How do you rank Neal among guitarists?

[ProgRocker53]

Needless to say, my boy Neal's in the upper echelon in my book. When describing Schon to my friends the best way I can, I say he's a mix of technicality and soul, what would happen if you put EVH and Hendrix in a blender. He's easily one of the most recognizable guitarists.... he seems to have a certain undescribable flair to his work that can only be described with "Neal." When I was first getting into Journey, I was listening to the radio and a song I didn't know came on. I didn't quite recognize who the band was.... until I heard the guitar. I was like.... yup, it's Journey.

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists.... right ahead of none other than Terry Kath.

[Behshad]

Needless to say, my boy Neal's in the upper echelon in my book. When describing Schon to my friends the best way I can, I say he's a mix of technicality and soul, what would happen if you put EVH and Hendrix in a blender. He's easily one of the most recognizable guitarists.... he seems to have a certain undescribable flair to his work that can only be described with "Neal." When I was first getting into Journey, I was listening to the radio and a song I didn't know came on. I didn't quite recognize who the band was.... until I heard the guitar. I was like.... yup, it's Journey.

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists.... right ahead of none other than Terry Kath.

One of my top 10
but not as good as Vai,Satch,Malmsteen and McAlpine, in my book , but thats just my opinion

[Red13JoePa]

I'm biased but the reason I'm biased is because he's peerless. Oddly enough I have NS and Keith Richards 1 and 1a and they couldn't be more dissimilar as guitarists.

[conversationpc]

Neal blends the best of all worlds together into one player for me, i.e., technical ability, compositional ability, melodicism, feeling, the blending of different styles, etc. It's all there in one player.

[80s man]

Needless to say, my boy Neal's in the upper echelon in my book. When describing Schon to my friends the best way I can, I say he's a mix of technicality and soul, what would happen if you put EVH and Hendrix in a blender. He's easily one of the most recognizable guitarists.... he seems to have a certain undescribable flair to his work that can only be described with "Neal." When I was first getting into Journey, I was listening to the radio and a song I didn't know came on. I didn't quite recognize who the band was.... until I heard the guitar. I was like.... yup, it's Journey.

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists.... right ahead of none other than Terry Kath.

One of my top 10
but not as good as Vai,Satch,Malmsteen and McAlpine, in my book , but thats just my opinion

Neal could shred - but instead he writes timeless songs..........

[yogi]

One plus notch ahead of Eddie Van Halen, but 1 notch below David Soul.

[McNeil]

I rate him highly, but not because of speed or technical ability...rather because he is the guy throws a hell of a lot of melody in there...and he is the master of the "repeated refrain" ..like at the start and finish of the solo in "Whose Crying Now" ... most people can sing back key portions of his solo's..thats the magic of it.... speed...pah!!... theres a kid on every street corner over here who is as fast.... but it takes talent to write a good lead "tag line" that stays in ya brain!!

[maverick218]

I agree with you about Neal being underrated; but I think he is underrated by the general public. You could ask just about any guitarist, and they would be familiar with his work. If Journey had stayed in the direction of the first two albums or even through Departure, he might be recognized by the general public along with Hendrix, Clapton, etc.
When Journey shifted course to a more "pop" flavor when Cain came on board, he took somewhat of a backseat for the good of the band, and it hurt his "guitar hero" status.
Neal is my favorite musician, period. I picked up guitar because of him and I know that he has influenced a lot of not just guitarists, but musicians in general either directly or indirectly.
So here's to Neal Schon, the Rockdog!

[Behshad]

Needless to say, my boy Neal's in the upper echelon in my book. When describing Schon to my friends the best way I can, I say he's a mix of technicality and soul, what would happen if you put EVH and Hendrix in a blender. He's easily one of the most recognizable guitarists.... he seems to have a certain undescribable flair to his work that can only be described with "Neal." When I was first getting into Journey, I was listening to the radio and a song I didn't know came on. I didn't quite recognize who the band was.... until I heard the guitar. I was like.... yup, it's Journey.

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists.... right ahead of none other than Terry Kath.

One of my top 10
but not as good as Vai,Satch,Malmsteen and McAlpine, in my book , but thats just my opinion

Neal could shred - but instead he writes timeless songs..........

all the 'shredders' mentioned above, can and have produced 'timeless' songs as well:)
I did say he is in my TOP 10 , didnt I ,,, which means I do agree that he is on of the BEST in my opinion!

[cyndy!]

neal's got the versatility of jeff beck, one of my other all-time favorite guitarists. he can melt your heart with a sweet soulful melody, then destroy you with a soaring shredding solo.

[heardonthestreet]

Very underated, for some reason.

[Vladan]

Needless to say, my boy Neal's in the upper echelon in my book. When describing Schon to my friends the best way I can, I say he's a mix of technicality and soul, what would happen if you put EVH and Hendrix in a blender. He's easily one of the most recognizable guitarists.... he seems to have a certain undescribable flair to his work that can only be described with "Neal." When I was first getting into Journey, I was listening to the radio and a song I didn't know came on. I didn't quite recognize who the band was.... until I heard the guitar. I was like.... yup, it's Journey.

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists.... right ahead of none other than Terry Kath.

Neal is the best, one of them anyway. Schon, Malmsteen, Clapton, Knophler, May.

[JrnyScarab]

I rate him highly, but not because of speed or technical ability...rather because he is the guy throws a hell of a lot of melody in there...and he is the master of the "repeated refrain" ..like at the start and finish of the solo in "Whose Crying Now" ... most people can sing back key portions of his solo's..thats the magic of it.... speed...pah!!... theres a kid on every street corner over here who is as fast.... but it takes talent to write a good lead "tag line" that stays in ya brain!!

McNeil, for once I agree with you. This is exactly what makes Neil great. There are many other supposed great guitarists that could take a lesson from his melodic ability. Ironically, Neil would like to shred more even though his greatest asset is his melodic ability.

[Moon Beam]

Neal and Joe Satriani do it for me.

[JrnyScarab]

Neal and Joe Satriani do it for me.

Moon Beam, Joe Satriani has gotten much more melodic over the years. His latest few albums have been excellent. Can sing right along to the melodies.

[Moon Beam]

Neal and Joe Satriani do it for me.

Moon Beam, Joe Satriani has gotten much more melodic over the years. His latest few albums have been excellent. Can sing right along to the melodies.

Yes from what I have heard recently he has.
My all time fave from him is Crush Of Love.
That song just smokes!

Thanks for your thoughts

[*Laura]

I'd venture to say Neal would be #1 on a list of most underrated rock guitarists....

Absolutely.

For me he is somewhere between Eddie and Satch.
What I really love about him is that he has the unique talent to come up with an unforgettable melodic guitar theme or with a perfect timeless solo that cannot be changed,not even by him in a live situation.

Plus the sound of his guitar is inimitable.
If I could name a preset after his guitar tone,I'd call it "Warm Honey".

[NealIsGod]

Neal is #2, right after Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda.

[Big J]

I'd put him at the top.

Technically he's right up there with all the popular picks.

Stylistically he can do anything.

And he's got that indescribable feel, that style that you know it's him when you hear him. Only other guy I can say really has that (had that) that I'm a fan of is Ace Frehley.

Never once heard a sloppy Neal Schon. Can't say that for Hendrix, Page or Clapton.

Neal Schon's the best. He's got everything, can do anything, and the music has stood the test of time.

And I'd say this on any board.

[Moon Beam]

I'd put him at the top.

Technically he's right up there with all the popular picks.

Stylistically he can do anything.

And he's got that indescribable feel, that style that you know it's him when you hear him. Only other guy I can say really has that (had that) that I'm a fan of is Ace Frehley.

Never once heard a sloppy Neal Schon. Can't say that for Hendrix, Page or Clapton.

Neal Schon's the best. He's got everything, can do anything, and the music has stood the test of time.

And I'd say this on any board.

So where does your avatar man land in your standings BigJ?

[X factor]

"I rate him highly, but not because of speed or technical ability...rather because he is the guy throws a hell of a lot of melody in there..."
Nail on the head, McNeil. He IS a great shredder, but he's also one of the most melodic guitarests ever. His lead lines are almost as famous as Perry's vocal melodies.

I'd still rate him behind EVH, SRV and Ace Frehley (OK , I KNOW he's better than Ace, but it's a personal thing with me and the spaceman...)

[lights1961]

In our time Neal is the BEST hands down PERIOD!!! No ifs ands or butts...
He shreds like a mainiac and can play classical accustic like no others... He can make soft rock songs beautifully soul like and his guitar sings better than most singers... He is what made Journey Journey---and was helped along the way by a guitar hero named Carlos Santana at the age of 15!! Not many others can say that!!! If someone can tell me any other guitarist around now that was asked to play for Carlos or Clapton all in the same few weeks at the ripe old age of 15---then come say there is a better guitarist out there.



Rick

[McNeil]

I rate him highly, but not because of speed or technical ability...rather because he is the guy throws a hell of a lot of melody in there...and he is the master of the "repeated refrain" ..like at the start and finish of the solo in "Whose Crying Now" ... most people can sing back key portions of his solo's..thats the magic of it.... speed...pah!!... theres a kid on every street corner over here who is as fast.... but it takes talent to write a good lead "tag line" that stays in ya brain!!

McNeil, for once I agree with you. This is exactly what makes Neil great. There are many other supposed great guitarists that could take a lesson from his melodic ability. Ironically, Neil would like to shred more even though his greatest asset is his melodic ability.

haha..careful JrnyScarab... you will end up in my exclusive group of Lepers...

[Big J]

I'd put him at the top.

Technically he's right up there with all the popular picks.

Stylistically he can do anything.

And he's got that indescribable feel, that style that you know it's him when you hear him. Only other guy I can say really has that (had that) that I'm a fan of is Ace Frehley.

Never once heard a sloppy Neal Schon. Can't say that for Hendrix, Page or Clapton.

Neal Schon's the best. He's got everything, can do anything, and the music has stood the test of time.

And I'd say this on any board.

So where does your avatar man land in your standings BigJ?

Well Viv isn't my av guy anymore, but he's in my top 25 easily. Got Rudy and Michael Schenker up there now, and not being an MSG fan, he don't make it. But being a Scorps fan Rudy's in my top 15 or so.

[Big J]

"I rate him highly, but not because of speed or technical ability...rather because he is the guy throws a hell of a lot of melody in there..."
Nail on the head, McNeil. He IS a great shredder, but he's also one of the most melodic guitarests ever. His lead lines are almost as famous as Perry's vocal melodies.

I'd still rate him behind EVH, SRV and Ace Frehley (OK , I KNOW he's better than Ace, but it's a personal thing with me and the spaceman...)

Don't apologize for Ace. Ace had a style and a feel few others have. He was pretty damned innovative and to say that about a guy who really wasn't one of these technical wizards is impressive. Ace was awesome.

Notice I'm using all past tense.

[ForceInfinity]

As much as I think Neal is great, I personally think Dream Theater's Petrucci is who I'd ranked as better mostly due to JP's speed, technical ability, and melody. JP is probably a far more versatile player than Neal is... but that's by no means saying anything bad to Neal because I enjoy listening to him... and especially to his solo albums. Late Nite and BTT are my favorites from him.

[JrnyScarab]

haha..careful JrnyScarab... you will end up in my exclusive group of Lepers...

NOOOO! NOT ME TOO!

[JrnyScarab]

As much as I think Neal is great, I personally think Dream Theater's Petrucci is who I'd ranked as better mostly due to JP's speed, technical ability, and melody. JP is probably a far more versatile player than Neal is... but that's by no means saying anything bad to Neal because I enjoy listening to him... and especially to his solo albums. Late Nite and BTT are my favorites from him.

Petrucci IS a monster player but can overplay at times. The latest Dream Theater stuff has him playing with more feel and melody and less pure shred which can get boring. I'm liking him more and more with each CD.

[Lula]

I don't know a lot of the guys many of you speak of, but I do know Neal and he is tops for me. Listening to Abraxas Pool "Szabo" right now and it is simply beautiful. Neal just knows how to do it. Besides he is so fucking cool

[Gibby]

One of the all time best, he can play such a soulful singing style and then blow you away with machine gun riff after machine gun riff. And, he can really write. Neal is the most underrated 'popular' guitarist of all time. He is the reason I play the damn thing. As far as underrated players, I've got Neal #1 and Dave Meniketti #2.