Mm. It was funny once. From here on you need to stop practicing your drum patterns on the "Submit" button, please.

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Regarding the OP: Hendrix and Clapton definitely mean most to me in their very different ways.

But we need to remember just what SRV achieved - over and above the content of his playing. Some of us can recall just what a desperately dismal period the mid-'80s were for music. The bitter bottom of one finger synth driven pop music on the one hand; heavy metal disappearing off into its ever more exclusive and pantomime oriented zone on the other. So many of the greats of the '60s and '70s were retired, had turned into their own tribute acts - or were deceased.

Stevie Ray came along and gave to a whole new generation the idea of blues based, guitar driven music with that fabulous huge tone, so different than the vastly over distorted sounds most other guitar playing was doing at the time.

His contribution certainly was not unique even in those years. But he surely did more than anyone else to keep a certain sort of music alive and young, as well as to inspire uncountable numbers of young guitarists. All in the face of utter contempt from the trendy music press of the day. I think there's a good reason Fender continue to celebrate his short life so enthusiastically.

And I say this as someone who is not especially a SRV fan. Gotta recognize the guy's enormous contribution.

Cheers - C

Jeff Beck included in the poll? Surely for playing technique alone, hes the most innovative guitarist since les paul. I listened to endless clapton and hendrix as a kid, to the point that i find it hard to listen to em now.
Their a bit like fine wine for me now. its better to just take the bottle out the cupboard once in a while, have a small glass, enjoy it and put it back.

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No no and no

It's

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Up is louder!

All three are great guitarists but my vote has to go with Jimi Hendrix and SRV. Sorry Eric.

Talking about playing the instrument - not Hendrix's excellent songwriting and production, or SRV's gutsy performance - but playing it as a musician? Clapton.

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"Now, bring me that horizon."
-Capt. Jack Sparrow

Not too offend anyone but I despise these "who's better" type threads. Each one is a master and a little different than the other, why try to make it a competition when they are all great ?

I think a lot of us would tend to agree with that. Which probably explains the rather flippant tone people were taking on the first page of this thread.

Cheers - C

Yes. To rephrase an old saying: I wouldn't kick any of 'em out of my band.

Love,
Todd

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Up is louder!

something interesting to think about is how all three of them had the same musical influences with the old blues icons. now look at where the three of them took these influences and achieved three different sounds...talk about a hub an spokes no?

If if was forced to choose who I thought best utilized and expressed the sonic gifts that the Strat has to offer there could only be one reply. It's the person the other two loved and/or idolized:

JIMI

No question.

I'm a diehard Clapton fan. So I vote for Clapton-Clapton is god!
Ha! I'm not the only one that thinks Eric Clapton looks like Hugh Laurie!

When Clapton was referred to as "God" he was doing it on a Paul, SG, Firebird, ES335 etc.. - not a Strat, but I couldn't agree with you more about old slow-hand, especially the Bluesbreakers Beano recordings! They are surely among the very best in blues guitar ever to grace the history soulful playing - definitely transcendental!

i went with stevie ray because out of these 3 he's the better player period.
but! if you added robin trower to the mix mr. trower would take all three
of these guys and pretty much mop the stage floor with all three of them.

clapton's good BUT! he's not God. there are many guitarist that
would dust him on guitar. stevie ray/jimi hendrix/edward van halen/Robin trower.
just to name a few.

I voted for Clapton, as he simply is my favorite guitarist. A lot of my style comes from him and his idols, and his solos never cease to amaze. Hendrix is my runner up. He took the idea of guitar playing and sent it to another world, I mean really. His style has been heavily influencing mine recently... don't know why. I like the sound of hitting more than one string at once like he has a tendency to do.