The Best 1990s Guitarists Of All Time Ranked
While the six string guitar has been more or less the standard instrument since the mid-19th century, guitarists and luthiers have experimented with additional strings to extend the range of the instrument practically since the emergence of the modern guitar form, sometime in the 15th century. Seven, eight, nine, ten and more strings have been used by guitarists seeking to increase the range of pitches available from the instrument. Some of these guitars are ethnic instruments, specific to different cultures such as Russian and Brazilian guitars. During the 90’s the seven-string guitar became popular among metal bands such who used the additional string for extra low end. Extended range classical guitars (especially 8- and 10-string instruments) are being seen more frequently and have found favor with guitarists who play Renaissance and Baroque lute music, as well as those who wish to transcribe piano and orchestral works for the guitar. There are some classical players of the seven-string guitar who also use an extended treble range by adding more frets at the high end (similar to some Viennese guitars of the 19th century.) This is a list of guitarists who have made notable usage of extended-range guitars or have played a specifically notable instrument. This list does not include multi-neck guitarists or harp guitarists. Here are the 1990s best Guitarists ranked.
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20. Stone Gossard
“Stone Carpenter Gossard is an American musician who serves as the rhythm and additional lead guitarist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of Pearl Jam.”
19. Dave Navarro
“David Michael “Dave” Navarro is an American guitarist, singer-songwriter, and actor. He is best known as a former member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and as a founding member of the alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction.”
18. Ed O’Brien
“Edward John “Ed” O’Brien is an English guitarist and member of the alternative rock band Radiohead. He makes extensive use of effects units to create atmospheric sounds and textures, and also provides backing vocals.”
17. Chuck Schuldiner
“Chuck is just an amazing example of a talented musician. He lead an entire band and made it go through many lineup changes over the years, and he essentially created death metal. His riffs are some of the heaviest I’ve heard, even in standard tuning. His solos have have a vibe to them that are unlike any other and are beautifully fast, precise, and most importantly, FEELY, if you know what I’m talking about. “
16. Dean DeLeo
“Dean DeLeo is an American guitarist and songwriter known for his work with rock band Stone Temple Pilots. Dean is also known for his role in the short-lived bands Talk Show and Army of Anyone.”
15. Kurt Cobain
“Kurt Donald Cobain was an American musician who served as the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter of the rock band Nirvana. Through his angst-fueled songwriting and anti-establishment persona, Cobain’s compositions widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock.”
14. Josh Homme
“His solos are experimental and unique and he writes amazing riffs. His work with Kyuss was influential and innovative, but his best stuff has been with QOTSA. Just listen to 3’s and 7’s or little sister and see for yourself”
13. Noel Gallagher
“Noel Thomas David Gallagher is an English musician, singer, songwriter and guitarist. He served as the lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist and principal songwriter of the rock band Oasis. He is the god of guitar, Noel the Son of Rock & Roll Music, every sound is different from another..
12. Graham Coxon
“The lead guitarist of blur is one of the greatest fender52 players ever. His guitar playing is a trademark. He is inventive and never sounds like anyone else. His guitar playing is known through out England and the world”
11. Tom Morello
“Tom morello has the ability to create amazing new sounds out of a wide selection of guitars and pedals that I have not heard anyone else doing, not only in his solo’s but throughout a whole song. This is difficult enough as it is but he makes these sounds fit and sound really great! Not only this but he fights against political injustice in an attempt to make the world a better place.”
10. Slash
“Many people would say Slash could never be as great as some legends, such as Hendrix, Page, Van Halen, but I beg to differ. Look at the quality of his work with Guns and even thereafter. Many of the tunes he wrote with Guns still hold up today and are popular with the younger generation: Sweet Child, Paradise City, Welcome to the Jungle, November Rain, & more.”
9. Kevin Shields
“Apparently it’s all about melody. Try out My Bloody Valentines loveless damn master peace. Kevin Patrick Shields is an American-born Irish musician, singer-songwriter, composer, and producer, best known as the vocalist and guitarist of the band My Bloody Valentine.”
8. John Petrucci
“Can shred just about as well as, if not better, than anybody. Can compose a brilliantly beautiful solo, a melodic passage, an epic riff. Great songwriter and lyricist too. His technical ability, feeling for the instrument, and versatility make him the best.”
7. Thurston Moore
“Thurston Moore was the lead guitarist of Sonic Youth, a band known for their intricate, fast, and long songs, the beauty between Moore and Ranaldo’s guitar playing, heavy use of alternate tunings, and great drumming. Listen to Daydream Nation (Pitchfork Media’s #1 best album of the ’80s) and see if you share my opinion that he should be in the top 100 guitarists of all time.”
6. Kim Thayil
“Kim Anand Thayil is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he co-founded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984.”
5. Adam Jones
“He’s not just a brilliant guitarist, but he’s literally the backbone of the band. he’s the major reason why the band formed in the first place, he’s an artist himself, he crafts the music videos with sculptures and animations etc. he’s known for making animation effects for movies such as Jurassic Park and Terminator 2, and he’s the one with all the connections linked to other artists to make art for the band such as Alex Grey.”
4. Jerry Cantrell
“A lot of the older folk in the world today and think music has gone bad. In one perspective, that is correct. In the mainstream overhaul, most music has gone to doggy doody. (you know what I mean) With our Kanye Wests, Muse, and more, it certainly seems that way. Not to be too biased though; the artic monkeys are a fine example of good break through music.”
3. Billy Corgan
“William Patrick Corgan Jr. is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only permanent member of the rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. He is currently the owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance.”
2. Dimebag Darrell
“He was the innovater for future metal guitarists, he was absolutely brillant! His memory will live on through his family, friends and fans. And if you think that he doesn’t deserve this spot, and you’ve never heard him shred, I strongly suggest you watch/listen to 5 minutes alone, This Love, Walk, Cemetary Gates, and all the greatest songs by Pantera. I’m sure you’ll change your mind!”
1. John Frusciante
“As someone else said on here, no one else can give me goosebumps when they play their guitar other than John. Heck, sometimes when I hear his voice singing, like in Hey-Oh, it makes me cry. How a band could create such a beautiful sound of pure love is incredible. The Red Hot Chili Peppers have influenced me so greatly I can’t even explain it. Especially John, and everything he’s been through. It’s really an encouragement for me to stay away from the things he did.”