So with that out of the way, welcome to the second edition of "Pick Only One". 

If last weeks topic, favourite band, wasn't a tricky one, let's see how well people do with this. A subject near and dear to me, favourite guitarist.

The rules are simple (as if the name of the thread doesn't give it away). No runners up. No second best. No honorable mentions. No join firsts. No "I couldn't decide between...". This is a thread series where we seperate the boys from the men (and the girls from the women). Where you have to suck it up, grow a pair, and pick only one answer. (Ladies, do whatever the female equivalent is of "growing a pair"...)

The Duke of Metal, Rich Ward.

Whilst not actually a prog musician, Rich Ward is my favourite guitarist and officially my hetero-sexual man-crush. Known as the guitarist and main song-writer of rap-metal band Stuck Mojo and hard rockers Fozzy, Ward has never been known as a virtuoso guitarist. He never gets any form of acknowledgment. But what he lacks in "shred" credentials, he more than makes up for as a songwriter and as a performer. His playing is tight, his tone is unmatched, and his onstage antics make him a live force to be reckoned with.

I've met him twice before Fozzy gigs, and he is a super cool, super humble human being. He gave me his plectrum after the first gig, which is incredibly awesome. 

Although Dream Theater are my favourite band, I know full-well I will never be as good as John Petrucci (to date, I can play about six DT songs on guitar), so I get a lot of my guitar influence from Rich Ward. Focusing more on the groove and the feel of the song, I feel a lot more confident about my playing when I'm not trying to match up to other shredders who cram a billion notes into a 20-second guitar solo. 

                               

                                          

For my choice: Steve Howe. Of course.

 

 

Agreed. There will never be another like him.

So pick one anyway! 

Man, you really believe in enforcing the rules, don't you?

Mike Bloomfield

In case you are not convinced more Mike Bloomfield

You can't come into a thread titled "pick only one" and just say that you can't pick one. Disgusting. 

  

The bigs have to have both of that. 

 

That's a great album...........my friend Bill is a huge fan of his work and is always talking him up and thanks to him I have most of his work.

 

I'm a fan of his also....his early work is killer. I'm a little disappointed in his song selections over the years on his last 4 or 5 albums....but he is always great on guitar.

Love his Live At Ronnie Scott's set from a few years ago.

 

 

why? because Rush are the only guitar lead band that I would have in my top five bands as my taste is usually towards symph ,neo or crossover. I was also very impressed with Alex when I saw Rush live. Of course there are many more impressive guitarists out there that I like but I won't name them as the OP might hunt me down!

Don't worry, I won't hunt you down just yet. First warning is just a strongly worded letter in the post. 

I'd put him above Howe.

I'm not sure why - but i guess it's because his playing is so genuine. It doesn't come off like he's trying to sound intricate or unique. Though he certainly has both characteristics.

"Limelight" is still one of my favorite guitar solos. It has such an overwhelmingly elastic feeling to it. Really great sound.  

I have a similar case to yours Richard. Out of all the progressive rock bands and whatnot that i've listened to, the guitarist that made me want to play guitar was Johnny Marr. The Smith have become one of my top 5 bands, but for some reason Marr's charming licks just wanted me to pick up a guitar to learn them.