When we think about acoustic guitar we tend to think about good acoustic guitar songs rather than good acoustic guitarists. However, while many people might think there isn’t a great deal of difference between being able to play an electric guitar and an acoustic guitar, people who are musically inclined could tell you a great deal about the differences that do exist.

Who are the world’s best acoustic guitarists?

Kurt Cobain

We kick off with the only man on the list who is sadly know longer with us. The Nirvana frontman was legendary for inspiring his band to creating huge, loud, anthemic tracks that completely changed the music landscape in the early 1990s. Anyone who has ever seen Nirvana Unplugged on MTV will testify that Cobain had the same uncanny ability to make his acoustic guitar sound just as good. Nirvana’s best track sounded no smaller played acoustically and even took on new meanings and interpretations, such was Cobain’s genius.

Billie Joe Armstrong

When you think of acoustic guitars and Green Day you tend to think about the song Good Riddance (Time of Your Life). However, Armstrong plays some amazing stuff with his acoustic guitar, especially at Green Day’s live shows, and it serves as a welcome contrast to the loud and over the top rock punk tracks the band normally play.

Richie Sambora

If Sambora wasn’t in Bon Jovi but played in a band known for heavier stuff not so middle of the road, then there is little doubt he would regularly feature on “Best of” guitar lists every time they’re published. We’re willing to cut him some slack, however, as there is no question how talented the man is. Just to avoid any conflict, we’ll also throw Jon Bon Jovi himself in here to make this a joint position!

Mark Knopfler

Although Dire Straits are often a band that are forgotten about when iconic decades like the 1980s are discussed, one only has to look at how popular frontman Knopfler still is today to see how much of an impact they had on music at the time. His shows sell out within minutes and he has legions of followers all around the world. Although he’s never commented on the issue, there is a sneaking suspicion that he wrote a lot of Dire Straits songs with acoustic performances in mind, given how amazing they typically sound.

Image Authors: Flickr –  quicheisinsane /  fakelvis / sjrowe53 / U.S. Fotografie