In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

[Bornindamecca]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Pretty sure he called himself the "Eric Clapton" of this generation.

I'd like to see the context of that statement. As great as Clapton is(is being the operative word, as unlike athletes, guitarists don't stop being relevant when they hit 35,lol), he's not known as a technical genius. At one point he was looked at as the 2nd best blues-rock guy in mainstream music. This leads me to believe that John meant the comparison to be taken within context. I could be wrong, as I don't follow the guys quotes, but I've seen a lot of footage of him interacting with other musicians, and he had none of the superiority of many great guitar players that I've seen. He was almost shy about his skills, quite honestly.

There are a lot of ways that I could take that Clapton statement and see it as making sense, without it meaning that John is as proficient as Eric.

This is the only quote that I found anywhere near the subject, and it's more in line with what I see when he interacts with other musicians:

Who I am as a guitarist is defined by my failure to become Jimi Hendrix.

[Scottdau]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

That is why I always laugh at the Rolling stones magazine top 100. I mean to me the greatest ever was Randy Rhodes, but I also think that Richie Blackmore is up there too.

[DJ]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

He's good, but I agree that he's not at an all-time level yet. I saw him on the CMT Awards with Keith Urban and I felt like Urban showcased better skill than Mayer.

[Melanconfan]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

I hate ranking guitarists since it is completely subjective but I wouldn't put him in my top 100 and maybe not even top 500.

[Bellsprout]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Seeing as how he's my favorite musician, I think you can gather what my opinion is.

And for the record, Gravity is my favorite song in the world. I have a difficult time picking a favorite album, though. I love them all. Try! is making a case for itself lately, though. It's been by far my most played CD for the last month or so.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

He's good, but I agree that he's not at an all-time level yet. I saw him on the CMT Awards with Keith Urban and I felt like Urban showcased better skill than Mayer.

IMO, there's a time and a place to "showcase" and it isn't warranted all the time. There are tons of guys that can shred, but if that's all do for 10 minutes on end, what is the point? I think its more to be able to showcase your skills while working them into the context of a song, giving them deeper meaning and emotion that is the harder thing to do - which I think something that a lot of modern rock guitarists lack today.

[Scottdau]

Keith is an amazing player. So can see him showing up John.

[eXperiment63]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Mayer is a very, VERY good guitarist. BUT, that being said, Joe Bonamassa and Derek Trucks are the only GREAT ones of this generation in terms of blues guys.

[trobinson97]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

I hate ranking guitarists since it is completely subjective but I wouldn't put him in my top 100 and maybe not even top 500.

I have to say, I find it pretty cool that you are familiar enough with 100 individual guitarists to rank them in order, but 500? Well, that's just unreal.

[JBH3]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

That is why I always laugh at the Rolling stones magazine top 100. I mean to me the greatest ever was Randy Rhodes, but I also think that Richie Blackmore is up there too.

Tom Morello is my all-time fav guitarist.

Mayer is a very, VERY good guitarist. BUT, that being said, Joe Bonamassa and Derek Trucks are the only GREAT ones of this generation in terms of blues guys.

Joe B is amazing. Haven't heard much of Derek Trucks though...

I have to say, I find it pretty cool that you are familiar enough with 100 individual guitarists to rank them in order, but 500? Well, that's just unreal.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Derek Trucks is an amazing slide guitarist. Definitely worth checking out - he's had his own band since the age of 12.

Personally, I would say Jack White is a better guitarist, but maybe I'm just biased.

[Misfit]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

No he is very very good! Listen to some of his jam sessions. The guy is very talented. He did a great job with the "Beat it" solo in the Fall out boy version of the song.

Being able to play the "Beat It" solo doesn't carry much weight. Walk into any high school guitar club and you'll find kids who can duplicate Hendrix, Clapton, etc note for note. To make a true impact and be amongst the greats you have to do it on your own and bring your sound to the mix. John Mayer may be a guy like that, I don't know I've never heard him, but I doubt he'd done anything to make people consider him for some arbitrary top 10. And do we even need a top 10? Hendrix, Berry, Clapton, Beck, Van Halen, Rhoads - after that who cares?

[Jonesy]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Ranking musician's / music is very subjective though. Everybody has different tastes and there is a myriad of different guitar styles and techniques to even really rank them. Also just because a guy is famous doesn't even mean he's that great, it could just be he was marketable and in the right place at the right time. I see live musicians all the time who simply amaze me with the skill they have but they may never be anything more than in a local covers band because of too many different factors to mention.

All i know is i enjoy listening to John Mayer and his guitar playing adds to the enjoyment and that's about it. I don't think i would rank him anywhere near the best in the world from what i've seen but i still enjoy his music for what it is (laid back casual tunes that makes the panties drop). :wink:

[Scottdau]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

Being able to play the "Beat It" solo doesn't carry much weight. Walk into any high school guitar club and you'll find kids who can duplicate Hendrix, Clapton, etc note for note. To make a true impact and be amongst the greats you have to do it on your own and bring your sound to the mix. John Mayer may be a guy like that, I don't know I've never heard him, but I doubt he'd done anything to make people consider him for some arbitrary top 10. And do we even need a top 10? Hendrix, Berry, Clapton, Beck, Van Halen, Rhoads - after that who cares?

I disagree, but that is cool. Though I did go to school with Billie Joe and he was playing all types a solos believe it or not. Blackmore is very very very good!

[DickDalewood]

Re: In Your Opinion: Where Does John Mayer Rank Amongst Guitarists?

He can do some great, great stuff when he really lets loose on the guitar. Having seen several live concerts of his on TV, and hear some other stuff of him doing just that, he is definitely one hell of a guitar player.

No one will ever top Stevie Ray Vaughn though