So why do people put Vai and Satch in the same league?

[Spaceboy]

They are both great but different players... why compare them? Satriani is usually more straightforward and appeals easier to the rock crowd, Vai is a bit out there and harder to get into for many people. There's no way you can say one is better than the other, they have different styles and are both far better guitarists than I'll ever be. I can get down to either.

Yngwie, on the other hand is just a prick and a boring, redundant player. I wish he'd retire.

 

[Ventura]

So why do people put Vai and Satch in the same league?

Because they were 2 guys that broke the popularity cusp at approximately the same time; throwing down more technical riffs and structures that were audible and noticeable to the listener; they both shared the "instrumental rock" DNA; people realized Vai was schooled by Satch, and Satch has said he's learned from Vai; they came out at approximately the same time (for popular vote, I'm not talking about Stevie's days with Zappa).

In "that" period of shred-rock, they both kinda assumed their respective seats at more or less equal peggings, and that was that. They're tech rock virtuoso brethren.

 

[daveg62]

They are both great but different players... why compare them? Satriani is usually more straightforward and appeals easier to the rock crowd, Vai is a bit out there and harder to get into for many people. There's no way you can say one is better than the other, they have different styles and are both far better guitarists than I'll ever be. I can get down to either.

Yngwie, on the other hand is just a prick and a boring, redundant player. I wish he'd retire.

I agree with this post, why are musicians compared to each other in the first place? I get enjoyment out of listening to different musicians at different times depending on my mood.
Also would like to add that Yngwie has never been on my playlist and probably never will. I find his music and playing annoying and not for me.

 

[carlygtr]

I'd pick Satch although I like both. Satch had the ability to play live w/ Mick Jagger, he was brought in to finish Deep Purple's '93 tour when Blackmore quit, and did a tremendous job. I felt he was a 100% better fit than Steve Morse.
His does his solo tours, he's in Chickenfoot, which IMO is a great band, and he seemlessly fit right in on the Ronnie Montrose Tribute material. Much more versatile guitarist, IMO

 

[Red_Label]

They are both great but different players... why compare them? Satriani is usually more straightforward and appeals easier to the rock crowd, Vai is a bit out there and harder to get into for many people. There's no way you can say one is better than the other, they have different styles and are both far better guitarists than I'll ever be. I can get down to either.

Yngwie, on the other hand is just a prick and a boring, redundant player. I wish he'd retire.

I agree with this post, why are musicians compared to each other in the first place? I get enjoyment out of listening to different musicians at different times depending on my mood.
Also would like to add that Yngwie has never been on my playlist and probably never will. I find his music and playing annoying and not for me.

I on the other hand, think Yngwie RULES! (Not that he's been on my playlist much for the past decade or two though.)

In regards to Satch vs. Vai. I give Vai the edge on skill and being "out there". But in terms of songwriting that MOVES ME, Satch wins that contest easily.

In fact, the wife and I stood five feet away from Satch for an entire evening at the HOB in Vegas back in 2008. She wasn't a "guitar music" fan. But she left a Satch fan for life. He was very inspirational and just stood there the whole night, grinning from ear to ear and giving every note his all. Steve is almost too "slick". Joe seems to play more from the heart (to my ears anyways).

Either way, they're both awesome and there is no "better". But NO question that Satch's playing/songwriting speaks to more regular people than Vai's does.

 

[Steinmetzify]

As a guitarist, someone I listen to HAS to be able to do something I hear and go "whoa, that was great".
Satch does that for me consistently. The billion notes a minute thing has always impressed me with it's technicality, but its never made me feel anything emotionally, ever. After a minute I start getting a headache.
Satch to me has a sense of timing and phrase that Vai has never had and looks like he never will. I don't like listening to him.

 

[Jdguitar]

I listed to both of those guys for years and still do from time to time. For the last 5 years or so I been stuck on Steve Morse. I never get tired of listening to his compositions. Pick up his entire collection and give it a good listen and let it grow on you.

 

[squank]

I'm with the OP. To me, Satch sounds the same after a while...Same song, different arrangement...plus, I can't forgive him for playing with Sammy Hagar. For shame Joe, for shame.

WTF? Did I miss something? What's the crime with playing with Sammy?

 

[Badronald]

I'm with the OP. To me, Satch sounds the same after a while...Same song, different arrangement...plus, I can't forgive him for playing with Sammy Hagar. For shame Joe, for shame.

WTF? Did I miss something? What's the crime with playing with Sammy?

Dude must not like beautiful women in his audience.
You see all the beautiful women in the Sammy shows!? Id play in a band with him in a heartbeat!
And so would every one of you bisches.

 

[SouthernShred]

I'm with the OP. To me, Satch sounds the same after a while...Same song, different arrangement...plus, I can't forgive him for playing with Sammy Hagar. For shame Joe, for shame.

WTF? Did I miss something? What's the crime with playing with Sammy?

Dude must not like beautiful women in his audience.
You see all the beautiful women in the Sammy shows!? Id play in a band with him in a heartbeat!
And so would every one of you bisches.

You're right...I would play in that band. I just hate Van Hagar. Not Joe's fault...

 

[5150clone]

Totally. Satriani way more listenable. The lesson thing does tie them together and early on satch made a lot of stupid noises like vai still does. Satch is great at melodies. He can be very busy and noisy live but for the most part he good.

I find Vai far less pleasurable to listen to, but I'll admit he's the more technically accomplished guitarist. I'd rather listen to a Satch album, though!

-C

 

[Red_Label]

I'm with the OP. To me, Satch sounds the same after a while...Same song, different arrangement...plus, I can't forgive him for playing with Sammy Hagar. For shame Joe, for shame.

WTF? Did I miss something? What's the crime with playing with Sammy?

Dude must not like beautiful women in his audience.
You see all the beautiful women in the Sammy shows!? Id play in a band with him in a heartbeat!
And so would every one of you bisches.

WERD!

I'd no doubt get tired of Sammy's schtick after a while, but I'd sure jump at the chance to play with him for a bit. I'm thinking that I'd need to spend plenty of time down in Cabo to get in the right fame of mind!

 

[IntenseJim]

Check it out...

Those guys are so masterful of the instrument.

 

[gibson5413]

I'd pick Satch although I like both. Satch had the ability to play live w/ Mick Jagger, he was brought in to finish Deep Purple's '93 tour when Blackmore quit, and did a tremendous job. I felt he was a 100% better fit than Steve Morse.
His does his solo tours, he's in Chickenfoot, which IMO is a great band, and he seemlessly fit right in on the Ronnie Montrose Tribute material. Much more versatile guitarist, IMO

Got to agree here.

I am a Satch fanboy. I like just about everything he does. I don't sound like him but I have stolen a few licks here and there. My gear does not mimic his in the slightest but his sense of melody and playing in the context of the song is what does it for me. I could listen to him over most guitar players any day. I will admit that at the G3 shows he and the rest of the players get stuck in the "shred a million notes, make faces, pat each other on the back and repeat" ruts. Either way, it's fun. Chickenfoot is starting to grow on me. I do like how he can take his place in a band like that and not overshadow the whole. That is a good sign of a quality player and person.

 

[Gainzilla]

I'll tell you what Vai and Satch have in common. When they did G3 with Yngwie they were reduced to JR High School Prom Band players.

Only because they were playing something different than the same 4 licks over and over infinitely.

We much have watched 2 different shows. Satch and Vai, thrown into a situation that called for improvisation, wound up holding their dicks.

Same as when Neal Schon sat in on the G3 encores and smoked both. Satch and Vai are great at writing tunes that showcase their licks and tricks. That gets tiring real quick. Thrown into real world jamming, they both fold like a cheap suit.

I approve of every word in your post Carl...

Way back, I was a huge Vai fan and didnt think so much about Satch. These days, I like Satch ALOT more. Truth be told, I dont listen to either of them all that much anymore these days if at all but they are both amazing players and incredible musicians who just happen to play stuff that doesnt appeal to me nearly as much as other players..... I think that anyone that bashes either one of them is clueless and deaf but my preferences and what appeals to me lie elsewhere with..

 

[gibson08]

Because they are two very talented individuals, that play instrumental type stuff. There is no better or worse between them, only personal taste. I like Satch a little better because I think he is better at providing the vocals with his guitar, I dont even miss someone singing when he plays. I still listen to The Extremeist. That being said I would rather hear 3 notes from Gilmour than 30 from either one of those two.

 

[Random Hero]

Frankly, who gives a shit. Both write pretty awful music!

 

[Red_Label]

Frankly, who gives a shit. Both write pretty awful music!

"Awful music"? Does everything have to be reduced to superlatives? Both have legions of fans out there who don't think their music is "awful". Even though there are MANY bands I'd rather listen to, I certainly don't think their music is "awful". Wouldn't an "I don't care for their music" be a more factual statement (and one that we could take seriously)?

 

[Gainzilla]

Frankly, who gives a shit. Both write pretty awful music!

You forgot to add IMO. Im surprised that you even found the time to see this thread. Shouldnt you be off somewhere giving Mayers Yambag a tongue bath right about now?

 

[Blix]

Satriani never really moved me, Vai sure does. Just my personal taste.