by Michael Rampa

Created on: March 13, 2009

This is a topic plagued by conflicting measurements; an inherent cross between technical proficiency and personal taste exists. Eddie Van Halen may be a better technical player than say, Richie Blackmore, but you may not like VH's stuff. Clapton and Hendrix are shoe ins. One of the signs of a great player is the uniqueness their sound gives the band and hence their inherent value. I tackle such players here. Rank numbers are interchangeable

Former Dire Straits front man Mark Knopfler has the most distinctive sound due to what's known as the "Knopfler technique" Mark is right-handed but uses that hand on the neck, essentially playing left-handed. He said he is able to bend the notes more with this "switch hitting" method. Listen to any track of the live album Alchemy and you'll know exactly what he's talking about. Knopfler is Dire Straits. His supporting cast, while competent enough is certainly not an outstanding ensemble. Knopfler does all the writing and singing. His soundtracks include The Princess Bride; Wag the Dog and the unforgettable Cal. His playing is instantly recognizable be it with the band or his work with the Notting Hillbillies or Chet Akins on Neck and Neck. He is my vote for #1

Fleetwood Mac tried to replace Lindsey Buckingham with three players and failed miserably. For never having had a lesson, he plays a nylon string acoustic as well as any classically trained player and his solo on "I'm So Afraid" will send chills through your body. A bit of an eccentric (just look at old flame Stevie Nicks) his solo stuff is at once entertaining, vibrant and melancholy. From the lighthearted "Holiday Road" featured in the National Lampoon Vacation movie to the introspective and haunting "Cast Away Dreams" off his latest release "Under the Skin" Buckingham is a player of many styles and he is the soul of Fleetwood Mac. They could have tried 10 guitarists to replace him. Still wouldn't be effective. Just listen to "Big Love" It sounds like there are 10 players on that track alone, but it is only Buckingham's deft digits. He comes in at #2

While I'll get lots of flack for putting Clapton at #3, let me restate that numbers are interchangeable. Rank these guys in any order you want, a classic blues player Clapton's work with Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers is groundbreaking indeed. He transitions well into any era. Take his 80s works, August and Behind the Sun. The 1990s brought us "Pilgrim" which contains the melancholy Tears in Heaven and My Father's Eyes. He plays Layla acoustically with as much power as with his Strat

Likewise, David Gilmour gives Pink Floyd its unique sound. His playing is a little more soulful than Clapton's mainly due to the nature of Floyd's big sound influenced by the psychedelic era

What can be said about Stevie Ray Vaughn? Clapton said it to Knopfler the first time both saw him play when Eric uttered "We're in trouble."

The two most underrated players are Prince and Vince Gill. Prince's live work is remnant of Hendrix with lots of echo and speed. Speaking of Hendrix put him where you will; never has there been a bigger pioneer of an instrument than Jimi. Vince Gill boasts the best acoustic guitar solo ever on "Aimee" when he was with Pure Prairie League His prowess with a Telecaster is unmatched in the genre.

As for female artists, hands down Bonnie Raitt whose forte is slide playing. Long live the queen. Contemporary country artist Terri Clark picks a mean axe as well.

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