I just stumbled upon this 2008 list from Guitar World of the "50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time". Although they've listed 50 guitarists here, unfortunately Guitar World weren't willing to rank their choices. So, you'll have to make up your own mind about which of these guitarists takes the "fastest guitarist of all time" trophy.
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I think its Michaelangelo Batio.Ive never seen anyone play faster while playing every note clean .
The “correct answer” is that the fastest guitarist ever is/was Shawn Lane, no contest.
Doesn’t matter who is or isn’t but leaving John Mclaughlin off is absurd as more than half of these players wouldn’t exist without his groundbreaking work.
Alvin Lee competed against Jimmy Page and beat him. In 1969 Lee was the fastest.
I’d vote for Paul Gilbert…although, for me, speed is pretty far down the list in rating great guitarists.
And fast = good? C’mon!
In the Beatles Anthology videos George Harrison talks about not being able to play 10,000 notes a minute, which echos my thoughts on “fast.”
In one of the most soulful solos ever, Cause We Ended As Lovers, Jeff Beck captures the mood when he begins the song with one long, bent note.
No Greg Howe?
It does seem strange that John Mclauglin is not on the list. His shredding was a legend in the early seventies and he hasn’t slowed down a great deal. One standout guitarist on the list is Paco de Lucia who is not only fast but his music says something apart from, “I’m really fast!”.
So Many left out. Steve Vai was mentioned as an influence, so was Yngwie, but not listed in the top 50. Are they “token” masterfasters that they shouldn’t be listed? Or did I miss them? Or Eddie? There are so many more too. Stev
You all need to broaden your horizons, and “discover” Bireli Lengrene – and while your at it, look at his musical predecessor Django Reinhardt. Also Frank Vignola is fast – he is also, like the Bireli and Django very musical.
its Buckethead. he’s so damn fast!
What Bout Zakk Wylde From Ozzy An Black Label Sosiety???
skwisgaar skwigelf
its yngwie malmsteen who is the fastest….no one can beat him…
A little late to this but anyway. East Bay Ray is bar none the fastest. This guy goes through chords faster than shredding. You would hav to get a Lambo full throttle on the Autobahn to maybe go as fast as he does. And he plays rythym not lead.
Gary Richrath formerly of REO Speedwagon should have made the list.
If you see comments saying someone OTHER than Shawn Lane, it means they have never HEARD Shawn Lane.
YOU GUYS ARE ALL WRONG!!!! EDDIE VAN HALEN HAS THE FASTEST HANDS IN GUITAR HISTORY!!!! HAVE YOU EVER HEARD THE SONG ERUPTION PEOPLE???????
Rusty Cooley is hands Down THE FASTEST GUITARIST ON THIS PLANET!
Paul Gilbert is fast but he CAN’T SWEEP PICK!
HE IS Malmsteen, Impellitteri, and Batio WITH SEVN AND EIGHT STRINGS!!!!!
GO here and watch the first two minutes for proof
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDhg9zKqnzk
Watch the first two minutes and you’ll see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDhg9zKqnzk
Rusty Cooley is!!!