Yeah, I'd like to have seen Kevin Shields in there.

But he'd probably fit better in the "total musical genius who happens to play guitar factor".

This seems to have more of a muso slant.

Erm, Kevin Shields is in there.

I voted for Noel Gallagher 😉

I was tempted by Bob Mould, I do love Husker Du. You've really never heard Dinosaur JR?

Where is Francis Rossi for cripes sake¿

I would say yes, obviously. There must be some on youtube / spotify / whatever you can check out!

LOL, did you really get annoyed at that?

Slash for the win.

– If I'm not mistaken he started his career in the 70's with Taste? I think the idea of the poll is to give credit to more recent guitarists, so although the usual obvious ones like Clapton, Beck, Page etc. played during last 30 years they started their careers earlier so don't count.

You fancy Jack White?

You fancy Jack White?

"Fancy" alone cannot convey my feelings

"No Yngwie Malmsteen? Pah!"

Uh oh, they've unleashed the ****ing fury!

NickC, on the one hand I can sort of see your point, on the other it's exactly as good now that she's left so giving her credit for that seems a bit off… If they wanted to stick in a token female, maybe Elena Robinson from Viva Voce, she's pretty fantastic.

I voted Matt Bellamy, anyway, a pretty amazing guitarist when you just look at the playing, huge technical ability but also creativity and style, and he understands sometimes less is more unlike your EVHs and Yngwies… but his use of FX etc raises that to another level for me, basically he doesn't just play guitar (like the Edge, except, well, better).

Bottom line is I think he could play anything anyone in that list can play, when he sets his mind to it, but there's nobody else there that could play everything he could. And he's not even done learning yet, the swine 🙁

i thought they were axing 6 music? i'd vote for that

And no Randy Rhodes. I voted for Slash. Was Tony Iomi in there???

This is the reason, she's perhaps not the greatest, but standing in a crowd of Ash fans as they start playing Burn baby burn, needs to be experienced, it's not just about ability…

She's not even the main guitarist in Ash, Tim Wheeler is.

– people thinking Charlotte Hatherly is one of the best guitarists of the last 30 years is also a reason why people with no knowledge of how to play the instrument should perhaps not be allowed to vote. She is average at best.

I'm no fan of "fretboard wankery", but surely being a great guitarist should involve some sort of ability at actually playing the instrument?

Bollox, Schmollox!

– Yes, but the true great guitarists combine that with a great ability to play and an understanding of their instrument and the craft of learning it. The pole is not about great songwriters, frontmen or just great bands, its about great guitarists. Contrary to popular opinion the Punk guys could also play, Steve Jones and Mick Jones are great guitarists, for example.

Being an average guitarist in a great band does not make you a great guitarist, being a great songwriter does not make you a great guitarist. Jimi Hendrix was not just technically a great guitarist, he was a sonic innovator at the time, as was Jeff Beck, as was Clapton. As is Matt Bellamy, as is Johnny Marr, as is John Squire etc. But they are also technically very good at playing their instruments, thats what makes them them truly great.

It appears I can't vote for me

also a reason why people with no knowledge of how to play the instrument should perhaps not be allowed to vote

Right Ok, I can play the guitar, so that's all right then. I'm allowed

Personally I think it's a generational thing, it's about where your musical big-bang happened, for me that was Punk, music that grabbed you by both ears, gave you a Glasgow kiss, robbed you of your loose change and rummaged down the front of your trousers for good measure, then left you, a sweaty bruised mess humping the floor. "Fretboard wankery" is an advised term, 'cos that's what it is, ****. 5 minute self indulgent guitar solos so beloved of the prog rock and 70 metal era is just some bloke on stage ****, all he's saying is "Look at the size of my cock". It has nothing to do with music, more notes in a given space of time isn't a measure of good music. Never has been never will be.

That's why guitarists like Charlotte are there, and Cobain, listen to the opening of "Come as you are" is sooo simple a child could play it, but it sends shivers down your spine, a song like that. And technical music can never do that, it's interesting in a chin stroking way, but it can't compete with feeling, and never will.