Most Underated Guitar Players

[Frigo89]

I hate a lot of "shredder" music, I just dont see the need to play a million notes in 5 minutes.

Sweep picking aswell, like...WTF is the point?

[Racerx2k]

It depends on the artist in question, for me. If it's tons of instrumentals, I begin to yawn. Racer X definitely holds my attention, as does the first David Lee Roth album, with Sheehan and Vai, but I get bored, listening to, say, Yngwie, or Marty Friedman's solo project, after a few songs.

[hippietim]

I disagree, his solo's fit the music, the crue was not a shred band, not and over the top million notes a minute, Trust me, I would rather listen to mick anyday then some of these so called great shreaders that after awhile just bored the shit out of you.

I'm not criticizing Mick for not playing fast enough. I think his solos sucked because the note choices were lame. That guy played in little boxes and was not sensitive to chord changes at all. I think the songs deserved better solos.

I've always felt the same way about Metallica as well - terrible "boxed" solos that didn't fit on top of the chord structure. Kirk took that style to new heights with feeble attempts to play fast. When that didn't work he slowed down and started using the wah. I think he must be tone deaf.

[Larz]

How about 'The Professor', Pat McManus? I remember seeing him with Mama's Boys back in the 80s in Boston. Loved their rendition of Mama We're All Crazy Now, much better than QR's cover IMO. No clue what he's doing nowadays.

[charvelguy]

Ray Gomez, guy did some great faces, very emotional player.

[siggy14]

I guess i prefer my music more basic. But then again i am pretty sure nikki wrote most of the music anyway, so maybe it was his lack of being a guitar player that caused it to be more simple. But maybe Mick did write the solo's, i dont know enough and I am feeling to damn lazy to look it up.

I'm not criticizing Mick for not playing fast enough. I think his solos sucked because the note choices were lame. That guy played in little boxes and was not sensitive to chord changes at all. I think the songs deserved better solos.

I've always felt the same way about Metallica as well - terrible "boxed" solos that didn't fit on top of the chord structure. Kirk took that style to new heights with feeble attempts to play fast. When that didn't work he slowed down and started using the wah. I think he must be tone deaf.

[sonicsamurai]

I am gonna pop for Adrian Vandenburg - I'm listening to his 'solo' band 'Vandenburg' its ace....its ashame he got sidelined in whitesnake

[Ralph E.]

If we're gonna stick with whippin' out famous guys here (which is kinda pointless IMO) i'll throw out Steve Stevens.

[hippietim]

Well, I for one don't think Steve Vai gets enough props. Or Jeff Beck. Or Robin Trower.

[Ralph E.]

Well, I for one don't think Steve Vai gets enough props. Or Jeff Beck. Or Robin Trower.

Who's Steve Vai and who has he played with?

[hippietim]

Who's Steve Vai and who has he played with?

He was the guitarist with Nelly Furtado on the Grammy's. He may have played with others as well but that's all I'm aware of.

[yard dawg]

I think John Fogerty is underrated. His riffs and rhythms are legendary IMHO. He has written more hits that people remember and can sing/play along to than most.

Good guitar is more than shredding. Most shredding sounds like linear diareaha to me anyway. I like it for a little while then it gets old fast. BB King can hold my attention longer than say Yngwie. Joe Walsh has created some great riffs too. Steve Clark is another. Brent Mason is another. He is the most recorded player in nashville.

I prefer a player who can get my attention with a few notes rather than someone who can play 35 notes a second. DOnt get me wrong I enjoy a good shredfest every now and again but it does get old fast.

[Norton]

He was the guitarist with Nelly Furtado on the Grammy's. He may have played with others as well but that's all I'm aware of.

Devil wears Prada.So does Steve Vai.

[Evol]

Eh,Crue was supposed to be a slop-rock band,so I would say it wouldn't have been the same without Mick doing his thing. But under-rated? Nah,I think he pretty much got the attention and noteriety someone playing in a band that huge should have.

I can't help but laugh at alot of this thread where people have said players like Lynch,Gilbert...Vinnie Moore (I mean WTF???) are under-rated!!! har har! These guys were WORSHIPPED and most still are.

Maybe it's just me,but I don't define it as people you never heard of either,that really doesn't make much sense....but more along the lines of bands with famous players,but none of which were "guitar heroes" ....whoever said Jake E Lee... !!!! ROFL....the dude was a GOD when I was in High School. On the cover of every guitar magazine,so on and so forth,he got plenty of recognition,that's for sure. Hell the dude has his own SIGNATURE GUITAR....in wtf world does that make you under-rated?? lol


I'm thinking guys like the Tesla dudes,those were good choices....or Saigon Kick,or the singer from Cinderella (SHUT IT,the dude played a great bluesy style,very fitting for their music,and could sing your mom's panties right off of her)....the singer for Stryper could play pretty kickass shit when he wanted to as well.....you know these are just my examples,but people who just werent entirely known for their guitar playing,or even didn't shine in their band at the time.

[Evol]

Good guitar is more than shredding.

Amen to that.