Copyright © 2009, 2013 Gary R. Van Sickle
Finally, The Shorted Turn brings you the authoritative list of the best guitar sounds of all time. Unlike other lists of this nature, this one is complete, correct, and the final word on the subject. If you disagree with anything on this list, read it again – you must have missed something. Without further adieu:
NEW AND IMPROVED!Due to overwhelming demand from long-time followers of The Shorted Turn, this post has been UPDATED with links to YouTube clips of the guitar tones in question. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
The Management
2013-05-12: NEWER AND EVEN MORE IMPROVED!!Due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet, some of the links pointed to YouTube clips which no longer exist. They have been fixed.
Sincerely,
The Management
10. “Dance The Night Away”, Van Halen II, Van Halen
Ok, I’ll admit it: Edward Van Halen is really only on this list at all because I know if I didn’t put him here you’d all have me drawn and quartered. But he only gets in at #10, and just barely at that. Yeah yeah, “the brown sound” and all that, whatever. I will admit though, that for a keyboardist, Edward can play the guitar pretty well, and does have a passably decent sound to boot, well documented by this track.
9. “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide”, The Kings Are Here, The Kings
Oh man, the perfect “mush” rhythm guitar tone on this track. It doesn’t hurt that the song absolutely rocks either. Harmony’s the sweetest sound baby YEAH!!!!
8. “Simon and Simon Opening Theme”
Yeah, you read it right. And you know as well as I do that not only does the song rock, but the guitar tones are pretty sweet as well.
7. “Mississippi Queen”, Climbing!, Mountain
While the rest of them dudes was a-gettin’ their kicks, buddy, beg your pardon, Mountain was dialing in two of the best guitar sounds of all time, and in the same song.
6. Anything from AC/DC
Seriously, is there any sound the Brothers Young have ever recorded that was not 100% Grade-A awesome? Answer: no. It all rocks. Rocks hard. But let’s pick one: “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock ‘N’ Roll)”. I’ll tell ya folks, it’s harder than it looks.
5. The last chord of Richards’ solo in “Sympathy For The Devil” (at about 3:27), Beggars Banquet, The Rolling Stones
After suffering through about a minute Keith Richards soloing with the absolute worst guitar sound of all time, we are treated to a glorious, single chord hit that contains more awesome than should be allowed to fit in the groove of a 33-1/3".
4. “My Kinda Lover”, William “Billy” Squier
While not a spectacular guitar sound in and of itself, the intro riff on this song is recorded so well that it’s like young William is rockin’ his axe directly into your car stereo. Bravo Mr. Squier, bravo. Way beyond revenue.
3. “29 Palms”, Fate Of Nations, Robert Plant
Weren’t expecting that one, were you? Listen to this track though: there are a couple of really nice clean guitar sounds on it, whose equal I am unaware of.
2. Brian May
Oh lordy, where to begin? How about “Killer Queen”? How about “Bohemian Rhapsody”? How about anything the dude has ever played through that astrophysically-perfect hand-made guitar of his? It’s simply the perfect sound, and there isn’t a player amongst us who doesn’t crave it. Guaranteed to blow your mind – any time.
1. “Call Me the Breeze”, Second Helping, Lynyrd Skynyrd
The intro guitar riff to this song gives sound a reason to exist. QED.
So there you have it. You’re welcome to fight amongst yourselves about the relative rankings above, but I can assure you that they are 100% correct. You’re welcome.
Until next time, Gentle Reader, I remain,
Gary R. Van Sickle
President and CEO/Editor/Head Writer
The Shorted Turn
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