Overrated and Underrated Guitarists

[Barbossa]

As a brief respite from the plethora of political discussions, name three guitarists who you think are overrated and underrated. Then name your three favorites. Mine:

Overrated:

1. Eric Clapton
2. Angus Young
3. John Mayer

Underrated:

1. Nuno Bettencourt
2. Edward Van Halen (he's not deified at the level that I think he's at)
3. Brian May

Favorites:

1. Edward Van Halen
2. Pat Metheny
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

 

[Magic Mom]

I think Mike Campbell from Tom Petty is underrated.

 

[OhhBother]

Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi and Dave Stewart from Eurythmics -- both underrated and favorites.

 

[Mr Man]

As a brief respite from the plethora of political discussions, name three guitarists who you think are overrated and underrated. Then name your three favorites. Mine:

Overrated:

1. Eric Clapton
2. Angus Young
3. John Mayer

Underrated:

1. Nuno Bettencourt
2. Edward Van Halen (he's not deified at the level that I think he's at)
3. Brian May

Favorites:

1. Edward Van Halen
2. Pat Metheny
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

Nice list. I will try to name different guitarists.


Overrated:

1. Esteban (I mean c'mon, isn't he actually Zorro?)
2. Kurt Cobain (RIP but his "axe" work was mediocre at best)
3. Tom Morello (funky, but squeaky wah wah gets way old, way fast)

Underrated:

1. Prince (the guy straight up rips!- yeah, he's tiny but that is cool)
2. Chet Atkins (RIP)
3. Les Paul (he is 88yrs old and still "jams" at the Iridium Club)



Favorites:

1. Joe Pass (just like his Jazz thang)
2. B. B. King (but really Robert Johnson/Muddy Waters/Buddy Guy etc are invited too)
3. Alex Lifeson - big Rush fan in my youth.......still am in-between Sponge Bob episodes.

 

[gina2000]

Overrated:

Keith Richards
John Mayer


Underrated:

Bruce Springsteen
Zakk Wylde
Randy Rhoads
Dimebag Darrell
The Edge

Favorites:

Jimi Hendrix
Jimmy Page
Slash
Stevie Ray Vaughan

 

[kirbsam]

ted nugent, the motor city madman, isnt mentioned these days because of his politics and hunting, so he is underrated, and my favorite.

 

[ChrizJen]

As a brief respite from the plethora of political discussions, name three guitarists who you think are overrated and underrated. Then name your three favorites. Mine:

Overrated:

1. Eric Clapton
2. Angus Young
3. John Mayer

Underrated:

1. Nuno Bettencourt
2. Edward Van Halen (he's not deified at the level that I think he's at)
3. Brian May

Favorites:

1. Edward Van Halen
2. Pat Metheny
3. Stevie Ray Vaughan

Yes, but don't you think that all of your favorites actually only play that well to get your vote? Do you think they can continue to play that well...
I'm sorry. You said this is a RESPITE!! Nevermind...Disregard...

 

[Aardvarks]

For me overrated

1 Clapton

2 Brian May

3 Roy Orbison

Underrated

1 Carlos Santana

2 Taj Mahal

3 Steve Howe

 

[Anewman]

I would put EDDIE in the overrated column.

And The EDGE in underrated column.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I won't venture to over rated as it's so much just personal taste but underated I will venture into.

1. Mark Knoffler
2. Carlos Santana

Both guys have such unique styles that you only have to hear them a moment and know who they are.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

I'd like to say something about Clapton here, I guess. If you're not judging his entire body of work then he's being shortchanged. He hasn't played any memorable guitar in many, many years I'll agree but his artistic work with Cream was undeniable, IMO.

 

[GoodFairies]

I'm a huge fan of Whitey Ford (Everlast) but I don't expect many to agree. I think he is a great guitar player.

 

[JessicaR]

I'm a huge fan of Whitey Ford (Everlast) but I don't expect many to agree. I think he is a great guitar player.

I am also and I agree with you!

I think Dave Matthews is underrated. So is Santana and Steve Vai.

 

[GoodFairies]

I am also and I agree with you!

I think Dave Matthews is underrated. So is Santana and Steve Vai.

I truly didn't expect anyone to even know who he is

I saw him perform earlier this month. He and his band did not disappoint - one of the better small venue live shows I've ever seen. I plan on seeing him again when he returns to the area.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Underrated:
Any guitarist that can shred and play the solo to "Freebird".

Overrated:
Any guitarist who stands on stage and strums his 3 chords.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

Overrated

Joe Perry (Aerosmith)


Underrated - I totally agree with these two mentioned earlier:

Prince
Mark Knopfler

And will add these:

Walter Becker (Steely Dan)
Barry Goudreau (Boston)
Peter Frampton
John Pizzarelli

 

[daisax]

I think I read that Mark Knopfler said that Vince Gill was the best guitar player he'd ever known and asked him to join Dire Straits (which he declined).

 

[Barbossa]

Prince (the guy straight up rips!- yeah, he's tiny but that is cool)

Yeah, I've seen him perform some of his later stuff on TV. I knew he was a very good guitarist, but didn't realize how good until I saw those performances. The guy is a consummate musician.

 

[Lintasare]

There are so many overrated guitarists out there so I won't list them.

For me these guys are underrated:

1. Justin Hayward
2. Richie Sambora

Well that's all I can think of right now.

 

[Barbossa]

Zakk Wylde

Zakk is incredible, the best of solo Ozzie's guitarists (better than Rhoads IMHO).