Your Favourite Guitarist in Rock/Metal/Whatever

[The Heretic]

I've been thinking about this for a good few years now. Back in the day it would have been all Angus Young, Fast Eddie and nothing else, on mature reflection and after going through all flavours of the month, for me it's Gary Moore. I think its his ability to melt your face but also his phrasing is just class, if David Gilmour ever went through a more metal/rock phase I think he would be Gary Moore. So for me its Moore.

My second favourite would be Steve Jones

Starters orders..3..2..1

[Emphyrio]

Tony Iommi

Jerry Cantrell

Gergor Macintosh

Probably in that order.

[Bürggermeister]

In no specific order...
Chris Poland
Tommy Vetterli
Vernon Reid
Tony Iommi

They're the big dogs. I had a soft spot for all the shred lads in the late 80's, still love that stuff, so many contenders. Marty Friedman would have made the top list if he hadn't played another note after Countdown.

[Polaris]

I think the top dog would have to be Tony Iommi for his genius and versatility. Glenn Tipton and Adrian Smith would also be up there, notably for their sense of melody. 

[Ducky]

In no particular order...

Muhammed Suiçmez.
Dave Davidson.
Chuck Schuldiner.
Jeff Loomis.
Alex Lifeson.
Andy Latimer (from Camel; he's one of the great underrated players).

[Anvil]

Ross the Boss and the classic pairings from Priest and Maiden.

Paul Quinn and the left handed dude from Candlemass would also be up there (I really am shit with names).     

[Yung Led Zeppelin]

Mike Scheidt (surely the biggest misnomer in metal) is absolutely incredible and that Yob sound is so unique

[Black Shepherd Carnage]

Mike's a genuinely incredible player. Davide Tiso from Ephel Duath/loads of other projects is also an unsung true maestro of the instrument. Neither would be "favourites" of mine personally though.

Andy LaRocque is the one that comes fastest to mind for metal if I try to think of a #1 favourite lead player. Hard to pick between Chuck, Hetfield and Mustaine for the rhythm/composition side of things. Jason Becker #1 for the virtuosos (followed by Paul Gilbert). Richie Blackmore for lead player in classic rock. Or Slash, in a totally different style.

[ldj]

Big fan of Mike from YOB as well.

While I love all sorts I've always personally gravitated to guitarists with a loose swagger or unique style rather than super shredders. Just as a reference to BSC's comment I'd be more of a Shermann/Denner guy than a Laroque guy (he's obviously class too, just personal taste). Early favourites were Angus, Slash and Brian Robertson (my personal favourite Lizzy guitarist!), and then Iommi when that path naturally led to Sabbath.

Obviously the Maiden/Priest/Slayer lads, Hetfield/Mustaine etc. Piggy from Voivod is in with a shout on pure originality alone, Azagthoth is up there for the same reason. Robert Fripp just a genius as well.

Brent Hinds too, sounds like a dying cat when he tries to sing but that banjo thing he has going on is class.

Mikael Akerfeldt is underrated as well, didn't realise how much lead he plays until I watched some of the Opeth live releases a while back.

Cornell/Thayil, not technically great 'players' per se, but some of that Soundgarden stuff they did particularly on BMF/Superunknown is super weird, Thayil also has a fun lead style, always sounds like he's just on the verge of fucking it but holds it down in the end.

On a sidenote regarding Slayer, people who complain about their solos do my head in.

[Carnage]

Always liked Rich Robinson from The Black Crowes, not flash but has a nice sleazy groove to his playing. Not a fan of 'shredders'.

[Sworntothecans]

No order and will change next week.
Trey Azagthoth, Scott Ian, Warren DeMartini and Andreas Kisser.

[Thorn]

Always liked Rich Robinson from The Black Crowes, not flash but has a nice sleazy groove to his playing. Not a fan of 'shredders'.

Nice. The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion + the debut are two favourites of mine.  Also 'shredders' ..fucking nails down a blackboard. Hate the word and all it implies.

[Carnage]

Same, diminishing returns after the first two.

[Trev]

Devin Townsend, mostly from a songwriting standpoint but he can still shred and play tastefully when he needs to, and the solo in Deep Peace is probably my favourite ever

From a more strictly metal view I'd have Jeff Loomis up near the top. Not really a big fan of instrumental albums but I keep going back to his solo stuff all the time, and his work with Nevermore speaks for itself. Just a shame he wasted so much time in Arch Enemy

And then Phil Tougas from First Fragment/Void Ceremony/Chthe'ilist

[Eoin McLove]

Dominic Finbow from Moss.