ADVERTISEMENT

OT: Guitar / Guitarist Appreciation Thread

"I absolutely agree 100% with all of the support for Clapton based on his ability and his longevity. Don't get me wrong - just because I know the guy to be one of the world's great assholes doesn't mean I don't respect his contributions, which have been enormous."

Had to comment on the "asshole" comment - totally agree. I've always appreciated his playing, singing and contributions to rock/blues in general - still do - then I read his autobiography. What a jerk. I wanted to throw the book out the window but I got it at the library!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BossNJ
"I absolutely agree 100% with all of the support for Clapton based on his ability and his longevity. Don't get me wrong - just because I know the guy to be one of the world's great assholes doesn't mean I don't respect his contributions, which have been enormous."

Had to comment on the "asshole" comment - totally agree. I've always appreciated his playing, singing and contributions to rock/blues in general - still do - then I read his autobiography. What a jerk. I wanted to throw the book out the window but I got it at the library!

Yeah, he's not a nice guy.

One of my anti-favorite stories is the one about a European journalist who wanted to interview him for a bio piece when he was doing his first world tour back in the 70s. They agreed to do the interview on a train, between tour stops. Clapton decided it would be funny to send one of his entourage to meet the guy and pretend to be him. The poor journo did the entire interview with this imposter, thinking it was actually Eric Clapton.

It takes a special kind of dick to do something like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BossNJ
I have a similar problem with John Mayer. I've seen him do a few tunes on TV recently and was kinda stunned by how good he was. Then I told my wife this and she quickly reminded me of some issues that clearly have shown him to be an a-hole. One of my friends had exactly the same thing happen to him. He claims that it's a female thing.
I'm not claiming to be a fan of Mayer. But the solos I saw him do recently I'd sorta like to hear again. It was the kind of stuff I really enjoy. But then I'd sorta like to stay on my wife's good side.
What a dilemma.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: BossNJ
I have a similar problem with John Mayer. I've seen him do a few tunes on TV recently and was kinda stunned by how good he was. Then I told my wife this and she quickly reminded me of some issues that clearly have shown him to be an a-hole. One of my friends had exactly the same thing happen to him. He claims that it's a female thing.
I'm not claiming to be a fan of Mayer's. But the solos I saw him do recently I'd sorta like to hear again. It was the kind of stuff I really enjoy. But then I'd sorta like to stay on my wife's good side.
What a dilemma.

Begrudgingly - Mayer is an excellent guitarist. It's strange to me that he's as good as he is, but still focuses his career on soporific teenie tunes.
 
Begrudgingly - Mayer is an excellent guitarist. It's strange to me that he's as good as he is, but still focuses his career on soporific teenie tunes.

Yea, I don’t care for Mayer’s music but I admit he is technically very proficient. I like a fair amount of pop over the years but not his. I have been told the signature Martin OM-28 and D-45 are excellent guitars although I haven’t played either.
 
Begrudgingly - Mayer is an excellent guitarist. It's strange to me that he's as good as he is, but still focuses his career on soporific teenie tunes.
Mayer was my choice, but not really knowing what I was talking about I decided to stay quiet and in my own lane. Lol
 
I think Mayer is one of the best guitarists around today, he can play with a lot of feel and finesse. I think his album “Continuum” is excellent. He has had some rough interviews over the years. I think he is underrated because of his earlier “popish”stuff which he has outgrown. Check out his live performances with Dead & Company on YouTube .. some really good playing.
 
I think Mayer is one of the best guitarists around today, he can play with a lot of feel and finesse. I think his album “Continuum” is excellent. He has had some rough interviews over the years. I think he is underrated because of his earlier “popish”stuff which he has outgrown. Check out his live performances with Dead & Company on YouTube .. some really good playing.
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room..wow.. those lyrics! My friend plays really well and I actually requested he learn and play Mayer’s Edge of Desire for me.
I also like to watch Lenny play
 
Last edited:


Always liked this solo. Also think the solo in Sweet Child of Mine is great.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jm0513
There's that word again - "space". It's SO important. And again, something that I think Clapton does poorly. Page did tend to overplay at times, for certain.

A guy who I think is among the best ever at the use of space in his phrasing is Peter Frampton. Non-guitarists know his hits, but his solo phrasing on tracks like "Lines on My Face" is nothing short of fabulous. Do yourselves a favor and listen to the live cut of that tune on the "Comes Alive" album. Masterful.


I came across this acoustic finger style version of “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” and this guy uses “space” and phrasing very well. I remembered your comment so I resurrected thread.

 
This guy is not an ALL TIME GUITARIST. But YouTuber Rob Scallon can pluck em. He has to have some talent if he can play Enter Sandman BACKWARDS (write, play, sing backwards so that the song can be heard when video is in reverse).

Enter Sandman: Video in “reverse” for “song.”


Enter Sandman: Actually playing the song backwards in real time.


He can also put two strings on a shovel and play some songs with it.
 
I don't even wanna hear Enter Sandman played start-to-finish...except if Mariano Rivera is coming in from the bullpen.
Why in the world would anyone wanna hear it played backwards ?
 
I don't even wanna hear Enter Sandman played start-to-finish...except if Mariano Rivera is coming in from the bullpen.
Why in the world would anyone wanna hear it played backwards ?
This guy had the talent to do what he did in those videos. Actually pretty damm good to decipher that while most musicians can’t even read music or play instruments.
 
This guy had the talent to do what he did in those videos. Actually pretty damm good to decipher that while most musicians can’t even read music or play instruments.
That means nothing to me if I don't enjoy the sound being created.
 
That means nothing to me if I don't enjoy the sound being created.
Ya, I was thinking this regarding the discussion on Mayer. Part of being a great guitarist is making music that leaves an impression. I don't think he does.
 
Last edited:
7 pages of this and Glen Campbell, yes Glenn Campbell better than all of them.
 
Ya, I was thinking this regarding the discussion Mayer. Part of being a great guitarist is making music that leaves an impression. I don't think he does.
I always thought that about Mayer. Then I saw him sometime in the last year doing a tune on either Colbert or Kimmel's show. I don't remember the name of the tune. But it included a long guitar solo that was pretty much as good as any I've ever seen. I haven't purchased any of his Cds yet. But i've thought about doing so.
 
In words of Larry Bird, you’ll playing for 2nd place. Country guy better then them all. Aint that a kick in the head!
You should probably check out Larry Carlton.
Or in a slightly different style Sonny Landreth.
 
I don't even wanna hear Enter Sandman played start-to-finish...except if Mariano Rivera is coming in from the bullpen.
Why in the world would anyone wanna hear it played backwards ?
Here is a former Yankee you might want to hear, jamming with The Bros. at The Beacon:

 
  • Like
Reactions: Vlife and Kbee3
In words of Larry Bird, you’ll playing for 2nd place. Country guy better then them all. Aint that a kick in the head!
Campbell was a talented singer and guitarist. Many great players in most of the major genres of music. There is a real connection with Bluegrass/Western Swing music and Jazz on the guitar.
 
Who says young people can’t play/sing? Two youngsters covering “House of The Rising Sun”. I’ve been aware of “Taz” Niederauer for about 4 or 5 years. He is now all of 18 or something. There are videos of him laying it down when the guitar was literally bigger than him.

 
Not particularly a fan of their music, but Keith Urban and John Mayer are both excellent.

Als, not to be forgotten is the great Buddy Guy.

Personal preference, and huge fan, is John Frisciante of the great RHCP. Like many, that guy is a highly flawed genius.

As far as Jersey Shore guitarists go, we’d be remiss not to mention Billy Ryan, who sadly passed away in January from Covid.
 
OK, maybe slightly OT & I don't think it was mentioned yet.... My son had started playing 2 years ago and picked up a few bass guitars. He's a huge fan of Tool(mentioned) & Les Claypool from Primus. While I may not be one to listen to Primus on my own, I can appreciate how difficult it is to replicate as he can now play it, but strives to get it perfected.

Curious to what others think of Les Claypool .

(Maybe some have mentioned, but I may not have associated the names to playing bass)
 
OK, maybe slightly OT & I don't think it was mentioned yet.... My son had started playing 2 years ago and picked up a few bass guitars. He's a huge fan of Tool(mentioned) & Les Claypool from Primus. While I may not be one to listen to Primus on my own, I can appreciate how difficult it is to replicate as he can now play it, but strives to get it perfected.

Curious to what others think of Les Claypool .

(Maybe some have mentioned, but I may not have associated the names to playing bass)
He's a great bass player, but I've always found his music dumb and boring.
IMO Victor Wooten is the man if you want a great bass player.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mildone
He's a great bass player, but I've always found his music dumb and boring.
IMO Victor Wooten is the man if you want a great bass player.
Wooten is indeed a great bass player. Did you ever get a chance to hear Wooten and Omar Hakim when they were touring with the Zawinul Syndicate? Was a long time ago, now. But damn, talk about some monster musicians. Unbelievable night.
 
Wooten is indeed a great bass player. Did you ever get a chance to hear Wooten and Omar Hakim when they were touring with the Zawinul Syndicate? Was a long time ago, now. But damn, talk about some monster musicians. Unbelievable night.
I only know VW from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and a bass solo he did on a Dave Matthews Band live album.
Absolute awesomeness.
And I don't really care for bass solos.
 
I only know VW from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and a bass solo he did on a Dave Matthews Band live album.
Absolute awesomeness.
And I don't really care for bass solos.
The guy can play for sure. I also saw him with some small side-band in NYC one time, more recently than his gig with Zawinul. Was another great musical night. Wish I could remember the details, but I cannot.

I gotta get out and see more shows. Been saying that for years, but I gotta start. So much great music. So little time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kbee3
I only know VW from Bela Fleck and the Flecktones and a bass solo he did on a Dave Matthews Band live album.
Absolute awesomeness.
And I don't really care for bass solos.
Thanks!

I asked, hey have you heard of VW?

"That guy is probably the best bass guitarist on the planet. "

When I searched to see who he was, I found out he is playing in ATL in May, so I have my son the heads up. My son bought tickets tonight and is now rounding up his crew. Man that kid is excited.

Our posters have an amazing breadth of knowledge of all things :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kbee3
Thanks!

I asked, hey have you heard of VW?

"That guy is probably the best bass guitarist on the planet. "

When I searched to see who he was, I found out he is playing in ATL in May, so I have my son the heads up. My son bought tickets tonight and is now rounding up his crew. Man that kid is excited.

Our posters have an amazing breadth of knowledge of all things :)
So true.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT