Who had/has the most identifiable guitar sound/tone?

[rustoffa]

OK, a person that's a big fan of Carlos Santana started arguing with me about which guitarist has the most identifiable sound, regarding whatever fucking sound people recognize them for. It's funny, the person eventually forgot all about Santana, and decided that Brian May was the MOST identifiable......based strictly on what may, or may not be a patented "harpsichord pile of shit."

Needless to say, the argument digressed from there when I said that Carlos Santana learned to play with a bag of oranges.

That was then, this is now.

Feel free to post the most degrading/ass-kissing opinions of whatever gutarist's signature wankery here.

I'll put 10 random names up ....it's not about popularity.

Have fun!

[binnie]

Great idea for a thread, to me the sign of a great player of any instrument is that you know its them instantly.

Have to think about this one though...

[saint]

The most obvious to me is Malmsteen, But I also think Gary Moore has a rather distinct sound.

[m_dixon1984]

I'm no expert but the most identifiable to me, after EVH, are Brian May, SRV, and Zakk Wylde.

Honestly, at this point, I'm not sure I recognize Eddie because of his sound or because I know all his music so well. That's the trouble when you've listened to every song (CVH era obviously) thousands of times.

M

[FORD]

I could identify Eddie, Angus, Iommi, and May easily, but that's because I'm more a fan of them than the others and have been listening to their records for decades. I could add others to that list like Clapton, Hendrix, The Edge, and Keith Richards.

Carlos Santana and Leslie West are probably just as identifiable to their serious fans, but then I could only name about 4 Santana songs and 1 Mountain song, so that lets me out.

As for Robert Johnson, he's probably easy enough to identify, because he'll be the one without amplification or production on his recordings. Nuthin but the pure blues there.

As far as the wankery goes though..... probably Ying Yang Egosteen.

[Viking]

I like Brian May, but somtimes he sounds like he's trying to fuck a set of bagpipes.

[Last_Child]

For me it's usually Mick Ronson.

If it's not him it's gotta be Brian May.

[FORD]

Originally posted by Viking
I like Brian May, but somtimes he sounds like he's trying to fuck a set of bagpipes.

So you're saying Brian May is a drunken octopus? :D

[binnie]

On that list I went with Iommi because his tone really hasn't changed that much in almost 40 years, at least not to these ears.

I would say that Ed's style/tone was instantly recognisable up to FUCK and then he started to experiment more (Balance) and it became less so.

Not saying that's a bad thing: Balance was a shit record, but Ed found some really beautiful tones on it, and we saw the fruition of the work in Me Wise Magic, Can't Get This Stuff No More and, to some extent, Humans Being.

[binnie]

Other people's tones who are instantly recognisable to me:

Slash - you know when it's him on a tune.


Dimebag - nuff said.

[Viking]

Originally posted by FORD:

So you're saying Brian May is a drunken octopus? :D

He's the only guy out there that took a hunk of fireplace mantle and made it behave like one. :D

[EAT MY ASSHOLE]

As FORD mentioned, keith richards and the edge are great choices. Think of "Start Me Up" - within the first five seconds, you KNOW EXACTLY who that is (or at the very least, who they're emulating).

Page, same thing. If someone starts playing that style of white boy blues, you think Zep. Just like if some singer yelps "Ow!" during a guitar break, you think Dave..

[Coyote]

George Lynch. You'll know it's him when he's on.

A guy who plays that many "outside"-notes can't be anything but identifiable...

[Anonymous]

Angus. When I was but a toddler and had yet to listen to more than half of the AC/DC cataolgue, I KNEW it was an AC/DC song in the first 2 seconds, even if it was a song I hadn't listened to yet.

But yeah, all of those guitar players on the poll, and even most of the mentioned after do have a very distinct sound. It was a tough one, but I'll have to go with Angus.

Cheers! :bottle:

[ace diamond]

vinnie vincent-the biggest wanker of all time
ace frehley-wanker from another galaxy
jimmy page-wizard wanker
jimi hendrix-the wanking dead

[Redballjets88]

vinnie vincent is probable the most technically talented guitarist i have ever seen

[Redballjets88]

to me vai is very recognizable too

[CROWBAR]

Angus, the wanking Aussie thunder!

[cMb]

Originally posted by Redballjets88
vinnie vincent is probable the most technically talented guitarist i have ever seen

I'm not a huge VV fan, but the guy is/was insanely fast.

I voted for Eddie, although it could've been Iommi just as easily. Tony's 'doom' riffage is always enjoyable! :cool:

[Douglas T.]

Peter Frampton .... no .... Zack Wylde .... no ... Slash .... I say ED!

[MERRYKISSMASS2U]

Not a huge fan, but easily Zakk Wylde.

[Douglas T.]

Vinnie kicked ass with Vince Neil!<br>
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/DTSKYNYRD/ROCK%20STAR%20STUFF/exposed.jpg

[Loons The Great]

Eugene Martone
or
Sammy Hagar...that can't drive 55 mothafucka...bahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah ahahaha

[rustoffa]

What about the signature Byrdland wankery? Almost forgot!

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11400000/11403057.jpg

[Loons The Great]

I know Chuck Berry's sound after 'bout 2 bars...

[ace diamond]

Originally posted by Redballjets88
vinnie vincent is probable the most technically talented guitarist i have ever seen

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA

[ace diamond]

Originally posted by Loons The Great
I know Chuck Berry's sound after 'bout 2 bars...


I WAS GONNA MENTION HIM...........HIS SOUND HAS NOT CHANGES SINCE HE CUT HIS FIRST RECORD"MAYBELLINE" BACK IN 1955. I HOPE HE COMES AND DOES A SHOW OUT MY WAY THIS YEAR.

[bueno bob]

Why is Tony Iommi behind Eddie?

:confused:

[bueno bob]

Brian, Tony and Angus should be running away with this one...

[Shaun Ponsonby]

You know, I was thinking aboot this the other day.

I recently picked up Paul Rodger's "Muddy Water Blues" album from 1993. And, when "I'm Ready" came on, I thought "Thats gotta be Brian May". Same with "Bad For Good" on Bat Out of Hell III...along with a bunch of other guest spots he's done.

I wouldn't say you can always ALWAYS know when it's Ed...at least not post-1984.

Angus you can usaully tell.

Tony Iommi is another one you can hear no matter what. I remember listening to Ozzy perform at Buckingham Palace on the radio a few years ago...and I wondered throughout his whole performance if it WAS actually Iommi on guitar. Afterwards the DJ said "Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Tony Iommi on guitar".

So, to sum up...I would go for either Brian or Tony. I'll go for Brian cos I'm a bigger Queen fan...although, I am listening to "Mob Rules" right now.

[ace diamond]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
You know, I was thinking aboot this the other day.

I recently picked up Paul Rodger's "Muddy Water Blues" album from 1993. And, when "I'm Ready" came on, I thought "Thats gotta be Brian May". Same with "Bad For Good" on Bat Out of Hell III...along with a bunch of other guest spots he's done.

I wouldn't say you can always ALWAYS know when it's Ed...at least not post-1984.

Angus you can usaully tell.

Tony Iommi is another one you can hear no matter what. I remember listening to Ozzy perform at Buckingham Palace on the radio a few years ago...and I wondered throughout his whole performance if it WAS actually Iommi on guitar. Afterwards the DJ said "Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Tony Iommi on guitar".

So, to sum up...I would go for either Brian or Tony. I'll go for Brian cos I'm a bigger Queen fan...although, I am listening to "Mob Rules" right now.

dude-make up yer fuckin' mind,man!

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Originally posted by bueno bob
Why is Tony Iommi behind Eddie?

:confused:

Because everyone voting is a CVH fan.

Quite unfair to put him in actually.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Originally posted by ace diamond
dude-make up yer fuckin' mind,man!

dude-i did do,man!

[MAPRamone]

Where The Fuck is Jeff Beck?

[fe_lung]

The guy in Pink Floyd has a pretty unique sound. As does Mark Knopfler. The Edge has his own thing. No one sounds like Keith Richards. Ditto for Willie Nelson. There's a lot of people who really have their own unique thing going on. I can't say as you could really name one more than the other

[Mr. Vengeance]

Keith is immediately recognizable.

I can tell George Lynch within a millisecond.

Jimi as well.

[sadaist]

EVH. I could hear a new song on the radio, even after the 6-pack, and know immediately it was him. After that, I would say Satriani is pretty identifiable.

[mako_kimura]

Originally posted by Douglas T.
Vinnie kicked ass with Vince Neil!<br>
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n137/DTSKYNYRD/ROCK%20STAR%20STUFF/exposed.jpg

That wasn't Vinnie Vincent on that record, that was Steve Stevens

[ace diamond]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
dude-i did do,man!

good......you were startin' to sound like a woman

[rustoffa]

Who can forget the King of surf guitar? Apparently, me!!! I shoulda put him in the arbitrary list....instantaneous recognition when you hear his surf wankery!

http://www.upthedownstair.net/pics/dd.jpg

[MAPRamone]

Originally posted by rustoffa
Who can forget the King of surf guitar? Apparently, me!!! I shoulda put him in the arbitrary list....instantaneous recognition when you hear his surf wankery!

http://www.upthedownstair.net/pics/dd.jpg

Brilliant choice!

[Terry]

Originally posted by Viking
I like Brian May, but somtimes he sounds like he's trying to fuck a set of bagpipes. :p

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
So, to sum up...I would go for either Brian or Tony. I'll go for Brian cos I'm a bigger Queen

SHOCKING! :eek:

Cheers! :bottle:

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Originally posted by Imapus Sylicker
SHOCKING! :eek:

Cheers! :bottle:

Hey, I still have those pictures of you and the janitor.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
Hey, I still have those pictures of you and the janitor.

:mad:

Hey, that's not fair! I was VERY drunk that day. And she told me she was 18!

How was I to know she was goin' on 39?

http://monstermaidscustodialservices.com/images/WomanCleaningToilet.jpg

Cheers! :bottle:

[Shaun Ponsonby]

I meant the other one.

The old janitor.

The VERY old janitor

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k299/Captainswing_2006/janitorpus.gif" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

[Anonymous]

:mad:

Ok, if you wanna stoop low enough to deliver jabs at my cocaine filled days, I'll go even lower.

While on one of our hot, drug induced steamy escapades, that old geezer lovingly whispered something in my ear that I will never forget. He asked me not to reveal it, ever, but if you'rte gonna be like that, I have nothing to lose.

He's your mother, Shaun. That old fart is your mother. He gave birth to you on his 78th birthday and then gave you up for adoption, 'cuz he couldn't find out who your father was.

But there's rumour that he was involved with Matt at the time.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Well, now, this is a shock.

Do you mean when I looked at those pictures, I was looking at my mother?

Excuse me, while I vomit...

But, I look nothing like him.

http://a412.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00773/11/48/773428411_l.gif

See?

[Anonymous]

Well, there's still the father issue.

I have a gut feeling we should start calling you Mr. P., from now on.

Though, for the life of me, I can't tell you why for sure.

Anyways, stop hijacking this thread, Shaun - er, Mr. P.

Let's get it back on topic: that old janitor has the most identifiable mop sweep anyone will ever see.

Trust me on this one.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Shaun Ponsonby]

I cun't even remember what thread this is.

Is it kicked to the curb?

[Anonymous]

Good question.

Do you think we're abusing our privilege of trying to be smart-asses?

What if this spreads?

I shudder to think at the consequences.

Cheers! :bottle:

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Yes, we are abusing our priviledge to be smart asses.

But, we're smart asses so its expected.

[ODShowtime]

EVH definitely has the most identifiable tone up there.

I'd put SRV second.

[John Ashcroft]

Hate to say it fellas, but you've also got to include Thorogood for simple sound recognition. I actually like his playing, but that's irrelavent. You can tell it's George in the first second.

Eddie of course is instantly recognizable to all guitarists born after 1920, and most music fans as well. So he's my #1 pick. But beyond that it's a bit difficult to rank. Did everyone forget Randy?

[rustoffa]

Originally posted by John Ashcroft
Hate to say it fellas, but you've also got to include Thorogood for simple sound recognition

Forgot that one too! :rolleyes:

There should be a separate category for wankery that happened without "talent boosters." (effects)

Thorogood has gone on record as not even knowing what his shit was plugged into. I posted a thread about the phenomenon awhile back....he commented regarding Jeff Beck's lack of talent boosters @ some point.

Speaking of not knowing? Who can forget this instantly recognizable master of bent chords?
http://www.punk77.co.uk/graphics/heartbreakers/band2.jpg

That's right, Johnny Thunders made a career of sloppy identification!
Listen to a sloppy example here!!! (http://www.randynow.com/MP3/01%20Pipeline.mp3)

[binnie]

The more I think about it, the more Lynch becomes an interesting choice...

[Wawazat]

Duane Allmann

[ace diamond]

WELCOME TO SMART-ASSES R US!!!!

[John Ashcroft]

Originally posted by rustoffa
Forgot that one too! :rolleyes:

There should be a separate category for wankery that happened without "talent boosters." (effects)

Thorogood has gone on record as not even knowing what his shit was plugged into. I posted a thread about the phenomenon awhile back....he commented regarding Jeff Beck's lack of talent boosters @ some point.

Speaking of not knowing? Who can forget this instantly recognizable master of bent chords?
http://www.punk77.co.uk/graphics/heartbreakers/band2.jpg

That's right, Johnny Thunders made a career of sloppy identification!
Listen to a sloppy example here!!! (http://www.randynow.com/MP3/01%20Pipeline.mp3)

I didn't say he was among the greats, just recognizable... You can't deny it regardless of what he plays through. Open tuning and slide all the way, every song, all the time.

Unmistakable, even if it's wankery. :D

[hideyoursheep]

Regardless of what they use, I could identify these guys wearing a blindfold.
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There's something about there signatures that always stand out, no matter what the song or guitar they use. Not like the first 2 ever use anything else ..
Ed's automatic. May's tone gives him away.

Hammett is another one easy to pick out. Very mechanical.

Get hendrix, Frank Mareno, Robin Trower and this guy in a room..

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Same thing.

[rustoffa]

I'd recognize Jack White's Kay slide-noodling anywhere...even if I was underwater fighting peer-a-naws! It's always grate when his shit sounds like it's about to blow up!
:)

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[cdwillis]

To me Brian May has the most identifiable tone on that list. The over drive is on the verge of being over the top but it's still controlled. Plus all the damn harmonies make it easy to tell its him.

Of course EVH would be next.

[stringfelowhawk]

Who can forget the King of surf guitar? Apparently, me!!! I shoulda put him in the arbitrary list....instantaneous recognition when you hear his surf wankery!




As I was scrolling down the first page I kept thinking, "Where is he?"

Before this board went down I remember a similar thread and my answer is the same. For some reason I've always been good at instantly recognizing players even if I've only heard a few notes and even if its a new recording. Shit like that I just soak up without knowing why. My best friends mom used to tell me if I could remember 7th grade biology like I could entertainment trivia I'd end up with a PHD. I never watched much tv but at the time I could name every cast member of Night Court.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Chuck Berry or Chet Atkins. I can instantly recognize pretty much everyone has listed and then some. Jimi has been mentioned and all the usual suspects but I think one glaring ommission is Billy Gibbons. It doesn't matter if you like him or not but you sure as hell know its him. I've never heard anyone play vibratto like him. I know when its Jeff Healey too.
And to add a personal opinion that most won't agree with is Gary Rossington when he plays slide. I automatically know its him.
A newer player that you guys probably haven't even heard of is Robert Randolph.