SMG Poll: Who is the Best Shred Guitarist?

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17 Responses to “SMG Poll: Who is the Best Shred Guitarist?”

Sans Direction March 18, 2011 at 8:45 am

Tony MacAlpine. With suggestions for Michael Lee Firkins and Les Paul.
Art Tryon March 18, 2011 at 8:55 am

Dannyjoe Carter…hands down, the best, the fastest. He’s the man. And verifiable through Guitar World magazine. I haven’t seen or heard anyone or anything like Dannyjoe. He is phenomenal
Robert Johnston March 18, 2011 at 11:11 am

Steve Vai all the way! Not only is he the fastest shredder, he wrote the book on technique, and his playing is as tasteful and intelligent as it is jaw-droppingly fast.
james March 19, 2011 at 7:08 am

Man, that crowd in the picture looks like a dangerous place to be standing in. Somebody can lose an eye with all those pointy headstocks about.
Mickey Richardson March 19, 2011 at 12:17 pm

@James – LMAO!
Anthony "tone" Marcus March 20, 2011 at 4:53 pm

Steve Vai most definitely, with Honorable Mention to..

Tony MacAlpine (who can actually keep up with Vai)

and of course

Dimebag Darrell
Doad March 20, 2011 at 6:13 pm

Vai? No…no…and no.

Its a tie between Vinnie Moore, Shawn Lane, and Guthrie Govan.

It isn’t what you can do or how fast you do it. At least not to me. Its what you do and how you make a song better by doing it.
james March 26, 2011 at 7:33 am

So three guys beat one Steve Vai ??? That sounds about right!
Bert Plume May 2, 2011 at 8:34 am

I have no one favorite, there are many talented shredders, but I am suprised there has been no mention of Michael Angelo Batio. Listen to his first album “No Boundaries” and be amazed. The guy is a machine practically.
Jimi August 24, 2011 at 4:22 pm

Michael Angelo Batio is the ‘Master Shredder’
and a really great guy also.
Doad October 30, 2011 at 7:21 pm

I know how technically proficient Vai is, but he even admits he’s not the fastest or the best. He says Satriani is the ‘best guitar player in the world’. But in spite of how great Buckethead is, Dimebag, Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman, Malmsteen-the best shred and rock guitarist out there right now is Vinnie Moore. With special nods to Jason Becker and Guthrie Govan.
Doad October 30, 2011 at 7:21 pm

…and Shawn Lane!
Eric Crawford January 13, 2012 at 8:22 am

Chris Impelliterri
Eric Crawford January 13, 2012 at 8:23 am

BTW, as a teenaged shredder wannabe, I used to have this poster on my bedroom wall.
Mickey Richardson January 13, 2012 at 9:10 am

@Eric, right on dude!
Steve January 25, 2012 at 2:39 am

Brett Garsed.
George Bostick January 28, 2012 at 6:15 am

Jimi Hendrix,Eddie Hazel,Eric Gales,Johnny Winter and Otis Rush should be included as well.