Now now...there's no "best Strat" either.

My Strat is the Best Strat ever!

At least I think so

Rebel

Actually there is a "Best Strat"...or at least a way to discuss this based on some kind of actual criteria...(build quality, playability, feel, tone, finish, etc) I personally have 6 Strat's, and my American Deluxe is the "best" of the 6. I love all of them, and with the exception of 1 MIM 1970 Reissue (which is beautiful) they are all American Strats.

If I handed them to you, 1 after another, my money say's that you pick the Deluxe to be the "Best" as well. I had the opportunity to play "Crash 15" at my local GC...it was the finest (best...if you will) Strat that I have ever held, played, or listened to, and I have been playing and collecting guitars for more than 30 years.

Andy Gill from Gang of Four

Buddy Guy

Yeah,I bought a '62 Hot Rod and consider it to be the best I've ever owned and I own 5 Strats right now,but have owned others since the 60s.
But the absolute "best" in the world???...then again I have never played a Strat built just for Clapton....and I think that one was,right?
I would bet Fender wouldn't send him anything less than their best effort...I mean,what if he sent word back,"why did you send me this p.o.s.?"

One player I never see mentioned, and he has a very "David Gilmour-ish" sound at least to my ears... Mick Box from Uriah Heep. Is he still alive? What did he play? I just assumed a Strat but the pictures I'm finding show a Les Paul. Oh well. Carry on...

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

He's still kickin. I've only seen him play LP's and Marshall's.................. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

in my opinion,

at the minute i thing the tastiest strat player has to be matt schofield, 61 strat, tone 2 die for !!!!

Jeff Beck.

Everybody sucks but me.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

I agree and Mark knoffler

Anyone who doesn't say Gilmour doesn't know what the hell they're talking about.

Just kidding.

The real answer is:

Nevin.

I never have heard much Beck. The stuff I see on you tube is pretty tame.

He just plays 3 or 4 notes pulls a wee little on the tremelo and struts around stage. But then I am sure he has a huge catalog. What are some really great tunes of his, lets say his top five.

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I remember when we were free!

as people have already mentioned a lot of this depends on what our definition of "the best strat player" is. most influential? best technically? best songwriter? and how do we define a strat player - is it someone who primarily plays a strat, or anyone who has played a strat at some point?

one person who hasn't been mentioned that i think deserves to be here is john mayer, not only is he a very skilled songwriter but his guitar work is very tasteful while not being overly complicated.

in terms of influence, i think it has to go to buddy guy...hendrix used to cancel his own shows to go and watch buddy guy play live, i think that says a lot about buddy's influence on blues and rock music.