SRV vs Gilmour

Just like the title states, who do you guys think was the better guitarist?

I personally think Stevie Ray Vaughan was better. Yes, I know they're two totally different types of music, but in general, I think SRV played the most impressive work. We aren't going to argue who was the better singer.

I like these sort of comparisons because people bring up interesting points.

I absoutely adore Dave Gilmours guitar work.. he is certainly the biggest influence on my playing. I admire the talent and the man..

That being said.. based on technique, virtuosity of style (ability to play blues, rock, jass or any other style equally well), and overall quality of work and making everthing look effortless. Stevie Ray Vaughan is (in my opinion) the best that has ever been... Nobody, I mean nobody, Clapton, Page, Beck, Knopfler, Gilmour, Hendrix... nobody can touch him.. we was as good as it gets..

I'll agree that vaughan is probably the best I know of overall, but I think Eddie Vanhalen and Eric Johnson completely dominate their own genres of guitar playing.

I have always liked Eddie V, his stuff is light and enjoyabe. Eric Johnson is an impeccable technician, but lacks soul.. If it came to "Cuttin Heads"..SRV would mop the floor with them both.. easily.

What do you mean, exactly? I never really liked it when people talked about a guitarist's "soul"...

We could go into an entire new forum with this.. Also, are you a musician? If not, you may have a hard time understanding the concept...There is a great difference between playing the notes, and making music.

The guitar is a unique instrument in that it can allow a musician to express emotion better than most. One cannot (easily) bend notes, rephrase chords, add tremolo: to a piano, an oboe, a drumkit.. The guitar allows the artist avenues of expression unavailable in many other instruments.

EJ is an outstanding technician, he has mastered all the techniques necessary to do all the "things' that you can do on a guitar (same can be said for Eddie V.H.). But, to my ear anyway, his music is emotionless. It sounds more like an exercise in "look what I can do" as opposed to "I can make you cry or sing" (To paraphrase a line from Mr. Knopfler).

I don't know if you are old enough to remember a tune called "Popcorn". I was a nasty little bit of electronica from about '74 or so. The thing that made Popcorn unique in music is that it was the first song ever played completely by computer. All the notes were in the precise place, the tempo was upbeat, it was a catchy little diddy.. but it had no soul.. it was lifeless.

"Time, Money, I Shot The Sherriff, were all on the air at the same time Popcorn was out.. look which ones are considered classics, and which one is forgotten.. Music is a living breathing entity.. it has a voice, a heart and a ...soul.

Yeah, SRV taught me how to play guitar. I learned the blues, and now I can play a hell of a lot. I love Gilmour to death, but I'd have to say SRV, because of the ridiculous influence he's had on my playing.

You could call me that, I spend most of my time on synthesizers, but recently have picked up the guitar. Music has always been the #1 thing in my life since puberty, I think.
Edit: I forgot to add, I grew up around guitarists- I picked up a bit of their ramblings and rants. But I still suck.
Alright, so EJ and EV usually play really fast. If they played slower, would you say they have more soul? I'm not trying to be rude, but I still don't understand what makes one incredibly good guitarist have more "soul" than the next. What do you mean exactly, first song completely pre-programmed into a synthesizer? Because Kraftwerk was making 100% electronic music in the mid 60s and by the early 70s used sequencers to control every last bit of the instruments (drum machines, synthesizers).

Edit again: I downloaded Popcorn. It sounds terrible. The group I previously mentioned, Kraftwerk, was making far more impressive (both musically and technologically) work about 10 years before this little rash of a song.

SRV!!! No question, he's hands down on of the best guitarists of all time.

We should've had a poll for this.

I like gilmour more, cuz he's more my style, but they do have a very similar aproach, when you listen to it.

People on this site try to compare gilmour to a bunch of technical players, and it was about time someone picked a guy who knows how to hit those sweet notes just like dave.

My style says gilmour indeed both singing and playing, but SRV was better i think.......

Man this is crazy!! SRV is all Blues, and man what fast hands he has!Have any of you tryed to play ANYTHING of his,best of luck!And if you can,your frickin good,hats off to you!
David Gilmour is a slower player,but has alot of feeling in his music,then again so does SRV.For all out Blues SRV is a complete winner,I even think he could take EVH,Page CLapton,E.Johnson, and a whole host of others and spank them in a "last man riffing"contest. SRV was amazing ,bar none.BUT David Gilmour has a special place in my heart,I love his playing,I love the fac that he has fat, stubby, fairly slow fingers like myself.I totaly love the feeling I get from his guitar playing.He expresses feeling so well,and can totaly rock out
This is a crazy "vs "question.They are both masters in thier own rights,I love them both for what they do.There is no winner because they give enjoyment to millions,and both are valid musicians.I only wish Stevie was here today, I would have loved to see him play.David on the other hand ,I got to see play in 1994 in Madison WI. Camp Randal Stadium,5th row right in front of David,I still remember it! It was my first and only Floyd concert.Man he was awesome!!

From a non-musician's point of view.. SRV all the way. The man was a god..

also Pollarbill.. LOVE the av! Strongbad is the coolest thing ever

cheers

There is nobody that compares to SRV. As much as i like Clapton(he is God by the way), EVH, Hendrix, Gilmour, and others, I dont think they even come close.

How can one measure? I bet Gilmour can play SRV stuff and SRV could play Gilmour's, He chose to play diferently. Dave choses to play slower. I like it.

SRV and Gilmour V.S. me?

I lose.....