THE 100 GREATEST GUITARISTS EVER! …AND HOW TO PLAY LIKE THEM!

Rock out with Brian May, learn a few jazz secrets or test yourself with some blues tricks as we learn from the master guitarists who shaped the history of music…

Here’s the thing. Choosing our collective 100 favourite guitarists turned out to be just too darned tough for TG’S fanatical team of guitar nerds! So, armed with a ‘shortlist’ of over 250 players, we decided to ask you lovely readers to have the casting vote in an online poll on Guitarworld.com. Here’s how it works.

We took 170 guitarists from our big list and grouped them into six categories: classic rock, blues, heavy metal, shred, indie/alternative and a ‘best right now’ contemporary poll. Six categories and six polls later, we had some results. The winning guitarists make up 80 of the 100 you’ll see here. The other 20 are chosen by us. Read on for tips, profiles, interviews and lessons on all 100 players, including the man pictured here, Queen’s Brian May.

Topping our classic rock poll and receiving more votes than any polled player, Brian’s a true pioneer of tone and one of those rare guitarists who’s instantly recognisable from a single note.

We caught up with the Queen guitarist to talk about his influences, tone, trademark harmonies and what it means to him to be so highly regarded in the guitar community.

We’re also taking a look at Brian’s playing style and we’ll even show you how to dial in Red Special tones with a standard Strat or Les Paul. Still not enough Queen? Try our tab of Hammertofall.

Hopefully we’ve delivered The Works!