What makes a great guitar tone? Is it the guitar? The amp? Is it all in the fingers? Most of the players with the enviable tone will tell you it’s all in the fingers, yet there are some who will even go so far as to experiment with different power cables to get the right tone. Regardless of which is correct, there have been many players throughout history who have had to-die-for guitar tone. By no means an exhaustive list, here are six that have certainly caught the attention of guitarists all over the world.
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Ty Tabor
Pat Metheny
Allan Holdsworth
B.B. King
Eric Johnson
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Jim Hall needs to make this list.
Robben Ford deserves a nod as well.
Agreed on both suggestions, Ryan. Though I prefer Bucky’s tone to Jim’s, he still has a great sound. Robben as well. Who else would you put up there?
Albert King also had a great collection of tones of the “I’m not sure if it is dirty or clean” variety. Instantly recognisable on a previously unheard track, too.
Plus my other favourite player for tone would be Dave Gilmour – from the way-over-the-top fuzz solo on “Time” to the smoooth drive of “Comfortably Numb” and others.
I could go on but I ought to stop before I type an essay.
Tom, essays are fine.
Gilmour is fantastic. Always loved his tone, and as a guitarist I think he’s under-appreciated. I don’t know too much about Albert King so I can’t really comment; I’m not much of a blues guy, honestly.