Best Acoustic Guitar Players of All Time!

1. Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel, born in Muswellbrook, Australia, in 1955, is a virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist known for his awe-inspiring performances that blend incredible technical skill with heartfelt musicality. With a career spanning decades, Emmanuel has carved a niche for himself as a one-man band, using his guitar to create intricate arrangements that mimic the sounds of drums, bass, and melody simultaneously. His fingerstyle technique, characterized by lightning-fast picking, harmonics, and percussive beats, has captivated audiences worldwide.

As a solo artist, Emmanuel’s music transcends genres, encompassing elements of jazz, blues, folk, and classical music. His choice of Maton guitars is a testament to his Australian heritage and dedication to craftsmanship. Beyond his exceptional playing, Emmanuel’s engaging stage presence and storytelling make his live performances a memorable experience. His rendition of classics like “Classical Gas” and original compositions like “Angelina” have become iconic within the fingerstyle guitar community, inspiring countless aspiring guitarists to push their limits and explore the instrument’s endless possibilities.

2. Andres Segovia

Andres Segovia, born in Linares, Spain, in 1893 and passing away in 1987 at the age of 94, was a legendary classical guitarist who single-handedly elevated the guitar’s status within the world of classical music. Reverently known as the father of the modern classical guitar, Segovia’s impact on the instrument’s recognition and repertoire is immeasurable. He championed the guitar as a serious concert instrument, performing works by renowned composers and commissioning new compositions that expanded its repertoire.

Segovia’s dedication to technique and interpretation set new standards for classical guitar playing. His choice of guitars, often crafted by luthiers like Hermann Hauser, reflected his pursuit of the perfect instrument to convey his musical vision. Beyond his technical brilliance, Segovia’s passion for the instrument and the music he played made him a revered figure among both musicians and audiences. His legacy lives on through his recordings, compositions, and the generations of classical guitarists he inspired to embrace the guitar as a legitimate and expressive instrument in the world of classical music.

3. Leo Kottke

Born in Athens, USA, in 1945, Leo Kottke is a fingerstyle guitar virtuoso known for his distinctive blend of folk, blues, and jazz influences. His intricate fingerpicking style and resonant baritone voice have crafted a sonic identity that’s uniquely his own. Kottke’s journey into the world of fingerstyle guitar began after a childhood accident left him with limited movement in two of his fingers, forcing him to develop an unconventional technique that contributed to his signature sound.

Throughout his career as a solo artist, Kottke has explored a diverse range of musical styles, spanning contemplative acoustic compositions to experimental, genre-defying pieces. His fingerpicking prowess, often showcased on Gibson and Taylor guitars, creates a rich tapestry of melody and rhythm, captivating listeners with its complexity and emotion. Kottke’s deep voice and wry sense of humor add a personal touch to his performances, making his live shows as engaging as they are musically impressive. His influential albums like “6- and 12-String Guitar” and “Mudlark” have solidified his place as a pioneer of contemporary fingerstyle guitar playing.

4. Paco de Lucía

Paco de Lucía, born in Algeciras, Spain, in 1947 and passing away in 2014 at the age of 66, was a groundbreaking flamenco guitarist who revolutionized the genre and expanded its horizons. A virtuoso known for his unparalleled speed, precision, and creativity, de Lucía’s innovative approach blended traditional flamenco techniques with elements of jazz and classical music, pushing the boundaries of the guitar’s expressive capabilities.

Leading the Paco de Lucía Sextet, he incorporated instruments like the bass and saxophone into his ensembles, creating a more orchestral and dynamic sound that challenged traditional flamenco conventions. His collaborations with other musicians, including Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin in the trio project “Friday Night in San Francisco,” showcased his cross-genre collaborations and his ability to seamlessly fuse different musical languages.

With a preference for guitars crafted by Contreras and Fleta, de Lucía’s technical mastery and emotional depth brought flamenco guitar to global recognition. His compositions like “Entre dos aguas” and “Almoraima” remain iconic within the genre. Paco de Lucía’s legacy lives on as he continues to inspire guitarists to explore the rich possibilities of flamenco and beyond.

5. Michael Hedges

Michael Hedges, born in Sacramento, USA, in 1953 and passing away in 1997 at the age of 43, was an innovative fingerstyle guitarist who reshaped the acoustic guitar landscape. Pioneering percussive fingerstyle techniques and unconventional tunings, Hedges created a new sonic vocabulary that combined intricate melody lines, rhythm, and percussive sounds, all emanating from a single instrument.

Hedges’ compositions are a reflection of his diverse musical influences, spanning folk, jazz, and new age genres. His unconventional approach to playing the guitar involved tapping, slapping, and incorporating elements of extended instrumental techniques, pushing the boundaries of what the acoustic guitar could achieve. The absence of a specific favorite guitar brand highlighted Hedges’ focus on the potential of sound, regardless of the instrument’s label.

His albums like “Aerial Boundaries” and “Taproot” showcased his virtuosity and unique musical vision. Beyond his technical brilliance, Hedges’ emotionally resonant playing connected deeply with audiences, evoking feelings and imagery through his compositions. Though his life was tragically cut short, Michael Hedges’ influence on the acoustic guitar world remains profound, inspiring countless musicians to explore unconventional approaches and expand the sonic possibilities of their instruments.

6. Antoine Dufour

Antoine Dufour, born in Canada in 1979, is a fingerstyle guitarist acclaimed for his dynamic and percussive playing style. His use of extended techniques, coupled with emotive compositions, has garnered him a dedicated following within the fingerstyle community.

7. John Fahey

John Fahey, born in the USA in 1939 and passing away in 2001 at the age of 61, was an American fingerstyle guitarist known for his revival of traditional blues and folk styles. His experimental approach and intricate compositions influenced generations of acoustic guitarists.

8. Kaki King

Kaki King, born in the USA in 1979, is a versatile guitarist recognized for her dynamic blend of fingerstyle, tapping, and percussive techniques. A trailblazer for women in the world of acoustic guitar, she has released critically acclaimed albums that showcase her unique style.

9. Don Ross

Don Ross, born in Canada in 1960, is a Canadian fingerstyle virtuoso celebrated for his intricate compositions and command of alternate tunings. His performances feature a fusion of folk, jazz, and blues influences, characterized by his exceptional technique and innovative use of harmonics.

10. Martin Simpson

Martin Simpson, born in the UK in 1953, is a respected guitarist who has made significant contributions to the world of folk and acoustic music. His masterful fingerstyle technique and storytelling prowess are showcased in his interpretations of traditional tunes and original compositions.

11. Alex de Grassi

Alex de Grassi is a pioneering fingerstyle guitarist who has pushed the boundaries of acoustic guitar music, blending various styles and tunings.

12. Ana Vidovic

Ana Vidovic is a classical guitar prodigy and an internationally acclaimed performer who has received numerous awards for her mastery of the instrument.

13. Julian Lage

Julian Lage is a highly acclaimed jazz guitarist known for his virtuosity and collaborations with other jazz greats.

14. James Taylor

James Taylor is an iconic singer-songwriter known for his timeless folk and rock songs with heartfelt lyrics.

15. Jon Gomm

Jon Gomm is a guitarist known for his innovative percussive and fingerstyle guitar techniques that have captivated audiences globally.

16. Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran is a chart-topping pop artist known for his catchy songs and skillful use of the acoustic guitar in his music.

17. Adrian Legg

Adrian Legg is a fingerstyle guitar virtuoso celebrated for his intricate compositions and impressive technical skills.

18. Tony Rice

Tony Rice was a legendary bluegrass guitarist known for his flatpicking style and contributions to the genre. He passed away in 2020.

19. Sungha Jung

Sungha Jung is a South Korean fingerstyle guitarist who gained fame through his YouTube covers and has a large following.

20. Preston Reed

Preston Reed is a guitarist known for his unique two-handed tapping technique and innovative approach to acoustic guitar playing.

21. Bireli Lagrene

Bireli Lagrene is a renowned jazz and gypsy jazz guitarist known for his virtuosity and early start in the music industry.

22. David Wilcox

David Wilcox is a folk and acoustic guitarist known for his poetic songwriting and storytelling in his music.

23. Muriel Anderson

Muriel Anderson is a renowned fingerstyle guitarist known for her versatile and innovative approach to acoustic guitar playing.

24. Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson is a guitar virtuoso celebrated for his Grammy-winning music and impeccable technique on both electric and acoustic guitars.

25. Masaaki Kishibe

Masaaki Kishibe is a respected fingerstyle guitarist from Japan known for his emotive playing and beautiful melodic compositions.

26. Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rodrigo y Gabriela are a Mexican guitar duo famous for their energetic fusion of flamenco and rock music, highlighting their exceptional guitar skills.

27. Earl Klugh

Earl Klugh is a Grammy-winning jazz guitarist known for his smooth and melodic approach to playing the guitar.

28. Stephen Bennett

Stephen Bennett is a renowned fingerstyle guitarist known for his mastery of the harp guitar and contributions to the genre.

29. Adam Rafferty

Adam Rafferty is a fingerstyle guitarist celebrated for his inventive arrangements of popular songs and engaging live shows.

30. Martin Taylor

Martin Taylor is a respected jazz and fingerstyle guitarist known for his solo work and collaborations with other music greats.

31. Tuck Andress

Tuck Andress is a fingerstyle guitarist celebrated for his distinctive playing style and collaborations with Patti Cathcart in Tuck & Patti.

32. William Ackerman

William Ackerman is a guitarist and the founder of Windham Hill Records, which contributed to the growth of New Age music.

33. Phil Keaggy

Phil Keaggy is a versatile guitarist known for his contributions to rock and Christian music with a successful solo career.

34. Bruce Cockburn

Bruce Cockburn is a Canadian folk and rock artist acclaimed for his socially conscious lyrics and genre-blending music.

35. Franco Morone

Franco Morone is an Italian fingerstyle guitarist known for his beautiful arrangements of traditional tunes and intricate guitar work.

36. Billy McLaughlin

Billy McLaughlin is an inspiring fingerstyle guitarist who relearned guitar after overcoming a neuromuscular disorder using a unique tapping technique.

37. Leo Brouwer

Leo Brouwer is a Cuban classical guitarist and composer acclaimed for his groundbreaking work in contemporary classical music.

38. Erik Mongrain

Erik Mongrain is a fingerstyle guitarist known for pushing the boundaries of fingerstyle guitar through innovative tapping and percussive techniques.

39. Joscho Stephan

Joscho Stephan is a German guitarist acclaimed for his virtuosic Gypsy jazz guitar playing, keeping the spirit of Django Reinhardt alive.

40. Peppino D’Agostino

Peppino D’Agostino is an Italian fingerstyle guitarist celebrated for his virtuosic playing, harmonics, and tapping techniques.

41. Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson is a British folk-rock icon celebrated for his songwriting and exceptional guitar skills, both electric and acoustic.

42. Calum Graham

Calum Graham is a young and talented fingerstyle guitarist known for his melodic compositions and innovative guitar tapping techniques.

43. Laurence Juber

Laurence Juber is a renowned fingerstyle guitarist known for his versatile and innovative approach to acoustic guitar playing.

44. Andy McKee

Andy McKee is a fingerstyle guitarist famous for his percussive techniques and captivating YouTube performances that have gone viral.

45. Tony Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian fingerstyle guitar virtuoso acclaimed for his lively performances and intricate fingerpicking technique.

46. Pierre Bensusan

Pierre Bensusan is a fingerstyle guitarist known for his intricate compositions and mastery of the DADGAD tuning, blending folk and world music.

47. Michael Chapdelaine

Michael Chapdelaine is a versatile guitarist celebrated for his accomplishments in both classical and fingerstyle guitar competitions.

48. Kelly Joe Phelps

Kelly Joe Phelps is a talented slide guitarist known for his distinctive interpretation of Delta blues and Americana music.

49. Chris Smither

Chris Smither is a veteran folk and blues guitarist known for his songwriting prowess and intricate fingerstyle guitar playing.

50. Martin Carthy

Martin Carthy is an influential figure in the British folk scene and played a pivotal role in the folk revival of the 1960s.