, as a songwriter, I'll say credit is given at about the right rate.

Clapton - Only because he hasn't done anything special in the last 20 years besides one killer blues album.

But I still think they are good guitarists, they are just media darlings...

I have to say, I say Hendrix is NOT overrated. To me, he invented Rock Guitar as we know it today. No one was doing the stuff Hendrix was, NO ONE.

Mike

[RockStringBender]

I have to say, I say Hendrix is NOT overrated. To me, he invented Rock Guitar as we know it today. No one was doing the stuff Hendrix was, NO ONE. Mike

No one has since either. He was and is infinity. It's the only way I've been able to describe him to myself and it took years to get that little box built in my mind to fit him into. Infinity. Works for me.

[amerturk]

I have to say, I say Hendrix is NOT overrated. To me, he invented Rock Guitar as we know it today. No one was doing the stuff Hendrix was, NO ONE.

Mike

...and somebody said, "Fair Warning!"

[am5150]

Steve Vai gets my vote. I like the guy but I hate his music. It's to Frank Zappa "out there" sounding to me. His music is to complacated for rock & roll. I did love him in the movie Cross Roads. He was a perfect fit for the Devils guitarest.

[_xxx_]

No one was doing the stuff Hendrix was, NO ONE.

Mike

Try Vanilla Fudge / Cactus. Vince Martell (later Jeff Beck), Tim Bogert and Carmine Apice going nutz. Not just the guitar, but they had really great bass solos and double bass drum mayhem back in '67. Not saying that was better than Hendrix (it was different), but it was rather serious "shredding" back then.

[mrcrazyhimself]

I surprised so many ppl are giving these answers...How can you compare lets say a clapton/ hendrix to a EVH or VAI. You simply can't. I'm sry but those guys were plugging straight in with a strat, not with a millions effects and floyds. I am not a huge clapton fan but Vai couldn't sound like clapton equally as clapton couldnt sound like Vai. I personally am not a fan of Vai, or rly any of those showster shreaders. Even malmsteen has tone and a distinct characteristc about him( not being fat either) lol. the 60's were about the expression of music, and as a huge fan of the 80's, by 88' 89', what music REALLY had true heart in it? I once you get to a certain point in ur personal style, your as good as anyone with your tone and style. Would hendrix be as well known if he played classical music? What about EVH if he played jazz? I'm one to believe every1 has their personal limits as a player and some guys were meant to be shreaders and other feel music through other styles. I've yet to hear a player that was pronounced the BEST in ALL Styles of music...

[Bluesman001]

I'll second the vote for Jimmy Page......Sorry, he just never did anything for me. A very close second is Kirk "Why doesn't Satriani come bitch slap me - I'm such a disgrace??!!!" Hammett.....

Kirk - "My wah pedal, I can't solo without my wah pedal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[RockStringBender]

That's the good news on this thread. It gave me (and most probably others) some perspective on the state of things in general and where the guitar has came from and went. It is about music and one thought that I have not shared is that I don't think a song needs to have a solo in it to make it a great song. I like solo's and I'm impressed with shreddin', but I'm more into the music and what works to make the song touch someone. I think we can give everyone their credit due and reduce it down to "who I like best" 'cuz anything beyond that is simply what you have been exposed to and what hit you in the gut.

Good thread, good comments and good vibe. :thumbsup

I surprised so many ppl are giving these answers...How can you compare lets say a clapton/ hendrix to a EVH or VAI. You simply can't. I'm sry but those guys were plugging straight in with a strat, not with a millions effects and floyds. I am not a huge clapton fan but Vai couldn't sound like clapton equally as clapton couldnt sound like Vai. I personally am not a fan of Vai, or rly any of those showster shreaders. Even malmsteen has tone and a distinct characteristc about him( not being fat either) lol. the 60's were about the expression of music, and as a huge fan of the 80's, by 88' 89', what music REALLY had true heart in it? I once you get to a certain point in ur personal style, your as good as anyone with your tone and style. Would hendrix be as well known if he played classical music? What about EVH if he played jazz? I'm one to believe every1 has their personal limits as a player and some guys were meant to be shreaders and other feel music through other styles. I've yet to hear a player that was pronounced the BEST in ALL Styles of music...

[lefthandedshredder]

I agree with Remy about Richie (i said it somewhere else)

Kurt is shit. Kirk...i mean wah pedal in metal...it just doesn't sound that good. James' solo's are much better.


I think Steve Vai is not over-rated. He is very popular but look at his status compared to some wanker like those punk-emo guys who kids kneel down to in all their 2 chord glory. Vai is one of my greatest influences and asides from his amazing guitar playing he creates some very interesting sounds and soundscapes IMO...and it's a great break from all the Balls to the Wall rock I listen to...but yet again try telling me Juice isn't an awesome instrumental bluesy rock piece.

Pretty much all of these new bands suck, The only one I can think of that has awesome guitar lines is Trivium, but too much screaming and not enough gleaming for my liking.

[_xxx_]

That's the good news on this thread. It gave me (and most probably others) some perspective on the state of things in general and where the guitar has came from and went. It is about music and one thought that I have not shared is that I don't think a song needs to have a solo in it to make it a great song. I like solo's and I'm impressed with shreddin', but I'm more into the music and what works to make the song touch someone. I think we can give everyone their credit due and reduce it down to "who I like best" 'cuz anything beyond that is simply what you have been exposed to and what hit you in the gut.

Good thread, good comments and good vibe. :thumbsup

Second that with the solos. I had a hard rock/heavy project a few years ago where solos just didn't contribute anything to some of the songs, so all I did there were some vocal-like melodic solos if at all. It has to fit the music. It is about the music and not about showing off after all. Unless you only play for musicians, of course.

Come think of it, almost half of my songs throughout the years have had no solos at all because I felt that would ruin the flow and the feeling of the songs.

[mrcrazyhimself]

I agreed with XXX up there. Some of my favorite solos are derived from the melody line. I don't know how many def leppard fans there are out there, but after listening to hysteria about 100000 times, so much heart and little bits and pieces go into making their songs its unbelievable. 2 part harmonies. Some of these solos are meant just as a spotlight. I prefer when they complete/ add to a song to add a texture. its like comparing lynch, evh, reb beach to like Avenged Sevenfold or ''Dragon force'' You could play a million miles a minute without any soul and all your gunna give ppl is a headache... :-x

[_xxx_]

Many guitarists don't get the simple fact that the audience consists mostly of non-musicians which are rather annoyed by too much soloing. They think they're being cool, but "normal" people neither get it nor do they like it except for the short wow-moments in between maybe.

[Hans K]

Kirk Hammet. Crap band. Crap guitar player.

[Rick S]

Personally I think solos are an essential ingrediant to a good blues based hard rock tune. The thing is you have to make it a real 'part' of the song. Not just a frenzy of crap. I've read the posts above of writing songs with no solos at all. Thats fine for a tune or two. But if you are writing tune after tune with zero solos, maybe its just that you don't know how to make solos work right. I don't mean to sound like an ass(probably do though) but it seems many guys who don't like solos just can't do it. There is a ton of info out there that can help. You just have to make the effort. Kirk Hammett does suck doink IMO. I have never liked him. But obviously hes done something right. Is there anyone else here that has made it to that level(being in a big ass band)? Hmmm???

[smorgdonkey]

How many times has Kirk been mentioned?

+1

[mrcrazyhimself]

he's not a milionarie for nothing.... ;) He's a solid player, maybe not THE BEST"" metal guitar player but he has a style and technique that is his own. I'd like to see some players from this forum play better than him...I certinley can't

[_xxx_]

Personally I think solos are an essential ingrediant to a good blues based hard rock tune. The thing is you have to make it a real 'part' of the song. Not just a frenzy of crap. I've read the posts above of writing songs with no solos at all. Thats fine for a tune or two. But if you are writing tune after tune with zero solos, maybe its just that you don't know how to make solos work right. I don't mean to sound like an ass(probably do though) but it seems many guys who don't like solos just can't do it. There is a ton of info out there that can help. You just have to make the effort. Kirk Hammett does suck doink IMO. I have never liked him. But obviously hes done something right. Is there anyone else here that has made it to that level(being in a big ass band)? Hmmm???


No, i have no troubles with arrangements or solos as such, but that wasn't a hard rock/metal type of stuff. One was a pop-rock band and the other was remotely comparable to Nine Inch Nails maybe. There's not much place for solos which fit the songs there.

On the other hand, the new band will be the meanest death metal with lots of nice guitar stuff. Back to my roots to say so, sice that's what I played with my first serious band in '89.

[Mad-Mike]

Everybody's been hitting all the ones I'd mention...save a few....

First off you have Kurt Cobain. The only thing I have to add about him is he once said "I'm the anti-guitar-hero, I can barely play the things myself". That sums it all up there. What made Kurt influential was the music and not the guitar. Unfortunatley, it was misinterpreted that "not playing solos and making noise is ALWAYS cool" by the 15 year old crowd.

Slash definatley. There was a period in high school where that's the ONLY guitarst I've heard about! Slash is god, slash is this, slash is that. For pete's sake, he's just another 75% grade Les Paul player. His solos are great when your starting to get on intermediate level, but at this point, me, and just about everyone I know, can nail a Slash solo note for note by picking it out by ear one time. However, as far as feel, hes great, but by technicality, I'd say no.

That guy from Blink 182, with the green Fender STrat with the lone Invader pickup, whatever is name is VERY overrated. I saw them on TV once when they just got popular, man oh man, they were not even IN TUNE with each other. The bassist was flubbing notes and messing with the keys on his bass, and green strat man was over there turning keys on his guitar trying to get in tune with the rest of the band mid-song too.

[Lieutenant Dan]

I'm with Mikey on this, Hendrix was a pioneer. He actually started something that is referred to as "The Electric Blues". Those of you that have studied the Blues will not need clarification ;) He was from the Seattle area, and actually played near where I lived in TN (while in the Army - Stationed @ Ft. Campbell, KY). The place was called the "Wooden Nickel". In NO WAY is Jimi over-rated. Now alot of the other's I'll agree upon, actually most :D

[short_circus]

I think Clapton is over-rated.
Hammet too.
I agree that Hendrix was doing unique stuff, and I like a certain amount of sloppy/edgy playing (kind of a balance of feel and technique) but I think he is over-rated because to me, he sounded a bit too sloppy. But its just my opinion. I don't think that looking at how far a band goes in the music biz is a good way to judge over or under rated guitarists because how far you go in music is more political than talent. I'm not sure how many guys here on the forum could play as well as some of the guys on this list, but having heard some of the recordings here, I am certain that there are guys here who, while maybe not better, are at least as good as some guys on the list. I can also go stand on my front porch and toss a rock into the yard of a guy who can play BETTER than about 90% of the guitarists I've ever heard in my life and no one has ever heard of him. Now thats under-rated for ya :D

Ok, rant over, carry on.

[Rick S]

You know, this whole over rated/under rated thing is a pile of s**t. Who gives a hoot if 'Fred Smed' got his so called credit. Fred might have been the absolute best ever, but the way Fred did this or did that behind the scenes probably had WAY more to with his current state than his playing ever did. Besides, there is no accounting for taste. I like what I like. You can yap till you are blue in the face about how wrong I am about liking whoever. But it aint gonna change a thing. Whoever I like is probably under rated and whoever you like is probably over rated. There, now i feel better. :poke
:rant

[RockStringBender]

[QUOTE=short_circus] I can also go stand on my front porch and toss a rock into the yard of a guy who can play BETTER than about 90% of the guitarists I've ever heard in my life and no one has ever heard of him. Now thats under-rated for ya :D QUOTE]

Hey SC, I didn't know you lived in the neighborhood! :D :D

[short_circus]

[QUOTE=short_circus] I can also go stand on my front porch and toss a rock into the yard of a guy who can play BETTER than about 90% of the guitarists I've ever heard in my life and no one has ever heard of him. Now thats under-rated for ya :D QUOTE]

Hey SC, I didn't know you lived in the neighborhood! :D :D

yep, I just moved in, be careful of that rock when you mow the grass :D :D :D

[short_circus]

Hmm, no offense Rick, but I don't think anyone here said that you (or anyone else) are wrong for liking any certain guitarist. Hell, 2 of my favorite all time guitarists dont even play rock or metal as we know it (Buck Owens and Roy Clark).
I think this thread is just a way of learning more about our forum bros, not an attempt at telling anyone that their fav guitarist sucks. I'm sure if it really came down to it, hardly anyone here would agree on 1 fav guitarist. Again, no offense to Rick or anyone else here on KF, I think this is more of a "What's your opinion" type thing, not a "Lets bash everyone who doesn't like EVH in the head with a brick" type thing.

Now, everyone join hands and sing Kumbaya.
Ready? Go.

[smorgdonkey]

he's not a milionarie for nothing.... ;)

I think he is...

[Guitarmike]

OK, here's my two pesos...

I think everyone who anyone ever heard of has done more than me in respect to getting "out there". That being said there are players with chops and players with songs, and players with the girls surrounding them and players with tons of money for doing shit.

I'll just say that Billy Gibbons and Duane Allman changed my life, and many others after them. Most of the guitarists I've spent any time listening to were well worth it in the long run. I've learned a little from many, and a lot from a few.

Sorry to be so cryptic, but I've been drinking! :poke

All I know for sure is Curt Kobain sure screwed us out of a few more years of good music!!

:afro

[RockStringBender]

Hey Mike, you hear that I quit drinking? Yeah, I got a funnel :D :D :D :lol :D :D :D

I would point out that what the Grunge rush pushed off the radio down here made me thankful that it came along. Just a clue, Metalica didn't get a second of airtime in our market until they hooked up with an orchestra. :scratchhe I had to go underground for my music fix, and like LTD related last week in another thread, I've got the 200 cassette tapes to verify.

"I've learned a little from many, and a lot from a few"- nice line. Most likely applies to all of us.

Curt- great muddy chords to give format/base for his melodies and poetic verse, but when he broke into a solo it sounded like he was playin' a cat.... :D

[dr. robert]

but when he broke into a solo it sounded like he was playin' a cat....

the Cobain signature model:

http://www.transbuddha.com/images/uploads/cat.jpg

- robert

[kdrummer01]

This is a pretty tough question

I think underrated would have to be Chriss Oliva (Savatage) most people dont have a clue as to who he was or the talent he had.

Overrated i have to go with Navarro,Cobain.I was donig the hair band bit when grunge took us all out and it totaly sucked.I have a long hatred of that music and that whole scene lol so i am biased there.Navarro I've just never seen him do anything impressive with the guitar.Not that he sucks at it or anything else but i never saw him do anything really great with it.I think with Randy Rhoads we will never know as we have so little of his recorded works.Personaly he is one of my faves but as to him being under/over rated i think its hard to tell really if we are basing this on pure technical skill.We only got to hear a little of what he ever did.As far as influence he had a ton and to anyone who owns a Jackson ya gotta thank him for it cause Grover Jackson was still at Charvel when the RR was developed and that first guitar was the springboard to start Jackson guitars.

[_xxx_]

Listen to "Been Caught Stealing" by Jane's Addiction.