Harold Kelling
Davey Williams
Robbie Robertson

Noki Edwards... you know him ..but usually people just say "the Ventures" and never mention him by name.

I don't know if people pay as much attention to him anymore, but Fred Frith is a time honored fave. From silly pop to ear-bending improv, I think he's brilliant.

At the risk of being controversial and sexist, PJ Harvey is the only woman I think can play guitar very well at all.

I like Kaki King. People accuse her of ripping off Preston Reed. Whatever.

Second the Robbie Robertson vote, I'll add Mick Taylor.

I'll even toss in Steve Jones for good measure.

Pretty much anybody who deserves to sit behind a pedal steel.

In particular, I'm thinking about Sneaky Pete Kleinow

John CIV wrote:Elvis Costello
Billy Bragg
Prince
Jason Pierce
Johnny Cash

Wait, is Prince really underrated? I always thought he was pretty sick.

STF wrote:At the risk of being controversial and sexist, PJ Harvey is the only woman I think can play guitar very well at all.

Dude but what about Lita Ford? She was awesome in the Kiss Me Deadly video. just kidding

Seriously though there are Japanese bands that leave your statement in smoking ruins of bullshit. Guitarists for ex-Girl and Bleach03 come to mind right off hand. I can think of more given time.

STF wrote:At the risk of being controversial and sexist, PJ Harvey is the only woman I think can play guitar very well at all.

There is a very specific reason for that.