Most underrated guitarist.

[Spirit of Ox]

Alex Lifeson seems to be underrated by other guitarists. Probably because Rush is so bass/drums oriented and his guitar is more for texture for lack of a better term.
Also, Brian May is somewhat underrated but I have no idea why. He's an innovative genius.

 

[TripleDouble]

You are one of the few who have discovered Linc....His son is trying to keep his music alive...his songs have like 75 hits in years of being up on YOU tube......He was unreal!! The old vinyl is impossibly rare!

A buddy of mine is a great guitarist who managed a record store for a real long time. He's always playing and giving me crazy stuff I'd never have found. I'm pretty sure he has the vinyl copy, along with about a trillion other records. From a different genre, he actually sent me this the other day and again I was floored. The whole clip is great check out the version of Lookin Good that starts at 3:25...it's so badass it makes me L to the OL.

 

[Daz JP]

Agree with earlier post about Robert Fripp. A lot of playing can be noise and a bit odd - but listen to the hypnotic polyrhythms of Discipline or the controlled lunacy of Fracture and marvel.

And yes: Brad Whitford too. Take him out and Aerosmith sounds sparse.

 

[Richland123]

These fantastic guitarists are not underrated by any means to those in the know; but, they are not household names. Definitely check them out.

Phil Keaggy (solo and with Glass Harp)
Leo Kottke
Ry Cooder
Elvin Bishop
Bill Kirchen
Jimmy Thackery
Colin James
Don Barnes
Jeff Carlisi

Here is some of Phil Keaggy's stuff

 

[static0verdrive]

• Frank Zappa (most know of the crazy band or music, but have you heard him really play that guitar?!)
• Duane Denison
• Larry "Ler" Lalonde
• LENNY BREAU

... and the previously mentioned Andy Summers and Nels Cline.

Was Richie Havens any good or was he just a crazy strummer?

 

[Jay_Dub]

Lots on this list are highly rated by legions of fans. As for underrated guitar players, without a doubt, George Harrison. Walter Trout is also rarely given the accolades he deserves.

 

[ChefKen]

These fantastic guitarists are not underrated by any means to those in the know; but, they are not household names. Definitely check them out.

Phil Keaggy (solo and with Glass Harp)
Leo Kottke
Ry Cooder
Elvin Bishop
Bill Kirchen
Jimmy Thackery
Colin James
Don Barnes
Jeff Carlisi

Here is some of Phil Keaggy's stuff

++++On Leo Kotke!! Seen em many times and booked him back in the day....Amazing player and performer!!

 

[39-Bassist]

Mark Reale.......

 

[Juav]

I'm going to say Paul Simon. His playing is not flashy, but it fits so well into his songs that you don't realize that he is playing some amazing stuff. He really influenced me quite a bit as far as my guitar playing goes. Then I listened to Micheal Hedges...Wow! But Hedges is definitely not underrated.

 

[Tanner5382]

Lots on this list are highly rated by legions of fans. As for underrated guitar players, without a doubt, George Harrison. Walter Trout is also rarely given the accolades he deserves.

George Harrison is definitely highly rated by legions of fans.

 

[Jay_Bass]

Malcolm Young.

 

[Slevage]

Mike Stern

 

[Nev375]

Stanley Jordan
Kaki King
Eric Mongrain.

Just a few off the top of my head.

 

[sotua]

I always wonder where Alex Lifeson fits on these types of lists . . . To keep up with Geddy and Neil, you have to at least be good (unless they are carrying him . . .). Nonetheless, he is never mentioned on lists of great guitarists . . .

I believe he is quite underrated, yes. The more the years go by, the less impressed I am by Peart/Lee, but more impressed with Lifeson.

 

[sotua]

Alex Lifeson seems to be underrated by other guitarists. Probably because Rush is so bass/drums oriented and his guitar is more for texture for lack of a better term.

He puts BALLS in the music. Listen to Geddy Lee's solo album. It sounds like Rush... with no balls and some strange groove to it (due to Matt Cameron instead of Neil Peart). His rhythm work is excellent, and his soloing voice very distinct and unmistakable.

 

[NeckPickup]

I guess I'm not the only one considering acoustic guitarists, so I say James Taylor. This is a bass forum, and JT uses his thumb really well to play very effective bass lines while fingerpicking, and his playing is full of jazzy changes, and this all works well with his vocal style. Look at the "Ask a Pro: Lee Sklar" forums on here. Sklar talks about how he had to create bass lines that complemented or added to the bass line JT was already playing, and not just duplicate it.

 

[loveandbass]

trey anastasio

 

[troy mcclure]

My favorite guitarist most people forget is Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze. His solos are very melodic. Listen to Another Nail in my heart or Pulling Mussels from a Shell.

 

[Sixgunn]

Mark Reale.......

VERY ahead of his time! R.I.P.

 

[Leiria]

Ron Asheton