Favourite guitarist then vs favourite guitarist now...

tekbow

Then: Joe Satriani.

Now: Anyone i like the sound of regardless of genre and i could kick myself for being so narrow minded as a teen. Shoulda listened to my teacher and learned the Jazz he was trying to teach me because now i'd be able to play anything.

Blueingreen

Then: Peter Green, Hendrix, Santana, BB King.

Now:  ?

I think the big difference is back in the day I could instantly name my favourites (and argue their merits heatedly with people who had different ones).

Nowadays, there are lots of players I admire but I don't keep going back to the same handful of guys.  Kurt Rosenwinkel has been the the nearest to a consistent obsession but I need to be in the right mood or his music can sound too abstract.  I also get the impression he's a rather prickly, self-important man which dilutes my admiration somewhat.

Typically I go through short phases of listening to someone a lot (current favourite is Eric Krasno) before moving on.

As for influencing my playing, players I've transcribed most in recent times are Mike Campbell and Yellowjackets era Robben Ford.  But that's because I've joined bands who were playing their stuff.  I've enjoyed learning and playing their music but it's not material I'd have picked for myself so I don't think it will go deep.

boogieman

Blaendulais said:

Then Tino Troy

Now Tino Troy

A mate of mine has just started up a new band with him. Mate is on drums. 

boogieman

Then: Hendrix, Page, McLaughlin, Fripp, Gilmour. 

Now: Fripp, McLaughlin. Mostly it’s down to the pair of them changing their styles over the years. 

Veganic

Then: Lifeson then Marr

Now: me as I am the one I listen to the most

musicman100

Chet Atkins all the way 

Clarky

then: Schenker / Van Halen / Tipton

in the middle: Satch / Vai / Malmsteen / Schon / Brad Gillis

now: Schenker / Van Halen still hit the spot

a few on the side that have been with me all along:
Steve Howe / Steve Hackett / Dave Gilmore / Blackmore / Hendrix

thomasross20

Was Slash.
It's still Slash.
8)

Neil

Always - Jimi. 

ESBlonde

Then: Peter Green, Nile Rogers George Harrison, Mick Ralphs

Now: All the above and many more with notable inclusions of Knopfler, Summers and May.

Very hard to pull out names and be specific, I have been influenced by many players (sometimes why not to play like that !) Players that add something to the tune are always a big plus like Ric Ocasek, Mike Campbell, Neil Giraldo, Ron Wood, Michael Landau, Boz Scaggs and special mention to the likes of Andy Fairweather-Low who reinvented themselves as dedicated touring guitarists for hire, that is some resume to hold.

exocet

Then (1978) = Angus Young

Now = Mark Lettieri

Fortheloveofguitar

Then- Slash, Joe Perry, Vai

Now- Joe perry, Vai

Vibetronic

Vai, Gilbert, Nuno, then and now. Not a huge fan of Vai’s recorded material post-2000, but he’s got such a unique sound and amazing control over his instrument.

Kitsune

Then: Townshend.

Now: Don't have one

Fortheloveofguitar

Vibetronic said:

Vai, Gilbert, Nuno, then and now. Not a huge fan of Vai’s recorded material post-2000, but he’s got such a unique sound and amazing control over his instrument.

Agreed. For me Firegarden was his last great work. Ultra zone onwards it was downhill for me 

thegummy

Kitsune said:

Then: Townshend.

Now: Don't have one

Because of his convictions?

Jimbro66

As a 16-year-old: Cliff Gallup and Chet Atkins.

With every advancing year I've heard more and more great players, some of whom have influenced my own playing. Very hard to make a 'now' choice but if it had to be only one it would have to be Jeff Beck.

Kitsune

thegummy said:

Kitsune said:

Then: Townshend.

Now: Don't have one

Because of his convictions?

Didn't consider that - but I didn't listen to the Who for a long long time afterwards!

Don't have one because I listen to too much stuff in too many styles to really define a person.

Maybe Narita Munehiro, push comes to shove?

duotone

Then - Randy Rhoads

Now - John5

duotone

Teyeplayer said:

As a teen it was: Jonny Greenwood, Steve Craddock and Bernard Butler, choices very much of their era but they got me into playing.

Now:
Bryce and Aaron Dessnor, Brad Barr, Nels Cline and Richard Thompson. I guess I got a bit more eclectic and went a bit further down the hole Jonny Greenwood started me on!

Out of all the 90's bands I used to listen to, OCS is the one I go back to the most.  Fantastic guitarist, also really like the lead singer Simons voice.