A Guitar And Gear Support Forum

Clapton is so smooth and sophisticated, so polished, like the sound of silk.
Jimmy Vaughn is competent, but that's about it.
Buddy Guy is exciting.
B.B. is B.B., what else can you say? The man is recognizable with a single note. Who else can you say that about?

toomanycats wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:32 am Clapton is so smooth and sophisticated, so polished, like the sound of silk.
Jimmy Vaughn is competent, but that's about it.
Buddy Guy is exciting.
B.B. is B.B., what else can you say? The man is recognizable with a single note. Who else can you say that about?

I have an old Buddy Guy and Junior Wells CD.. Just awesome unbelievable stuff.

I like Jimmy Vaughn, and his sound is unique, but what makes him good is the overall package of singer, songwriter, guitarist, and performer/personality. As a guitarist, he is a distant fourth in that bunch.

BB, especially younger BB, is a great guitarist, but again what makes him special to me is the full package, especially his singing and stage presence.

Buddy Guy is a tough one. I am a fan, but of the 4, his style is the least unique. He plays fast and does it well, but so do other guys. Still a great guitarist who can do things JV and even BB couldn’t do.

As a pure guitarist, Clapton is my favorite. His timing, phrasing, and feel is next level and as instantly recognizable to me as BB. As TMC said, smooth, polished, and he makes seem so effortless and natural. His singing is passable and as an overall performer, BB easily is the King, but pure guitar, Clapton is special.

Chocol8 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 10:47 am Buddy Guy is a tough one. I am a fan, but of the 4, his style is the least unique. He plays fast and does it well, but so do other guys. Still a great guitarist who can do things JV and even BB couldn’t do.

Check out this raw and stinging Buddy Guy recording from Japan in 1975. It's a shame it has so few views. Half of them are probably mine.

Buddy Guy borrows from a lot of guys (check out his hot licks video), but I also think a lot of guys borrow from Buddy. So if he sounds less unique, I think that's other peoples faults at this point. I like Buddy's playing, but I am not a fan of his singing. I'm more a fan of him with Junior Wells.

These guys are all some of my guitar hero's but B.B. is king every note he played had bit of his soul in it. IMO he was the absolute best guitarist that ever lived. Nothing fancy didn't care about speed shredding or tapping or any other tricks but his solo's were the most tasteful I've ever heard.

Tonray's Ghost wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 8:17 am

toomanycats wrote: ↑Tue Apr 06, 2021 7:32 am Clapton is so smooth and sophisticated, so polished, like the sound of silk.
Jimmy Vaughn is competent, but that's about it.
Buddy Guy is exciting.
B.B. is B.B., what else can you say? The man is recognizable with a single note. Who else can you say that about?

I have an old Buddy Guy and Junior Wells CD.. Just awesome unbelievable stuff.

" Snatch It back, and Hold it!"

If they had the right Vaughn this would be a little easier
As it sits they're all tied for first. Except Vaughn
Buddy Guy wins for best showman with BB as a more laid back 2nd. As guitar players they are so iconic and different.

All of them are excellent in their own way, no rankings or order needed in my $.02.