With the most renowned musical equipment known to Rock n’ Roll come the great titans and warriors who battle with the axes; burning flesh against steel and rampaging with the cries of strings. With various techniques and effects that  speak their own language of chords, scales and notes; melting faces with their solos and unleashing hell on the faint at heart. Here are the top 10 guitarists that every aspiring guitarist should look up to when battling with the strings.

01. James Marshall Hendrix – (Born 27th November 1942 – Died 18th September 1970)

Considered as the greatest rock guitarist of all time, Jimi Hendrix stands out from the rest with his Acid-Pop genre and high gain amplifiers. Breaking new grounds by introducing the “wah” pedal and being one of the first ever artists to experiment with “Stereophonic” recordings, Hendrix stands high and mighty among the guitar Gods. Having won many prestigious awards throughout his career and is the number 1 listed guitarist on the Rolling Stones magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time. Hendrix is well known for using the fender Stratocaster on a reverse position for playing with his left hand.

Notable Instruments: Fender, Stratocaster.

02. Ulrich Roth – (also known as Uli Jon Roth) (Born 18th December 1954, Düsseldorf West Germany)

Roth is a German guitarist who is one of the very early contributors to the “Neo Classical Metal” genre. Forming the band “Dawn Road” in the early 70’s and replacing Michael Schenker as the guitarist for the band “Scorpions” in 1973, Roth was fast in making a name for his playing. With the innovation of his own “Sky Guitar” with added frets beyond the 24th fret; one with 36 frets and another with 42; Roth turned his axes into some insanely chaotic weapons of sound. Heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Roth has dedicated a lot of material in the guitar god’s name. Roth has composed some classical material with his own band “Electric Sun” which has been very influential to upcoming guitarists.

Notable Instrument – Sky Guitar – A guitar made with the help of a British luthier, and the guitarist of “Fair Warning”, some including a 7th string tuned to a low B, with frets beyond the 24th fret.

03. Yngwie Johann Malmsteen – (Born 30th June 1963, Stockholm, Sweden)

Malmsteen is well known for his neo-classical licks, blues and metal playing styles and his brilliance in incorporating these diverse styles with an incredible technical command of the instrument. A very innovative player, heavily influenced by the great Niccalo Paganini, Malmsteen is known for his fast picking techniques, use of arpeggios and the use of such scales as Harmonic minor and minor modes such as Aeolian, Phrygian and Lydian in his playing. Famous works include Rising Force, Marching Out, Fire and Ice, Odyssey and Magnum Opus. Malmsteen is not only a talented player but also a fine composer, and is definitely a commanding god of guitar.

Notable Instruments: Fender, Stratocaster (seen mostly with a scalloped neck, which Malmsteen states is to help him have a better grip of the strings)

04. Edward “Eddie” Van Halen – (Born 26th January 1955 Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Famous for his rapid playing, introducing tapping and high frequency feedback, Van Halen is considered one of the greatest guitarists of the 20th century and is a resort for guitarists aspiring of guitar stardom. The lead guitarist and co-founder of the hard rock band “Van Halen” this guitarist adds up to our list as one of the most influential guitarists of all time. Influenced himself by Eric Clapton, Brian May and Jimmy Page, Van Halen States he spent countless hours practicing guitar solos of Eric Clapton’s, of his band Cream and modifying the solo’s to suit his playing.

Notable Instruments: “Frankenstrat” by Eddie Van Halen, Music Man Signature Model, Peavey wolfgang.

05. Joseph “Joe” Satriani – (Born 15th July 1956 Westbury, New York, U.S.A.)

Joe Satriani is a multiple Grammy award winning instrumental rock guitarist, influenced greatly by Jimi Hendrix, Satriani has mentored many guitarists over time (Steve Vai being a very famous prodigy). Satriani has worked with countless artists and acts, including: Yngwie Malmsteen, Deep Purple, Eric Johnson, Brian May and Andy Timmons. Satriani is well known for his guitar effects and grungy feel in his songs. Being a true innovator and an authority, he makes up our list. A “Must” follow guitarist for uniqueness in terms of playing.

Notable Instruments: Ibanez “Joe Satriani” Signature models.

06. Jason Becker – (Born 22nd July 1969)

Becker is another guitarist following in Malmsteen’s footsteps of holding Niccal Paganini one of his biggest inspirations. Becker is also a Neo Classical metal guitarist with a very good and responsive technical command of his instrument. Making his mark in history as one of the most iconic guitarists but unfortunately paralyzed due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Becker still composes music with the help of a computer and his eyes. His works are truly inspirational to guitarist studying guitar god hood.

Famous works include Perpetual Burn, Raspberry Jams and Blackberry Jams.

Notable Instruments: Carvin, Hurricane and Peavey Guitars.

07. James “Jimmy” Patrick Page – (Born 9th January 1944 Heston Middlesex, England)

Jimmy Page is one of the founding fathers for all guitar circles and is an iconic figure for all rock guitarists, starting out as a session musician and later joining “The Yardbirds” alongside Jeff Beck and afterwards forming the Legendary “Led Zeppelin” page has worked his way up the stairs to guitar heaven with flaming picks and lighting fingers. Jimmy Page is not only a talented guitarist but also a composer and a producer. Seen at times playing his guitar with a violin bow, clad in white, page sets the image for guitarists to follow for generations ahead.
He is also notable for his blues, folk and hard rock styles, incorporated with his playing.

Notable Instruments: Gibson Les Paul, Gibson EDS-1275.

08. Abbott “DimebagDiamond” Lance Darrell – (Born 20th August 1996 – Died 8th December 2004)

With what might be considered the most insane, unorthodox, and agile performances live and lightning fast licks and solos on guitar, Dimebag can be mentioned as the most influential heavy metal guitarist of all time with traumatizing tones from his well known razorback guitars. A member of the bands Pantera and Damageplan, Dimebag is godly for guitarists in general and all metal guitarists worship his name. Dimabag rests with the gods of guitar before him. Shot during a Damageplan show, Dimebag lives in every guitar solo of Pantera and Damageplan played by guitarists crawling in the grace and glory of this very influential guitarist.

Notable Instruments: Dimebag Signature models issued by “Dean” and “Washburn”

09. Saul “Slash” Hudson – (Born 23rd July 1965, West Hampstead, London)

Bluesy powered solos, trademark top hat and a whole lot of attention and you know it’s none other than the guitar god, Slash. A member of the bands Gun’s n’ Roses, Velvet Revolver and Slash’s Snake pit, this guitarist is a work of art, seen with his ‘59 Sunburst Gibson Les Paul on numerous music videos and live performances. Some of Slash’s greatest solos are included in the songs Sweet Child of Mine, Paradise City and Welcome to the jungle by Gun’s N’ Roses alongside vocal legend Axl Rose. Slash’s playing has influenced many guitar players and still inspires many. Slash has indeed proved us time and time again that he deserves his earthly throne as a guitar god.

Notable instrument: Gibson Les Paul.

10. Steven “Steve” Siro Vai – (Born 6th June 1960, Carle Place, New York)

Taught by none other than Joe Satriani, Vai has set tone for massive new grounds and pushing the boundaries of guitar limits beyond expectations. Starting his solo career in 1984 Vai has worked his way up to true guitar Godhood. Well known to have toured with epic musical acts such as Alcatrazz, David Lee Roth, White Snake and as a regular part of the Legendry G3. Vai is a very innovative guitar player who literally speaks through his guitar (Seen very well in videos). Even compared by commentators to the guitar god Eddie Van Halen, Vai is one of the most influential guitarists of this century. Seen shredding and melting faces with his Ibanez guitars breaking ground and leaving nothing but pure “AWW” in faces, this guitarist is Poetry in Motion with his axe at battle.

Notable Instruments: – Ibanez JEM. Ibanez Universe.

Do note that above listing is exactly what it is; a list and is in no way a rating or ranking of the guitarists’ ability.