American Or British Guitarists Best?

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Looking at top level guitarists musicians it appears the Europeans are light years ahead.

Not popular guitarists but actual guitarists who brought something new to music to push it forward.

What do you think?

Europe

Page
Blackmore
Clapton
EVH (Born in Europe)
Django Reinhardt
Andres Segovia
David Gilmour
Alan Holdsworth
Jan Akkerman
Gary Moore
Jeff Beck
Tommy Emmanuel
The Edge
Malmsteen
John McLaughlin
Rory Gallagher
Mark Knopfler
Brian May
Tony Iommi

USA

Hendrix (but really got big & did his development in Europe)
Eric Johnson
SRV
Duanne Allman
Chet Atkins
Steve Vai
Satriani
Joe Pass
Dick Dale
Carlos Santana
Steve Cropper
Randy Rhoads
Les Paul
 
Tommy Emmanuel is 'Strain and 'Strain-born.

The European list should contain many others such as Andy James, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Mattias IA Eklundh, Simone Mularoni and so on.

The North-American list could contain Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Carlton, Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Frank Zappa and so many others too.

Whilst there's a seemingly-endless list for Europe / the UK, the 'Maricans have had more influence IMHO due to greater exposure, so it's kinda a toss-up, but I'm gonna give the edge to the yanks. :thumbsup:
 
Monkey Man":13d9fbbr said:
Tommy Emmanuel is 'Strain and 'Strain-born.

The European list should contain many others such as Andy James, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Mattias IA Eklundh, Diego Reali and so on.

The North-American list could contain Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Carlton, Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Frank Zappa and so many others too.

Whilst there's a seemingly-endless list for Europe / the UK, the 'Maricans have had more influence IMHO due to greater exposure, so it's kinda a toss-up, but I'm gonna give the edge to the yanks. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I include Aussies in the Euro list as that's where they sit moreso.

My list was about who brought something to the table guitar wise so I didn't include Zappa, Ritenour & MacAlpine as of course they can play but nothing new voice wise. Yes, Carlton & Benson SHOULD have been included. Someone like Holdsworth & The Ede fill that requirement moreso to me.

Again subjective, but if you only had Holdsworth, McLaughlin, Segovia & Reinhardt the Euros would win.
 
WGAF":2ylwhsx1 said:
Monkey Man":2ylwhsx1 said:
Tommy Emmanuel is 'Strain and 'Strain-born.

The European list should contain many others such as Andy James, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Mattias IA Eklundh, Diego Reali and so on.

The North-American list could contain Petrucci, Steve Lukather, Tony MacAlpine, Carlton, Ritenour, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Frank Zappa and so many others too.

Whilst there's a seemingly-endless list for Europe / the UK, the 'Maricans have had more influence IMHO due to greater exposure, so it's kinda a toss-up, but I'm gonna give the edge to the yanks. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
I include Aussies in the Euro list as that's where they sit moreso.

My list was about who brought something to the table guitar wise so I didn't include Zappa, Ritenour & MacAlpine as of course they can play but nothing new voice wise. Yes, Carlton & Benson SHOULD have been included. Someone like Holdsworth & The Ede fill that requirement moreso to me.

Again subjective, but if you only had Holdsworth, McLaughlin, Segovia & Reinhardt the Euros would win.
Click to expand...
I hear ya bro'.

I'd argue that Steve Lukather should also have been in there according to your criteria.

Think of how many have ripped him off starting back in the '80s when he set the gold standard of how to bring raunch to a pop song. That's why he was the most-used session guitarist of that era. Amazing how many peeps don't realise how many of their fave toons from back then were taken to the next level by his lead breaks. "Let's Get Physical" and "Running With the Night" spring immediately to mind.

His work for Boz Scaggs and Toto sure influenced a plethora of guitarists too and we hear it to this day.
 
I dunno. It's pretty subjective. The early european rock guitarists studied and emulated american blues players. Honestly, the older I get the more I see and appreciate what each one contributes.
 
The best guitarists are the ones with the rare ability to shut the fuck up.
Therefore....Americans are out of this game.
Needless to say,I suck at guitar.
 
10 heroes off the top of my head

England - Jimmy Page
Ireland - Gary Moore
England - Steve Howe
USA - Shawn Lane
England - Allan Holdsworth
USA - John Petrucci
USA - Steve Morse
Australia - Brett Garsed
USA - Randy Rhoads
Canada - Alex Lifeson
 
"What country has the most basic bitch pop guitarists boomers like, because they saw them on magazine covers in the 80s"
 
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