Who is the best guitarist ever, living or dead?

I think the best one is Steve Vai. you should see him playing the guitar. videos available in his website for free.

Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman, Jimmy Page, Chet Atkins

Living: Tom Morello

Dead: Jimi Hendrix

It's really hard to say, given the inherent biases we all have for the styles we prefer. I doubt there really is a "the" greatest, but you could probably generate a top five that most people would agree on.

That being said, I'd say Clapton, B.B. King, and Andres Segovia should make the list.

The greatest and probably the most influencial guitar player of all time was Chet Atkins. Not only was he a great guitar player, as President of RCA records in Nashville, TN, he built great careers for several top country music stars.

Well I think that best deceased guitarists is Jimi Hendrix he is so good have you ever seen him perform. My music teacher has a video of him performing at Woodstock!

Jimi Hendrix.

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Steve Howe

Hendrix, closely followed by the likes of McLaughlin, Clapton, Jeff Beck, Zappa, Vai, Satch, others...

Robin Trower