Who do you like better: Hendrix or Santana?

[magiccarpetride]

I am a guitar player, and naturally I have my heroes. Goes without saying that Hendrix has always been my number one guitar god, however lately I started noticing how Santana is figuring more and more at the very top of my guitar god pantheon.

At this point, I am having difficulties deciding which of the two are my most favourite guitar gods. That's why I'm curious to learn other people's opinions on these two guitar giants.

[Bigman80]

Sanatana is a very good player but Hendrix is a GOD. Clapton up there too. For me, in a technical and inspirational format Hendrix takes you on a journey into space and time. Clapton makes the hair stand on end at times but generally copied most of the old blues songs and made them his own. Santana doesn't really float my boat.

I had to have a cream Strat like Hendrix. He's the greatest. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170830/07d5e0f8f8f5dd60f7c0b51f02bf8473.jpg

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[walpurgis]

I hate questions like this. Hendrix probably is the greatest, But there are many guitarists I'm a fan of. To name a few, Stephen Stiils, Franks Zappa, Bob Fripp, Randy California, Pat Travers and many others.

[vinylspinner]

Always liked Hendrix, up and down with Santana but would put Robin Trower, Dave Mason and Ted Nugent up with the best, throw Rory Gallagher into the mix as well. Back to the original question, Hendrix every time.

[struth]

Some of the great blues guitarists are hard to beat imv. The 3 kings for example. John Lee Hooker another, but there are many. Everyone is influenced by the older guys and they were idolised, even by Hendrix

[vinylspinner]

Don't forget Pat Metheny, different genre but an excellent guitarist by any standard.

[struth]

Don't forget Pat Metheny, different genre but an excellent guitarist by any standard.

Indeed, there have been a lot of brilliant Jazz guitarists.(and classical/spanishetc) Its not, like blues often listened to by many, so they're talent gets missed.

[magiccarpetride]

Some of the great blues guitarists are hard to beat imv. The 3 kings for example. John Lee Hooker another, but there are many. Everyone is influenced by the older guys and they were idolised, even by Hendrix

I'm with you on John Lee Hooker, always gives me serious goosebumps ;)

[magiccarpetride]

Always liked Hendrix, up and down with Santana but would put Robin Trower, Dave Mason and Ted Nugent up with the best, throw Rory Gallagher into the mix as well. Back to the original question, Hendrix every time.


My three favourite guitarists are George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, and Carlos Santana. I love all three of them better than other amazing guitarists because they were so versatile. While Clapton is amazing, to my ears he is not very versatile. He is unbeatable at his own game, and he seems content to be staying in that box.

Jimmy Page is another of the versatile ones, but not nearly as skilled and versatile as George or Jimi or Carlos.

[Joe]

The correct answer is, of course, Peter Green. Carlos Santana's solos always seemed to go on forever, and not in a good way.

[Bigman80]

BB king is another who made you feel every note. Outstanding. Peter green was excellent too. Van Halen anyone? So many great players.

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[magiccarpetride]

The correct answer is, of course, Peter Green. Carlos Santana's solos always seemed to go on forever, and not in a good way.

???

[Arkless Electronics]

No contest. Hendrix.

[MikeMusic]

Both, plus a huge amount of others.

The question that used to be asked was Hendrix or Clapton ?
My answer : Both
:)

[mightymonoped]

Indeed, there have been a lot of brilliant Jazz guitarists.(and classical/spanishetc) Its not, like blues often listened to by many, so they're talent gets missed.

Paco de Lucia will always be The God of Guitar as far as I'm concerned. :-)

[Macca]

Just a ridiculous question.

Got nothing against Santana, got a few of his records. But still utterly ridiculous to even ask.

[struth]

problem about hendrix is folk are afraid to say otherwise. how many listen to him all the time....not many as tbh his stuff isnt overly musical

[Macca]

tbh his stuff isnt overly musical

Getting close to blasphemy now. Watch out for the Spanish Inquisition (slight return). Their chief weapon is surprise ;)

[Stratmangler]

Getting close to blasphemy now. Watch out for the Spanish Inquisition (slight return). Their chief weapon is surprise ;)

No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

7WJXHY2OXGE

[struth]

Getting close to blasphemy now. Watch out for the Spanish Inquisition (slight return). Their chief weapon is surprise ;)

They dont scare me...ive got a daughter:D

[magiccarpetride]

Paco de Lucia will always be The God of Guitar as far as I'm concerned. :-)

True. Paco was the undisputed master of feedback.

[Macca]

Some of my favourite guitar players are not really known primarily for their guitar playing. Neil Young, or Frank Zappa e.g

[magiccarpetride]

Just a ridiculous question.

Got nothing against Santana, got a few of his records. But still utterly ridiculous to even ask.

Well, here is what I'm getting at: much as absolutely adore Hendrix and think that his first three studio albums contain what probably is the most perfect electric guitar ever recorded, listening to some of his other stuff... well, I don't know how to put it, but it tends to get tedious.

For example, last night I was listening to the double LP "Hendrix in the West". Well, nice as it is, it contains too many of horrendous bum notes. Hendrix was often totally out of it, and tended to play a lot of garbage. Also, when he loses his muse and starts playing gibberish, the only way he tries to recover is to switch to making meaningless shitty noise. That's not very encouraging, considering he is the ultimate god in the guitar pantheon.

Meanwhile, in many decades that I've been following Santana's playing, he never managed to screw up his live playing. Yes, as he was getting older, the initial fire and fury started to subside (which is to be expected), but I have never ever heard Santana play a bum note. He is at worst just playing correctly, never thrashing the guitar the way Hendrix did way too many times.

And as the final argument, I quote Prince (another phenomenal guitarist) who said that yes, Hendrix may be the best, but Santana's guitar playing is prettier :)

[magiccarpetride]

Both, plus a huge amount of others.

The question that used to be asked was Hendrix or Clapton ?
My answer : Both
:)

No way. Clapton is just too boxed in, always playing the same stuff. Hendrix was a mind-blowing innovator.

[Macca]

And as the final argument, I quote Prince (another phenomenal guitarist) who said that yes, Hendrix may be the best, but Santana's guitar playing is prettier :)

I think Prince nails it. And yes I agree he was a top player himself when he wanted to be.

[magiccarpetride]

Some of my favourite guitar players are not really known primarily for their guitar playing. Neil Young, or Frank Zappa e.g

Yeah, as I mentioned, my favourite guitar player is George Harrison, who is generally more known for his songwriting/sitar playing skills.

[Andy831]

No one has mentioned Alvin Lee

[MikeMusic]

No one has mentioned Alvin Lee

Saw him play live a few times. Wonderful.

As were so many other geetarr players.

[Andy831]

Very hard to choose the "best" Mike I agree with you on that.

There are also the Acoustic boys too the likes of Davy Graham, Micheal Hedges, Andy Mckee, its an endless list really, and I enjoy them all, and as a curve ball how about Kaki King to give the ladeeez a shout too

[mightymonoped]

Music is a such a subjective thing, trying to find "the best" (even "your" best for that matter) is a bit like trying to nail a blancmange to the wall. :doh:

[magiccarpetride]

Music is a such a subjective thing, trying to find "the best" (even "your" best for that matter) is a bit like trying to nail a blancmange to the wall. :doh:

Guys and girls: one thing is certain -- there is no shortage of phenomenal guitarists in our universe. I love discussing this subject to death, but as a thread starter, I'd like to ask if we could pull back to the original topic.

Few things I'd like to throw into the ring and see if we can get the discussion going:

1. Santana (to my ears) has the unmatched quality of electric guitar sound. I also love Hendrix's electric sound, but let's face it, he is no match for Carlos (no one is).
2. Hendrix is a much more daring guitar player than Santana. But Santana is a much more consistent player than Jimi.
3. Both Santana and Hendrix are incredibly versatile players. They can apparently play any style at will: blues, jazz, funk, flamenco, latin, Brazilian, avant-garde, fusion, rock, you name it. Which of the two would you say is more versatile?
4. Hendrix is a phenomenal singer and has one of the most distinguished and likeable voices in recorded music. Santana sings like a dog.

Anything else we could throw on this comparative pile?

[Pete The Cat]

I'm increasingly saddened that, when I read "All Time Top Ten" lists nowadays, Ritchie Blackmore no longer features. Needless to add I think he's unsurpassable.

I'll mention Joe Bonamassa in dispatches though.

Pete

[Haselsh1]

Really like Carlos as a guitarist but don't like his shitty attitude towards western music. If western music is so bland and 4/4 then why is it so much more popular than latino...?

[Haselsh1]

Sanatana is a very good player but Hendrix is a GOD. Clapton up there too. For me, in a technical and inspirational format Hendrix takes you on a journey into space and time. Clapton makes the hair stand on end at times but generally copied most of the old blues songs and made them his own. Santana doesn't really float my boat.

I had to have a cream Strat like Hendrix. He's the greatest. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170830/07d5e0f8f8f5dd60f7c0b51f02bf8473.jpg

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I use a Les Paul Prophecy and a 50 Watt valve head cozz for me it has to be Gary Moore.

;)

[Bigman80]

I use a Les Paul Prophecy and a 50 Watt valve head cozz for me it has to be Gary Moore.

;)Haha, not a bad choice.

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[MikeMusic]

One you may not know
Rainer Ptacek
Also known as Rainer and Das Kombo

Guitar is probably my favourite instrument to listen to but I love good keyboard, bass, drums and any others I have forgetten
:)

[Anthony K]

Hendrix by far.

Most of my current faves are not too well known.

Ken Navarro
Chuck Loeb ( recently departed )
Marc Antoine

Love Pat Metheny Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton