Sure he's great, but there's lot of great pickers in Nashville. Session man Tom Bukovac has taken Youtube by storm. I still love Certified Guitar Picker Steve Wariner.
Brad Paisley - Guitar Skill
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Last: 4 yr ago by Aggie12B
He's probably the best today.
Like mainstream guys that are also the headliner? Yeah, I can't think of anyone better. I always dogged on him till I saw him at the Houston Rodeo, and he changed my mind. He can shred.
Although Zack Brown could be in that discussion too.
Although Zack Brown could be in that discussion too.
Funny. Zac Brown was the first guy that came to mind trying to think of someone on his level. And Paisley can write some songs too. He's got some trash out there because he kicks out a lot of music. But some of his biggest hits are great songwriting. Dude is talented.
Brad is a great guitar player, but is he better than Vince Gill? I'm not sure about that. They both have unique styles that are easily identifiable and both are extremely talented.
Brent Mason used to be the go-to studio ace in Nashville. He won the ACM Guitarist of the Year award 14 times and could play any style.
Edit to add: Gill is a regular at Clapton's annual guitar fest concert. That has to count for something.
Brent Mason used to be the go-to studio ace in Nashville. He won the ACM Guitarist of the Year award 14 times and could play any style.
Edit to add: Gill is a regular at Clapton's annual guitar fest concert. That has to count for something.
Vince Gill doesn't suck.
I played in a band that opened for Brad Paisley years ago. I was embarrassed to even plug my guitar in.
I love his tone.
I love his tone.
I don't know if he is the best but I sure do enjoy watching him play.
Best guitar player in Nashville? I would argue some of the greatest guitar players in the world are in Nashville. At some point, what makes one better than another? Technical ability? Speed?
I bet you can find a host of session musicians in Nashville one could argue are better guitar players.
I would argue actually being able to compose guitar music that means something to or speaks to people is the mark of a true artist. There are thousands of guitar solos that are faster and harder to play than David Gilmour's in Comfortably Numb. However, I haven't heard one that has had as big of an impact on me. So, in my mind, David Gilmour is a top 5 guitarist of all time. Does anyone use space as well as that man? Is that guitar virtuosity or musicianship or artistry? I don't know. And now, here I am... tired and just rambling on about David Gilmour. I'm going to sleep.
I bet you can find a host of session musicians in Nashville one could argue are better guitar players.
I would argue actually being able to compose guitar music that means something to or speaks to people is the mark of a true artist. There are thousands of guitar solos that are faster and harder to play than David Gilmour's in Comfortably Numb. However, I haven't heard one that has had as big of an impact on me. So, in my mind, David Gilmour is a top 5 guitarist of all time. Does anyone use space as well as that man? Is that guitar virtuosity or musicianship or artistry? I don't know. And now, here I am... tired and just rambling on about David Gilmour. I'm going to sleep.
Keith Urban is pretty good for a solo artist as well.
Very well put. There are tons of math rock shredders and country finger pickers who blaze a guitar but they don't play anything I ever want to listen to. That's a huge metric for me.
Any love for Jason Isbell? I love his guitar playing, but is he considered at the upper level?
Any love for Jason Isbell? I love his guitar playing, but is he considered at the upper level?
he aint no Jimmy Olander
Brad Paisley is the Van Halen of country.
There are probably technically better guys (session players) in the shadows in the studios, but to rip country, chicken-pickin' solos in front of a packed stadium, he is the best. He also has the look and charisma.
I've played guitar for 40 years, and I'm a huge guitar and music fan. Music is subjective, but in my opinion he is the best country player and should be in a top 50 of all time conversation.
There are probably technically better guys (session players) in the shadows in the studios, but to rip country, chicken-pickin' solos in front of a packed stadium, he is the best. He also has the look and charisma.
I've played guitar for 40 years, and I'm a huge guitar and music fan. Music is subjective, but in my opinion he is the best country player and should be in a top 50 of all time conversation.
Paisley has to be hands down the best in terms of a headlining act that can play. I'll echo what others have said, there may be technically better session players, but that's a different skill set.
Now that Roy Clark is dead, maybe.Ranger #007 said:
Paisley has to be hands down the best in terms of a headlining act that can play. I'll echo what others have said, there may be technically better session players, but that's a different skill set.
Great point.DallasTeleAg said:
There are thousands of guitar solos that are faster and harder to play than David Gilmour's in Comfortably Numb. However, I haven't heard one that has had as big of an impact on me.
This is one of my complaints about Brad Paisley. Sometimes I wish he would just slow down a bit, play fewer notes, and put together more melodic solos.
My all time favorite though is Glen Campbell. This video especially is awesome, just to see all these legends next to him listening to him play.
As far as guitarists I know of in Nashville Adrian Belew is probably the best or at least one of them. Also, although semi-retired, Peter Frampton is in Nashville as well.
I was a huge Paisley fan for years until he went party country with all his lyrics. But dang the dude can play! Been to several of his shows, and always tried to get as close to the stage as possible to watch him tear it up.
Not a country band, but they were playing a country song: I think one of the best guitar recordings I've ever encountered is Steve Gaines in Lynyrd Skynyrds "Honkytonk Nighttime Man," originally done by Merle Haggard. The Strat tone is amazing, and he gets a Tele pop through his picking that is damned impressive.
Not a country band, but they were playing a country song: I think one of the best guitar recordings I've ever encountered is Steve Gaines in Lynyrd Skynyrds "Honkytonk Nighttime Man," originally done by Merle Haggard. The Strat tone is amazing, and he gets a Tele pop through his picking that is damned impressive.
"Well, if you can’t have a great season, at least ruin somebody else’s." - Olin Buchanan
Totally different style that in no way compares to the others discussed here, but how do people generally characterize Willie Nelson as a guitar player? I don't know of anyone else that really plays in this style.
I really enjoy this solo.
I really enjoy this solo.
I'll tell you who is an underrated finger picker: Paul Simon.
There is no "best" guitar player.
The respect those guys throw at him as he walks in tells you a lot.Seven Costanza said:
Secondly, if I remember correctly Paisley travelled around a lot as a blue grass musician when he was young but I could be incorrect.
And I'd like to thank you all for getting this dang song stuck in my head:
Seven Costanza said:
Totally different style that in no way compares to the others discussed here, but how do people generally characterize Willie Nelson as a guitar player? I don't know of anyone else that really plays in this style.
I really enjoy this solo.
Not a fair comparison. Willie gets his music, vocals and guitar, from a higher power. I'm not saying it's God, but it's definitely more than a stoned Texas hippie with a unique sounding guitar.
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Lived in Nashville for several years and got to sit in on some listening sessions with Brad right when he was coming onto the scene there. He was considered amazing even as a "rookie". Definitely better session players (someone mentioned Dan Huff already; also check out Jon Conley - Kenny Chesney's fiddle player and lead guitarist - top in the business there!), but as far as guys who can sing, shred, and carry a headlining concert in a stadium, these three are typically considered the best of the best (in no particular order):
amazingly, each of them have been around in Nashville since at least the 90's or earlier (Gill), and are still considered at the top of their game in regards to guitar playing skills!
- Brad Paisley
- Keith Urban
- Vince Gill
amazingly, each of them have been around in Nashville since at least the 90's or earlier (Gill), and are still considered at the top of their game in regards to guitar playing skills!
I remember my amazement in learning that Keith Urban used to be in Garth Brooks' band. I believe he was playing lead on the live album.
"Well, if you can’t have a great season, at least ruin somebody else’s." - Olin Buchanan
FAT SEXY said:
I've heard it said a few times that he is the best in Nashville..
Any truth to this?
All good points made previously. I would add that Brad is a very good guitar player, he is good enough to hang with Nuno Bettencourt and others for the Game of Thrones Theme Song video just a couple of years ago.
in the words of Zak Wylde, there is only your favorite one.Troutslime said:
There is no "best" guitar player.
This thread is just what I needed this morning!
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