Underated (at least for me): Stanley Jordan. So underated that I did not even know who he was until I saw him live in a solo concert a couple of months ago. His musical taste can be suspicious (Mozart´s 21 st piano concerto, played on electric guitar!!!) but in terms of pure playing ability he is incredible.

You can find him easily in you tube.

Cheers

Oscar

I'm not saying Edge can't play; he's OK - perhaps even very good, but that there are much better guitar players out there who aren't as popular or well-paid. In that sense he is overrated by a a large cadre of fans.

Whilst I love Pat Metheny's music and compositions, I just can't warm to him as a soloist; my acid test for a guitar solo is "Would I find myself singing it? - and I wouldn't.

Anyone know much about Tommy Emmanuel? Heard a couple of tracks on Radio Paradise.

Hi Steve

I'm analogue and digital - I think even if your preference is analogue you have to be digital to collect new music (a few artist are even download only) - still not complaining, the Naim UQ and DAC do an excellent job. I've ripped most of my digital to a music server (around 3,000 albums), and I have around 800 or so vinyl records plus around 100 singles (singles are nearly all 76/77 for some reason). The Action/Mighty Baby material I have is all digital; they are re-releases, not originals. I just noticed All Your Music have a copy of Jug of Love on vinyl for a sensible price (I use their service a lot for vinyl along with Rockbox) - many thanks for the tip. 

All the best, Guy 

Underrated: 

Peter Buck.   Not big on riffs, but he sure delivered a lot of wonderful melodies.

John Renbourn.    Pentangle never the same after he left -- his solo albums are just...beautiful.

One more underrated:

Habib Koite.  Totally unique style of playing.  Blends traditional Malian music with modern pop, blues, flamenco, etc..   Seen him live a few times....always soulful, and at times, totally mesmerizing.

I'm with Graham55, another vote for Roy Buchanan in the underrated category

I saw him play this track on the Old Grey Whistle test, been a big fan ever since

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swX9oq6TVAU

Overrated Jimmy page

Underrated - Another vote for Tim Renwick - The thing about Tim is he compliments without ever over doing it or stealing the lime light or showing off- he just brings more music to the music. He is well respected in the music industry but as Gale 401 says he almost unknown to the general public.

Over rated - Hank Marvin & 

Yngwie Malmsteen (jaw dropping dexterity but is it pleasant to listen to?)

There are some great performances of 'Classical Gas' on youtube and some lessons where he takes an accomplished guitarist and shows them how its done.

Underrated - Richard Thompson. Often gets the vote of his peers in musician polls but rarely (as a guitarist) in buyers polls because of the mid, rather than mainstream appeal of his work.

I was surprised at how many of the names above (both under and overrated) I was not all that familiar with.

Overrated - as a music lover who cannot put three chords together, I am in awe of anyone who can perform in public so I will skip this and isn't it about the overall appeal to the senses rather than pure technical ability anyway?

I will continue this in the pub tonight!

Ron

Overrated - Kurt Cobain: he couldn't even think of an original name for his group; perhaps he thought the real Nirvana could help him learn guitar, still never mind.

Can't believe somebody nominated Hank M - he is a superb guitarist can only think the nominator hadn't heard much by him.  Somebody will say Roy Crewdson next. 

Hank must have been good he won the NME poll for several years. Surely the public couldn't be duped into voting just on popularity ? I mean they even voted Dave Clark and Ringo as best drummer!!! 

That said Hank must have made more young lads pick up the guitar than almost anyone.

This man is imo one of the greats,Underrated  not by other greats.

http://www.snowywhite.com/?location=/web/Biography

I have seen him many times over the years as part of Floyd/Lizzy and in Rogers Band.

Had a chat with him in his dressing room before a solo  gig in Folkestone years ago.

A nice guy.

I will always remember him walking out/across  the empty hall after the show carrying his amp in one hand and his Guitar case in the other and thinking to myself?

Thats what its all about, there goes a legend.

Stu

Underrated: Steve Wilson

Overrated: Eddie van Halen

Who underrated Steven Wilson?

Stu

Underrated: Steve Howe, Lindsay Buckingham, Frank Zappa, Todd Rundgren

Overrated: Eric Clapton, B.B. King, The Edge, Slash, Manuel Barrueco

Note: "Overrated" does not mean untalented or not any good, but just what it says; "over rated".

Part of the problem in guitar these days is that many guitarists are playing strictly for other guitarists, as opposed to making music.  This is often a trans-genre issue, where it comes down to "See how fast I am able to play this without making any mistakes?"  While technically adept, it may or may not have anything to do with making music.

For example, I agree with the Ingwie Malmsteen comment above - in my mind he's a technician, not a musician.  As fatiguing to listen to as he is amazing in dexterity.  On the other hand, while I can enjoy Clapton and own and listen to a number of his recordings, I never thought his technical abilities were all that amazing; he's very good, but not great - hence his presence on my "overrated" list.

Oooops...Steven Wilson...sorry.

I dont know who does, but sure enough he isnt praised enough IMHO.

I know Tommy, although I have not listened to any of his stuff for ages. A classy Aussie blues artist. Maton Guitars does a signature line.

Anyone know Kevin Borich?

 I admit I have not heard much Hank Marvin but I know he played a tune which went twang, twang,- twang, twang, twang, - twang, twang, twang and a couple of others which were very similar but the twangs were played in a different order. The twangs had a sort of plodding quality as I recall.

I don't know how old you are sniper (I could guess), as Hank B Marvin played the FIRST Fender Strat in the UK, the effect was stunning.

The Shadows were chart toppers for years and as I said impressed millions of would be guitarists.

Twangs were more attributed to Duane Eddy BTW.

Howard,

You tell him the truth man.

I filled in all the comps on the back of the Cornflakes/Rice Crispy boxes and cut them out and got my mum to send them off in the early 60s.

Never won the Fender or the Burns Guitars.

I did meet Hank and a few Shadows a few times over the years mid and late 60s and early 70s though.

Nice Guys.

I am not a fan but??

Cliff

has just done his best album ever imo  with lots of other people.

Stu

People always forget how good this man was as the lead Guitar in the band that changed music for ever.

.

Get to  the pictures this week to see a brilliant film about him.

Stu

Ah yes another one of the greatest hats. 

Mr H could really play, 

Guy,

It looks like a good film to go and see ON A BIG SCREEN..

MS has done a brilliant job yet again.

Its almost three hours long though.

Stu