Most Underrated Rock Guitarists?

I don't know if many outside guitarists really consider the Edge a "guitar god".

Page yes, Jack White, probably not either
 
I don't know if many outside guitarists really consider the Edge a "guitar god".

Page yes, Jack White, probably not either

Edge is good at what he does... He doesn't solo much, but that does not mean he isn't a him a very competent player. Sometimes less is more and for the U2 sound, the lack of flashy playing works well.
 
This guy.

67312_447955234658_601804658_5144668_7938665_n.jpg
 
PRINCE!!! Definitely Prince. I would say he is not only an underrated guitarist but an underrated musician. That guy kills any instrument he picks up. I have nothing but the utmost respect for him.

John Mayer is another one. The melody line alone in "Neon" is one of the more difficult riffs I've ever tried learning (and I've been playing for over 21 years now). And to add insult to injury, the guy sings over the top of it too. Most people only know of his "pop songs", but check out his trio stuff. Absolutely amazing. The guy can play his butt off.
 
My favorite underrated guitarists is virtuoso Mick Taylor. Listen to any of his live lead work during his tenure with the Stones (69-74); simply mind boggling with his endless fluid playing. It's like listening to honey pour out of his amp.

Recommended listening; the ending few mins. of "Sympathy for the Devil" from the "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" album.
 
Underrated?

Eric Schenkman from the Spin Doctors. I had to look his name up, but he plays his ass off.
Michael Gurley from DaDa. Great guitar player, and songsmith. I highly recommend their album "Puzzle".
Rivers Cuomo of Weezer. He shreds, but their poppy music hides the fact.

Mike
 
Last edited:
Jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Perhaps not underrated, but currently overlooked because of cultural shift in musical styles.
 
Steve Hackett, whose departure from Genesis was a blessing in disguise. As his former bandmates went on to become a pop band, Steve has blossomed into a first-rate multi-genre guitarist.
 
Dave Davies.

While not underrated among his peers and all the musicians he influenced, I think most people don't have a clue how much he influenced the music they love.
 
I really like Kim Thayl of Soundgarden.

Not the fastest flashiest, but a very unique style that rocks. Can't think of someone that plays like him.
 
I agree.

I always loved what Phil Collins said about him in an interview when asked about Steve that the last he heard Steve was off herding sheep somewhere! :lol



Steve Hackett, whose departure from Genesis was a blessing in disguise. As his former bandmates went on to become a pop band, Steve has blossomed into a first-rate multi-genre guitarist.
 
Guitarists are usually rated according to how spectacularly they can improvise in blues scales, with speed an essential ingredient. This standard generates the usual list of virtuosi: Hendrix, Clapton, Blackmore, Beck, Page etc. with someone like Dave Gilmour coming pretty far down. But if the criteria were sound invention and texture, Gilmour needs to go pretty much at the top, not for anything from the Wall or Wish or Moon but for the noise he makes in this '72 clip from Pompeii - it's just some of the most exciting and unique sound in existence:

Pink Floyd Jam Section Pompeii - YouTube
 
Back
Top