Top 10 Best Acoustic Guitarists
rednile1
1 José Feliciano José Montserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945), better known simply as José Feliciano, is a Puerto Rican virtuoso guitarist, singer, and composer.
Nothing but good songs, cords and memories.
Jose is the most versatile guitarist ever! There is nothing he cannot play! He moves me like no other! He can make one guitar sound like an orchestra! Self taught, passionate and always entertaining. His voice also is wonderful..if you only knew Jose for Doors cover Light My Fire, then think again!
A guitar virtuoso has performed with the world best recognized symphony orchestras and with his own band. Even George Benson re-recorded his Affirmation.
He has performed with the best symphony orchestras worldwide and his own band. He is a genius in music. He still doing strong in Europe and Latin America Markets.
2 Tommy Emmanuel William Thomas "Tommy" Emmanuel is an Australian guitarist, songwriter, and singer, best known for his complex fingerstyle technique, energetic performances, and the use of percussive effects on the guitar.
Simply technically brilliant and innovative
Tommy Emmanuel is a brilliant guitar player. The speed with which he moves up and down the neck is breathtaking. He's a great technician. But he's not a musician. A musician uses their talent and skill to draw attention to the music, with Tommy it's the other way around.
Just saw him last night. Incredible virtuosity...it's like he "lives" the guitar. And the stylistic range is beyond compare; he can rip through "Guitar Boogie" or play a slow ballad with equal ease. And while there's certainly great showmanship in his performances, there's no excess...you get Tommy, a guitar, and a mike.
Many ways to judge a guitar player. Tommy shows that practice practice practice can combined with passion that only he knows creates exactly what you see, when you see him live. Time slows down, and you watch a man become totally committed to the art. There are no doubt better songwriters, but I have never seen anybody work as hard and be able to hit every note, create any possible sounds that can come from a acoustic guitar and succeed in making you feel what he is feeling at the same time
3 Eric Clapton Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos.
His Unplugged album proves exactly why he is the most versatile guitarist to ever exist. From a Gibson to a Fender to Martin Acoustic Guitars playing Blues, Rock, Reggae and countless other genres on them, Clapton is a God at them all!
Ok I know he is known for his electric stuff but everyone knows his "Unplugged" album. Listen and watch. He is also one of the best acoustic guitarists of all time. Any guitar list without him is bogus. Come on folks at least top ten. There are Grammys for a reason!
Should be above talentless Ginger Ed Sheeran! - guyritchi
Well he's a better elec guitar player than acoustic, but doesn't mean that he's not talented at acoustic.
4 Stephen Stills Stephen Arthur Stills is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
5 James Taylor James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He is one of the best-selling artists of all time, and he has sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Probably one of the most influential acoustic artists of all time.
Crisp and clean
6 Roger McGuinn James Roger McGuinn known professionally as Roger McGuinn and previously as Jim McGuinn, is an American musician.
7 Phil Keaggy
I think Phil is technically better than most others but no one is as good at writing a melody, which makes his music so pleasing and evocative. I've seen him live three times and each time left feeling like I have wasted my life because I did not pursue what I loved like Phil has.
The Greatest Acoustic Guitarist of All-time! No one can match his Excellence! - Nirmal1991USA
Nobody is even in Michael Hedges league. He reinvented the acoustic guitar.
I have had the joy of working as his sound engineer for a short tour many-many years ago. He is not only the most innovative and improvisational acoustic guitarist I have ever worked with (and I do have a few to my credit), He is also the nicest man you would ever want to meet. I had played guitar at the time for about 10 years. He asked me one time, "Do you play guitar? " After watching him play every night what could I say? "No, Phil, not at all! "
Phil now has 75 albums actually. My brother has every one. Two other fantastic guitarists are classical master Christopher Parkening and (of course) John Petrucci of Dream Theater. Vastly different but both world class musicians. Phil Keaggy, in my opinion, could keep up with...not better than, not even as good as...but could keep up with BOTH Parkening and Petrucci. That's how good and versatile he is.
8 Gordon Lightfoot Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music. He is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s.
Underappreciated. - Billyv
9 Dave Mason
He is the acoustic counterpoint to Hendrix's lead on to original recording of "All Along the Watchtower"; simply brilliant.
Mason has said in interviews that Hendrix was incredibly demanding of perfection during the recording sessions.
10 Paco de Lucia Francisco Gustavo Sánchez Gomez, known as Paco de Lucía, was a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist, composer and producer.
May be the best of all time.
No one is as good as Paco! This guy is a pioneer.
The best acoustic guitar all time!
Amazing and so cool. When are you coming to Canada?
11 Leo Kottke
Shows how many of these top ten lists are strictly popularity contests. He should be much higher on the list. A truly unique artist.
None better. Should be number one.
#1 of all time!
12 Michael Hedges
Michael was the best tap, rhythmic guitarist as well as melodic combining classical techniques. He shall forever be the best Acoustic guitarist in my opinion and the most influential guitarists of our time as well as a great musician/singer.
Had the pleasure of seeing him live 3 times. The most gifted, influential, inspiring artist I have ever seen. His music, passion, energy, and love for life will truly be missed.
Absolutely one of my favorite guitarists, he explored a variety of techniques which have become common place. It's hard to hear how unique he was given the rapid spread of his techniques, and a number of people on this list use those techniques with extra pizzazz (! ). Few catch his emotional depth.
Musicality blended with musical and composition genius, Michael had it all and shared it with us.
13 Sungha Jung
Best not western guitarist known to the west
No words can describe his talents and technique. The complexities are mind blowing! When musicians hear Jung's rendition of their own songs they are even awe stuck at his style and approach. And the kid is young! Imagine the possibilities!
I think Sungha jung should be on top 10 cause his guitar sings the lyrics of every song he wants to cover... Listen to his videos so that you'll know what am talking about
Please help bringing Sungha to the 1st spot guys. He completely deserves it. I mean, look how young he is and even Jason Mraz (one of the best guitarist and a great singer) said that he studied Sungha's style for a whole week and he couldn't exactly do what he does and then he said that its really not easy...
14 Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Simon's fame, influence, and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel.
Number one in everything having to do with music. Genius!
15 Mark Knopfler Mark Freuder Knopfler is a British singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer and film score composer. He is best known for being the frontman of the British band Dire Straits.
Although more known as an electric guitar player, check out "Mark Knopfler showing his magic on acoustic guitar" on YouTube. Probably the most epic ragpicking I've seen.
WHAT IS TO SAY?
16 Ed Sheeran Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk.
What.. Clapton, Page, Slash, Cantrell? Hell, even SRV recorded on an acoustic. PisS on this pop rap playing fool.
Invented the best sounding technique ever.
Are you kidding me? Best ever
17 Richie Sambora Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, singer and songwriter who was the lead guitarist of the rock band Bon Jovi for 30 years. He is known for his work with Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013. He is a very praised guitarist who played solos for songs like Dry County, Stranger ...read more.
18 Chet Atkins Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001), known as "Mr. Guitar" and "The Country Gentleman", was an American musician, occasional vocalist, songwriter, and record producer, who along with Owen Bradley and Bob Ferguson, among others, created the country music style that came to ...read more.
Who else plays two songs at the same time?
His songs are as cool as his name
How is not atkins number 1?
He is the best, period!
19 John Martyn John Martyn, OBE, born as Iain David McGeachy, was a British singer-songwriter and guitarist. Over a 40-year career, he released 21 studio albums, working with artists such as Eric Clapton, David Gilmour and Phil Collins.
John Martyn was a criminally underrated artist, his guitar playing was effortless, innovative and so far ahead of its time. Eric Clapton once quoted that "John Martyn was so far ahead of everyone at the time it was almost inconceivable" His use of an echoplex on live sets needs to be heard to believe, it sounds like you're listening to two guitars at once, incredible.
The song Spencer the Rover is one of my favorits and his style of music is like Nick Drake
Rip a legend, inspired and wrote and sang solid air has never been bettered - rednile1
He floats in the air when he plays
20 Andrés Segovia
Single handedly kept classical guitar alive and trained an entire generation. He won't win popularity contests since he didn't play pop, but he preserved the music, techniques, and passion behind classical guitar. You may not say he is the absolute best based on your preferences, but you can't place anyone above him. Buy the CDs of his lessons, and listen to them daily.
Not a pop music player so he will never get the most votes but just the best.
A W E S O M E technically and spiritually.. His performance of Bach's chaconne, or anything... For me, No. 1!
Ask every single name on this list [the live ones anyway], and they will tell you that Segovia is the GOAT.
21 Estas Tonne
I am speechless, just listen to him
Who compares to his "Internal Flight"? No one. No man.
I'm very sad to see him at 42 :/ He is maybe the most talented guitarist on my opinion. He made the song of the golden dragon what is absolutely beautiful and his playing technique is enjoyable to watch. Everyone should listen the song of the golden dragon.
Estas is the best acoustic guitarist of all the times! Just listen to his Internal Flight. Absolutely amazing! Masterpiece of acoustic guitar songs!
22 Robert Johnson Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians.
The most innovative guitarist of all time. Created a genre that was the foundation of following genres.
With out him blues wouldn't exist which means that rock would not exist which means metal and grudge and hair metal and rap all would not exist.
the king of the delta blues...
23 George Lincoln D'Costa
Oh this guy is here. Can't believe my eyes. There were many reasons why I chose to play guitar. And some of the songs that inspired me was "Poth Chola" Just listen the acoustic guitar intro of this song. Mind blowing. - zxm
24 Richie Havens
Never got past simple bar chords. Does not belong in this or any other guitar lists.
25 Bert Jansch
Like John Martyn very under rated. Still love his cover of 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
26 John Mayer John Clayton Mayer is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Mayer attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but disenrolled and moved to Atlanta in 1997 with Clay Cook. Together, they formed a short-lived two-man band called Lo-Fi Masters.
His talents are mostly overshadowed by his genre of songs being romantic, bluesy, yet kid-like wonder. His early works were very rhythmic with a hybrid of finger picking/plucking style infused with strumming. Eric Clapton was even inspired by it! All very original and difficult yet fun to play if you can. His later works would suffer a bit from his original fans because he chose to chase the more soloist complexities that are mostly afforded to the "real electric guitarist", well, at least one would think. What we can all agree with is John is an amazingly talented guitarist regardless! For those who doubt his real depth I suggest you listen to John's own version of 'Wind Cries Mary' and be lost in his own world filled with wonder and ambrosia.
Killer singer songwriter player! Check out shadow days (acoustic) or 3x5
His not just a good guitarist but a good singer... Rarely seen on this planet
He should be 1st easily...
27 Andy Mckee
The man the myth the legend
Has all the technical skill you could want in playing acoustic guitar and is extremely creative with his music and song writing. One of the best.
Dreamcatcher album is underrated to say the least. Great album from a great artist.
Andy mckee and don ross are the best
28 Django Reinhardt Django Reinhardt is a famous guitarist in the genre of jazz. He lost 2 of his fingers in a fire but carried on with his playing. He later inspired Tony Iommi, the original guitarist of Black Sabbath, to continue playing after he lost his fingertips in a factory accident. His guitar is an acoustic gypsy. ...read more.
Another name with a legitimate claim to the GOAT title. A shame kids today have no idea who he was.
Lets be honest he is number 1
Founder of Gypsy Jazz. Through his influence, the guitar has become an integral part of pop music.
Many great guitarists are influenced and inspired by Django Reinhardt.
The fact that Taylor Swift is above Django Reinhardt completely blow's my mind! He is the greatest acoustic guitarist of all time. Reinhardt and Grapelli created a new genre of music when they played together.
29 Yamandu Costa
The best of all.
Genius of the acoustic 7-string guitar.
A genius of nowadays!
30 Jimmy Page James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
All of his acoustic songs are incredible, my personal favorites are stairway and over the hills and far away
Have you ever listen bron yr aur stomp
31 Al Di Meola Al Di Meola is an American jazz fusion and Latin jazz guitarist, composer, and record producer of Italian origin.
Lol, pathetic to see contemporary artist like Ed Sheeran above Al Di Meola. Kids these days surely does not understand differences in music. I understand that determining the best is very vague, but seriously, thetoptens need to conduct some screening whether the recommended names deserves to be on the list or not
The absolute best
Not one person has taken the level of playing guitar as high as Al. He can read write and compose, play flamenco, jazz, improvisational world music etc. Who else would have written an entire album re-interpreting for guitar the bandoneon played Argentian Tango music of Astor Piazzola. Nobody, No guitar player could even dream of such a task, let alone do it.
32 John Butler John Charles Wiltshire-Butler, professionally known as John Butler, is an Australian singer, songwriter, and music producer. He is the front man for the John Butler Trio, a roots and jam band, that formed in Fremantle, Western Australia in 1998.
Sincerely, there is nothing to say. Listen to album Sunrise Over The Sea and you will remain mouth open!
"Ocean" is a masterpiece you can listen again and again. But best of all, when you watch him playing, you understand how physical it is and how much he has put himself into it. High in emotion.
I listened to Ocean and felt inspired... I learned to play Ocean and I WAS inspired. John Butler is the reason I've become a better player.
Improvisation and overall precision of playing is unbelievable, arguably the best open tuning guitarist out there.
33 Paul Buchannan
Sublime whimsical sad angry everyhing really - rednile1
34 Bob Dylan Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades.
Bob Dylan's has always been a great acoustic guitarist. - zxm
Should be higher
35 Clive Carroll
One of the most creative and original musicians out there. Awesome technique, beautiful music
Incredible talent. And super sweet man. A class act.
Take a look, then decide for yourself.
Or to quote Tommy Emmanuel "one of the best guitarists on the planet"
36 Earl Klugh
Maybe folks haven't really heard his works
Whoever compiled this list has obviously led a very narrow and sheltered life. Earl Klugh ranked at No. 30 is a joke, come on now he makes his guitar talk, listen closely...
He is undoubtedly the best
Who plays nylon string better - rednile1
37 John Williams
Fantastic technique and great versatility across a range of genres.
Transends classical jazz pop - rednile1
Go to youtube for John Williams playing asturias and recuerdos de la alhambra - he was also in the group Sky. Sky had a hit with toccatta.
38 Dave Matthews Dave Matthews is a South African born American singer and guitarist most well known as frontman for the rock band Dave Matthews Band.
Retarded that dave is not in top 10. lol look at his songs: Warehouse, Rhyme and Reason, The Stone and tell me he is not top 10. lol.
Dave is at least top 20
I meant to say copied, not cooied! You get the point I hope!
John Mayer cooied his whole persona! And Mayer is bwfore Dave! Embarassing to say the least list maker person! For shame.
39 Mike Dawes
This man is beyond talented.
This man is on another level. Transcends everything we ever thought was possible on an acoustic guitar. Ed Sheeran at 6? If I was Mr Dawes I would be offended by that.
40 Doc Watson Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was a great fingerstyle and flatpicking guitarist. He wasthe real thing when it came to good old mountain music but expanded into all genres, He is a class act!
41 John Vesely
You did great John Vesely, you are the greatest musicians in the world and you are also an acoustic guitar player who was beautiful voice, so I'm sure if you'll be the first champion of the world
He is very good guitarist acoustic in america on the group band secondhand serenade, let's go, john vesely is my idol in Indonesia he is very excellent singer and guitarist
Come on John Vesely you should be able to outperform the others and you should be positioned on one, your wife
and kids would surely love to see it ok, you are beautiful guitar player, I support you
42 Julian Bream
He can extend and blend his soul to the guitar. Forget about all those flashy stuff other guitarists do. He is the god of classical guitar!
Excuisite challenging and genre busting - rednile1
43 Alan Davison
Bewitching player tells a story never took the praise he warrented - rednile1
44 Ben Howard
Has his own style and sound
If you get a chance, check out his live performance of 'End of the affair' on the Jools Holland show. Absolutely breath and totally unique.
Uses alternate tunings, partial capos, delay pedal, belts into the soundhole of his guitar, bloke is a freak and the best acoustic guitarist on the planet, period.
45 John Fahey John Aloysius Fahey was an American fingerstyle guitarist and composer who played the steel-string acoustic guitar as a solo instrument.
Most of these guys would not be playing if John hadn't had been there first
Should be much, much higher on this list!
46 Tony Rice
Tony Rice should never be out of any legitimate top 5 ever list. He may be the best acoustic player still alive.
Best guitar Player for ever.
Tony is the greatest
Tony...The man!
47 Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash (1932-2003) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author, who was widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide. He died of ...read more.
48 Oystein Sunde
Eric Clapton ones sayd ''I am not the best guitarst in the world, there is one guy in Norway and his name is Øystein Sunde and he is without a doubt the best guitarst in the world''...
49 Nancy Wilson Nancy Lamoureaux Wilson is an American musician, singer, songwriter, producer, and composer. She rose to fame alongside her older sister, singer Ann Wilson, as a guitarist and backing vocalist in the rock band Heart, which she joined in 1974.
She's one of my favorite acoustic guitarists of all time. - SpinelliFan
50 Robert Fripp Robert Fripp (born 16 May 1946) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. As a guitarist for the progressive rock band King Crimson, Fripp has been the only member to have played in all of King Crimson's line-ups from their inception in the late 1960s to the present. He has also worked ...read more.
Forget the prog and rock (though brilliant) listen to the other side - rednile1
Best Acoustic Blues Guitarists Best Acoustic Rock Songs Best Acoustic Guitar Brands Best Acoustic Guitars for the Money Top 10 Songs with Both Acoustic and Electric Guitar
List StatsCreated 7 Sep 2009
10 years, 137 days old
1. José Feliciano
2. Stephen Stills
3. James Taylor
Billyv
2. Phil Keaggy
3. Paco de Lucia
zxm
2. Django Reinhardt
3. John Williams
Guitarist100h
All Top Ten ListsMusic
More Music Lists
Top 10 Pianist/Keyboardistsnicholasf Trending
Music Artists You'd Like to Perform at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremonies Featured
Top 10 Most Overplayed Music Artists of 2018NickelbackLinkinPark4Eva Featured
Most Iconic 90s Songstruckturner Best Songs of All Time Best Singers of All Time Best Albums of All Time Top 10 Best Guitarists of All Time Greatest Music Artists of All Timecamp0112 Best Beatles Songs Best Bassists Ever Greatest Drummers of All TimeAKPickin Best Mushroomhead Songsrockisgood132 Best Alternative Songsgunsnroses44 Top Ten Best Dethklok Songs Best Smash Mouth Songschiaotzu33 Top Ten Best Tenacious D Songslilbullet111 Top Ten Best Effects Guitaristslilbullet111