Guthrie Govan plays: Who's Best?

[@DiegoPujolT]

The best thing about Guthrie (for me), is that even when he can mimic almost any guitar player on the planet, and play any style of music at a very high level, he still has a very unique style and sound, and has a musicality that very few else do. He can be any player he wants, but he prefers to be Guthrie Govan.

[@spodurtehsulvirnab1002]

+Diego Pujol well said !

[@judahbenhur5820]

+Diego Pujol Best coment about any guitar player ever. Fuck, you are right man

[@Typhoongd]

+Diego Pujol haha so fucking true

[@kmanmcshane]

Yeah, well said, I don't know what he's like at boom chick style, like Chet Atkins Tommy Emmanuel. Not saying he can't, I'd Just love to see him doing it , it's generally a whole life to master it, but if there's any one who could do it quicker it's Guthrie.

[@lev18b]

The part where he mimics Knopler is divine! Down to the smallest nuance of his playing.

[@Brandon18valensi]

Best guitar player of the world Guthrie Govan

[@jamessullivan9574]

Shawn Lane is.....

[@CosmosArchipelago]

James Sullivan Shawn lane is so under appreciated. He was a legit alien. Everyone needs to listen to his work. The live set at ATL Drum shop on KZbin is insane. Jeff sipe on drums an hellborg on bass.

[@FSMusic86]

@@CosmosArchipelago i know Shawn Lanes work longer than I know Govans. Still Guthrie is hands down the better guitarist and I'm not talking about technique. You have to listen to all of his stuff, then you will realise.

[@faggotsmoker9588]

@@jamessullivan9574 he died

[@Alexo1954]

To those complaining that Guthrie is a mimic only, listen to a few albums or concerts of The Aristocrats. He does have his own style. Don't expect any fancy light show and screaming girls in front of the stage, though; they're so good, they don't need that. However, to those complainers, I point out that Guthrie can play in the style of many other greats, so he does. But how many of those greats can play in the style of others as he does? Probably none of them; that's the difference.

[@HowardH2008]

Some would call that mimicing ...me I call it RANGE! And yes he has his own style big time...Guthrie is just flat out Mr. Guitar.

[@dinospumoni663]

Best chord voicings - Guthrie Govan Best use of capo - Guthrie Govan Best strumming - Guthrie Govan Best use of E-Bow or sustaining device - Guthrie Govan Best vibrato - Guthrie Govan Best string bending - Guthrie Govan Best finger picking - Guthrie Govan Best hybrid picking - Guthrie Govan Best tapping - Guthrie Govan Best palm muting - Guthrie Govan Best sweep picking - Guthrie Govan Best speed, Best alternate picking, Best string skipping - Guthrie Govan Best pinched harmonics - Guthrie Govan Best use of an effect - Guthrie Govan Best legato - Guthrie Govan Best fretting hand reach, Best use of harmonics - Guthrie Govan Best use of slide - Guthrie Govan Best feel - Guthrie Govan Best timing - Guthrie Govan Most creative/experimental player, Best use of whammy bar, Overall winner - Jimi.

[@Staunomat]

You wouldn't know rock if it hit you in the dick

[@davidnujic]

Paul Gilbert xD

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

Govan has awful pinch harmonics, often out of context with the music.

[@acook213]

@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 your mom has awful pinch harmonics

[@JuanEugui]

@@acook213 you've said it best, brother!

[@SmoothCriimiinal]

Guthrie does a better Malmsteen than Malmsteen does Malmsteen these days...

[@rlawrence71]

This never fails to impress. To have the range to mimic all these players is astounding.

[@gitarmats]

Guthrie is so overpowered.

[@ברש-ל4ל]

You are the legend

[@TheMatheusraimundo]

The Best Flamenco guitar, EVER... Paco de Lucia!!!

[@RadicalTone]

Wow, unbelievable! That was really incredible to hear each player captured so accurately. Well done, very well done! Michael Lewis

[@DaveySkate]

to me... Guthrie... you are the greatest guitarist of all time... and probably ever

[@jamessullivan9574]

No..... Shawn Lane is.

[@ghfdt368]

I love this video not because of who's "best", but because its a wonderful celebration of how unique every one of these legends are. They all have their own personalities musicality and voices that make them who they are when they play. There is no best here, they are all legends and revered for a reason, and Guthrie does an incredible job imitating them all here.

[@1nzi]

Best at falling off stage - The Edge

[@juandela3549]

I thought that was Petrucci lol

[@BassOutcast]

Dave Grohl too

[@shysingh]

Musicality is truly a spirit .. Guthrie surely channels the spirit of the instrument that these players themselves did.. It's all about feeling it. Nice work.. Great Tribute

[@Malote17]

The Paul Gilbert part sounds INCREDIBLE. Almost like Gilbert himself played it. I won't judge Guthrie like a non-feeling-shreder anymore, as I did in the past.

[@abirhossain7980]

Listen to erotic cakes. Anyone can be listed as a top guitarist (and musician) if he/she has studied and learned everything from that only one album.

[@nachocdp]

the section between The Edge and BB king is awesome. The phrases in King's style are awesome

[@TheMatheusraimundo]

Tommy Emanuel the best finger and arrangement guitar!!! Fenomenal pra caralho, porra!!!

[@Vigilant_Guardian]

superb to find this in 2024 thanks for sharing with generations of the world!!!

[@yeezy69]

Guthrie played 20 other artists styles but can these 20 artists play Guthrie Govan's style

[@simonebellisario3682]

No, because some of them are dead

[@deniqz]

@@simonebellisario3682 lol

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

Most of this guys licks are built upon these players. The tapping, pinch harmonics, whammy bar tricks, fast picked runs etc etc

[@yeezy69]

@@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504 I know, but I meant his own sound, vibe, tone

[@pleasepermitmetospeakohgre1504]

@@yeezy69 I don't think he has his own recognisable style, or feel.

[@MrTarakrigia]

Guthrie is really something. Has no bounds in style and flavour. Love him.

[@SuperRos80]

john scofield is impossible to imitate...but guthrie is a monster !

[@nikolaibelenski9716]

Hendrix is harder to imitate.

[@lootsorrow]

if any video has ever needed or could benefit hugely from annotations, this is it! very cool video though. I thought it was just sound bytes of the guitarists being dubbed in with some excellent editing until I read the descrip, so kudos to guthrie :)

[@joshuaallgood7030]

I'm surprised John McLaughlin or Shawn Lane didn't win best alternate picking. Don't get me wrong, I think Paul Gilbert I a monster, but I usually associate him more with string-skipping, which he did deserve. Also, I think Shawn Lane deserved best speed. If I were to add another category, I would put best economy picking, which Frank Gambale more than deserves.

[@joshuaallgood7030]

That is true.

[@CloudsBeyond]

Frank Gambale? He plays 100% Musical Flatulence! He is technically good but otherwise an all round joke with an incredible ability to play around a note all night long without ever actually hitting it!

[@joshuaallgood7030]

***** With that logic, I guess this could apply to Allan Holdsworth as well. I honestly find nothing wrong with playing outside, for I think if done well, it could sound really cool. However, I do understand where you are getting at. Frank Gambale isn't a personal favorite of mine either, but I do respect his economy picking technique.

[@CloudsBeyond]

Joshua Allgood Joke players like Guthrie Govan & Frank Gambale will NOT be remembered in 100 years time - as guitar players, composers or anything else. End of story! They have technical skills sure but other than that are bloody dreadful, Guthrie is one of the most boring live players on the scene today - they once filmed him & thought the cameras were broken & stuck on still pause - as he stood still for so long.

[@achaarpickler]

You have a point. Guthrie is one of the few who can play Mclaughlin, Lane and Gambale music..........

[@HugoStrife]

Thanks for the info! I still think he doesn't have to regret for doing this, he did a good job mimicking guitarists with such different styles.

[@deanhallett2065]

Interestingly, Jeff Beck seems to be the hardest to imitate, rather than the shreddy guys like Malmsteen and Gilbert - Guthrie nails them to a T.

[@GHOSTFREAK1995]

Their style is closer to Guthrie's style, it's easier for him to mimic them.

[@SDA7337]

more and more lately Jeff Beck is blowing my mind. I guess I'm a latecomer. He is a monster player for sure. Another thing notable about him is that he seems to be getting better as the years go by, I can't think of many others wherein that is the case.

[@TheMorfiend]

Damn that's pretty much the best guitar compilation i've ever heard, just the right amount of shredding and blues. Fannytastic.

[@GrislySatsuma]

and dimebag Darrel? best use of whammy bar.

[@meddelhed]

no.

[@GrislySatsuma]

meddelhed yes.

[@DaveMundaine]

lol, soo good, the steve vai 'whammy that almost makes it' was such an awesome touch-excellent nod, there. and wtf is that sick sweep/tap(?) run at 2:45- during the gilbert part, after the string skipping thing-insane!

[@jonathanspengler8913]

He didnt play sloppy enough to be the 'edge'....

[@1madaboutguitar]

Leave it out the Edge is great ;-)

[@irena7777777]

1madaboutguitar When it comes to playing sloppy, Alex Lifeson probably takes the top spot, but maybe the guy from U2 has the Edge...

[@diegoechevarria8752]

You meant "bad" enough

[@nihilanthropus]

fredo gumbo where did that come from? Lifeson is not sloppy, and never was!

[@ashutoshgoit9540]

fredo gumbo lifeson's not sloppy son. He is much more clear and polished player.

[@JohnthePiratexXx]

omg those sweeps XD... that string-skipping lick! this whole piece is so beautiful. oh sweet Jesus. Guthrie is epic

[@akinkavukoglu]

best guitarist:GUTHIRE GOVAN

[@Gmanrushfan]

I LOVED this...it was so fun hearing Guthrie do all these guitarists... it makes you appreciate how the true legends ALL have their own unique voice. I hope young players eventually get that, as opposed to just learning note for note solos from others and posting the clips here on KZbin...not that that's a bad thing.

[@praymun]

awesooome!!!! but stevie isn't there!!! :(

[@Hafer_]

stevie who?

[@giovannipasinetti417]

Payaso Volador ray v.

[@trustno1481]

THE GUY THAT MADE THIS VIDEO DOEN´S KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT ROCK!! BEST ROCK MAN- ANY GUITARIST EXCEPT GOVAN GOVAND DOESN´T PLAY ROCK... GOVAN IS A GUY THAT PLAYS FUNK AND FUSION. FUNK AND FUSSION AREN´T ROCK. SUCK MY COCK FUNK FANBOYS!!

[@MichaelGodinho]

I have been listening to this video several times. This is so amazing Guthrie can sound like just anybody. From blues palyers to fusion artists, chicken pickers to speed pickers, high brid pickers....... This is a lot of time taking, peseverience, ditermination and endurence to last as a guitar player of to date. You hear the results. This is a great inspiration to me as a musician. Thankyou for sharing!! Wishing you success and peace, joy & the happiness music brings.. :-)

[@newaysonly]

Guthrie is the best.....

[@soulstice99]

when he gets to pete townshend, i almost shed a tear. so much warmth and harmony in that strumming.

[@arturitoaav]

Best use of pentatonic scale: SRV

[@Soldier1287]

johnson too. big penta guy but also, use of thick ass strings I hear. 14 guage

Winners of the Winter 2010 Edition of UK Guitar Mag are: Best of chord voicings, use of capo, strumming, use of E-Bow or sustaining device, vibrato, string bending, finger picking, hybrid picking, tapping, palm muting, sweep picking, speed, Best alternate picking, Best string skipping, pinched harmonics, use of an effect, legato, fretting hand reach, Best use of harmonics, use of slide, feel, timing, creative/experimental player, Best use of whammy bar, Overall winner - Guthrie Govan

[@ET505]

Multiple personality disorder.

[@kaiselkamish9904]

haha, xD

[@diegoacostamarquez3122]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Deathshuck]

The Eddie Van Halen-Al Di Meola bridge gives me shivers every time. Everything was played pretty spot-on, although there's some really stupid categories on that poll. "Best strumming", "Best feel"...

[@markbowden85]

I'm gona say it and people are gona kill me but I have to its killing me i really don't see the big deal with Hendrix yes he is good but come on! people keep referring back to Hendrix saying if it wasn't for him the world of music would be upside down,I think it just gone on long enough and seems to be more of a habit for people saying he is the best, I just think he needs to be taken down from this no1 spot and let sombody else take his place,now I'm saying this in the nicest way as possible, for example if jimi was on stage with srv both at there prime of there talent srv would blow jimi off stage hands down that's one example, but it would be great if sombody could explane to me why jimi is still at number 1 please don't give a simple awnser like he just is or nobody can sound like him that would be too simple cheers, let the blood bath begin ha ☺️

[@scyphe]

markbowden85 what's the point? if you don't get it you simply don't get it. no point in tryint to convince you otherwise.

[@markbowden85]

Don't get me wrong I think he is a good guitarist and I respect people's opinion on jimi, but I would have seen him as more of a lyricist and a damn fine good one at that, one of the best that there has ever been.but that's just my opinion

[@chrisdick2305]

+markbowden85 You may not be old enough to understand how innovative he was when he came along. He just pulled sounds out of the electric guitar no one had ever, ever come close to creating before. I saw him live in 1969, and after playing and listening all these years, I still reference that day as one of the musical highlights of my life. There is no greatest guitarist ever, that list mania is sublimely silly. but Stevie Ray andJjohn Mayer and other great players would not sound like they do if they hadn't grown up loving Jimi.

[@scyphe]

+markbowden85 I guess the question here is what variables you attribute to being a "great" guitarist. Technique? Innovation? Song writing skills on guitar?... and so on. You also have to take into consideration when, how and where any given guitarist/artist worked, what set them apart from other artists. With Hendrix there simply wasn't anyone even remotely close to that. While Hendrix may seem partly sloppy in many concerts (depending on song) mainly due to his focus on artistry, obvious technical issues (strat going out of tune every time he used the tremolo or bent the strings) and various other reasons he was a true beast when it came to working on songs and recording them. He was really prepared and played in ways most of us can't copy convincingly even today. But... in the end it leads up to subjective opinion. Your opinions are as valid for you as my opinions are to me. To each other they are not particularly valid as far as personal taste is concerned. However, if you begun digging deeper into the treasures of Jimi Hendrix you may find that red thread that many of us see which made us fans. There are guitarists today that can play 100x faster or have techniques (complex sweep techniques etc.) that some see as wizards. However, technique and skills doesn't make a great musician, there are more components and levels to it.

[@ZEGO24x]

Couldn't agree more...

[@111chazz]

You are a wise man indeed my friend both musically and verbally. I think you do this clip the ultimate justice. ROKON.

[@nikolaibelenski9716]

He managed to sound like van halen but not hendrix.The black pirate will always be no.1

[@parityviolation968]

+NIKOLAI BELENSKI well, i agree with the assessment that his hendrix performance was the worst of the list. but i choose to believe it's more due to the poor choice of song and guitar... maybe a stratocaster and a little more groovy song could have been more fitting. And i disagree with the assessment of hendrix being no.1. i like his music, the bass, the drums and his playing of course... It's nearly impossible to find music as impressive and with these grooves as his within mainstream music at the time. But when it comes to guitar playing and considering him to be no.1 i´m convinced that this opinion was born and nurtured within a self-referencing perspective within mainstream media in conjunction with the people raised and socialized by that perspective.... Even at the time, folks like John Mclaughlin or even George Benson (just to name a few, there are more, i know) were far more sophisticated in technical as well as harmonic skills or genre-variety. Up until today, there are probably dozens of guitar players with more feeling, virtuosity and harmonic skillsets than Hendrix ever had.

[@joeylodes]

This guy is great! nailed everyone! AND knew to close it all out with JIMI. Bravo Guthrie!!!!!!!

[@loboferozloboferoz]

David Gilmour .... clean sound, well-defined melody, exact ... The more few notes, the better Guthrie is a monster but the abuse of "virtuosity" (rain notes) often saturates the listener. I think so........... (google translator)

[@miguex1234567]

Agree with you!

[@perromanchado]

Brilliant video, brilliant playing!!

[@armanthebes]

im

[@fernando6cuerdas]

man, you are just awesome, great playing!!!

[@nihilanthropus]

I just don't get this whole Hendrix thing. He wasn't THAT good ffs. There were dozens of players better than him at any aspect even at his prime. WTF are people thing about?!

[@doubop]

AMAZING, we can catch the guitarist feel only by hearing...very strong work

[@creatinovic]

best soloing: John Petrucci

[@creatinovic]

***** yes

[@haharsrsVITINHO]

***** yes ;)

[@DeadGlassEyes]

Not even close.

[@nikolaibelenski9716]

***** without lane and gilbert's alternate picking,there would'nt have been a petrucci.

[@nikolaibelenski9716]

***** sure petrucci has written brillant solos but they don't seem as innovative as jimi and all the big guys.

[@theperpetuallyannoyed4074]

Guthrie can do anything... ❤️😂😘

[@guitarrasco]

HOwever AWESOME playing. THank you for Posting. It is human nature to compare/compete, however musically for me no one is better than the other, to me its entertainment and is style and is personal voice (guitar sound) development.

[@nirvana613]

this is absolutely brilliant !

[@VinceDarnellBlair]

wow!! a guitarist comes along every once in a while, to raise the bar

[@TheSpoonman00]

Putting Eric Johnson in the front of the jam was, IMO, the best way to start off. Really hooks you in for the rest of the song. Townshend's piece definitely reminded me of Pinball Wizard

[@thorolse]

Great vid, superb playing by Guthrie.

[@DrewAnti1960]

this is great ,wow real nice,thanks for the share Mr Mad

[@donald-parker]

Laughed out loud when the Jeff beck bit started. Music always strives for emotion, but a sense of humor is SO important. GG gets it.

[@ndrea232]

I like this list. In particular, the roules assigned to Eric Johnson, Gilmour, Vai, Paul Gilbert, Tom Morello and John Scofield.

[@GraysonErhard]

Wow this poll is actually phenomenally accurate.

[@zsoltpalatinus1117]

Absolutely amazing impressions all across the board. Guthrie is no one trick pony, apparently :)

[@KingJerbear]

Love the Mark Knopfler bit... of course I love the rest of them too :)

[@sdylte]

awesome idéa!

[@Barefootterry]

More Please

[@FarshTaran]

is there maybe a video of this???? so fucking awesome!!!!!!11111

[@JoseStev]

Seen Guthrie a few times never ever seen him take a chilled out solo! Would really like to see one

[@Growlycake]

I'm sure I have one of his 'solo school' articles somewhere where the solo is in a pretty laid back pop/jazz style - might have to try & dig it out.

[@BrantFortunate]

Guthrie you beast! Nice upload.

[@joapguitar]

@MrTHEcrock yeah you are right... I think he is even being a little forgotten throughout the years!

[@roshomoypod1]

mr govan, i would give anything in the world to be able to play like you. i dont mean imitate, i mean to have your knowledge, skill ,taste and passion. you sir are incredible

[@orugamanagement4993]

There’s a lot of legends missing in this video but no one is best it’s all about taste! George benson Scat solo Allan holdsworth Tosin abasi double slap Paco de Lucía flamenco Santana Richie kotzen open strings fusión fingerpicking wide intervals etc Greg Howe fusion Stanley Jordan piano guitar Jimmy page with his violin bow Jason Becker whammy feel Shawn lane crazy shreds Brian May Etc etc etc

[@Thiaghen1]

Putz cara...isso é maravilhoso! Amazing! Wonderful! Awesome! Bueno!

[@incidentalist]

Amazing work, this guy!! Best BB King solo ever played!

[@capillarian187]

So true. That guy took it to a whole new level.

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

This guy is phenomenal but I found it telling that the least convincing impersonation was Jimi. That's what still sets James Marshall apart from all the others. His total uniqueness of personality which was expressed via his guitar and the fact that all the others were incredible at playing the guitar but Jimi was the guitar and the guitar was him.

[@TheMatheusraimundo]

Johnny Winter, the best hard blues riff's and lick's. The best hard slide frases!!!

[@brandon1492]

WOW. Gotta love Mr. Govan

[@faminore7ufesh5]

amazing!!!!!!! i appreciate guthrie even more now!!!!

[@sabbathgodsofmetal]

This really just proves how incredible Guthrie is while honoring the people that made him great at the same time.

[@Moozart]

Yeah! His picking is amazing.

[@dronai]

I was lucky enough to see him while watching an Asia concert 2 years ago in San Juan Capistrano, California. I was amazed at his playing. He looked like a young Robert Plant because of the hair.

[@Metallica4everPL]

Amazing playing. Yngwie part is my favorite

[@dajuker]

I love this effort. Anyone know if it's downloadable anywhere? I'd love to get this on my iPod and blast it in my truck.

[@TelevizorPro]

Any suggestions? Eric Johnson - cliffs of dover James Taylor - Pete Townsend - The Edge - BB King - Blues boys tune David Gilmour - comfortably numb Mark Knopfler - Sutlans of swing Albert Lee - Eddie Van Halen - Hot for teacher

[@stoofbuis]

a poll is always what it is.The fact that you (Guthrie) can mix all these styles in one great piece of music,makes you one of the top guitarplayers living today.I Always try to appreciate the choices,people make,...but it is kind of strange to me,that people seem to been forgotten what a great talent Shawn Lane was,not being on the list......

[@snakeweirdo]

Great list

[@hatmanhg]

it's not the only thing.. but he is so flexable that he can manage all styles... check out "wonderful slippery thing" for instans ^^ that one is really awsomme!!

[@krookiemonster2673]

everything i love about guitar in one song..

[@TheMatheusraimundo]

The Best Madness guitar, Buckethead and Ron Thall (Bumblefoot)!!!

[@guruprasadiyer]

Gilmour's patch bought tears in my eyes.....btw who is the first guy Guthrie covering?

[@GHOSTFREAK1995]

Eric Johnson

[@RahulBasu6886]

#ericjohnsonisGod 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@TheFiggRig]

This is the very first time I've ever wished there was a 6th star to click on for a youtube rating. That was amazing! I could have guessed at most of those just by the awesome job he did at sounding just like them.

[@KenFarnham]

This is Guthrie's humble way of letting us know that he pwns just about any guitar player on earth. GG FTW!

[@Shredsomemore]

I can agree with you on regarding the use of slide, but how can you have a competition in "capo-use"? That's like having a competition in using 24-fretted guitars.

[@Growlycake]

You folks may already have heard it but there's a short demo of the MK50 amp on the Cornford website which features Guthrie in Yngwie-mode, called 'Ridiculous!' aptly enough.

[@FenderStrat349]

Just brilliant

[@TheMatheusraimundo]

The Best Crazy open D guitarrist, crazy slide, and Musicality Mr. Bob Brozman!!!

[@112358miau]

@betttola There's other list with Clapton. I cant remember if Page was there.

[@stevemaddock5139]

A walking guitar encyclopedia !!!!!!

[@zxcvmjg]

THIS IS SO AWSEOME