Nominate your candidate for most OVERRATED GUITARIST IN ROCK!

[Xanadoood]

Then I thought of Cobain but figured "Not really because he is not really a guitarist".

 

He's about as anti-guitar as you get!

 

I'll say this about cobain.. He was a cool punk rock styled guitarist who could write some cool, noisy ass riffs.. But he would have told you himself he isn't all that proficient, and I think he'd be laughing his ass off that he is even mentioned in this thread.

[ILSnwdog]

So in this thread we have had nominated Blackmore, Rhoads, Page, Clapton, Stevie Ray and even Jimi Hendrix. Fukk, what a waste of my time reading this has been.

Now we just need someone to throw David Gilmour into the ring to make this thread complete.

[Bastille Dave]

^^^thank you Snowdog and Driven, my thoughts exactly.

 

I hate threads like this. I don't buy into the whole "overrated/underrated" thing. Every musician brings something to the table and every musician has shortcomings. I just enjoy music for what it is, not what is isn't. Most of the guitarists mentioned here like Malmsteen, Clapton, Nugent, Van Halen, all have qualities that I like alot and they all have aspects which I wish they would do better or stop doing altogether but I realize they are what they are and I dig both the cool vibes and imperfections at the same time. When I listen to a song or album, I don't sit there and think to myself "what do other people think of this guy or that guy?" like obviously many rock fans do. I don't care what anybody else thinks of Eddie VH or Ted Nugent, I enjoy it for what it is and then move on to another album or band and that's that. Overrated/underrated is simply worrying about what other rock fans think.

Edited May 18, 2013 by Bastille Dave

[bathory]

After only reading the first page, I see a lot I agree with. Nugent, Joe Perry, Santana... all over-rated. (I also agree that the likes of Cobain and Garcia aren't great guitarists, but I wouldn't call them "over-rated" because - generally speaking - people don't rate them highly to begin with!)

 

My pick is Angus Young. Not only is he NOT a guitar god, he actually SUCKS. There are probably amateurs in your hometown, kids who've only been playing for a couple years, who can play better.

This is utter bullshit! You try and do what Angus does and we'll see who sucks.

 

Angus is probably underrated if anything. Innovative but firmly rooted in blues without sounding like the typical blues player. Great vibrato and seems to bend every other note just a little to make it pretty hard to nail his stuff down.

 

his playing is immediately recognizable, dude's got his own thing going on that many have tried to copy. "overrated" hardly, however I haven't liked an AC/DC album since back in black, but still

[laughedatbytime]

Where's Nigel Tufnel on this list? He deserves nothing less.

Wait a minute, Tufnel? Who else could do this????

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBiJ-K0IpDA

 

Take for example, at 0:46, when he not only takes Page's playing with a violin bow to the next level by playing with a violin, but then has the presence of mind when the sound seems a bit off, to tune the violin. Improvisation that takes the greatness of the sound to a higher level!

[goose]

I feel bad saying this, but I have to go with Carlos Santana.

 

I appreciate his talent, but I have to say that (for me) a little bit of Santana is more than enough.

 

No disrespect to Carlos or to his fans, of course.

Good call. Distinctive, for sure, but as much of a one-trick pony as there ever was.

[Jake2112]

Joe Perry (Brad Whitford is criminally underrated)

Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance, bleh

Tom Scholz

Steve Vai

Yngwie Malmsteen

Herman Li

Nuno Bettancourt (I do kinda like him, but some people act like his stuff is impossible to play, which is simply untrue)

Slash (see Joe Perry, but replace Brad Whitford with Izzy Stradlin)

Dave Navarro

Kirk Hammett

Zakk Wylde (it pains me to say since I grew up with BLS, but man, he's sloppy as all get out)

Tom Morello (I do really like him too, but a lot of stuff he does can be done with a whammy pedal and a wah pedal. I don't see why people freak out so much)

John Frusciante (I'm sorry. He sounds like a Squire Strat plugged into a $50 Marshall solid state)

Kerry King (same with Joe Perry and Slash, but replace Whitford and Stradlin with Jeff Hanneman)

Satchel from Steel Panther (Not a bad guitarist by any means, but people geek out over him because of his image. He's no different than EVH, George Lynch and the like)

Andrew Stockdale (Decent singer, decent guitar player, but like so many others that came before him)

[Soni]

SLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASH

[Rick N. Backer]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

[Ancient Ways]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

 

Good post. Too many posters are mentioning names and not making a case for being overrated, just a case for why they don't like them which is not the same thing.

[bathory]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

 

I know, right? people are getting a bit pissy over this sorta thing

[treeduck]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

 

Ted thinks he is!

[bathory]

and he's a douche, yes

[Jake2112]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

 

I list Joe Perry simply because I live in an area and was in a band that worships Joe Perry. When I bring up the fact that Brad Whitford is underrated, they say, "Well what has Brad Whitford done?" Well he wrote and solo'd on arguably the best Aerosmith song, "Last Child," among others. So from where I come from Joe Perry is most definitely overrated. I get real tired of hearing about him.

[Steevo]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

[Jake2112]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

[Rick N. Backer]

For the folks who think that there's no point to this thread: it's a discussion board. It's interesting to read what people think about different guitarists. If someone thinks your favorite player is overrated, you shouldn't let it put even a minor dent in your day.

 

For the people naming Joe Perry and Ted Nugent: Are there that many people who claim they're elite players? I enjoy some of Ted's music, and I love early Aerosmith (actually up to and including Pump). I've never heard anyone say either is a phenomenal guitar player though. I just don't see them as "overrated" players.

 

I list Joe Perry simply because I live in an area and was in a band that worships Joe Perry. When I bring up the fact that Brad Whitford is underrated, they say, "Well what has Brad Whitford done?" Well he wrote and solo'd on arguably the best Aerosmith song, "Last Child," among others. So from where I come from Joe Perry is most definitely overrated. I get real tired of hearing about him.

 

In my neck of the woods Aerosmith are obviously worshipped. And, like I said, I was a huge Aerosmith fan growing up (I've seen them 4 or 5 times between the Back in the Saddle and Get a Grip tours). But I've never heard anyone talk about Joe Perry as a guitar god. Great songwriter? Yes.

[ILSnwdog]

Where's Nigel Tufnel on this list? He deserves nothing less.

Wait a minute, Tufnel? Who else could do this????

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBiJ-K0IpDA

 

Take for example, at 0:46, when he not only takes Page's playing with a violin bow to the next level by playing with a violin, but then has the presence of mind when the sound seems a bit off, to tune the violin. Improvisation that takes the greatness of the sound to a higher level!

Tufnel is a guitar god!

[OGr8imL84AD8inF8sBlackSedan]

There is so much to agree with in just about every post...and it's become pretty clear that other than Nigel EVERY guitar player is overrated.

[Steevo]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

 

John's solo material is just as potent, if not more, than his RHCP stuff. So many will never get to hear it so I guess that's where I'm coming from. The way he continued to open up the RHCP sound and offer them more in range, dimension, chemistry and maturity cannot be overstated. They truly peaked with BTW for sophistication and well they know it, all thanks to him. But you have to carry on...

 

As for Dave and JA it really all did come to an end after Ritual sadly, although Porno for Pyros that Perry and Steve were involved in were worthwhile.

Edited May 21, 2013 by Steevo

[Tick]

I am going with Eris Clapton.

[Steevo]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

 

John's solo material is just as potent, if not more, than his RHCP stuff. So many will never get to hear it so I guess that's where I'm coming from. The way he continued to open up the RHCP sound and offer them more in range, dimension, chemistry and maturity cannot be overstated. They truly peaked with BTW for sophistication and well they know it, all thanks to him. But you have to carry on...

 

Come on CygGal hun, you know you wanna show some Fru lurv there :hail: :guitar:

[CygnusGal]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

 

John's solo material is just as potent, if not more, than his RHCP stuff. So many will never get to hear it so I guess that's where I'm coming from. The way he continued to open up the RHCP sound and offer them more in range, dimension, chemistry and maturity cannot be overstated. They truly peaked with BTW for sophistication and well they know it, all thanks to him. But you have to carry on...

 

Come on CygGal hun, you know you wanna show some Fru lurv there :hail: :guitar:

 

:hi: Yes, I can show Fru some love. I first became familiar with him (like most of us) on Mother's Milk and BSSM. I listened to some RHCP in high school (back with Hillel when they were a *lot* punkier) so I knew the band, but I was blown away by Fru's playing when I first heard him. His articulation and phrasing are stellar on BSSM. A little bit funky and a little bit crunchy, his "chicken picking" playing style on is spot on (like on Give It Away). Very interesting lines and I hear a lot of influence by Larry LaLonde. Fru is my favourite of the RHCP guitarists.

 

I don't know his solo stuff and I'm glad to see he cleaned up his act from the troubles he had in the 90s - I heard his first couple of solo albums were pretty rough. Fru will always be the RHCP guitarist to me, even though the band played with more energy with Hillel (imo) and Hillel was so important to their early sound.

 

Fru :guitar: :hail:

 

Not overrated.

[Steevo]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

 

John's solo material is just as potent, if not more, than his RHCP stuff. So many will never get to hear it so I guess that's where I'm coming from. The way he continued to open up the RHCP sound and offer them more in range, dimension, chemistry and maturity cannot be overstated. They truly peaked with BTW for sophistication and well they know it, all thanks to him. But you have to carry on...

 

Come on CygGal hun, you know you wanna show some Fru lurv there :hail: :guitar:

 

:hi: Yes, I can show Fru some love. I first became familiar with him (like most of us) on Mother's Milk and BSSM. I listened to some RHCP in high school (back with Hillel when they were a *lot* punkier) so I knew the band, but I was blown away by Fru's playing when I first heard him. His articulation and phrasing are stellar on BSSM. A little bit funky and a little bit crunchy, his "chicken picking" playing style on is spot on (like on Give It Away). Very interesting lines and I hear a lot of influence by Larry LaLonde. Fru is my favourite of the RHCP guitarists.

 

I don't know his solo stuff and I'm glad to see he cleaned up his act from the troubles he had in the 90s - I heard his first couple of solo albums were pretty rough. Fru will always be the RHCP guitarist to me, even though the band played with more energy with Hillel (imo) and Hillel was so important to their early sound.

 

Fru :guitar: :hail:

 

Not overrated.

 

Most on here prefer the punkfunkers Chilis which I've never been a fan of (even back then). I'm not sure if you can say it's with more energy, just a different kind. I've never had a problem with Fru's tone either, strange. I know TD kinda regretted starting this thread but I still like seeing why people knock a few of my faves. It's all good :smoke:

[CygnusGal]

Dave Navarro

John Frusciante

 

You have the wrong thread, they both belong in the underrated. Navarro UP TO Ritual is insanely underrated. Flea can tend to overshadow John Fru sometimes as well.

 

I can give you Dave Navarro but I don't get the hype with John. He's not bad by any means what so ever, I just was never impressed by his playing. His songwriting however is, in fact, amazing

 

John's solo material is just as potent, if not more, than his RHCP stuff. So many will never get to hear it so I guess that's where I'm coming from. The way he continued to open up the RHCP sound and offer them more in range, dimension, chemistry and maturity cannot be overstated. They truly peaked with BTW for sophistication and well they know it, all thanks to him. But you have to carry on...

 

Come on CygGal hun, you know you wanna show some Fru lurv there :hail: :guitar:

 

:hi: Yes, I can show Fru some love. I first became familiar with him (like most of us) on Mother's Milk and BSSM. I listened to some RHCP in high school (back with Hillel when they were a *lot* punkier) so I knew the band, but I was blown away by Fru's playing when I first heard him. His articulation and phrasing are stellar on BSSM. A little bit funky and a little bit crunchy, his "chicken picking" playing style on is spot on (like on Give It Away). Very interesting lines and I hear a lot of influence by Larry LaLonde. Fru is my favourite of the RHCP guitarists.

 

I don't know his solo stuff and I'm glad to see he cleaned up his act from the troubles he had in the 90s - I heard his first couple of solo albums were pretty rough. Fru will always be the RHCP guitarist to me, even though the band played with more energy with Hillel (imo) and Hillel was so important to their early sound.

 

Fru :guitar: :hail:

 

Not overrated.

 

Most on here prefer the punkfunkers Chilis which I've never been a fan of (even back then). I'm not sure if you can say it's with more energy, just a different kind. I've never had a problem with Fru's tone either, strange. I know TD kinda regretted starting this thread but I still like seeing why people knock a few of my faves. It's all good :smoke:

Yes, perhaps *more* energy is the incorrect phrase. It was a different energy. Very young, very punk back then.

 

TD started quite a thread. Parsing ten pages of responses and then having to write the poll is a daunting task and I can understand the regret, especially given some of the names that have made it into the nominees. Although, I'd like to see his poll choices which are always amusing.

 

Alan Holdsworth because I've been hit in the head by a frisbee too many times

 

;) :smoke: