There will never be a list of the greatest guitarists of all time that everyone will agree with. Guitar music is extremely subjective. Even if you consider only innovation or raw talent, there’s no way to come up with a definitive list. With that being said, the argument about the greatest guitarists of all time is certainly interesting. It’s also a great way to spark some fun musical argument.

Here’s my list of the greatest guitarists of all time. I tried to give points for innovation, uniqueness, and raw skill.

1. Jimi Hendrix - Hendrix developed an unpredictable guitar style that defined psychedelia. His stage antics were legendary, but most importantly, he could slay on the guitar. While he might not have been the fastest guy on the fretboard, there was no mistaking his tone. When Jimi played, people listened. He may be the greatest rock guitarist who has ever lived.

2. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Vaughan revolutionized blues guitar. What’s more, he brought attention to the art form. In the 1980’s, this wasn’t exactly easy to do. He played emotionally and was also incredibly fast and precise. Many people claim that Eric Clapton is the best modern blues guitarist, but for my money the title clearly goes to SRV.

3. Django Reinhardt - The jazz guitar was revolutionized by Django. This is especially impressive when you consider that he only had two working fingers on his fretting hand. Reinhardt lost the use of his other fingers during a fire. This prevented him from playing his beloved violin, so he turned to the guitar. He was fast, but his style was almost eccentric and odd. Many people don’t know about his disability today, but that’s no surprise. Django was a great guitarist who often sounded like he had five or six complete hands.

4. Neil Young – I’ll catch a lot of hate for including Neil Young on a list of the greatest guitarists of all time. He’s not fast, and his style is very rugged. However, his tone is absolutely perfect and unmistakable. The notes that he picks out always form memorable melodies. With his acoustic, he inspired a thousand aspiring music careers. Young takes exceptional time to shape his tone, and he’s always sure of the notes he’s playing. This doesn’t always mean that he’s technically perfect but his guitar work is exceptional, especially on Crazy Horse records. Neil Young’s guitar sound is often imitated, but there’s only one Young.

5. Les Paul - Here’s a guy big on technical ability, but huge on innovation. No person should ever leave Les Paul out of a list of the greatest guitarists of all time. Simply put, there wouldn’t be a modern electric guitar without Paul. He invented tons of effects, guitars, and sounds that guitarists would use over the next half-century. In his lifespan, he completely changed and re-invented the instrument, quite literally. Today, you can still see Les Paul guitars being played, or you can listen to the master’s own recordings to get an idea of his virtuoso talent.

You’re free to take a shot at dissecting my list. Post your own idea of the greatest guitarists of all time in our comments section below.