The Best 1990s Guitarists Of All Time Ranked
While the six stringĀ guitarĀ 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.Ā Seven,Ā eight,Ā nine,Ā tenĀ 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 asĀ RussianĀ andĀ BrazilianĀ guitars. During the 90ās the seven-string guitar became popular amongĀ metal bandsĀ 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 BaroqueĀ luteĀ 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 someĀ Viennese guitars of the 19th century.) This is a list of guitarists who have madeĀ notableĀ usage of extended-range guitars or have played a specifically notable instrument. This list does not includeĀ multi-neck guitaristsĀ orĀ harp guitarists. Here are the 1990s best Guitarists ranked.
See more: The Best Grunge Guitarists Of All Time Ranked
See more: The Best Country Drummers Of All Time Ranked
20. Stone Gossard
āStone 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.ā
19. Dave NavarroĀ
āDavid Michael āDaveā 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 Janeās Addiction.ā
18. Ed OāBrien
āEdward John āEdā OāBrien 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.ā
17. Chuck SchuldinerĀ
āChuck 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 Iāve 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 Iām talking about.Ā ā
16. Dean DeLeo
āDean 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.ā
15. Kurt Cobain
āKurt 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, Cobainās compositions widened the thematic conventions of mainstream rock.ā
14. Josh Homme
āHis 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 3ās and 7ās or little sister and see for yourselfā
13. Noel GallagherĀ
āNoel 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
āThe 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 worldā
11. Tom Morello
āTom 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 soloās 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.ā
10. Slash
āMany 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.ā
9. Kevin Shields
āApparently itās 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.ā
8. John PetrucciĀ
āCan 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.ā
7. Thurston Moore
āThurston Moore was the lead guitarist of Sonic Youth, a band known for their intricate, fast, and long songs, the beauty between Moore and Ranaldoās guitar playing, heavy use of alternate tunings, and great drumming. Listen to Daydream Nation (Pitchfork Mediaās #1 best album of the ā80s) and see if you share my opinion that he should be in the top 100 guitarists of all time.ā
6. Kim Thayil
āKim 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.ā
5. Adam Jones
āHeās not just a brilliant guitarist, but heās literally the backbone of the band. heās the major reason why the band formed in the first place, heās an artist himself, he crafts the music videos with sculptures and animations etc. heās known for making animation effects for movies such as Jurassic Park and Terminator 2, and heās the one with all the connections linked to other artists to make art for the band such as Alex Grey.ā
4. Jerry Cantrell
āA 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.ā
3. Billy Corgan
āWilliam 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.ā
2. Dimebag Darrell
āHe 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 doesnāt deserve this spot, and youāve 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. Iām sure youāll change your mind!ā
1. John Frusciante
āAs 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 canāt even explain it. Especially John, and everything heās been through. Itās really an encouragement for me to stay away from the things he did.ā