Top 10 Guitar Shredders

[mavsfan1000]

This is what I think are the top 10 shredders of all time. If you are a fan of instrumental rock than these are must get albums.
1. Tony MacAlpine (Maximum Security)- This guy combines shred with neo-classical sound and is very melodic along with his shred. Definitely my favorite shredder
2. Yngwie Malmsteen (Rising Force)- Most popular of the neo-classical sound and made guitar playing into a show of how fast and how much vibrato you can play with.
3. Vinnie Moore (Time Odyssey)- Very similar to Tony MacAlpine but great as well. Morning Star is my favorite off of this cd.
4. Joe Satriani (Surfin' with the Alien)- Definitely very versatile with going anywhere from shred to legato. Mixes in some blues in his shred. My favorite song on here is Always with Me, Always With You.
5.Allan Holdsworth (I.O.U)- Very underground jazz-rock fusion. The Einstein of Electric Guitar.
6. Pantera (Cowboys From Hell)- Dimebag Darrell though not thought of as a shredder definitely had his moments on the early Pantera cd's.
7. Ozzy Osbourne (Blizzard of Ozz) Randy Rhoads is definitely a guitar legend. Too many good shred songs. Should get this cd.
8. Van Halen (I)- Eruption definitely an awesome moment for Eddie Van Halen. He though later on wasn't shredding as much but on this cd he was at his best.
9. Eric Johnson (Ah Via Musicom) - Definitely more melodic shred. He is best known for his great guitar tone. Great cd and very original sounding. "Cliffs of Dover" is a must have song.
10. Al Dimeola (Elegant Gypsy)- The same says it all. Jazz-fusion with some Gypsy sound to it. One of the few to start shredding on an accoustic guitar. The best song for shred on here is "Mediterranean Sundance"
For those who download some of this tell me what you think? Also mention which ones should also be on that list.

There are some other shredders that should get honorable mentions. Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert (Racer X), Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zak Wylde (Ozzy and Black Label Society), Gary Moore, Shawn Lane, and John Petrucci (Dream Theater). There are also many great guitar players that aren't shredders but I was more on the speed.

[ZStomp]

http://www.epiphone.com/press/PR_ZakkWylde2.jpg

[KEDA]

Vai
http://www.aoqz76.dsl.pipex.com/Web%20Page%20Components/Wallpaper/Music/Steve%20Vai.jpg

Satch
http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/2001/Jun-22-Fri-2001/photos/satriani.jpg

Eddie
http://www.zonalibre.org/blog/jfm/archives/Resize%20of%20eddie-van-halen_80.jpg

Petrucci
http://www.guitarscanada.com/Legends/petrucci.jpg

S R V
http://windshoes.new21.org/music/blues/stevie-ray-vaughan04.jpg

Johnson
http://www.casafree.com/modules/xcgal/albums/userpics/12719/normal_EricJohnson.jpg

John 5
http://www.livemusicindiana.com/concert%20pics/pictures/2005/John5/imgs/john%205%204.jpg

Wylde
http://data.muzikus.cz/save/db_images/17161

Perry
http://www.rockstar.it/news/img/joe_perry_L.jpg

Darrell Abbott
http://www.despupalliton.ch/web/tagebuch/images/dimebag.jpg

[leemajors]

missing paul gilbert and buckethead.

[Leetonidas]

Jimi Hendrix???

[whottt]

Others will come along and name most of the guys I want mentioned...

But how come Prince never gets mentioned on lists like this? He's as good as guys like Satriani and Johnson. Better than Zak Wylde IMO.

[whottt]

Oh and Duane Eddy deserves an honorable mention if only because he invented the Rock guitarist...

James Burton too.

[HeadBanger]

Jimi Hendrix
Alvin Lee
Vivian Campbell
Brad Gilbert
Steve Lukather
Steve Stevens
Alex lifeson

[tlongII]

Tommy Bolin

http://www.tbolin.com/images/gallery/pic_dp_2.jpg

[DoubtingThomas]

Warren DiMartini?

[mavsfan1000]

Yeah there are some shredders that should get honorable mentions. Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert (Racer X), Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zak Wylde (Ozzy and Black Label Society), Gary Moore, Shawn Lane, and John Petrucci (Dream Theater). There are also many great guitar players that aren't shredders but I was more on the speed.

[screamformelongbeach]

Yngwie J. Freaking Malmsteen Rules!!!!!!!!!!!

[whottt]

Yeah there are some shredders that should get honorable mentions. Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert (Racer X), Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zak Wylde (Ozzy and Black Label Society), Gary Moore, Shawn Lane, and John Petrucci (Dream Theater). There are also many great guitar players that aren't shredders but I was more on the speed.


Speed is seriously over-rated if that's all a guitarist has going for them. And it's no substitute for talent and musical ability.

[Ballcox]

^ All the guys above couldn't lick the sweat off Stevie Ray's nuts, period. He was one of a kind and the best ever in IMO. Just thought I would throw that out there. :smokin

[Mixability]

No one has said Tom Morello?!?!

http://www.undercover.com.au/pics/audioslavetommorello260403_.jpg

[Marklar MM]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/knighterrant86/LI.jpg

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The majority of what Vai, Petrucci and Satriani is go from say the 3rd to the 5th an octave up or octave down as fast as they possibly can and do it over and over ad nauseum. Its really akin to masturbation.

As for technical precision and dynamic play, no one compares to Chet Atkins although noone would call him a 'shredder.' Seeing that Johnson, who is closer to Kenny G than to shred, is listed I believe that his name bears mentioning.

I personally would rather listen to Hammet, Cantrell or Mascis than any of those three. Hendrix not being on some of these. lists is simply a travesty.

Vaughn was fabulous but he was really limited to his boogie shuffle and although great at that style I see him as limited.

Another great guitarist that needs mentioning is Frank Zappa. If you are a fan of guitar work go buy Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar. Simply an amazing collection of songs.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

No one has said Tom Morello?!?!

Well if playing 2 licks over and over again per song makes a great guitarist then I guess you have a point. Oh that and his effects gimmicks.

[Marklar MM]

Another great guitarist that needs mentioning is Frank Zappa. If you are a fan of guitar work go buy Shut Up and Play Yer Guitar. Simply an amazing collection of songs.

He must be good to name his kids Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He must be good to name his kids Moon Unit, Dweezil, Ahmet Emuukha Rodan and Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen.

So he ate lots of acid....

[101A]

Ric Emmett

Very versatile, with pretty good speed and clarity. Some of his jazz stuff post-Triumph is nice.

[ZStomp]

No one has said Tom Morello?!?!

http://www.undercover.com.au/pics/audioslavetommorello260403_.jpg


There's a reason.
He's not that good...

[mavsfan1000]

I enjoy Tom Morello's effects and stuff but no way is he considered a shredder. Fits great for Rage though.

[mavsfan1000]

Speed is seriously over-rated if that's all a guitarist has going for them. And it's no substitute for talent and musical ability.
Agreed and that's why I concentrated the combination of speed with great sound. Otherwise Michael Angelo Batio would make the list. He has horrible tone and is a gimmick style.

[whottt]

Again...I repeat, Prince needs some run here.

You guys do know it's him playing guitar on all of his studio albums right(usually him playing all the instruments period)?

[whottt]

Fuck it...I'll just let Prince show you himself...

Clip of Prince nuking a legendary Eric Clapton solo(from a Beatles orginal no less) off the face of the earth and erasing it from everyone's memory for all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOtQzPCqvE


The sick thing is...he probably didn't even rehearse that solo and might never have even played that song before.

[Billy Cobham]

Tommy Bolin

http://www.tbolin.com/images/gallery/pic_dp_2.jpg

Tommy Bolin is the most underrated guitarist ever. Too bad he died young. Check out my Stratus album and you will see what I mean.

[Billy Cobham]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V46l9KaOa3M

Here's something to watch if you want to see my chops!

[DoubtingThomas]

Whottt knows his shit..Prince rocks!!

[Leetonidas]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/knighterrant86/LI.jpg

:tu

http://ftp.queensryche.com/band/chris-degarmo/images/cd-photo-09.jpg

CHIRS DEGARMO.

Queensryche pwns.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

ehhh....happens every guitar thread. The title says "best shredders" not "Best of all time"

hendrix, wylde, etc, are not shredders.
Whottttttttt--that prince shit was pretty cool.

[mavsfan1000]

ehhh....happens every guitar thread. The title says "best shredders" not "Best of all time"

hendrix, wylde, etc, are not shredders.
Whottttttttt--that prince shit was pretty cool.
There were a few others that might not be considered shredders either but deserve a mention since they do play fast. Best shredders usually means best of all time since there aren't many shredders now.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

There were a few others that might not be considered shredders either but deserve a mention since they do play fast. Best shredders usually means best of all time since there aren't many shredders now.


No....i meant "Best shredders of all time" does not = "best guitarist of all time"

[Guru of Nothing]

Oh and Duane Eddy deserves an honorable mention if only because he invented the Rock guitarist...

Jiminy!!!

Duane Eddy = Michael Bolton.
Link Wray = Otis Redding.

[Guru of Nothing]

Fuck it...I'll just let Prince show you himself...

Clip of Prince nuking a legendary Eric Clapton solo(from a Beatles orginal no less) off the face of the earth and erasing it from everyone's memory for all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOtQzPCqvE


The sick thing is...he probably didn't even rehearse that solo and might never have even played that song before.

Update

Eric Clapton = Most overrated sacred cow of all time.

[Guru of Nothing]

No....i meant "Best shredders of all time" does not = "best guitarist of all time"

I hear you!

I vote Jeff Beck, best shredder ever.

[Guru of Nothing]

Alvin Lee #2? Maybe.

[Guru of Nothing]

Wait, maybe Dick Dale is number one.

Of course Whott would probably nominate "that guy" from the Ventures over Dick Dale.

and Uncle Kracker >>> Dobie Gray.

[Guru of Nothing]

From AllMusic.com


Link Wray may never get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but his contribution to the language of rockin' guitar would still be a major one, even if he had never walked into another studio after cutting "Rumble." Quite simply, Link Wray invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists. Listen to any of the tracks he recorded between that landmark instrumental in 1958 through his Swan recordings in the early '60s and you'll hear the blueprints for heavy metal, thrash, you name it. Though rock historians always like to draw a nice, clean line between the distorted electric guitar work that fuels early blues records to the late-'60s Hendrix-Clapton-Beck-Page-Townshend mob, with no stops in between, a quick spin of any of the sides Wray recorded during his golden decade punches holes in that theory right quick. If a direct line can be traced forward from a black blues musician crankin' up his amp and playing with a ton of violence and aggression to a young white guy doing a mutated form of same, the line points straight to Link Wray, no contest. Pete Townshend summed it up for more guitarists than he probably realized when he said, "He is the king; if it hadn't been for Link Wray and "'Rumble,'" I would have never picked up a guitar."


But a pattern was emerging that would continue throughout much of Wray's early career; the powers that be figured that if they could tone him down and dress him up, they'd sell way more records in the bargain. What all these producers and record execs failed to realize was the simplest of truths: if Duane Eddy twanged away for white, teenage America, Link Wray played for juvenile delinquent hoods, plain and simple.

[IX_Equilibrium]

Shredders - bah

masturbatory guitar act

[whottt]

Jiminy!!!

Duane Eddy = Michael Bolton.
Link Wray = Otis Redding.

Sadistic.

I get the point you are attempting to make but Michael Bolton is completely uncalled for.

[whottt]

Wait, maybe Dick Dale is number one.

Of course Whott would probably nominate "that guy" from the Ventures over Dick Dale.

and Uncle Kracker >>> Dobie Gray.


Hey...You act like I was out buying the records. I didn't rate him number one, just gave an honorable mention. Someone had to get those white kids to buy the records or else we'd be sitting here talking about Perry Como.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It shouldnt be called 'The Best SHredders of All Time,' but rather 'The Cocks of Cockrock.'

[whottt]

Link Wray may never get into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but his contribution to the language of rockin' guitar would still be a major one, even if he had never walked into another studio after cutting "Rumble." Quite simply, Link Wray invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarists. Listen to any of the tracks he recorded between that landmark instrumental in 1958 through his Swan recordings in the early '60s and you'll hear the blueprints for heavy metal, thrash, you name it. Though rock historians always like to draw a nice, clean line between the distorted electric guitar work that fuels early blues records to the late-'60s Hendrix-Clapton-Beck-Page-Townshend mob, with no stops in between, a quick spin of any of the sides Wray recorded during his golden decade punches holes in that theory right quick. If a direct line can be traced forward from a black blues musician crankin' up his amp and playing with a ton of violence and aggression to a young white guy doing a mutated form of same, the line points straight to Link Wray, no contest. Pete Townshend summed it up for more guitarists than he probably realized when he said, "He is the king; if it hadn't been for Link Wray and "'Rumble,'" I would have never picked up a guitar."




Quote:




But a pattern was emerging that would continue throughout much of Wray's early career; the powers that be figured that if they could tone him down and dress him up, they'd sell way more records in the bargain. What all these producers and record execs failed to realize was the simplest of truths: if Duane Eddy twanged away for white, teenage America, Link Wray played for juvenile delinquent hoods, plain and simple.




Pete Townshend was also twanging away for white middle class America, for all the wrong reasons sadly...not exactly hammering your point home like Pete on Preschooler...

Besides...I am sure I can go find some quote by some guy claiming if it wasn't for Eddy...but all I said was honorable mention...for the role less so than the actual production. Damn...you have a blistering hate on for Eddy.

Elvis was also singing away for white middle class America...and Chuck Berry and his bank account thank him for it...

If people like it they like it...

[Guru of Nothing]

Hey...You act like I was out buying the records. I didn't rate him number one, just gave an honorable mention. Someone had to get those white kids to buy the records or else we'd be sitting here talking about Perry Como.

Let's take this argument to the Pat Boone forum.

[Guru of Nothing]

Pete Townshend was also twanging away for white middle class America,

I said a young man, ain't got nothin' in the world these days!

[leemajors]

Update

Eric Clapton = Most overrated sacred cow of all time.

i was of the same opinion for a while, but have mellowed recently after listening to disraeli gears and fresh cream a lot recently - granted, cream is a great band overall at every spot but clapton's sound is so perfect in that band - big and fuzzy.

[mavsfan1000]

Shred guitar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Shred Guitar refers to a heavy metal guitar or fusion playing style where technical proficiency is used to maximize speed, often in a neoclassical framework. Beginning in the 1980s, shred guitar appeared in a heavy metal sub-genre known as neo-classical metal, since it often involved phrases and techniques from Baroque and Classical music.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 History
* 2 Connotations
* 3 Musical styles
o 3.1 Techniques
o 3.2 Bass shredding
o 3.3 Gear
* 4 Resurgence in popularity
* 5 External links

[edit] History

Yngwie Malmsteen, heavily influenced by Al Di Meola and Ritchie Blackmore, is credited in having pioneered and laid down the basis of neo-classical shred guitar in heavy metal music, where the term shredding started to be associated to this style of playing. Before him, many electric guitar virtuosi in late-1960s contributed to the formation of the shred movement, while still lacking the technical emphasis and baroque influencies of modern shredding. It has been argued that jazz-rock guitarists like the aforementioned Al Di Meola and Allan Holdsworth can be seen as first players to record shredding in the modern sense of the word on various jazz-rock recordings since mid-1970s. In early 1980's Randy Rhoads was another important figure that pioneered shredding on heavy metal/hardrock records, starting in 1980 with Ozzy Osbourne's debut album Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Eddie Van Halen was also a very influential artist related to the shred guitar movement who helped popularize shredding by selling more than 10 million copies of Van Halen's debut album. It can also be argued that advances in technology in home recording and programmable bass/drum machines have led to a surge in the number of amateur guitarists releasing instrumental/shred albums on the internet, as they remove the high costs of studio recording and the need for a full band.

[edit] Connotations

Occasionally, the term "shredding" is used with a negative connotation; in this context, it refers to playing with blinding speed and technicality at the sacrifice of feeling or musicality. This is often pointed at metal players who are considered to aim to shred excessively, such as the Great Kat, or Michael Angelo Batio. This view of shredding was most prominent in the 1990s due to the popularity of 'stripped down' or minimalist forms of rock music.

[edit] Musical styles

Progressive rock, Death metal, Progressive metal, Thrash metal, and Jazz rock have adapted the style successfully. In general, however, the phrase "shred guitar" has been traditionally associated with heavy metal guitarists. This association has become less common now that modern (evolved) forms of metal have adopted shred guitar; shred guitar is now most commonly seen in the power metal, progressive metal and death metal genres.

[edit] Techniques

Guitar playing techniques commonly involved in shredding are:

* Alternate-picking
* Tapping
* Legato
* Sweep-picking

The most basic and probably most common form of shredding involves ascending and descending a two- or three-octave scale or mode at a fast tempo. This "lick" can be played by picking all of the notes (alternate-picking), or just the first and/or second note of a string (legato). This format is very versatile, and is easy to incorporate other patterns or licks into. Sweep-picking is commonly used to play arpeggios across the fret board. Tapping is also often used to play arpeggios, but is not limited to just that.

[edit] Bass shredding

Shredding on upright bass and bass guitar is much more rarely seen due to the mainly supporting role of bass and the difficulty of the techniques involved. Stanley Clarke is considered to be the first bass shredder, using a similar technique on both upright and bass guitar: Clarke-style shredding is done by continuously raking three or four picking fingers across two or three strings while barring the strings in use and sliding up, then down the neck. Another technique, more similar to guitar shredding, is very rapidly ascending then descending a two- or three-octave scale, but playing each note. An example of modern bass shredding is some of the "show-off" works by Manowar bass player Joey DeMaio, such as his cover of "Flight of the Bumblebee", titled "Sting of the Bumblebee" as well as various filling segments from live shows. Another example a bass shred musician is Billy Sheehan. He is known to incorporate many techniques used for guitar into his playing bass. Bass shredding is generally considered to be more difficult than guitar shredding because of the bigger scale length of the bass and the strength required to pluck and fret decent sounding notes.

[edit] Gear

In terms of shred gear, most shredders use Stratocaster-style electric solidbodies (like Ibanez, Jackson, or Ernie Ball) with locking tremolo systems (these guitars are commonly referred to as 'superstrats') and also high-gain vacuum tube amplifiers. Various shredders will even use guitars with seven, eight (such as in the case of Rusty Cooley) or more strings to add more range of notes as well as to better display their virtuosity.

[edit] Resurgence in popularity

In recent years shred guitar has seen a resurgence in popularity. Modern shredders such as Francesco Fareri and Rusty Cooley have managed to gain notoriety on the internet, leading to wider audiences through publications in guitar orientated magazines. Modern bands such as DragonForce have helped bring technical guitar playing to the mainstream, and even acts like The Darkness, while not playing shred, contributed to the trend by making a guitar-heavy sound widely acceptable again, in what used to be a dance- and electronic- dominated culture. A style deemed 'uncool' or excessive in the 1990s is now commonplace in most emerging modern metal bands, in particular bands of the power metal genre are keen to incorporate shred guitar solos into their music.

The increase in availability of free guitar tuition on the internet (through websites like Shredaholic and 'The Shred Zone') has made it more accessible for learning guitarists to develop the high degree of technical ability required for shred guitar, which in turn has also helped boost the popularity of the genre. Also web sites like 'TruthInShredding' which feature current and undiscovered guitar players often help aspiring instrumental artists trying to get heard. Podcasts such as Bieber Labs even feature music with permission of the artists.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shred_guitar
Here is the basic understanding of shred for those wonder if it fits in. It's not all about speed like some think. A few do that and they suck.

[Shaolin-Style]

The two front guys in dragonforce deserve some mention, especially the asian one.

[Spurminator]

Fuck it...I'll just let Prince show you himself...

Clip of Prince nuking a legendary Eric Clapton solo(from a Beatles orginal no less) off the face of the earth and erasing it from everyone's memory for all time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nOtQzPCqvE


The sick thing is...he probably didn't even rehearse that solo and might never have even played that song before.


Nice find. I saw that when it was on TV.

[Spurminator]

I'm a huge Dream Theater fan, but John Pettrucci's work has gotten a little tame recently. They're still all about Mike Portnoy.