Greatest American guitarist of all time

[Hatfield92]

Something like this is always highly subjective and individual, but in my opinion, it’s a tie for first:

Duane Allman and Mike Bloomfield

The latter has started to receive a little more credit in recent years, especially after his box set was released. But was anyone more influential?

I know Jimi’s gotta be way up there. He was a true paradigm shifter. But, although he was born and raised in Seattle (mostly), he did have to move to London to become a star. An argument could be made that Hendrix was the greatest British guitarist of all time.

I’ve also gotten less high on Jimi the older I’ve gotten, and my tastes have mellowed. 20 year old me would have said Hendrix, hands down.

 

[AJBaker]

I bet this will be an interesting discussion, with no 'right' answer. How do you define 'great'? Technical ability, influence, quality of songs or other?

That being said, it's hard for me to put anyone other than Jimi at the top spot, unless you can convincingly argue that he was in fact 'British' rather than American. I understand your argument, but I think he must still be considered American.

 

[Wallaby]

Based on sheer mastery and publishing output and involvement - Chet Atkins.
,
I might wake up tomorrow and prefer Leo Kottke, John Fahey, Doc Watson, Jerry Reed, Danny Gatton, Merle Travis, Scotty Moore, James Burton, Peter Lang, Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Steve Morse, Eddie Van Halen, Buddy Emmons ... it's really not practical to keep listing them, and every time I list one I think of five more. I'm staying with Chet

 

[brookdalebill]

Eric Johnson.

 

[tah1962]

Eric Johnson.

^^^This^^^

 

[TheGoodTexan]

Your title says greatest. Your post talks about most influential.

Greatest? I wouldn’t really even venture a guess.

Most influential, I’d say that it was close to being a tie between Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen. As soon as I think of a reason to give the nod to one of them, I think of a strong reason that the other one should get it.

 

[superjam144]

John Frusciante

 

[burtf51]

greatest leaves out most everyone, most influential lowers the bar tremendously

 

[tery]

Chet Atkins was pretty good .

 

[Javier668]

Chet Atkins or Roy Clark

 

[Pickingthru]

I’ll give you Chet, Jimi, and many others. BUT, having watched a few Bob Dylan videos and documentaries recently, I have to add Dylan for acoustic for certain. What many thought was complicated was not and vice versa. Add Prince for my electric choice.

 

[Manual Slim]

Lou Reed

 

[Manual Slim]

greatest leaves out most everyone, most influential lowers the bar tremendously

Degree of influence is a measure of greatness.

 

[burtf51]

Something like this is always highly subjective

The word greatest guitarist is not subjective...American greatest guitarist would more than likely be Hank Garland as he was such a virtuoso in so many genre's and few, very very very few possess that skill and knowledge

 

[maggieo]

Charlie Christian.

 

[dkmw]

Duane Jimi or Jimi Duane or Duanojimi

 

[MisterZ]

Hendrix
Chet
Hank Garland
Carlos Santana
LES PAUL

Any order you want.

 

[burtf51]

Come on folks, he said GREATEST AMERICAN GUITARIST not who you like the most

 

[Steerforth]

Nah, that can’t be answered.

It depends on what kind of music.

I used to have a Norton 750 Commando. It was one of my favorite bikes, despite its inherent imperfection.

But I’d have never tried to use it to race motocross.

 

[nojazzhere]

I couldn't begin to compile a list of the "greater" one hundred American guitarists, without leaving off too many qualified ones.
But Duane Allman wouldn't make the cut, IMHO.