List of lead guitarists

The following is a list of significant lead guitarists, arranged in ascending alphabetical order of their last name. For rhythm guitarists see list of rhythm guitarists.

A

 * Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)
 * "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (Pantera, Damageplan, Rebel Meets Rebel)
 * John Abercrombie
 * Ryan Adams (The Cardinals)
 * Marcus Adoro (Eraserheads)
 * Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
 * Fredrik Åkesson (Arch Enemy, Opeth)
 * Jan Akkerman (Focus)
 * Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio)
 * Johnny Alegre
 * Art Alexakis (Everclear)
 * Joey Allen (Warrant)
 * Paul Allender (Cradle of Filth)
 * Duane Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)
 * Lee Altus (Exodus, Heathen)
 * Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon)
 * Christopher Amott (Arch Enemy, Armageddon, Dark Tranquillity)
 * Michael Amott (Arch Enemy, Carcass)
 * Trey Anastasio (Phish)
 * Al Anderson (Bob Marley and the Wailers)
 * Emma Anderson (Lush)
 * Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney)
 * Christian Andreu (Gojira)
 * Apostolis Anthimos (SBB)
 * Daniel Antonsson (Dimension Zero, Soilwork)
 * Redouane Aouameur
 * Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day, Pinhead Gunpowder)
 * Tim Armstrong (Operation Ivy, Transplants, Rancid)
 * Rob Arnold (Chimaira)
 * DJ Ashba (Sixx:A.M., Guns N' Roses)
 * Ron Asheton (The Stooges)
 * Chet Atkins
 * Berton Averre (The Knack)

B

 * Ayub Bachchu (Love Runs Blind)
 * Randy Bachman (The Guess Who, Bachman–Turner Overdrive)
 * Dave Bainbridge (Iona)
 * Dave Baksh (Sum 41, Brown Brigade)
 * Russ Ballard (Argent)
 * Terry Balsamo (Evanescence)
 * Perry Bamonte (The Cure)
 * Peter Banks (Yes, Flash)
 * Carl Barat (The Libertines, Dirty Pretty Things)
 * Marcelo Barbosa (Angra)
 * Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
 * Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
 * Steve Bartek (Oingo Boingo)
 * Michael Angelo Batio
 * Reb Beach  (Winger, Dokken, Whitesnake)
 * Norman Beaker
 * Corey Beaulieu (Trivium)
 * Jan Bechtum
 * Jeff Beck (The Yardbirds, Jeff Beck Group, Beck, Bogert & Appice)
 * Jason Becker (David Lee Roth, Cacophony)
 * Franny Beecher (Bill Haley & His Comets)
 * Adrian Belew
 * Andy Bell (Ride, Hurricane #1, Oasis, Beady Eye)
 * Carl Bell (Fuel)
 * Eric Bell (Thin Lizzy)
 * Matthew Bellamy (Muse)
 * George Benson
 * Chuck Berry
 * Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme, Rihanna)
 * Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band)
 * Jason Bieler (Saigon Kick)
 * Simon Binks (Australian Crawl)
 * Jón Þór Birgisson (Sigur Rós)
 * Anders Björler (At the Gates, The Haunted)
 * Ira Black (Vio-lence)
 * Frank Blackfire (Kreator, Sodom)
 * Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Blackmore's Night)
 * Doug Blair (W.A.S.P.)
 * Nate Blasdell (I Set My Friends on Fire)
 * Mike Bloomfield
 * Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
 * Tommy Bolin (Zephyr, The James Gang, Deep Purple)
 * Joe Bonamassa
 * D. Boon (Minutemen)
 * Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit, Black Light Burns)
 * Johnny Borrell (Razorlight)
 * Carlton Bost (Orgy)
 * Tony Bourge (Budgie)
 * Mick Box (Uriah Heep)
 * James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)
 * Tony Bradley (The Distillers, Spinnerette)
 * Vito Bratta (White Lion)
 * Creed Bratton (The Grass Roots)
 * Chris Broderick (Megadeth, Nevermore, Jag Panzer)
 * Devin Bronson
 * Joel Bogen (Toyah)
 * Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney)
 * Ben Bruce (Asking Alexandria)
 * Roy Buchanan
 * Peter Buck (R.E.M.)
 * Rob Buck (10,000 Maniacs)
 * Buckethead (Praxis, Guns N' Roses, C2B3)
 * Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
 * Jonny Buckland (Coldplay)
 * Bumblefoot (Guns N' Roses)
 * Vinny Burns (Ten)
 * James Burton
 * John Butler (The John Butler Trio)
 * Glen Buxton (Alice Cooper)
 * Roddy Byers (The Specials)

C

 * Ernie C (Body Count)
 * Charlotte Caffey (The Go-Go's)
 * Al Caiola
 * Randy California (Spirit)
 * Toy Caldwell (The Marshall Tucker Band),
 * Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)
 * Phil Campbell (Motörhead)
 * Vivian Campbell (Dio, Whitesnake, Def Leppard)
 * Mike Campese
 * Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)
 * Captain Sensible (The Damned)
 * Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional)
 * Perfecto de Castro (Rivermaya)
 * Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot)
 * Danny Cedrone (Bill Haley & His Comets)
 * Gustavo Cerati (Soda Stereo)
 * Nic Cester (Jet)
 * Ross Childress (Collective Soul)
 * Charlie Christian
 * John Cipollina (Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Dinosaurs)
 * Eric Clapton (The Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominos)
 * Gary Clark Jr.
 * Steve Clark (Def Leppard)
 * "Fast" Eddie Clarke (Motörhead)
 * Dave "Clem" Clempson (Colosseum, Humble Pie)
 * Michael Clifford (5 Seconds of Summer)
 * Nels Cline (Nels Cline Trio, The Nels Cline Singers, Banyan, Wilco)
 * Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
 * Phil Collen (Def Leppard)
 * Albert Collins
 * Allen Collins (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
 * Nathan Connolly (Snow Patrol)
 * Ry Cooder
 * Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty)
 * Rusty Cooley
 * John Corabi (Ratt)
 * Lanny Cordola (Giuffria, House of Lords, Magdalen)
 * Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
 * Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers)
 * Graham Coxon (Blur)
 * Robert Cray
 * Paul Crook (Anthrax, Sebastian Bach, Meat Loaf, Marya Roxx)
 * Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the M.G.'s)
 * Robbin Crosby (Ratt)
 * Rivers Cuomo (Weezer)
 * Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.)

D

 * Denis D'Amour (Voivod)
 * Dick Dale
 * Brody Dalle (The Distillers, Spinnerette)
 * Adam "Nergal" Darski (Behemoth)
 * Dave Davies (The Kinks)
 * Mahyar Dean (Angband)
 * Paul Dean (Loverboy)
 * Gene Deer
 * Chris DeGarmo (Queensrÿche)
 * Isaac Delahaye (Epica)
 * Tiago Della Vega
 * Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots)
 * Tom DeLonge (Blink-182, Box Car Racer, Angels & Airwaves)
 * Brad Delson (Linkin Park)
 * Warren DeMartini (Ratt)
 * Leonard Dembo
 * Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Vio-lence)
 * Britt "Lightning" Denaro (Vixen)
 * Rick Derringer (The McCoys, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter)
 * C.C. DeVille (Poison)
 * Don Devore (Amazing Baby)
 * Buck Dharma (Blue Öyster Cult)
 * Al Di Meola (Go)
 * Bo Diddley
 * Carl Dixon
 * Ian D'Sa (Billy Talent)
 * Dave Dobbyn (Th' Dudes, DD Smash)
 * Joe Dolce
 * Dan Donegan (Disturbed)
 * Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal, I)
 * Dr. Know (Bad Brains)
 * OL Drake (Evile)
 * Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth)
 * Oscar Dronjak (Ceremonial Oath)
 * Glen Drover (King Diamond, Megadeth, Eidolon)
 * Billy Duffy (The Cult)
 * Jeff "Mantas" Dunn (Venom)
 * Bob Dylan
 * Teddy Diaz (The Dawn)
 * Perf De Castro (Rivermaya)

E

 * Ronnie Earl
 * Elliot Easton (The Cars)
 * Duane Eddy
 * The Edge (U2)
 * Lu Edmonds (Public Image Limited)
 * Nokie Edwards (The Ventures)
 * Mike Einziger (Incubus)
 * Tripp Eisen (Dope, Static-X)
 * Stefan Elmgren (HammerFall)
 * Matt Embree (The Sound Of Animals Fighting, Rx Bandits)
 * Tommy Emmanuel
 * Rik Emmett (Triumph)
 * Niklas Engelin
 * Thomas Erak (The Fall Of Troy)
 * Eric Erlandson (Hole, RRIICCEE)
 * Kevin Eubanks (The Tonight Show Band)
 * Mike Elgar (Rivermaya)

F

 * Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
 * Tim Farriss (INXS)
 * Josh Farro (Paramore)
 * Don Felder (The Eagles)
 * Neil Finn (Split Enz, Crowded House, Finn Brothers)
 * Roger Fisher (Heart)
 * Vic Flick (John Barry Seven)
 * John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
 * Lita Ford (The Runaways)
 * Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)
 * Dave Fortman (Ugly Kid Joe)
 * Oz Fox (Stryper)
 * Peter Frampton (Humble Pie)
 * Bruce Franklin (Trouble)
 * Lars Frederiksen (Rancid)
 * Ace Frehley (Kiss)
 * Glenn Frey (The Eagles)
 * Marty Friedman (Megadeth, Cacophony)
 * Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
 * Fred Frith
 * Bill Frisell
 * John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
 * Vim Fuego (Bad News)
 * Koichi Fukuda (Static-X)
 * Jim Fuller (Surfaris)

G

 * Gus G. (Dream Evil, Firewind, Nightrage, Ozzy Osbourne)
 * Steve Gaines (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
 * Galder (Dimmu Borgir)
 * Noel Gallagher (Oasis)
 * Rory Gallagher
 * Anthony Gallo (Suicidal Tendencies)
 * Cliff Gallup
 * Frank Gambale (Chick Corea Elektric Band)
 * Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
 * Roopam Garg
 * Kyle Gass (Tenacious D)
 * Synyster Gates (Avenged Sevenfold, Pinkly Smooth)
 * Björn Gelotte (In Flames)
 * Rocky George (Cro-Mags, Suicidal Tendencies)
 * Janick Gers (Iron Maiden)
 * Sascha Gerstner (Helloween, ex-Freedom Call)
 * Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
 * Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory)
 * Paul Gilbert (Racer X, Mr. Big)
 * Vince Gill
 * Brad Gillis (Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne)
 * David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
 * Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
 * Hamish Glencross (My Dying Bride)
 * Craig Goldy (Giuffria, Dio, Rough Cutt)
 * Matt Good (From First to Last)
 * Myles Goodwyn (April Wine)
 * Pier Gonella (Mastercastle-Necrodeath)
 * Scott Gorham (Thin Lizzy, 21 Guns)
 * The Great Kat
 * Gary Green (Gentle Giant)
 * Grant Green
 * Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac)
 * Brian Greenway (April Wine, Mashmakhan)
 * Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead, The Smile)
 * Luther Grosvenor (Spooky Tooth, Mott the Hoople)
 * Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns, Brides of Destruction, Contraband)
 * Buddy Guy

H

 * Steve Hackett (Genesis)
 * Merle Haggard
 * Danielle Haim (Haim)
 * Ollie Halsall (Patto, Tempest)
 * Kirk Hammett (Exodus, Metallica)
 * Albert Hammond, Jr. (The Strokes)
 * Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
 * Kai Hansen (Helloween, Gamma Ray)
 * Blake Harnage (VersaEmerge)
 * George Harrison (The Beatles, Traveling Wilburys)
 * PJ Harvey
 * Juliana Hatfield
 * Dan Hawkins (The Darkness, Stone Gods)
 * Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
 * Pete Haycock (Climax Blues Band)
 * Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers Band, Gov't Mule)
 * Justin Hayward (The Moody Blues)
 * Eddie Hazel (Parliament-Funkadelic)
 * Jeff Healey
 * Helmuth
 * Jimi Hendrix
 * Leon Hendrix
 * Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic)
 * Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks, Bad Religion)
 * Tony Hicks (The Hollies)
 * hide (X Japan)
 * Dave Hill (Slade)
 * Brent Hinds (Mastodon)
 * Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss)
 * Hisashi (Glay)
 * Hizaki (Versailles, Jupiter)
 * Terrance Hobbs (Suffocation)
 * Gary Hoey
 * Wolf Hoffmann (Accept)
 * Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles)
 * Randy Holden
 * Allan Holdsworth
 * Buddy Holly
 * Esa Holopainen (Amorphis)
 * Gary Holt (Exodus)
 * Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch)
 * John Lee Hooker
 * Matt Hoopes (Relient K)
 * Jerry Horton (Papa Roach)
 * Tomoyasu Hotei (Boøwy, Complex)
 * Jimmy Hotz
 * Rowland S. Howard
 * Steve Howe (Yes, Asia)
 * Bill Hudson (Cellador, Power Quest)
 * Jon Hume (Evermore)
 * Charlie Hunter

I

 * Chris Impellitteri
 * Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell)
 * Ernie Isley (The Isley Brothers)
 * Poison Ivy (The Cramps)
 * Izzy Stradlin (Guns N' Roses)
 * Kenneth Ilagan (The Dawn)

J

 * Matthias Jabs (Scorpions)
 * Ramon Jacinto
 * Tito Jackson (The Jackson 5)
 * Jakko M. Jakszyk
 * Colin James
 * Ron Jarzombek (Watchtower, Spastic Ink, Blotted Science)
 * John 5
 * Bob Johnson (Steeleye Span)
 * Eric Johnson
 * Kelly Johnson (Girlschool)
 * Lonnie Johnson
 * Wilko Johnson (Dr Feelgood)
 * Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation)
 * Kevin Jonas (Jonas Brothers)
 * Adam Jones (Tool)
 * Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones)
 * Danny Jones (McFly)
 * Mick Jones (The Clash)
 * Mick Jones (Foreigner, Spooky Tooth)
 * Steve Jones (Sex Pistols)
 * Stanley Jordan
 * Tyler Joseph (Twenty One Pilots)

K

 * Kapil Srivastava
 * Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand)
 * Terry Kath (Chicago)
 * Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna)
 * Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group)
 * Phil Keaggy (Glass Harp)
 * Tom Keifer (Cinderella)
 * Tim Kelly (Slaughter)
 * Ken (L'Arc-en-Ciel)
 * Alan Kendall (The Bee Gees)
 * Myles Kennedy (The Mayfield Four)
 * Albert King
 * B. B. King
 * Ben King (The Yardbirds)
 * Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Strawberry Alarm Clock)
 * Kerry King (Slayer)
 * Danny Kirwan (Fleetwood Mac)
 * Andreas Kisser (Sepultura)
 * Josh Klinghoffer (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
 * Bob Klose (Pink Floyd)
 * Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits)
 * Kaan Korad
 * Joel Kosche (Collective Soul)
 * Paul Kossoff (Free)
 * Richie Kotzen
 * Ivan Kral
 * Rocky Kramer
 * Wayne Kramer (MC5)
 * Robby Krieger (The Doors)
 * Richard Kruspe (Rammstein)
 * Tad Kubler
 * Jan Kuehnemund (Vixen)
 * Bruce Kulick (Kiss)

L

 * Bernie LaBarge (David Clayton-Thomas)
 * Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom, Bodom After Midnight)
 * Greg Lake (Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson)
 * Larry LaLonde (Possessed, Primus)
 * Sonny Landreth
 * Shawn Lane
 * Jonny Lang
 * Andy LaRocque (King Diamond)
 * Andrew Latimer (Camel)
 * Ronni Le Tekrø (TNT)
 * Bernie Leadon (The Eagles)
 * Alvin Lee (Ten Years After)
 * Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne, Badlands)
 * Duke Levine
 * Matty Lewis (Zebrahead)
 * Herman Li (DragonForce)
 * Alex Lifeson (Rush)
 * Jani Liimatainen (Sonata Arctica, Altaria)
 * Peter Lindgren (Opeth)
 * Rudy Linka
 * Lori Linstruth
 * James Litherland (Colosseum, Mogul Thrash)
 * Kerry Livgren (Kansas)
 * Glenn Ljungström (In Flames, HammerFall)
 * Nils Lofgren (E Street Band)
 * Karl Logan (Manowar)
 * Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore)
 * César "Vampiro" López (Maná, Azul Violeta, Jaguares)
 * Kiko Loureiro (Megadeth, Angra)
 * Clint Lowery (Sevendust)
 * Arjen Anthony Lucassen
 * Paco de Lucía
 * Jens Ludwig (Edguy)
 * Steve Lukather (Toto)
 * George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob)
 * Steve Lynch (Autograph)
 * Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra)

M

 * Tony MacAlpine
 * Lonnie Mack
 * Brian "Too Loud" MacLeod (Chilliwack, Headpins)
 * Logan Mader (Once Human, Soulfly, Machine Head)
 * Wolf Mail
 * Daron Malakian (System of a Down, Scars on Broadway)
 * Yngwie Malmsteen
 * Christofer Malmström
 * Misha Mansoor (Periphery)
 * Kee Marcello (Europe)
 * Frank Marino (Mahogany Rush)
 * Johnny Marr (The Smiths)
 * Steve Marriott (Small Faces, Humble Pie)
 * Mick Mars (Mötley Crüe)
 * Vince Martell (Vanilla Fudge)
 * Billy Martin (Good Charlotte)
 * Jim Martin (Faith No More)
 * Hank Marvin (The Shadows)
 * Junior Marvin (Bob Marley and The Wailers)
 * J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr)
 * Hideto Matsumoto (X Japan)
 * Tak Matsumoto (B'z)
 * Brian May (Queen)
 * John Mayer (John Mayer Trio)
 * Nick McCabe (The Verve)
 * Andy McCoy (Hanoi Rocks)
 * Mike McCready (Pearl Jam, Temple of the Dog, Mad Season)
 * Jimmy McCulloch (Wings, Thunderclap Newman, Stone the Crows, Small Faces, The Dukes)
 * Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
 * John McLaughlin (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti)
 * Richard McNamara (Embrace)
 * Tony McPhee (The Groundhogs)
 * Mickey Melchiondo aka Dean Ween (Ween)
 * Michelle Meldrum (Phantom Blue, Meldrum)
 * Barry Melton (Country Joe & The Fish)
 * Vince Melouney (Billy Thorpe & the Aztecs, The Bee Gees)
 * Dave Meniketti (Y&T)
 * Jim Messina (Poco, Buffalo Springfield, Loggins and Messina)
 * Naser Mestarihi
 * Pat Metheny
 * Phil Miller
 * Steve Miller
 * Brian Molko (Placebo)
 * Wes Montgomery
 * Ronnie Montrose (Montrose, Gamma)
 * Ben Moody (Evanescence)
 * Gary Moore (Thin Lizzy)
 * Scotty Moore
 * Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth)
 * Vinnie Moore (UFO)
 * Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)
 * Sterling Morrison (The Velvet Underground)
 * Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse Band, Deep Purple)
 * Ian Moss (Cold Chisel)
 * Jason Moss (Cherry Poppin' Daddies)
 * Bob Mothersbaugh (Devo)
 * Cameron Muncey (Jet)
 * Christian Münzner (Obscura)
 * Billy Mure
 * James Murphy (Obituary)
 * Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)
 * Dave Mustaine (Megadeth, Metallica)
 * Zach Myers (Shinedown)
 * Gary Myrick (Havana 3am)

N

 * Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
 * Mike Ness (Social Distortion)
 * Craig Nicholls (The Vines)
 * Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick)
 * Jon Nödtveidt (Dissection)
 * John Nolan (Taking Back Sunday)
 * Noodle (Gorillaz)
 * Noodles (The Offspring)
 * Pontus Norgren (The Poodles, HammerFall)
 * John Norum (Europe)
 * Ted Nugent (Amboy Dukes, Damn Yankees)
 * Anders Nyström (Katatonia, Bloodbath)

O

 * Jus Oborn (Electric Wizard)
 * Ed O'Brien (Radiohead)
 * Pat O'Brien (Cannibal Corpse, Nevermore, Exhorder)
 * Eddie Ojeda (Twisted Sister)
 * Dave Odlum (The Frames)
 * André Olbrich (Blind Guardian)
 * Mike Oldfield
 * Criss Oliva (Savatage)
 * Juan Francisco Ordóñez
 * Buzz Osborne (Melvins)

P

 * Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin, The Yardbirds, The Firm)
 * Clive Painter (Broken Dog, The 99 Call, Tram, The Real Tuesday Weld)
 * Brad Paisley
 * Orianthi Panagaris
 * Joe Pass
 * Les Paul
 * Michal Pavlíček
 * Axel Rudi Pell
 * Tony Peluso (The Carpenters)
 * Carl Perkins
 * Luther Perkins (Johnny Cash)
 * Joe Perry (Aerosmith, The Joe Perry Project)
 * Vicki Peterson (The Bangles)
 * John Petrucci (Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment)
 * Anthony Phillips (Genesis)
 * Matt Pike (Sleep, High on Fire)
 * Jake Pitts (Black Veil Brides)
 * Sergio Pizzorno (Kasabian)
 * Dean Pleasants (Suicidal Tendencies)
 * Chris Poland (Megadeth)
 * Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash)
 * Prince
 * Rod Price (Foghat)
 * Jade Puget (AFI)

R

 * Roddy Radiation (The Specials)
 * Mick Ralphs (Bad Company, Mott the Hoople)
 * Larry Ramos (The Association)
 * Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth)
 * Chris Rea
 * Jerry Reed
 * Lou Reed (The Velvet Underground)
 * Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
 * Django Reinhardt
 * Arthur Rhames
 * Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne)
 * Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones)
 * Gary Richrath (REO Speedwagon)
 * Henjo Richter (Gamma Ray)
 * Michael Ricketts
 * Chris Risola (Steelheart)
 * Marc Rizzo (Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Ill Niño)
 * Jason Roberts (Norah Jones, Hymns, The Candles)
 * Darrell Roberts (Five Finger Death Punch)
 * Allison Robertson (The Donnas)
 * Brian Robertson (Thin Lizzy, Motörhead)
 * Robbie Robertson (The Band)
 * Janet Robin
 * Omar Rodríguez-López (At the Drive-In, Mars Volta)
 * Tony Rombola (Godsmack, Another Animal)
 * Michael Romeo (Symphony X)
 * Mick Ronson (David Bowie)
 * Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts)
 * Ryan Ross (Panic! at the Disco)
 * Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
 * Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
 * Uli Jon Roth (Scorpions)
 * Steve Rothery (Marillion, The Wishing Tree)
 * Erik Rutan (Ripping Corpse, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse)
 * Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
 * Francis Reyes (The Dawn)

S

 * Dave "The Snake" Sabo (Skid Row)
 * Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi)
 * Karl Sanders (Nile)
 * Justin Sane (Anti-Flag)
 * Carlos Santana (Santana)
 * Joey Santiago (Pixies)
 * Ralph Santolla (Obituary, Deicide)
 * Satchel (Steel Panther)
 * Joe Satriani
 * Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon)
 * Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group, Contraband)
 * Tom Scholz (Boston)
 * Neal Schon (Journey)
 * Jeff Schroeder (The Smashing Pumpkins)
 * Chuck Schuldiner (Death, Control Denied)
 * John Scofield
 * Andy Scott (Sweet)
 * Keith Scott (Bryan Adams)
 * Tim Scott
 * Sek Loso (Loso)
 * Darius Semaña (Parokya ni Edgar)
 * Brian Setzer (The Stray Cats)
 * Charlie Sexton (Charlie Sexton)
 * James "Munky" Shaffer (Korn)
 * Dave Sharman
 * Todd Sharpville
 * Sonny Sharrock
 * Kenny Wayne Shepherd
 * Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
 * Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters)
 * George Shuffler (The Stanley Brothers)
 * Charlie Simpson (Fightstar, Busted)
 * Sami Sirviö (Kent)
 * Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio)
 * Alex Skolnick (Testament, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra)
 * Skwisgaar Skwigelf (Dethklok)
 * Slash (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver, Slash's Snakepit)
 * Martin Slattery (The Mescaleros)
 * Earl Slick
 * Hillel Slovak (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
 * Brendon Small (Dethklok)
 * Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden)
 * Fred "Sonic" Smith (MC-5)
 * Robert Smith (The Cure)
 * Bruce Springsteen (E Street Band)
 * Billy Squier
 * John Squire (The Stone Roses, The Seahorses)
 * Mark St. John (Kiss)
 * Bill Steer (Carcass)
 * Leigh Stephens (Blue Cheer, Sister Ray)
 * Steve Stevens (Billy Idol)
 * Travis Stever (Coheed and Cambria)
 * Gina Stile (Vixen)
 * Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
 * Barry Stock (Three Days Grace)
 * Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother)
 * Nita Strauss (The Iron Maidens, Femme Fatale)
 * Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy)
 * Sugizo (Luna Sea, X Japan)
 * Frankie Sullivan (Survivor)
 * Tim Sult (Clutch)
 * Hubert Sumlin
 * Andy Summers (The Police)
 * Bernard Sumner (Joy Division, New Order)
 * Niklas Sundin (Dark Tranquillity)
 * Roman Surman (Wednesday 13, Murderdolls)
 * Michael Sweet (Stryper)
 * John Sykes (Tygers of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake)
 * Red Symons (Skyhooks)
 * Syu (Galneryus, Animetal)

T

 * Ty Tabor (King's X)
 * Joey Tafolla
 * Akira Takasaki (Loudness)
 * Marv Tarplin (Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Smokey Robinson)
 * Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
 * Mick Taylor (John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, The Rolling Stones)
 * Bobby Tench (Streetwalkers, Hummingbird, Van Morrison, Topper Headon)
 * Octave Octavian Teodorescu
 * Thomas Thacker (Sum 41)
 * Tommy Thayer (Black 'N' Blue, Kiss)
 * Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
 * Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws)
 * Mick Thomson (Slipknot)
 * Porl Thompson (The Cure)
 * Richard Thompson
 * Fredrik Thordendal (Meshuggah)
 * George Thorogood
 * Johnny Thunders (New York Dolls, The Heartbreakers)
 * Steve Tibbetts
 * Andy Timmons (Danger Danger)
 * Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
 * Timo Tolkki (Stratovarius)
 * Simon Tong (The Verve, The Shining, The Good, the Bad & the Queen)
 * Ray Toro (My Chemical Romance)
 * Sam Totman (DragonForce)
 * Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)
 * Pete Townshend (The Who)
 * Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, Creed)
 * Greg Tribbett (Mudvayne, Hellyeah)
 * Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy)
 * Robin Trower (Procol Harum)
 * Derek Trucks (The Allman Brothers Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band)
 * Nigel Tufnel (Lenny and the Squigtones, Spinal Tap)
 * Luca Turilli
 * Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys)
 * Steve Turner (Mudhoney)
 * Ted Turner (Wishbone Ash)

U

 * Keith Urban

V

 * Steve Vai
 * Nick Valensi (The Strokes)
 * James Valentine (Maroon 5)
 * Sergio Vallín (Maná)
 * Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
 * Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age)
 * Steve Van Zandt (E Street Band)
 * Adrian Vandenberg (Vandenberg, Whitesnake, Manic Eden)
 * Jimmie Vaughan
 * Stevie Ray Vaughan
 * Suzanne Vega
 * Tom Verlaine (Television)
 * Jacky Vincent (Falling in Reverse)
 * Vinnie Vincent (Kiss)
 * Virus (Dope, Lords of Acid, Device)
 * Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein (Misfits, Kryst The Conqueror, Gorgeous Frankenstein)
 * Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish)

W

 * Paul Waggoner (Between the Buried and Me)
 * Dick Wagner
 * Butch Walker (SouthGang)
 * Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie)
 * Joe Walsh (James Gang, The Eagles)
 * Rich Ward (Stuck Mojo, Fozzy)
 * Steve Wariner
 * Baz Warne (The Stranglers)
 * Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman (The Offspring)
 * Jeff Waters (Annihilator)
 * Muddy Waters
 * Jeff Watson (Night Ranger)
 * Mike Wead (King Diamond)
 * Chris Weber (Hollywood Rose, U.P.O.)
 * Michael Weikath (Helloween)
 * Carl Weingarten
 * Ben Weinman (The Dillinger Escape Plan)
 * Scott Weinrich (The Obsessed)
 * Brian "Head" Welch (Korn)
 * Paul Weller (The Jam, The Style Council)
 * Allen West (Obituary)
 * Leslie West (Mountain)
 * Bob Weston (Fleetwood Mac)
 * Emil Werstler (Chimaira, Dååth)
 * Alex Westaway (Fightstar)
 * Deryck Whibley (Sum 41)
 * Andrew White (Kaiser Chiefs)
 * Clarence White (The Kentucky Colonels, Nashville West, The Byrds)
 * Jack White (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs)
 * Jason White (Green Day, Foxboro Hot Tubs)
 * John "Charlie" Whitney (Family, Streetwalkers)
 * Snowy White (Thin Lizzy)
 * Peter Wichers (Soilwork)
 * Carl Wilson (The Beach Boys)
 * Nancy Wilson (Heart)
 * Ricky Wilson (The B-52's)
 * Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree)
 * Michael Wilton (Queensrÿche)
 * Johnny Winter
 * Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek (Vader)
 * Ronnie Wood (The Faces, The Rolling Stones)
 * Link Wray
 * Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)

Y

 * Jim Yester (The Association)
 * Sami Yli-Sirniö (Kreator)
 * Angus Young (AC/DC)
 * James Young (Styx)
 * Jeff Young (Megadeth)
 * Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)
 * Thomas Youngblood (Kamelot)

Z

 * Dweezil Zappa
 * Frank Zappa
 * John Zwetsloot (The Haunted)