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Brian May’s ‘fat bottom girls’ tone Jimmy Page’s ‘Black Dog’, ‘heartbreaker’, ‘the ocean’ Angus and Malcolm Young’s ‘Back in Black’, ‘Highway to Hell’ Hendrix’s ‘purple haze’ Cantrell’s ‘man in the box’ Gibbons ‘la grange’ Slash ‘sweet child o mine’ Iommi’s ‘sweet leaf’ Lifeson’s ‘limelight’ Walsh/Felder’s ‘hotel California’ Duane Allman/Betts’ ‘whipping post’ I could go on and on, but these are ones that would be on my list.
Uhh why does All Along The Watchtower get overlooked by everyone as Jimi Hendrix's best sound There's a reason why it's used in basically everything that has The Vietnam War in it There's a reason why it was ranked as no.5 on Rolling Stone's top 100 best guitar solos It's way better than Purple Haze for me seriously
Yes - all of those save for Slash - there were several bands that sounded like that back then - they were generally speed merchants whereas Slash just brought the pentatonic blues scale back and everyone thought it was great even though it had never gone away. On that matter, Steve Vai's tone on Dave Lee Roth albums (the Jose Arredondo modified Marshall JCM800 which screamed), Robin Trower 'Bridge Of Sighs', Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson with Night Ranger - great tone, Paul Weller - anything by The Jam who created a genre of their own - on the matter of creating a genre of their own - Adam and the Ants post punk guitar tone and that "Burundi beat". Hey - Gary Moore's general tone (personally my fave is his Strat tone in "Corridors of Power" but thats not what I mean) - why is he important? I hear you ask, because he was one of the owners of one of the most recognisable guitars in history which had a "manufacturer's error" where the pickups were wired out of phase in the centre position (I'm sure you all know which guitar this is) giving it a very distinctive and sought after sound that Peter Green was well known for. Iron Maiden's double guitars, For that matter, Thin Lizzy's double guitars ... the list is endless, Ronson's 70's guitar tones for David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughn's 80's tones (his work on David Bowies Let's Dance was indicative of his mainstream interest), Def Leppard's Phil Collen's heavily compressed tone on Hysteria (this was one of the biggest selling albums of all time). I understand that some of these are genre tones and that it wasn't really mainstream but they were huge selling albums which prompted guitarists to seek those tones. Hell - now Gary Moore's guitar has a "reissue' which includes the wrongly wired up pickups and Gibson copy guitars, Vintage brand by JHS have even made an exact copy of this guitar so that one is a must in any list,
I remember when "Money for Nothing" came out in 1985. I was 12. That guitar sound and riff floored everyone. It didn't matter what kind of music you were into (e.g. Rap, heavy metal, R&B) , everyone loved that song and the sound of that guitar and that riff.
Brian may is such a legend for building his own guitar with his dad as a kid and using the same guitar for every song his whole life, you can her the coin scratching so clearly
And the coin is very much a part of the sound that one hears when listening to Mr May’s work ... and the “licks” that fall under the fingers and coin that would not so readily make themselves available to a plectrum and the same wrist>hand>fingers...!🎸👨🏼⚕️🎸. 🌲🎅🏻🎄🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸🏴😴🌀💤
@@jonasrmb01 OK - didn't know that ... learn something new every day :) However, I've just looked it up - its not the "amp" that he modified, thats the AC30 made by Vox. It was a little treble amplifier (ie whats known as a treble boost to guitarists) which gave Brian's guitar more "zing" by increasing the treble by 3db thus boosting the output of the guitar at the same time and this drives the amp more for a tighter more compressed sound. Yes, you can buy them - my friend's got one - I didn't know it was called the "deacy". You attach it to your strap and plug your lead into that and another short lead into the guitar One of my guitars is fitted with an internal one which gives me a 3db boost on the treble and the same on themed - it was hand wound by the luthier that made my guitar in 1988. The one Deacy made attached to the inside of the guitar amp and the input was exchanged to route through the little treble boost first and then into the input of the amp - so it was always on. Hence Brian's tight trebly tone which we all want (you'd also need his guitar too for best accuracy). Just to confirm, Deacy definitely did not mess with the actual amplifier itself - this little thing was just like a pedal. There are loads of treble boosting pedals now which you literally plug into and can switch on and off with a foot switch - they often are in a chain with other pedals like distortion, modulation and delay, etc.
I remember hearing Walk by Pantera as a teenager and how distinct of a metal sound it was, kinda sounded like dime was playing through a toy amp, only 100 feet tall. Santana's always instantly recognizable, too
Dimebag’s sound was unique and revolutionary. I remember hearing Mouth for War for the first time and being absolutely blown away. CFH, VDoP and FBD totally changed the game with regards to metal.
My thoughts also went straight to How Soon Is Now, but I guess you could argue that The Smiths y were not a rock band in the same vein as other bands on this particular list.
Just about anything by Johnny Marr could qualify...the guy is a legend! The Smiths could be considered "alternative rock" so it fits into rock I guess. Unless, of course, Rick decides to do a separate episode devoted precisely to alternative rock. Johnny played so many different guitars on the Smith's albums so its hard to pick just one.
Ha! The main reason I scrolled down to the comments was to add "How Soon Is Now". Glad to see someone concurs. Love how it lives on in Charmed reruns on TNT...
Yeah... "technique". But this list is about sound. Go back and listen to the intro guitar of ATBL. Anyhooo.. thanks for 'schooling' me on early VanHalen guitar. I was lost but now I'm found.
There are so many great tones.. I really liked some of your choices. I think as far Big fat Strat sounds go, Stevie Ray Vaughn had great tone. My favorite of all time is Eddie's Brown Sound. I love the way he used his effects, especially on Ain't talking bout love, and Unchained, where he toggles the Flanger on and off for short rythm parts. Then the MXR Phase 90 is so cool on the solos. I liked your choices with Steely Dan and Boston too. That warm fuzzy Marshall tone just blows my mind.
I think that’s an excuse, he mentions many he says are notorious blockers. There’s a bias there I think. How can you have so many top 20 vids and never bring the band up at all? I like Rick, but he’s overtly slanted toward certain bands, I’ve accepted it
This is true. Especially given HOW he achieved(/s) his sound. *A 24-fret SG with unique pups, reeeeeally thin strings, C# tuning (mostly), into stacks of Laneys.* Nobody else has ever gone near such a combo.
@@kevinmcneeley879 i just picked the solo in Time as my fave solo in the comments section, then i saw this comment. When i was in high school Dark Side Of The Moon was played at Friday night parties everywhere. A local band did a very good version of Time one night at our high school dance. Of all the records i had from that era this one still holds up today as a timeless classic. a true work of art.
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top should be on this list. He had so many original, iconic tones from Waitin' For The Bus to La Grange to Tush to Cheap Sunglasses to Sharp Dressed Man, etc. Such a varied tonal palette. Could have easily bumped the Chili Peppers.
Brown Sugar for me (although La Grange is a close second), more times than not the sound of that guitar brings a tear to my eye. I'm getting misty just thinking about it.
Would liked to have seen Siamese Dream, and more specifically Cherub Rock on here, but I get that it's gotta be hard to whittle down all of the rock guitar universe down into 20 songs.
I totally agree, his tone was so responsive to his touch as well. He could go from soft and sweet to a scream just by changing his pick attack. Just beautiful.
the Clapton sound from 'Sunshine of your Love' is my #1 favorite guitar tone. It is so totally raw and almost beyond control. A totally raw tube sound. #2 is Pet Townshend in "we dont get fooled again". #3 "everybody wants some" from Van Halen. I have to agree with Andy Summers tone - fantastic.
Should’ve mentioned Jerry Cantrell’s sound from Dirt and Tripod they just sound so disgusting and dark it’s mesmerizing as to how powerful and confident the notes are played
Alex had such open ears. He started as kind of a Jimmy Page clone, got into Hackett and Holdswirth, then really got into Andy Summers, then a number of grunge players, and kept going. From the late '70s on, he always sounded like himself, but you could tell he he listened intently to other players and incorporated what he heard into his sound. And, of course, so many kids learned to play guitar from what he played. All three members of Rush are a HUGE influence on generations of players.
@Dave Claghorn Jr I think it is more the case that the Rush most people are familiar with is the-post MP albume Rush. Lifeson's work after that was of a tamer variety in line with the trends of music that followed. Pre MP is the best parts of the treasure trove that is Lifeson's work.
Having seen Rush live about 30 times during my life, I have to respectfully disagree with you about Alex Lifeson. He has been “overlooked” by most reviewers because he was a weak player and propped up by the great musicians Peart and Lee. Lifeson was lucky to be there. Play hockey next to Wayne Gretzky and your mother would look like a superstar
"Song Remains The Same" remains Jimmy Page's finest guitar work of his career. One long guitar solo. Only Robert can sing over intense heavy guitar riffs @ the same time and sound intertwined creatively.
The opening riff on Van Halen Mean Street off the Fair Warning album has got to be the most unique sound ever created by a guitar. Can’t think of anything else that compares
This is true, and my friend from Argentina, who knows a lot of music, had never heard mean street. It blew him away into think that. It's 43 years old this year.
For tone from guitar, base, harmonica, and those killer drums along with Robert Plants voice it is When the Levy Breakes. Each part has such rich tones.
Love your show Rick. It's like sitting down with a fat blunt and talking to the dudes about music except one of them knows practically everything about everything in rock & roll. It's like we're hanging out. Keep on doing this.
A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are the deepest, most complex albums in the entire RUSH catalogue: Xanadu, Cygnus X1 pts 1 & 2, La Villa. Masterpieces all!!
Alex Lifeson's solos is why I picked up a guitar 35 years ago Those nasty licks on overture and temples on 2112 still wail heavy in my core when I hear them. Triumph ZZ, ELP, Cream and KINGS X ( who are rarely discussed ) It's amazing the music the three right musicians playing together can make. Seether had a bunch of good songs too. Man I FKN LOVE MUSIC. Update... Sounds are like women... Seasonal and all should be enjoyed. This is the tones that are yanking my chain this season. Pepper Keenan Jerry Cantrell Ty Tabor In no particular order Just my particular taste. LOW & a certain NASTY drive.
For pure, quintessential rock guitar tone: "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain, Leslie West playing a Les Paul Junior (with a single, single-coil P90 pickup.)
Mountain is so underrated. I saw them play a small venue in New Orleans and the band had to walk through the audience to get on stage. Leslie West stepped on my foot as he walked through and you know how big Leslie was. My foot still hurts ~lol
I just played "Sultans of Swing" on bass before watching this. Knopfler is a so great guitarist (and singer) and so often forgotten... Genius on the six-string!
Absolutely he is. Knopfler is brilliant...funny thing is, I'm surprised Rick picked Money for Nothing because that's actually quite different from his trademark sound.
Iommi not being on the list was a little surprising. Using the light gauge strings (often tuned down) with a treble booster gave him such a unique sound. I've heard so many people try to emulate and miss.
Bro, I can’t believe you didn’t have “How soon is now?” on this list. The guitar work is truly phenomenal and for years I thought it was a synthesizer instead of a guitar.
The guitar sound that blew me away was Jimi Hendrix live on a Strat through three Dual Showman on Foxy Lady. Yes, I was at the concert at the old Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco!
MrDavisJordan I’m not the biggest Pumpkins fan. But “Cherub Rock” is a colossus of tone. The intro guitars, the primary riffs, and the solo are all incredible.
@Jim Derwin Mayonnaise almost made me cry the first time I heard it. Im almost 50, and I still get a boner when the solo kicks in. Ive never heard anything like it.
Absolutely. The tones on that record are so thick and so heavy. They really create an amazing sonic space when you listen to the songs. Songs like Rocket, Quiet, and Hummer in particular.
Adam Jones , his tone on soooo many songs, Jimmy, Jambi ( especially the solo), Lateralus clean and the distortion in the intro, even his newer tone in descending, invincible and 7empest. Please more Tool related videos!! You’re absolutely awesome and an inspiration!! Thank you for all the hard work and passion!!
Everybody and I mean everybody who ever picked up a guitar in the late 80s was trying to imitate the sound Slash got out of his guitar in "Sweet Child O' Mine". To this day it is still one of the most iconic guitar sounds of all time.
Jeff Beck, the maestro of tone. Many great sounds including the explosive distortion and wah wah on Ain't Superstitious and the ultra clean sound of Cause We've Ended As Lovers.
Nice choices, and pretty well known for these times. But these greats stand on the shoulders of the 60s power groups. Like Free, Grand Funk, Moby Grape, The Doors, Love, Santana, Doobe Brothers, on n on npn
@@michellerivera4090 Umm. You are aware that Jeff Beck was in the Yardbirds, correct? So far as great Beck solo tones, both Blow by Blow & Wired have tons of 'em. I could pick the talkbox from either She's a Woman or Thelonius, and the lead tones from Scatterbrain, on BbB. Also, the solo tone from Come Dancing and all the sounds of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, on Wired.
atomosphysica most definitely Marshall’s. During BSSM his sound was much cleaner than usual. John pretty much exclusively used those, save for a few tracks here and there (for example I believe “Porcelain” was played through a Vox AC-30)
Brian used Vox AC30s. The Deacy is the preamp John Deacon made for Brian in the Early Queen days. That combination, and Brian’s Red Special, made the Queen Sound.
@@erikavery9982 wrong - the deacy amp has a speaker inside and was powered with a nine volt battery, brian may also uses a trebble booster + the phase fliping possebillities of the 3 pickups makes his sound, and of course some standard effects sometimes
Im so happy my boy Lifeson is on here. You can tell it's a Rush song, even if you are listening to one of them isolated, instantly. Alex's guitar sound is completely identifiable.
Hollow-Pantera: Dimebag has an unmistakable tone, Them Bones- Alice In Chains: Jerry Cantrell’s tone is very recognizable, and what about Stevie Ray Vaughan?!
+1 for Cantrell. Love his sound. Grunge, but heavy. Dimebag proved nobody needs tubes. Or at least he didn't. For me, Dime on Vulgar and Hetfield on Black are the ultimate heavy sounds.
"I love this song so much I named one of my children after it" Later that day: "Hey Dad, how's the new video going?" "Just finished recording. Thanks for asking, Sargent Pepper".
He was a captivating soloist. Before I got deep into Zappa, I didn't really pay attention to guitar solos. His long-ass solos bored me at first, but then something clicked. "Filthy Habits" is epic.
spacebwoy spacebwoy Zappa was an epic tone MEISTER!! The solo on “Fifty Fifty” from “Overnite Sensation” for instance! And the tones he gets live on the “Shut Up And Play Your Guitar” box set are the incredible! Tracks like “five, Five, FIVE”, “Heavy Duty Judy” and “Beat It With Yer Fist” are unique. And his wah-wah tones were unbeatable!
I think Robert Smith of The Cure is incredibly underrated as both a guitar player and a master of tone and texture. The incredible layers of guitars on Disintegration and Wish are stunning.
His phrasing is what makes him (and most amazing guitarists) recognizable. His tone wasn't anything exotic or special, in my opinion, and it was very similar across most of the songs/albums of ACDC.
Just saying, my favorite Rush sound is the opening to The Spirit of Radio. The complex finger movements needed to play the song combined with the speed at which Alex Lifeson plays it is amazing, but the way it is manipulated by the chorus and flanger pedals makes it mesmerizing.
Brian May is a true genius and the most original and clever of them all. Built his own unique guitar at 16, can play ANY style, layers lush harmonies, and did things like live delay harmonies and made his guitar sound like a Dixieland jazz band. No one else comes close.
john Richardson Thank you. I have a Smoke on the Water solo cover on my channel but nowhere near the tone or his feel. He hits notes with laser accuracy.
There's a Cream era interview with all 3 members of the band and Eric explains how he got his "woman Tone" on his SG. He does demonstrate the wah wah pedal as it was a new "thing" at the time but the woman tone was much more than just a wah wah pedal.
Jimi had a small notch filed on a fret, that when it was time for the "machine gun" sound,he would bend a string back and forth across to get the gun sound.
It made me so happy to see The Edge on here. Being a grunge musician I still appreciate how The Edge defined what the delay was capable of, and it definitely shows on Where the Streets Have No Name.
To what extent do you think Eno should get credit for the Edge's sound on the late 80's 90's albums? It sounds really close to Eno's steel guitar sound from that period. I'm not knocking it. I love the sound, but I'm just curious if anyone thinks if was a product of the collaboration.
People always make the mistake of thinking of the Edge as strictly a guitar player. He's really a sound technician who happens to use the guitar to get most of his sounds.
No Carlos Santana ?!? His sound is as identifiable as a fingerprint. As for HEAVY: Josh Homme's guitar on the Kyuss 'Welcome to Sky Valley' album is like the universe collapsing in on itself.
Absolutely - Green's blues style was a turning point for all guitar players - the influence was massive. That squeaky tone literally created an entire genre all of its own with players putting their pickups out of phase to get it. Unfortunately his mental health made it so he couldn't reach his full potential, but at least he handed his guitar on to someone who could.
Guitar sounds that stop you in your tracks the first time you hear them: Keith Richards - Satisfaction - trying to sound like horns and failed. There was earlier fuzz, but nothing had the world-wide impact that this song did. SRV - Texas Flood - Dumble Winterland, Dimension D, and those hands! Perfect. Tone. Ever. Van Halen - Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love and Unchained - this is how you get a flanger dedicated to you. Hendrix - Are You Experienced - backwards guitar, what more is there to say? Don Felder and Joe Walsh - outro to Hotel California - time stands still and no other sensory input gets in until this song ends. Stone Temple Pilots - Plush. If you’re not doing air guitar to this, you’re dead.
"Bulls On Parade" to this day still has one of the heaviest and fattest sounds ever put to tape. It holds up incredibly well and the band channels a ferocity that is near unmatched.
Yep. Unbelievable tone that blossoms open at the strike of each chord like a flower in the spring sun. Not too heavy but overdriven beautifully by the tubes in the Fender Bassman. Good choice!
it's my favourite too, when i heard it on presence, it floored me. i was already a massive fanboy. even now 35 years later when the song aproaches 3:42 i count down the seconds and wait for the goosebumps then when it is done i go back and listen again. i've never got through that song without a double play of that solo
Iommi is missing. His sound on the first Sabbath record alone is one of the most important events in music history let alone his body of work. Majority of your choices ironically owe their $$ to him.
@@gsxrkz You're right, but you're missing a few without whom none of the above would have been influenced to play like they did, like Robert Johnson (the father of all lead guitar playing), Charlie Christian (the first to play lead guitar up the neck on an electric guitar), BB King (no need to explain this one), Chet Atkins (literally created the Nashville sound), Chuck Berry (the first to play rock n roll), Wes Montgomery (the first to really expand lead techniques) - I'd add Richie Blackmore to your list as he was an early classical/rock fusion player without whom you'd likely never had the likes of the neoclassical players, and don't forget that afterwards there was Stevie Ray Vaughn and Yngwie Malmsteen - both important in influencing others. Also, honourable mentions to Frank Zappa (for being weird), Santana (for being brilliant), Steve Lukather (for playing all those licks you'd love to get your fingers to do), Gary Moore (for being the first real super shredder in 1968 then changing to the best new blues player in the 1990's), Uli Roth, Michael Schenker (both for giving us proto neo-classical), Angus Young (for playing all that stuff your mum hated), Al DiMeola, John McGlaughlin (for making us actually listen to Jazz Fusion), Jeff Beck (for being experimental), Robert Fripp - Rory Gallagher (for being bloody brilliant), Brian May (for playing all those great Queen songs and the 12 minute solo in Brighton Rock), Jeff Watson and Jennifer Batten (for using all 8 fingers at the same time), Brad Gillis (for showing us what the locking whammy bar is actually there for), George Lynch (for making those great solos sound so bloody easy), Paul Gilbert (for being able to play impossible things at impossible speeds and being a really nice guy), Steve Vai (for really weird guitar abuse and showing us how to make the whammy bar talk), Joe Satriani (for teaching more than a few of the current best guitarists), Guthrie Goven (for making everyone else look like they're standing still), and all the other great guitarists out there I've not put on this list because its simply not exhaustive - please add anyone below :)
I was disappointed not to see this in the video. I’ve heard a lot of attempts to replicate that sound, but none have ever managed to get it spot on. One of my favorite guitar sounds of all time.
20 is too limiting. Buck Dharma on Godzilla. Steve Howe. Michael Rutherford. Mick Ronson. Steve Hackett. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Joe Walsh. Adrian Belew. Lindsey Buckingham. Robert Fripp. All created unique signature guitar sounds, even when based solely on their style of playing.
@@AcornFox I'm sort of on the fence with U2's music. But the Edge's sound and sparse play showcased Bono's chanting, and I think that's what their musical vision was. Like their music or not, The Edge did an exemplary job of helping create something that was unique and stands out for its time. So yeah ... I appreciate his craft. Glad not everyone sounds and plays like him though. Not my style at all.
I totally agree Mark. I can't solo to save my life, but thanks to Edge i feel im an amazing rhythm player. he makes huge music soundscapes from simple guitar parts. He is my guitar teacher.
So glad you gave us Irish guys a shoutout with the edge! He’s such an underrated guitarist, and an absolute tone freak, when you hear him change like you said from Boy through Joshua Tree (another great delay tone is bad from unforgettable fire) and even up to more recent records like atomic bomb and the hard rock tone he put together for vertigo. He’s a genius.
The Beatles' "Hard Days Night" opening chord Dave Davies of The Kinks "You Really Got Me" Jorma Kaukonen on After Bathing at Baxters (Jefferson Airplane) Jimi Hendrix just about anything Steppenwolf "The Pusher" Syd Barret on "See Emily Play" Pink Floyd David Gilmour of "Time" from Dark Side of the Moon Robin Trower "In Held Twas in I" by Procul Harum Jeff Beck "Beck's Bolero" + Eric Clapton "Bell Bottom Blues" XTC "Travels in Nihlon" from "Black Sea" Andy Summers "Walking on the Moon" Duane Allman "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" Robert Fripp on "Fashion" Mick Taylor on "Gimme Shelter" Dave Gregory and Andy Partridge - The Dukes of Stratusphear "Bike Ride to the Moon" "25 O'Clock"
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Hey, ever heard of Jeff Beck?
@@steveblackburn9124 Or Prince, Santana and Zappa?
Rory Gallagher???
This is incomplete without Stevie Ray Vaughn, change my mind.
I live sweet Jane .......oh yeah
When I think of a unique guitar sound one man that should of been on here is Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, this man never gets any credit.
So true.
Mark Knopfler's 'Money For Nothing' tone was based on Billy Gibbons tone.
Billy Gibbons! Intro to Cheap Sunglasses
totally
Well if Jimi Hendrix said Billy one of the best guitarist he heard then it ok for me lol
Brian May’s ‘fat bottom girls’ tone
Jimmy Page’s ‘Black Dog’, ‘heartbreaker’, ‘the ocean’
Angus and Malcolm Young’s ‘Back in Black’, ‘Highway to Hell’
Hendrix’s ‘purple haze’
Cantrell’s ‘man in the box’
Gibbons ‘la grange’
Slash ‘sweet child o mine’
Iommi’s ‘sweet leaf’
Lifeson’s ‘limelight’
Walsh/Felder’s ‘hotel California’
Duane Allman/Betts’ ‘whipping post’
I could go on and on, but these are ones that would be on my list.
Uhh why does All Along The Watchtower get overlooked by everyone as Jimi Hendrix's best sound
There's a reason why it's used in basically everything that has The Vietnam War in it
There's a reason why it was ranked as no.5 on Rolling Stone's top 100 best guitar solos
It's way better than Purple Haze for me seriously
@@smitsonavane6278 You're absolutely right about "All Along the Watchtower" but "Purple Haze" is also great.
Now an Here, B May, Smoke on the water, Burn, R Blackmore,
Yes - all of those save for Slash - there were several bands that sounded like that back then - they were generally speed merchants whereas Slash just brought the pentatonic blues scale back and everyone thought it was great even though it had never gone away. On that matter, Steve Vai's tone on Dave Lee Roth albums (the Jose Arredondo modified Marshall JCM800 which screamed), Robin Trower 'Bridge Of Sighs', Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson with Night Ranger - great tone, Paul Weller - anything by The Jam who created a genre of their own - on the matter of creating a genre of their own - Adam and the Ants post punk guitar tone and that "Burundi beat". Hey - Gary Moore's general tone (personally my fave is his Strat tone in "Corridors of Power" but thats not what I mean) - why is he important? I hear you ask, because he was one of the owners of one of the most recognisable guitars in history which had a "manufacturer's error" where the pickups were wired out of phase in the centre position (I'm sure you all know which guitar this is) giving it a very distinctive and sought after sound that Peter Green was well known for. Iron Maiden's double guitars, For that matter, Thin Lizzy's double guitars ... the list is endless, Ronson's 70's guitar tones for David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughn's 80's tones (his work on David Bowies Let's Dance was indicative of his mainstream interest), Def Leppard's Phil Collen's heavily compressed tone on Hysteria (this was one of the biggest selling albums of all time). I understand that some of these are genre tones and that it wasn't really mainstream but they were huge selling albums which prompted guitarists to seek those tones. Hell - now Gary Moore's guitar has a "reissue' which includes the wrongly wired up pickups and Gibson copy guitars, Vintage brand by JHS have even made an exact copy of this guitar so that one is a must in any list,
Brian May’s The Show Must Go On is just greatness of tone
Shine On You Crazy Diamond always gives me chills.
I literally cried when he played that bit. It's crazy how music can do that
D. Piel . You know Shine on you Crazy Diamond is a lamenting tribute to Syd Barrett?
I believe it’s actually recorded on a Les Paul 🤔
Does the same to me!
@@Super0Danny im not sure, but i can hear tremolo sound on that
I remember when "Money for Nothing" came out in 1985. I was 12. That guitar sound and riff floored everyone. It didn't matter what kind of music you were into (e.g. Rap, heavy metal, R&B) , everyone loved that song and the sound of that guitar and that riff.
That was the video of the year. If people who don't remember only knew how big that song was
Not to mention that's the beginning of MTV and one of the first music videos we'd ever seen
And based on an overheard conversation I think, ironic.
Tony Iommi’s guitar tones off of the albums Paranoid and Master of Reality are almost 50 years old and still revolutionary.
I was scrolling down to say “no war pigs??” And saw this, guess I’m not alone
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath has really cool sounds too
Sabbath well perhaps one of my favourite bands with the riff playing of the great Mr ionic second to none
Iommi
He also managed to shy away from one of Sabbath's offspring, Slayer. Without Sabbath, Metallica may have not existed in the first place.
Maybe you could break this into groupings:
Top 20 Stand-out Tele 🎸 tones
Top 20 Stand-out Les Paul 🎸 tones
Top 20 Stand-out Strat 🎸 tones
Brian may is such a legend for building his own guitar with his dad as a kid and using the same guitar for every song his whole life, you can her the coin scratching so clearly
And an amp made by John Deacon too!
And the coin is very much a part of the sound that one hears when listening to Mr May’s work ... and the “licks” that fall under the fingers and coin that would not so readily make themselves available to a plectrum and the same wrist>hand>fingers...!🎸👨🏼⚕️🎸.
🌲🎅🏻🎄🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸🏴😴🌀💤
@@ethanlora6054 Erm ... I think you'll find he exclusively uses Vox AC30's
@@stuartanthony6409 idk what amp it was originally but john deacon who was an electrician modified it
therefore it was/is called "deacy amp"
@@jonasrmb01 OK - didn't know that ... learn something new every day :) However, I've just looked it up - its not the "amp" that he modified, thats the AC30 made by Vox. It was a little treble amplifier (ie whats known as a treble boost to guitarists) which gave Brian's guitar more "zing" by increasing the treble by 3db thus boosting the output of the guitar at the same time and this drives the amp more for a tighter more compressed sound. Yes, you can buy them - my friend's got one - I didn't know it was called the "deacy". You attach it to your strap and plug your lead into that and another short lead into the guitar One of my guitars is fitted with an internal one which gives me a 3db boost on the treble and the same on themed - it was hand wound by the luthier that made my guitar in 1988. The one Deacy made attached to the inside of the guitar amp and the input was exchanged to route through the little treble boost first and then into the input of the amp - so it was always on. Hence Brian's tight trebly tone which we all want (you'd also need his guitar too for best accuracy). Just to confirm, Deacy definitely did not mess with the actual amplifier itself - this little thing was just like a pedal. There are loads of treble boosting pedals now which you literally plug into and can switch on and off with a foot switch - they often are in a chain with other pedals like distortion, modulation and delay, etc.
I remember hearing Walk by Pantera as a teenager and how distinct of a metal sound it was, kinda sounded like dime was playing through a toy amp, only 100 feet tall. Santana's always instantly recognizable, too
Sounds like a chainsaw, like a lot of the tracks on CFH and VDOP
Ironic because he's known for also playing one of them small amp marshall amps as his backstage warmup amp.
@@clifftheplanteddvd6330 Any Dimebag Darrell riff sounds like a chainsaw. I think Dimebag could have filled the list with his sounds.
Dimebag’s sound was unique and revolutionary. I remember hearing Mouth for War for the first time and being absolutely blown away. CFH, VDoP and FBD totally changed the game with regards to metal.
Two on my list:
1. Eric Johnson - Cliffs of Dover
2. Johnny Marr (The Smiths) - How Soon Is Now
My thoughts also went straight to How Soon Is Now, but I guess you could argue that The Smiths y were not a rock band in the same vein as other bands on this particular list.
Isn't how soon is now inspired by Mona by the Rolling Stones?
Just about anything by Johnny Marr could qualify...the guy is a legend! The Smiths could be considered "alternative rock" so it fits into rock I guess. Unless, of course, Rick decides to do a separate episode devoted precisely to alternative rock. Johnny played so many different guitars on the Smith's albums so its hard to pick just one.
Eric Johnson is instantly recognizable.
Ha! The main reason I scrolled down to the comments was to add "How Soon Is Now". Glad to see someone concurs. Love how it lives on in Charmed reruns on TNT...
"Eruption" is nice, but we ALL know "Aint Talkin Bout Love" is the one we were thinkin of.
The song eruption pretty started the tapping technique Eddie was famous for.
Yeah... "technique". But this list is about sound. Go back and listen to the intro guitar of ATBL. Anyhooo.. thanks for 'schooling' me on early VanHalen guitar. I was lost but now I'm found.
I would say that "I'm the One" is by far the most explosive "song" on that album and the sound is utterly bombastic.
Eddie's Brown Sound is king no matter which song it is!!!
There are so many great tones.. I really liked some of your choices. I think as far Big fat Strat sounds go, Stevie Ray Vaughn had great tone. My favorite of all time is Eddie's Brown Sound. I love the way he used his effects, especially on Ain't talking bout love, and Unchained, where he toggles the Flanger on and off for short rythm parts. Then the MXR Phase 90 is so cool on the solos. I liked your choices with Steely Dan and Boston too. That warm fuzzy Marshall tone just blows my mind.
I think Slash’s Wah tone on the Sweet Child O’ Mine solo was an all time great tone
Im pretty sure he didn't use it cause GNR are blockers
I think that’s an excuse, he mentions many he says are notorious blockers. There’s a bias there I think. How can you have so many top 20 vids and never bring the band up at all? I like Rick, but he’s overtly slanted toward certain bands, I’ve accepted it
@@riccardobadalone7964 don't mention it. Share and enjoy!
@@riccardobadalone7964 Rick is biased against blockers, which is pretty reasonable
fuck no. nails on a chalkboard tone
Owner Of A Lonely Heart. That incredible solo using the harmonizer was so crazy... plus all the compressed clean tones with chorus... SO good!
Anything David Gilmour played was excellent. Such a distinct and beautiful Strat tone. Seriously, his guitar licks alone could create Utopia.
Agree, could have included 'Coming back to Life' from the Division Bell, Love that track.
Its surprising Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath isnt on the list. Tony basically created the heavy metal sound.
Yes! He needs to be here
his tone on Heaven and Hell song. Even he couldn't get that tone again. That intro... Dude I can't talk, sorry..
This is true. Especially given HOW he achieved(/s) his sound. *A 24-fret SG with unique pups, reeeeeally thin strings, C# tuning (mostly), into stacks of Laneys.*
Nobody else has ever gone near such a combo.
Oh yes. Lord of this world should be on there. 🤗
He's a blocker.
Gilmour's sound on "Time." That lengthy solo.
Beautiful
I think that's his best ever tone.
Gilmores sound on everything is great. He’s got the most recognizable sound. Beautiful licks
I would have chosen the 1st lead on Comfortably Numb
@@kevinmcneeley879 i just picked the solo in Time as my fave solo in the comments section, then i saw this comment. When i was in high school Dark Side Of The Moon was played at Friday night parties everywhere. A local band did a very good version of Time one night at our high school dance. Of all the records i had from that era this one still holds up today as a timeless classic. a true work of art.
Interesting thing about Eruption, Eddie used that as a warmup and their producer decided it would go on their first album
@Le Purple boi
Lol
Another cool fact: Eddie was only 17 or 18 when he wrote Eruption.
Makes sense considering it's basically just a collection of different techniques in a row
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top should be on this list. He had so many original, iconic tones from Waitin' For The Bus to La Grange to Tush to Cheap Sunglasses to Sharp Dressed Man, etc. Such a varied tonal palette. Could have easily bumped the Chili Peppers.
You could start a fire in a pinch with Billy's tone.
Brown Sugar for me (although La Grange is a close second), more times than not the sound of that guitar brings a tear to my eye. I'm getting misty just thinking about it.
true
The dueling guitars at the end of "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide"... Can't beat it
Especially his pinch harmonics; he's so good at hitting them and the tone blows me away.
Leslie West got an epic guitar sound on Mississippi Queen Still sounds great today.
Yes his tone was Bad-ass!
And it was a solid state pa head by sunn 😆
I agree. I would put that in the top 20!!
Yes. Leslie West. One of my all time favorites.
I would have gone for the chorus sound on Nantucket Sleighride. It still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up whenever I hear it.
The solo from "La Villa Strangiato" is unreal. My top 5 easily
Good one
Amen!!
Yup
The live version from ESL is awesome
@@g.belanger8302 it truly is; he simply goes off. This is the best rock instrumental, IMO.
Would liked to have seen Siamese Dream, and more specifically Cherub Rock on here, but I get that it's gotta be hard to whittle down all of the rock guitar universe down into 20 songs.
Robin Trower, Santana, Deep Purple, Steppinwolf, and CCR are distinctive sounds.
Angus Young's "Highway to hell" intro is the most rocking rock that ever rocked.
I was gonna say, how do you not include any of AC/DC's tones? They have some of the *best* rock and roll guitar sound, period.
Exactly, when he said at the beginning that everyone would guess the first one, I thought it must be HIghway to Hell
Plymouth Rock is jealous of Angus' rockin' riff and tone-Highway To Hell intro is why I get up in the morning! Nice mention, amigo!
Mark Huber because Page had that tone first.
Na... Thunderstruck.
Stevie Stevie Stevie!
Mister Vaughn’s clean tones were absolutely formidable.
phast1 I’m hoping SRV wasn’t included because it’s Blues not Rock...because he had the best tone alive
I totally agree, his tone was so responsive to his touch as well. He could go from soft and sweet to a scream just by changing his pick attack. Just beautiful.
GOAT.
the Clapton sound from 'Sunshine of your Love' is my #1 favorite guitar tone. It is so totally raw and almost beyond control. A totally raw tube sound. #2 is Pet Townshend in "we dont get fooled again". #3 "everybody wants some" from Van Halen. I have to agree with Andy Summers tone - fantastic.
Should’ve mentioned Jerry Cantrell’s sound from Dirt and Tripod they just sound so disgusting and dark it’s mesmerizing as to how powerful and confident the notes are played
YES. Cantrell & AIC are soooo underrated
Bordeaux Them Bones🤘
Kevin Elliott Great song. Listen to Nothin’ Song off the 3rd record that sound is unlike anything in rock
Alice in Chains never gets any love.
Cantrell's dark, sludgy distortion invokes a mood.
Thank you for the inclusion of Alex Lifeson. Highly ignored in almost every guitar list. he is unique and amazing.
Alex had such open ears. He started as kind of a Jimmy Page clone, got into Hackett and Holdswirth, then really got into Andy Summers, then a number of grunge players, and kept going. From the late '70s on, he always sounded like himself, but you could tell he he listened intently to other players and incorporated what he heard into his sound. And, of course, so many kids learned to play guitar from what he played. All three members of Rush are a HUGE influence on generations of players.
others:
White Room by Cream
Moonage Daydream by Bowie
Firth of Fifth by Genesis
Paranoid Android by Radiohead
And I misspelled it... schmuck.
@Dave Claghorn Jr I think it is more the case that the Rush most people are familiar with is the-post MP albume Rush. Lifeson's work after that was of a tamer variety in line with the trends of music that followed. Pre MP is the best parts of the treasure trove that is Lifeson's work.
Having seen Rush live about 30 times during my life, I have to respectfully disagree with you about Alex Lifeson. He has been “overlooked” by most reviewers because he was a weak player and propped up by the great musicians Peart and Lee. Lifeson was lucky to be there. Play hockey next to Wayne Gretzky and your mother would look like a superstar
Jimi's opening wah on "Voodoo Chile" is seminal!
"Song Remains The Same" remains Jimmy Page's finest guitar work of his career. One long guitar solo. Only Robert can sing over intense heavy guitar riffs @ the same time and sound intertwined creatively.
And Dazed and Confused? My favourite of course is Song Remains the Same.
And Blackmore's Mistreated solo.
10 years gone??
I was thinking No Quarter too. That heavy intro is like no other sound ever produced
The solo that Page does on No Quarter on that album is AWESOME!
Trevor Rabin’s unique sound on Yes’s “Owner of a Lonely Heart” was the first one that jumped to my mind.
The whole album was fantastic!
Shhhh, you are supposed to hate that album.
Jerry Cantrell: I Stay Away, Them Bones, Down in a Hole, Junkhead, Again.
His sound defined the 90s Rock/ Grunge Era.
Kim Thayil too :)
I came here to say this. Cantrell's newer stuff is amazing too. The guitar sounds on Rainier Fog are fantastic...
Killer tone for sure
No argument. Dirt into and riff is absolutely killer too.
Van Halen - "Ain't Talkin' "Bout Love." That sound is just so sick.
The opening riff on Van Halen Mean Street off the Fair Warning album has got to be the most unique sound ever created by a guitar. Can’t think of anything else that compares
Agreed!!!!!!!
This is true, and my friend from Argentina, who knows a lot of music, had never heard mean street. It blew him away into think that. It's 43 years old this year.
@@scottcoleman5088Has he introduced you to some Cerati, Spinetta and Charly García?
Brian May uses a 6 pence coin. Not just any, but ones before the 1960's. An amazing footnote.
Dr Brian May, Astro Physicist, also wound his own pickups. talk about attention to detail.
"How Soon is Now" by The Smiths. That tremolo sound is killer!
Yeah but not exactly novel.
Straight up Bo Diddley rip off, ahem, excuse me, homage.
All of Marr's sounds are divine, as is his playing.
It doesn’t even really sound like a guitar. It’s an amazing sound. I love that song. I think it’s one of the best uses of effects pedals ever.
Yeah, anything Marr plays is godlike
SqualeProductions And This Charming Man has great tone and is an amazing hook.
Whole Lotta Love was the first thing I thought of
Me too
For tone from guitar, base, harmonica, and those killer drums along with Robert Plants voice it is When the Levy Breakes. Each part has such rich tones.
For me, Dazed and Confused.
Yeah, has to be that over Ramble On
Love your show Rick. It's like sitting down with a fat blunt and talking to the dudes about music except one of them knows practically everything about everything in rock & roll. It's like we're hanging out. Keep on doing this.
La Villa Strangiato has Lifeson's best solo and one of the best solos ever recorded.
It's part of my fat man walking regime! My favorite Rush
My favorite Rush solo is from Anthem.
Trees is quite complex and joyful sounding, makes it a good listen too,
We've heard Gimmie Shelter so often it almost seems like a cliche, but it's just amazing.
That intro is EPIC!!! A real masterpiece! 🔥🔥🔥
as soon as it comes on, i have martin scorcese movie montage in my head 😂🤷
Gimmie
It's true, in this song you realize how amazing Keith Richards is as a guitarist and how underrated he is.
A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres are the deepest, most complex albums in the entire RUSH catalogue:
Xanadu, Cygnus X1 pts 1 & 2, La Villa. Masterpieces all!!
I could listen to Xanadu on loop, for the rest of my life.
Alex Lifeson's solos is why I picked up a guitar 35 years ago
Those nasty licks on overture and temples on 2112 still wail heavy in my core when I hear them.
Triumph ZZ, ELP, Cream and KINGS X ( who are rarely discussed ) It's amazing the music the three right musicians playing together can make.
Seether had a bunch of good songs too.
Man I FKN LOVE MUSIC.
Update...
Sounds are like women... Seasonal and all should be enjoyed.
This is the tones that are yanking my chain this season.
Pepper Keenan Jerry Cantrell Ty Tabor
In no particular order
Just my particular taste.
LOW & a certain NASTY drive.
For pure, quintessential rock guitar tone: "Mississippi Queen" by Mountain, Leslie West playing a Les Paul Junior (with a single, single-coil P90 pickup.)
Couldnt agree more
How LW gets left out of all these discussions is beyond me?
Mountain is so underrated. I saw them play a small venue in New Orleans and the band had to walk through the audience to get on stage. Leslie West stepped on my foot as he walked through and you know how big Leslie was. My foot still hurts ~lol
That tone really is beautiful.
I just played "Sultans of Swing" on bass before watching this. Knopfler is a so great guitarist (and singer) and so often forgotten... Genius on the six-string!
Absolutely he is. Knopfler is brilliant...funny thing is, I'm surprised Rick picked Money for Nothing because that's actually quite different from his trademark sound.
Jimi and Iommi have to be here. Proceeding to watch.
@@shaft9000 complete agreement.
Fantastic choices!
Iommi not being on the list was a little surprising. Using the light gauge strings (often tuned down) with a treble booster gave him such a unique sound. I've heard so many people try to emulate and miss.
@@shaft9000 nah Paperback Writer definitely has some great early tones on it.
Chevelle and Linkin Park her though. 😀
Bro, I can’t believe you didn’t have “How soon is now?” on this list. The guitar work is truly phenomenal and for years I thought it was a synthesizer instead of a guitar.
Hell Yes, should have made the list.
Oh agreed . That’s an awesome one
Johnny Marr has an amazing tone, style. I’m an EVH and Schenker guy and I agree.
Agree on that. Also, why is the Andy Summers sound just the first chord to “A Hard Day’s Night”?
It’s not really Rock. But..you’re correct…it’s fuk’n amazing.👍🏾
The guitar sound that blew me away was Jimi Hendrix live on a Strat through three Dual Showman on Foxy Lady. Yes, I was at the concert at the old Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco!
Man you're older than me!!!
@@garyfredericks814 When I was born the Dead Sea only had the sniffles!
Hi David , just by & 'bout your 'age' , ,,, are you by any chance related to a Ken Winokur , of Alloy Music - silent movies accompaniement ????
@@hanszlh6522 No, not related to Ken. Winokur is actually my adopted name.
@Mr. Diaz I'm not sure of the exact year, but probably '67 when the first album came out. The concert might have been in '68.
Siamese Dream has some of the most iconic guitar sounds of the 1990s on it.
MrDavisJordan I’m not the biggest Pumpkins fan. But “Cherub Rock” is a colossus of tone. The intro guitars, the primary riffs, and the solo are all incredible.
@Jim Derwin Mayonnaise almost made me cry the first time I heard it. Im almost 50, and I still get a boner when the solo kicks in. Ive never heard anything like it.
Absolutely. The tones on that record are so thick and so heavy. They really create an amazing sonic space when you listen to the songs. Songs like Rocket, Quiet, and Hummer in particular.
How could I forget Rocket?!?!?
Goddamn I love that tune
I hope I can still get a woodie when I'm 50, and yes people undermine lord corgans tone all to often.
I'm so happy to see Alex Lifeson's sound from La Villa Strangiato on here. Great sound!
Totally agree! The first guitar sound from me that I thought of was actually the beginning of Spirt of Radio. Just sounds so cool
subtitled "an exercise in self indulgence" 😂💪
Alex is my absolute favourite guitarist ever , so underrated along with Andy summers
Adam Jones , his tone on soooo many songs, Jimmy, Jambi ( especially the solo), Lateralus clean and the distortion in the intro, even his newer tone in descending, invincible and 7empest. Please more Tool related videos!! You’re absolutely awesome and an inspiration!! Thank you for all the hard work and passion!!
Everybody and I mean everybody who ever picked up a guitar in the late 80s was trying to imitate the sound Slash got out of his guitar in "Sweet Child O' Mine". To this day it is still one of the most iconic guitar sounds of all time.
boooo
It is amazing how four notes can create such emotion. Shine on still gives me chills when I hear that guitar.
Jeff Beck, the maestro of tone. Many great sounds including the explosive distortion and wah wah on Ain't Superstitious and the ultra clean sound of Cause We've Ended As Lovers.
Best living guitar player who innovated a dictionary of tone and technique.
He must be a blocker. That’s the only reason the master could be omitted
Nice choices, and pretty well known for these times. But these greats stand on the shoulders of the 60s power groups. Like Free, Grand Funk, Moby Grape, The Doors, Love, Santana, Doobe Brothers, on n on npn
@@michellerivera4090 Umm. You are aware that Jeff Beck was in the Yardbirds, correct?
So far as great Beck solo tones, both Blow by Blow & Wired have tons of 'em. I could pick the talkbox from either She's a Woman or Thelonius, and the lead tones from Scatterbrain, on BbB. Also, the solo tone from Come Dancing and all the sounds of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat, on Wired.
check out a later piece of his- "Roys Toy", off his Guitar Shop album. It's crunchy, brilliant and twisted- with an outrageously sick, crabby solo. 🎸🤘
Neil Young's work on Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" is so unique.
He did the "chimes" (harmonics). Wasnt that Stills doing the rest of the guitar work?
@@granthurlburt4062 Did you ever see them play together? I can remember Stills staring open mouthed at Young during Southern Man with CSNY.
The "Walking on the Moon" chord reminded me of the "A Hard Days Night" intro poly chord.
payday1963 Me too!
I had exactly the same thought when I heard it.
I actually thought that was it. It did not just remind me. In my defence, I was assembling my daughter's bed.
Johns actually playing a jaguar in the under the bridge video, but I remember reading an interview where he says he recorded on a strat
atomosphysica most definitely Marshall’s. During BSSM his sound was much cleaner than usual. John pretty much exclusively used those, save for a few tracks here and there (for example I believe “Porcelain” was played through a Vox AC-30)
Definitely a strat
Yeah I’m pretty sure he wrote it on a jaguar but recorded it on a strat
Glad I'm not the only one who heard that and went to the comments.
I think Robin Trower’s tone and varied sounds are well worth a mention
If talking great sounds/tone how do you leave out bridge of sighs?
Wow totally agree with the Farewell to Kings 'Hemispheres duality. My favourite Rush albums and they link seamlessly!!
Brian May's red special makes such a beautiful sound with the deacy amp
Brian used Vox AC30s. The Deacy is the preamp John Deacon made for Brian in the Early Queen days. That combination, and Brian’s Red Special, made the Queen Sound.
Brian May sound based on kit and set up used by Rory Gallagher, as he acknowledges
He used a coin for a pick? That's innovative.
@@erikavery9982 wrong - the deacy amp has a speaker inside and was powered with a nine volt battery, brian may also uses a trebble booster + the phase fliping possebillities of the 3 pickups makes his sound, and of course some standard effects sometimes
@@uwebaganz5144 Burns Trisonics - scatter wound oversize. Made in London.
If Beatles...why not Revolution? They plugged directly into the mixing board to create the most gain they could. Revolutionary !
thought it had to be on there... people were returning records because they thought they were defective
Helter skelter had a nice sound as well.
We really need the 50 or even 100 greatest tones.
Roger Furer , no, what we really need is to repent and confess
Im so happy my boy Lifeson is on here. You can tell it's a Rush song, even if you are listening to one of them isolated, instantly. Alex's guitar sound is completely identifiable.
Cliffs of Dover,man! That first note is arguably THE MOST EXCITING single note ever recorded on a guitar. Anybody agree?
I think that accolade belongs to Parisienne Walkways
E
@@jimbo5646 E go brrrtt
Yes, definitely. I add my vote….
@@stuartanthony6409 I'll second that.
Hollow-Pantera: Dimebag has an unmistakable tone, Them Bones- Alice In Chains: Jerry Cantrell’s tone is very recognizable, and what about Stevie Ray Vaughan?!
+1 for Cantrell. Love his sound. Grunge, but heavy.
Dimebag proved nobody needs tubes. Or at least he didn't. For me, Dime on Vulgar and Hetfield on Black are the ultimate heavy sounds.
Poor Kim Thayil.. he rarely ever gets mentioned by name. Such a brilliantly creative guitarist. He is the branches in Sound's Garden.
Brain May definitely has most unique guitar tone
Many of my favorite guitar sounds come from his.
"I love this song so much I named one of my children after it"
Later that day:
"Hey Dad, how's the new video going?"
"Just finished recording. Thanks for asking, Sargent Pepper".
“Sergeant” -(“Sargent ...” [sic ...] I hope, if you really named your child in that manner 🥸😉😃🌲🎅🏻🎄🎸🎸👨🏼⚕️👨🏼⚕️🎸🎸🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸🏴
...and his little brother, Iron Man. : P
Come here reptile, come do your chores
It's going alright Spoonman
@@adammontgomery5532 However, it would be spelt “Iren Man” or “Eyern Man”😎🥸 ... Just ask “Sargent”!!! [sic!!!]
Frank Zappa had some amazing sounds, some of the solos on Sheikh Yerbouti are magnificent.
Spacebwoy Wrist watch!
He was a captivating soloist. Before I got deep into Zappa, I didn't really pay attention to guitar solos. His long-ass solos bored me at first, but then something clicked. "Filthy Habits" is epic.
spacebwoy Hell Yeah extremely unique great tone!
spacebwoy spacebwoy Zappa was an epic tone MEISTER!! The solo on “Fifty Fifty” from “Overnite Sensation” for instance! And
the tones he gets live on the “Shut Up And Play Your Guitar” box set are the incredible! Tracks like “five, Five, FIVE”,
“Heavy Duty Judy” and “Beat It With Yer Fist” are unique.
And his wah-wah tones were unbeatable!
@@terrypussypower Zappas lead sound on penguin in bondage from the roxy album....priceless......
I think Robert Smith of The Cure is incredibly underrated as both a guitar player and a master of tone and texture. The incredible layers of guitars on Disintegration and Wish are stunning.
Omg yes
Angus Young AC DC has a very unique sound, recognisable worldwide.
I would argue that a huge part of ACDC's tone is malcolm young's rhytm playing
His phrasing is what makes him (and most amazing guitarists) recognizable. His tone wasn't anything exotic or special, in my opinion, and it was very similar across most of the songs/albums of ACDC.
Plus you really need some balls to crank up those plexis and jtms like that.
That was my first thought before checking comments- no love for Back in Black?
It's the Vibrato!! He's the master at that tone and sound. It's his signature. He can hold it forever...
Just saying, my favorite Rush sound is the opening to The Spirit of Radio. The complex finger movements needed to play the song combined with the speed at which Alex Lifeson plays it is amazing, but the way it is manipulated by the chorus and flanger pedals makes it mesmerizing.
I took one look at the intro and I’m like “ how In the hell would you do this live”
Ok, here's my addition... Carlos Santana in Samba pa-ti, a sound that has remained unique through the years
Brian May is a true genius and the most original and clever of them all. Built his own unique guitar at 16, can play ANY style, layers lush harmonies, and did things like live delay harmonies and made his guitar sound like a Dixieland jazz band. No one else comes close.
He loved page
I've always loved Ritchie Blackmore Clean with sustain lead tone in both DP & Rainbow.
Power by Rainbow. That intro riff tone soo good.
Child in Time’s solo. That tone is amazing.
@@TheStones1965 Thats his 335 through a AC30 and a treble boost.
john Richardson Thank you. I have a Smoke on the Water solo cover on my channel but nowhere near the tone or his feel. He hits notes with laser accuracy.
Eric Johnson cliffs of Dover is one of my favorites
Oosh! now we're talkin'!
Definitely!
Yeah!
Greatest guitar tone period
Same here
Both Stevie Ray Vaughan’s guitar sound from Cold Shot and Eric Clapton’s “Woman Tone” should have been on this list.
I couldn't believe he left EC'S "woman tone' off the list either.
You mean Clapton's "wah-wah" from Cream?
There's a Cream era interview with all 3 members of the band and Eric explains how he got his "woman Tone" on his SG. He does demonstrate the wah wah pedal as it was a new "thing" at the time but the woman tone was much more than just a wah wah pedal.
Or cold shot- SRV
Any of Clapton’s tones off Disraeli Gears could have been on here
Rush's "Hemispheres" is a masterpiece, I'm really glad you included it Rick!
Great vid! Honorable mention to Johnny Marr on How Soon is Now
Yeah beat me to it
Marr is a bit like The Edge. Very underrated at times.
Hendrix Machine Gun 1970 live at the Fillmore... when that intro comes in.... amazing Vibe..
Jimi had a small notch filed on a fret, that when it was time for the "machine gun" sound,he would bend a string back and forth across to get the gun sound.
Band of Gypsies New Years Eve
@@bobbyphillips2538 another bullshit urban myth
It made me so happy to see The Edge on here. Being a grunge musician I still appreciate how The Edge defined what the delay was capable of, and it definitely shows on Where the Streets Have No Name.
To what extent do you think Eno should get credit for the Edge's sound on the late 80's 90's albums? It sounds really close to Eno's steel guitar sound from that period. I'm not knocking it. I love the sound, but I'm just curious if anyone thinks if was a product of the collaboration.
Frank LeHouillier of course it was a group effort. He was the mastermind behind The Edge’s sound.
Me too. Edge's tones over the years have been stellar.
People always make the mistake of thinking of the Edge as strictly a guitar player. He's really a sound technician who happens to use the guitar to get most of his sounds.
AbbeyRoadkill1 That's really true. Mostly strums, chops and arpeggios. Zero shred zone..
How he dials in layers with taste and no clutter is aristry
No Carlos Santana ?!? His sound is as identifiable as a fingerprint. As for HEAVY: Josh Homme's guitar on the Kyuss 'Welcome to Sky Valley' album is like the universe collapsing in on itself.
Peter Green’s phase-y Les Paul always sticks in my mind as inextricably linked to the artist and I love it.
Absolutely - Green's blues style was a turning point for all guitar players - the influence was massive. That squeaky tone literally created an entire genre all of its own with players putting their pickups out of phase to get it. Unfortunately his mental health made it so he couldn't reach his full potential, but at least he handed his guitar on to someone who could.
Guitar sounds that stop you in your tracks the first time you hear them:
Keith Richards - Satisfaction - trying to sound like horns and failed. There was earlier fuzz, but nothing had the world-wide impact that this song did.
SRV - Texas Flood - Dumble Winterland, Dimension D, and those hands! Perfect. Tone. Ever.
Van Halen - Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love and Unchained - this is how you get a flanger dedicated to you.
Hendrix - Are You Experienced - backwards guitar, what more is there to say?
Don Felder and Joe Walsh - outro to Hotel California - time stands still and no other sensory input gets in until this song ends.
Stone Temple Pilots - Plush. If you’re not doing air guitar to this, you’re dead.
Purple Rain- Prince
Voodoo Chile - Jimi Hendrix
The James Gang (any song) - Tommy Bolin
"Bulls On Parade" to this day still has one of the heaviest and fattest sounds ever put to tape. It holds up incredibly well and the band channels a ferocity that is near unmatched.
In every Rage song there is something special by Tom.
Anything done by Neil Young and Crazy Horse,That’s What I’m Talking About 🎸😎
I would have put Killing in the Name
If I want to get pumped up I'll play Bulls on Parade
Voodoo Child (slight return) for me
Totally.
Yep. Unbelievable tone that blossoms open at the strike of each chord like a flower in the spring sun. Not too heavy but overdriven beautifully by the tubes in the Fender Bassman. Good choice!
I was just a 5 yrs old boy when I first heard "that sound"....and wondered..what is that?? and think ..."How could I do that?"........
I think it's "Voodoo Chile", if I remember correctly.
Yep greatest pure rock oat
Jimmy Page's tone on the Achilles' Last Stand solo is my favorite of his tones!
That solo in general is amazing. One of my favorite page solos...and maybe one of my favorite guitar solos ever
it's my favourite too, when i heard it on presence, it floored me. i was already a massive fanboy. even now 35 years later when the song aproaches 3:42 i count down the seconds and wait for the goosebumps then when it is done i go back and listen again. i've never got through that song without a double play of that solo
Oh yes!!!
@ same for me and my son. they never grow old, always sound fresh
Mine too! Excellent tastes sir! Salutations
Iommi is missing. His sound on the first Sabbath record alone is one of the most important events in music history let alone his body of work. Majority of your choices ironically owe their $$ to him.
here here, right on brother
Besides Metalica, Linkin Park, Chellvels I have no idea who you mean. The Edge? Jimi Page? Brian may? George Harrison?
its just his opinion bro chill
@@gsxrkz You're right, but you're missing a few without whom none of the above would have been influenced to play like they did, like Robert Johnson (the father of all lead guitar playing), Charlie Christian (the first to play lead guitar up the neck on an electric guitar), BB King (no need to explain this one), Chet Atkins (literally created the Nashville sound), Chuck Berry (the first to play rock n roll), Wes Montgomery (the first to really expand lead techniques) - I'd add Richie Blackmore to your list as he was an early classical/rock fusion player without whom you'd likely never had the likes of the neoclassical players, and don't forget that afterwards there was Stevie Ray Vaughn and Yngwie Malmsteen - both important in influencing others. Also, honourable mentions to Frank Zappa (for being weird), Santana (for being brilliant), Steve Lukather (for playing all those licks you'd love to get your fingers to do), Gary Moore (for being the first real super shredder in 1968 then changing to the best new blues player in the 1990's), Uli Roth, Michael Schenker (both for giving us proto neo-classical), Angus Young (for playing all that stuff your mum hated), Al DiMeola, John McGlaughlin (for making us actually listen to Jazz Fusion), Jeff Beck (for being experimental), Robert Fripp - Rory Gallagher (for being bloody brilliant), Brian May (for playing all those great Queen songs and the 12 minute solo in Brighton Rock), Jeff Watson and Jennifer Batten (for using all 8 fingers at the same time), Brad Gillis (for showing us what the locking whammy bar is actually there for), George Lynch (for making those great solos sound so bloody easy), Paul Gilbert (for being able to play impossible things at impossible speeds and being a really nice guy), Steve Vai (for really weird guitar abuse and showing us how to make the whammy bar talk), Joe Satriani (for teaching more than a few of the current best guitarists), Guthrie Goven (for making everyone else look like they're standing still), and all the other great guitarists out there I've not put on this list because its simply not exhaustive - please add anyone below :)
Steely Dan has been my favorite since the 70s. Loving this
Brian May and The Red Special will always be my favorite guitar sound of all time.
You knew this was coming... How could you ignore Randy Rhoads??? First time I heard Crazy Train, in tenth grade, my brain melted!
Rush? I literally cry.... Loved your compassion on it. Great tune!!!
I’ve always been so impressed by Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky guitar work.
I was disappointed not to see this in the video. I’ve heard a lot of attempts to replicate that sound, but none have ever managed to get it spot on. One of my favorite guitar sounds of all time.
La Villa Strangiato so underrated. It is actually one of the best pieces of rock music there are.
I taught myself the bass parts on LVS and Xanadu- ufh what a workout! 🥵
20 is too limiting. Buck Dharma on Godzilla. Steve Howe. Michael Rutherford. Mick Ronson. Steve Hackett. Stevie Ray Vaughan. Joe Walsh. Adrian Belew. Lindsey Buckingham. Robert Fripp. All created unique signature guitar sounds, even when based solely on their style of playing.
Yes!!! Buck Dharma FTW!!!!
Tony Iommi, Peter Green, Frank Goddamn Zappa.
Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Ronson, SRV. Great players with unique tone. All off your suggestions have merit though.
Ohh, yeah. "Transmaniacon MC," "I'm on the Lamb but I Ain't No Sheep," etc. etc.
The Edge - Agree ... great sound-smith. Really dislike it when people talk about how "over-rated" he is. Musicianship isn't all technical play.
Mark Zabel totally agree
Appreciate his craft. Always found U2 boring as hell though.
@@AcornFox I'm sort of on the fence with U2's music. But the Edge's sound and sparse play showcased Bono's chanting, and I think that's what their musical vision was. Like their music or not, The Edge did an exemplary job of helping create something that was unique and stands out for its time. So yeah ... I appreciate his craft. Glad not everyone sounds and plays like him though. Not my style at all.
I wouldn't say he is over rated I wouldn't rate him at all . your right though he is a sound Smith all smoke and mirrors no real substance .
I totally agree Mark. I can't solo to save my life, but thanks to Edge i feel im an amazing rhythm player. he makes huge music soundscapes from simple guitar parts. He is my guitar teacher.
So glad you gave us Irish guys a shoutout with the edge! He’s such an underrated guitarist, and an absolute tone freak, when you hear him change like you said from Boy through Joshua Tree (another great delay tone is bad from unforgettable fire) and even up to more recent records like atomic bomb and the hard rock tone he put together for vertigo. He’s a genius.
Bad is to this day my fav' U2 song & while we're at it Larry's percussion work on that song as well. Also underrated in his chosen craft..
Gotta have Fripp’s sound on Bowie’s Heroes
Rob J good Call!
urban legend has it that there's a power drill on the strings somewhere in the mix! 🎸🤔
Beatles have a few:
Revolution, She Came Into the Bathroom Window, The End (Abbey Road) Guitar solos, Dear Prudence.
The Beatles' "Hard Days Night" opening chord
Dave Davies of The Kinks "You Really Got Me"
Jorma Kaukonen on After Bathing at Baxters (Jefferson Airplane)
Jimi Hendrix just about anything
Steppenwolf "The Pusher"
Syd Barret on "See Emily Play" Pink Floyd
David Gilmour of "Time" from Dark Side of the Moon
Robin Trower "In Held Twas in I" by Procul Harum
Jeff Beck "Beck's Bolero" +
Eric Clapton "Bell Bottom Blues"
XTC "Travels in Nihlon" from "Black Sea"
Andy Summers "Walking on the Moon"
Duane Allman "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed"
Robert Fripp on "Fashion"
Mick Taylor on "Gimme Shelter"
Dave Gregory and Andy Partridge - The Dukes of Stratusphear "Bike Ride to the Moon" "25 O'Clock"
Cybernauts, Terranauts and Astronauts Speaking of The Beatles...
Clapton’s tone on While my guitar gently weeps definitely should be on here.
RTFO, nan! Great list!
Surprised to see See Emily Play - not that I disagree at all, Syd really was fantastic in that one
Mick Taylor wasn't on "Gimme Shelter".
How do you not include Tony Iommi. The godfather of heavy metal? What a distinct, new sound he had early on.