What five people in the history of guitar would you most like to personally thank if you could?

[GreatDaneRock]

In the history of guitar? I would pick any 5 line workers from any guitar company that still makes guitars in the USA.

 

[WingedWords]

Drat - I missed Mississippi John Hurt off my first list. I fell for the deceptive simplicity of his playing in 1968 and I'm still aspiring to it.

 

[lupowitz]

Frank Zappa
John Scofield (Cobham-Duke, Miles Davis, Bass Desires years)
Bill Frisell (Bass Desires, early solo years up until the Nashville album)
Ned Steinberger
Leo Fender

 

[naveed211]

Mark Johnson - my favorite luthier who built my main guitar and a few others for me over the years

My dad - for getting me my first guitar and being supportive

My friend from my second band in my teens who got me into Teles

The co-guitarist in my current band for continued inspiration

My wife - for being cool with my GAS throughout the years

 

[Lima Junior]

Back in 2002, I had the opportunity to personnaly thank Mr (PhD) Brian May. I shook his hand and said "Thank you for the inspiratiion". He was a total guitar gentleman.
Back to the main topic I would also like to thank Jeff Beck, Wes Montgomery, SRV and Jimmy Page.

 

[Cesspit]

Eric Clapton
Rory Gallagher
Andy Powell
Andy Summers
Eric Johnson

 

[jman72]

Larry Crane
Joe Satriani
Eric Johnson
James Mankey
Robert Smith

 

[NightOwl]

Chet Atkins
EVH
Brian Setzer
Ray Butts (for inventing the best pickups ever)
Let Paul (for his many inventions)
SRV

 

[JIMMY JAZZMAN]

Chuck Berry, The Ventures, Dick Dale, George Harrison and Mike Bloomfield.

 

[telemaster03]

Don Rich
Roy Nichols
EVH
Randy Rhoads
Tommy Emmanuel

 

[darkwaters]

Too many to name, but I did get to shake Les Paul’s hand.

 

[Muddyshoes]

Jimi Hendrix

Neil Young

Stephen Stills

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Tommy Emanuel

 

[saleake]

BB King
Leo Fender
Jimi Hendrix
Eric Clapton
James Burton

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

My older brother who played guitar and encouraged me start.

My bandmate and friend Norm who's mad skills at everything encouraged me to try and be a better guitarist and helped me build guitars, fix amps, etc.

Has that Clapner fellow been mentioned yet? Yeah, him. It was Brownie on the back cover of LaOALS that hooked me on Strats.

Little Charlie Baty, for introducing me to the adult period of my musicianship.

Jimmy Bryant, discovered well into adulthood and for making me laugh and amazed at the same time.

 

[VintageSG]

Mick Green
Rory Gallagher
Wilko Johnson
Joe Strummer
Nathan Daniel

 

[Deathray]

John
Paul
George
Ringing
And Jesus

Whoa, did anyone else just feel a draft of cold air?
…Pretty sure the ghost of @blowtorch just passed through.

 

[rockymtnguitar]

In no particular order:

Leo Fender
Justin Sandercoe
David Gilmour
Steve Clark
Phil Collen

Neil Diamond if I get to have an Honorable Mention.

 

[BerkshireDuncan]

In no particular order

Leo Fender- for obvious reasons
Russ Shipton- for getting me started
George Harrison- for being exactly what his band needed
Johnny Marr- not every guitar hero plays solos
Joe Bonamassa.. we Brits LOVE to root for an underdog!

 

[trapdoor2]

Orville G.
L. Loar
Leo F.
Johann Georg Stauffer (for training C.F. Martin)
Mr. D'Angelico

 

[Jimclarke100]

Leo Fender
Orville Gibson
CF Martin
Adolf Rickenbacker
Dick Denny
Jim Marshall