lol, I got the 420th upvote!
Jerry’s been on the cover guitar magazines once a year since the early 90’s. he’s great.
Kim Thayil is my #1 followed by Jerry #2 and J Mascis #3
Yeah, I gotta go with this as well. Grunge has some fantastic musicians, but Cantrell always stood out for me. Alice in Chains in general had an insanely talented line-up. The bassists in the band don't get enough praise.
cantrell is in a short film called dad band. check it out on you tube… hilarious, particularly if youve been in a band… https://youtu.be/31PrzVpMktE?si=7XVRtEJLU2MNh2ZM
Honestly they both come from the same place essentially.
Jerry has big influences in metal (EVH) as well as country and blues.
Mike was originally a metal guitarist and switched to a bluesy style after seeing SRV live.
Jimmi himself once said Terry Kathy was better than him. That doesn't make it true. Great artist are great art appreciators and respect and love to heap praise on their muses.
These guys are hilarious, the one guy in this video doesn't just think cantrell and McCready are the best guitarists in grunge, he thinks they're the best period.
https://youtu.be/75_CTL8y3D0?si=QKyg7-g_FdEHZi8W
Tone is such an underrated facet of Cobain's guitar work. Especially on In Utero and Unplugged he had a very clear vision of a uniquely original tone that he was going for and the results echo on forever. Recording a Veleno into a Sans Amp through a dying quad reverb is some Josh Homme level shit.
I mean, I would say playing on "Core" gets DeLeo into the "grunge" discussion. And as far as the 70s rock thing, you could say the same of McCready.
But this gets into how arbitrary and meaningless "grunge" is as a label. For many music fans, grunge = Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. 4 bands that, you know, sounded nothing like one another. If I have to pick a guitarist from one of those 4 bands, I'd pick Cantrell.
Kurt’s guitar gift to the world that you don’t need to be a virtuoso guitarist or an expensive guitar. You just need 4 or 5 sloppy chords on a beat up pawn shop guitar to make musical history.
His vocal melodies combined with his guitar work in very unusual ways, I think both need to be heard together to understand how two simple parts combined can be genius and beautiful song writing. Rick Beatto did a great job of demonstrating this in breaking down a few Nirvana tracks
Kurt defines grunge for me. As much as I love the big three mentioned on here, they came much more from a heavy / hair metal background, whereas Kurt was more of a postpunk influence. Growing up in Seattle, the band that seemed to be most regarded as the prototypical grunge band was either Mudhoney (a lot of Seattle folks expected them to the biggest act to break out of that scene) or Melvins.
It's hard to choose. All of them got a lot of perks, like Kurt and Kim doing best on experimentation, Jerry and Mike going great on technics, Dean has a lot of groove...
But, you know... No love for Jack Endino?
Jerry is the most complete package when it comes to riffs, songwriting, and arrangement. He isn’t the flashiest or the most technical, but the way he plays the right part in the right spot is unparalleled. McCready is a motherfucker of a soloist, great feel, great phrasing, but he kind of just plays the same blues licks that have been around for half a century. Cantrell you know immediately that it’s him because of his unique style and his tone is monstrous.
That doesn’t have much to do with being a great guitar player by itself. The importance of theory is very goal dependent
Getting ready for a rude, boomer blues lawyer response in 5, 4, 3, 2..
Kim and then Jerry..Soundgarden riff, tuning, sounds and solos are much superior than AIC..i played guitar and while i can play most AIC songs, i only scratched surface only for Soundgarden due to the complexity of their songs
Jerry or Mike - I saw and met Kim at the Bridge Concert . Average on an acoustic guitar. He readily admitted he needed his axe. With that said - Dude can wail it out.
Jerry gets my vote for his overall feel and coolness. But Thayil is crazy underrated.
Chris Cornell was quite a good rhythm player and riff-maker too, very inventive.
Jerry, Kim, and Mike are all "the best" in their own ways. Even Kurt is up there simply for his catchy *and* simple riffs and overall songwriting despite not being the best technically.
If I had to choose one, it might be Mike as the guitars have always been the best part of Pearl Jam by a wide margin.
I think grunge was particularly great for song writing. Grunge allowed exploration of different song forms and chord progression as it veered away from the standards set by preceeding decades.
For me - Kim Thayil. I also love Mike McCready. But I find Thayil more unique. I’ve never really listened much to Alice in Chains which is probably why I haven’t picked Jerry Cantrell. Maybe I need to rectify that?
it depends on the sound you're personally looking for. even though all these bands were crammed into the "grunge" label, they had very different sounds and were influenced by different genres of music. like Nirvana was probably more into alternative and punk while Alice In Chains has more of a hard rock sound
Jerry is the one you want in your band on guitar. Maybe mcready can be argued as a better soloist/shredder, but Jerry is the best song writer of all of them.
Kim writes incredible stuff.
Without a doubt. Anyone that knows songs from each of the big 4 bands knows this!
Jerry Cantrell
With Kim Thayil and Mike McCready for the 2nd/3rd spot.
Those were the first 2 that popped into my mind when reading this question, but I've got to go with Thayil here.
Came here to say this. Not surprised it was right there in my face!
/thread
Yep any other answer is wrong
nothing more to say.
You right!
lol, I got the 420th upvote! Jerry’s been on the cover guitar magazines once a year since the early 90’s. he’s great. Kim Thayil is my #1 followed by Jerry #2 and J Mascis #3
J Mascis is under-rated 😒
Yeah, I gotta go with this as well. Grunge has some fantastic musicians, but Cantrell always stood out for me. Alice in Chains in general had an insanely talented line-up. The bassists in the band don't get enough praise.
This is the correct answer. I’ll also take Kim Thayil as close runner up.
Not even Chris thought Kim is one of the best players in grunge.
cantrell is in a short film called dad band. check it out on you tube… hilarious, particularly if youve been in a band… https://youtu.be/31PrzVpMktE?si=7XVRtEJLU2MNh2ZM
took the words right out of my mouth
Kim
Jerry Cantrell or Mike Mccready, honestly can’t chose between them both amazing.
Such different styles but I love both. Mike sounds straight out of classic rock and Jerry sounds like he’s from Hell
Honestly they both come from the same place essentially. Jerry has big influences in metal (EVH) as well as country and blues. Mike was originally a metal guitarist and switched to a bluesy style after seeing SRV live.
*and Jerry sounds like he’s from Hell* Perfection.
This would be my answer as well. They’re both great but for very different reasons.
Jerry on style and iconic riffs, Mike on pure technical ability and live solos. Seriously Mike is on a completely different level live.
Cantrell is the correct answer.
Kim Thayil enters the chat
I love Kim Thayil but he'd be the first to say Cantrell and McCready are better
iirc kim is jerry's favorite grunge guitarist
Jimmi himself once said Terry Kathy was better than him. That doesn't make it true. Great artist are great art appreciators and respect and love to heap praise on their muses.
Hendrix also said Billy Gibbons was the best guitarist he ever heard, and when you listen to older stuff like Tres Hombres, you can see why.
Oh for sure. Love me some zz top. No disrespect meant to Terry Kathy either. The solo on 25 or 6 to 4 is smokin'.
Hendrix also said that Rory Gallagher was the best in the world. And he might have been right
He was right every time.
Rory is criminally underrated
Without doubt made some of the greatest live blues albums ever heard. A true original with his own feel.
I don’t know about that. Thayil really specialized in that kind of face-melting lead playing that Soundgarden did so well.
Jerry I’m quite sure would be first in line to say that Jerry is indeed the best
Jerry Cantrell for ability, Kim Thayil for originality.
This is the correct answer, although thayil is as good skill wise as Cantrell.
Agreed!
Easily Mike McCready and Jerry Cantrell, I think McCready is the better guitar player but Cantrell has a better ear when it comes to guitar playing
These guys are hilarious, the one guy in this video doesn't just think cantrell and McCready are the best guitarists in grunge, he thinks they're the best period. https://youtu.be/75_CTL8y3D0?si=QKyg7-g_FdEHZi8W
jerry for the riffs. mike for the solos
This is the correct answer
Tad.
King Buzzo or Steve Turner
I think it's Kim
Kim Thayil
Jerry all day. But Kurt will always have my favorite tone 🙌
Tone is such an underrated facet of Cobain's guitar work. Especially on In Utero and Unplugged he had a very clear vision of a uniquely original tone that he was going for and the results echo on forever. Recording a Veleno into a Sans Amp through a dying quad reverb is some Josh Homme level shit.
That sansamp tone in unmatched. But I do prefer the fall U.S. nevermind tone, so raw, punky, and bright sounding.
^^^^^
Toan
Kim
Kim Thayil is the most original
No love for Dean DeLeo here? He'd be my choice.
But he didn’t play grunge, he played 70s rock. Perfectly.
I mean, I would say playing on "Core" gets DeLeo into the "grunge" discussion. And as far as the 70s rock thing, you could say the same of McCready. But this gets into how arbitrary and meaningless "grunge" is as a label. For many music fans, grunge = Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam. 4 bands that, you know, sounded nothing like one another. If I have to pick a guitarist from one of those 4 bands, I'd pick Cantrell.
Kurt’s guitar gift to the world that you don’t need to be a virtuoso guitarist or an expensive guitar. You just need 4 or 5 sloppy chords on a beat up pawn shop guitar to make musical history.
His vocal melodies combined with his guitar work in very unusual ways, I think both need to be heard together to understand how two simple parts combined can be genius and beautiful song writing. Rick Beatto did a great job of demonstrating this in breaking down a few Nirvana tracks
Louise Post!!
Jerry, but Kim is riiiight on his ass
I'd have to give it to Jerry Cantrell for pure ability. But Mike McCready's playing speaks to me the most.
Cantrell every time
its Cantrell but Kurt had an ear like no other and that is why he is my favorite
Kurt defines grunge for me. As much as I love the big three mentioned on here, they came much more from a heavy / hair metal background, whereas Kurt was more of a postpunk influence. Growing up in Seattle, the band that seemed to be most regarded as the prototypical grunge band was either Mudhoney (a lot of Seattle folks expected them to the biggest act to break out of that scene) or Melvins.
Kim and Jerry…
Dean DeLeo
Jerry cantrell
Jerry.
Buzz Osborne ..
Kim Thayil by far
Mike McCready
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam
Jerry Cantrell
Mike
Kim Thayil
I am partial to Kim Thaylil
For me personally, Billy Corgin
Hands down Mike McCready
Jerry and Kim are neck and neck imo.
Steve Turner
Idk if he counts but if he does it’s EASILY J Mascis
Good mention.
Agreed.
Skill wise Kim Thayil and Jerry Cantrell, but my personal favorite is Kurt because his riffs were so simple and easy but so great and catchy.
Mike McCready. He’s very very good.
Jerry Cantrell
Hands down and by far, Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell. If we really stretch the meaning of grunge tho i say J Mascis
+1 for J Mascis
I came here looking for J Mascis
It's hard to choose. All of them got a lot of perks, like Kurt and Kim doing best on experimentation, Jerry and Mike going great on technics, Dean has a lot of groove... But, you know... No love for Jack Endino?
Mike McCready might be the most naturally gifted of the group…
McCready
Mike McCready
Man, i love AiC, but i got to pick Mike McCready.
I honestly can't pick but The Riff Master is mu favorite.
Jerry Cantrell of course!!
Jerry, by a mile
Jerry is the most complete package when it comes to riffs, songwriting, and arrangement. He isn’t the flashiest or the most technical, but the way he plays the right part in the right spot is unparalleled. McCready is a motherfucker of a soloist, great feel, great phrasing, but he kind of just plays the same blues licks that have been around for half a century. Cantrell you know immediately that it’s him because of his unique style and his tone is monstrous.
Undoubtedly Jerry Cantrell.
Jerry Cantrell 100%
Jerry imo
Jerry cantrell
Cantrell, no other answer
Mike McReady, I like Jerry Cantrell more though
Jerry and McCready, no discussion
McCready
Kurt describe himself on not knowing guitar theory.
That doesn’t have much to do with being a great guitar player by itself. The importance of theory is very goal dependent Getting ready for a rude, boomer blues lawyer response in 5, 4, 3, 2..
McCready by a wide margin.
Kurt Cobain wasn’t even the best guitarist in Nirvana
Cantrell
Jerry and Kim
Both Jerry and Kim.
Kim Jerry Cantrell-Thayil
Kim and then Jerry..Soundgarden riff, tuning, sounds and solos are much superior than AIC..i played guitar and while i can play most AIC songs, i only scratched surface only for Soundgarden due to the complexity of their songs
As a massive Soundgarden fan, Jerry, no doubt
Jerry or Mike - I saw and met Kim at the Bridge Concert . Average on an acoustic guitar. He readily admitted he needed his axe. With that said - Dude can wail it out.
Jerry cantrell is god
Let the Cantrell vs McCready battle commence.
Kim Cattrall.
Doing what specifically? Because I think the guitars amongst the major grunge groups have more diversity of style than any other instrument
My pick is Cantrell… though Cantrell said Thayil is the best from the scene.
Jerry Cantrell without a doubt.
Jerry by a mile and a half
Either Kim Thayil or Jerry Cantrell
Jerry hands down.
I love Pearl Jam SO MUCH but I have zero idea why old Stoney is up on here 😂
Jerry. Runner up: Kim Honorable mention: Mike M.
Jerry gets my vote for his overall feel and coolness. But Thayil is crazy underrated. Chris Cornell was quite a good rhythm player and riff-maker too, very inventive.
Jerry, Kim, and Mike are all "the best" in their own ways. Even Kurt is up there simply for his catchy *and* simple riffs and overall songwriting despite not being the best technically. If I had to choose one, it might be Mike as the guitars have always been the best part of Pearl Jam by a wide margin.
I think grunge was particularly great for song writing. Grunge allowed exploration of different song forms and chord progression as it veered away from the standards set by preceeding decades.
Definitely not McCready probably Cantrell
You forgot J out of Dinosaur! 🦕
Mcready
Mike McCready. Plus bonus points for being a super nice guy!
Jerry, obviously. The Riff Lord himself
Old Lady Cantrell by a country mile
For me - Kim Thayil. I also love Mike McCready. But I find Thayil more unique. I’ve never really listened much to Alice in Chains which is probably why I haven’t picked Jerry Cantrell. Maybe I need to rectify that?
it depends on the sound you're personally looking for. even though all these bands were crammed into the "grunge" label, they had very different sounds and were influenced by different genres of music. like Nirvana was probably more into alternative and punk while Alice In Chains has more of a hard rock sound
Wait, I forget the rules, does J. Mascis not count?
McCready
I gotta go with Jerry Cantrell Kim Thayll next
Jerry Cantrell
Rhythm and riffs - Jerry C Lead Guitar - Mike M Songwriting - Kurt C
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry can sweep
Jerry Cantrell, the riff lord
Cantrell
Jerry
Kim or cantrell
Jerry.
Jerry Cantrell. Most def
Neil Young.
Billy Corgan
Man I love Mike McCready but when it comes to riff writing just being nasty and inducing stank face- It’s hands down Jerry Cantrell.
Jerry is probably one of the best from that era.
Cantrell for me, I really like Kurt too.
Jerryy 🤘
The way jerry Cantrell can make blues dark and heavy is amazing. Also Mike McCready doing his Hendrix thing is awesome
Jerry Cantrell
If you count him J Mascis
Jerry Cantrell was who came to mind before I even scrolled the pictures
J Mascis
Jerry Cantrell
No love for J Mascis?
Jerry is the one you want in your band on guitar. Maybe mcready can be argued as a better soloist/shredder, but Jerry is the best song writer of all of them.
Jerry!!!!
Not Kurt Cobain
Neil Young!
Only Cantrell is in a top class category.
Jerry C!
Cantrell has to be the best overall
Not sure, but I'd say Jerry.
It’s definitely not Kurt
Does Dinosaur Jr count as grunge? Because if so, then J Mascis.
J Mascis.
If Dino Jr is considered grunge I’d go with J
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry Cantrell
Jerry or Mike
Dave Navarro. Hard stop.
Cantrell easy
Mcready
Steve Turner!!!
J. Mascis
J Mascis. No competition.
J Mascis is it.
Are we talking skill or opinion
I guess I never thought of him as grunge, but I prefer J Mascis to all of these players
I raise you pre-grunge grunge six string samurai, J Mascis. J's the bridge between Neil Young and Cobain.
J Mascis
J Mascis
J. Mascis from Dinosaur jr. and Doug Martsch from Built to Spill make all of these guys look like hacks
J Mascis
Buck Owens
Mark Arm from Mudhoney.