40+ Best Acoustic Guitar Players In The World

Do you love acoustic guitar music?

If so, you’re going to love our list of the best acoustic guitar players in the world! Acoustic guitars have been around for centuries, and their popularity is only increasing.

There are some amazing acoustic guitar players out there, and we’ve compiled a list of the best of them. Whether you’re a fan of country music or rock ‘n’ roll, you’re sure to find someone on this list that you love!

List of the Best Acoustic Guitar Players

1. Tommy Emmanuel

Tommy Emmanuel is an Australian virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter. His style of music is often referred to as “fingerstyle.” A guitar style that is based on using the fingers of the right hand to pluck the strings directly, rather than using a pick. Emmanuel has been nominated for ten Grammy Awards.

In 2008, Emmanuel was inducted into the Australian Music Association Hall of Fame. The following year he received the Medal of the Order of Australia, “For service to the music industry as a musician.”

2. Will McNicol

Will McNicol is a British acoustic guitar player who has been playing since he was 11 years old. He is best known for his work with the band Mumford and Sons.

McNicol has won several awards for his playing, including the Young Folk Award in 2009 and the Horizon Award at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards in 2011.

In 2014, McNicol was named as one of the best 100 guitarists in the world by Total Guitar magazine.

3. Dylan Ryche

Dylan Rychaee is a YouTuber and one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world. He has over 300,000 subscribers and his videos have been viewed over 60 million times. Dylan is known for his unique playing style and original compositions.

Dylan’s music has been featured on television shows, films, and video games. Also, he has toured with various artists including Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and Ed Sheeran.

4. Maneli Jamal

Maneli Jama is a Toronto-based Iranian-Canadian classical and flamenco guitarist, composer, and music producer. His originality and technical ability have garnered international acclaim and led to him being dubbed “the best acoustic guitar player in the world” by MusicRadar.

He has released five albums and his music has been featured in films and TV shows such as Suits, Designated Survivor, and The Expanse.

5. Mike Dawes

Mike Dawes is a British fingerstyle guitarist who has been described as one of the famous acoustic guitar players in the world. He is best known for his arrangement of “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, which has been viewed over 35 million times on YouTube.

Dawes began playing guitar at the age of 11, and by the age of 16, he was touring Europe as a member of a rock band. He later attended college to study music but dropped out after one year to pursue a career in guitar playing.

6. Marcin Patrzalek

Marcin Patrzale is a Polish guitarist who won the first season of Poland’s Got Talent in 2009. He is best known for his guitar playing, which combines elements of classical, jazz, and metal music.

Patrzale began playing guitar at the age of 12, and by the age of 16, he was already performing in concerts. He later studied at the Music Academy in Warsaw and graduated with honors in 2009. He is one of the most famous acoustic guitar players of all time.

7. Gabriella Quevedo

Gabriella Quevedo is a Swedish acoustic guitar player who first picked up the instrument at the age of 11. She has been playing professionally since she was 16, and has released several albums and singles.

She is best known for her fingerstyle guitar playing and has won numerous competitions. She has also been featured in magazines and online publications.

8. Kaki King

Kaki King is an American acoustic guitar player who first picked up the instrument at the age of four. She has been playing professionally since she was 16, and has released several albums and singles. Best, of all he is one of the American great acoustic guitar players.

She is best known for her unique style of guitar playing, which often incorporates tapping and percussive techniques. She has also been featured in magazines and online publications.

9. Molly Tuttle

Molly Tuttle is an American acoustic guitar player who first picked up the instrument at the age of eight. She has been playing professionally since she was 16, and has released several albums and singles.

She is best known for her innovative style of Flatpicking and has won numerous competitions. She has also been featured in magazines and online publications.

10. Clive Carroll

Clive Carroll is a British fingerstyle guitarist and composer. Carroll has been playing guitar since he was eleven years old. He is best known for his work with John Renbourn and Tony McManus. His playing style has been described as “a mixture of Folk, Ragtime, Blues, and Jazz.”

Carroll has released five solo albums and two DVDs. He has also appeared on numerous albums by other artists. In 2009, Carroll was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Solo. He has also won two British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors Awards.

11. Jon Gomm

Jon Gom is a self-taught acoustic guitar virtuoso who has been playing since he was 14 years old. He is best known for his unique style of playing which incorporates percussive techniques.

Gomm’s debut album, The Joy of Motion was released in 2003 to critical acclaim. His second album, Secrets Nobody Keeps was released in 2006. Gomm has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia.

12. Christie Lenée

Christie Leneé is best known for her fingerstyle guitar playing and percussive strumming. She is a highly sought-after educator, having taught at many music camps and festivals. Christie has been a finalist in prestigious international guitar competitions.

Christie’s music is best described as “acoustic rock with a touch of metal.” She has released five albums, the latest of which is “Inner World.” Christie has toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

13. Alan Gogoll

Alan Gogol is an Australian fingerstyle guitarist. He is best known for his work with the band “The Fingerprints”. Alan has released two solo albums, “New Beginnings” and “The Journey”.

Alan has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He began playing when he was 14 years old.

In 2010, Gogoll won the Australian Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. Also, he has been a finalist in the USA Fingerstyle Guitar Championship.

14. Ben Howard

Ben Howard is an English singer-songwriter, born in 1987. He self-released his debut EP Games in the Open in 2008. In 2010, he signed to Island and released his debut studio album, Every Kingdom. He is one of the great acoustic guitar players of all time.

Howard’s second studio album, I Forget Where We Were, was released in 2014 and debuted and peaked at number one on the UK Albums Chart. Howard has won two Brit Awards, winning British Male Solo Artist in 2013 and the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for “Keep Your Head Up” in 2015.

In March 2011, Howard featured on Chase & Status’ single “The Ritual”, which peaked at number 41 on the UK Singles Chart. On 29 September 2012, Howard released the single “Promise”, the first from his second studio album.

15. Yasmin Williams

Yasmin William is a British singer-songwriter, who has been playing the guitar since she was 11. Her style is best described as contemporary folk with a hint of jazz.

In 2013, she released her debut album called “The New Moon”. The album was well-received by critics and Yasmin was even nominated for a prestigious music award.

Yasmin’s unique guitar playing style has earned her a loyal fan base all over the world. She is one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world.

16. Andy McKee

Andy McKee is an American fingerstyle guitarist who has released five studio albums and one live album. He is best known for his 2004 single “Drifting”.

17. Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rodrigo y Gabriela is a Mexican acoustic guitar duo whose music is influenced by a number of genres including nuevo flamenco, rock, and heavy metal. The duo’s unique style has made them one of the most popular acoustic guitarists in the world.

18. John Smith

John Smith is best known as the acoustic guitar player for the band “The Who”. Also, he is one of the best solo artists in the world.

Smitty’s guitar playing is a huge part of the band’s sound. He is able to create intricate and beautiful melodies that are an essential part of the band’s music.

In addition, his playing is so unique and expressive that it has influenced many other guitar players.

19. Alexandr Misko

Alexandr Misko is a Russian-born fingerstyle guitarist who has been playing since he was six years old. He is known for his unique approach to the instrument, which combines elements of classical, jazz, and rock music.

Misko has released two albums, “First” and “Second”, both of which have received critical acclaim. He has also been featured in various publications, including Guitar Player magazine and Acoustic Guitar magazine.

In addition to his solo work, Misko is a member of the acoustic guitar duo “Two Guitars”, which has released two albums and toured internationally.

20. Doc Watson

Doc Watson is best known for his Flatpicking guitar style and was one of the first acoustic guitarists to gain widespread recognition as a solo performer. Also, he is one of the best slide guitarists of all time. His recordings have influenced many other acoustic guitarists.

Watson was born in Deep Gap, North Carolina. He learned to play the guitar and banjo from his father, who was a fiddler. He began performing with his father at local square dances when he was just six years old. When his father died, Watson continued playing music and began to develop his own style.

21. Django Reinhardt

Django Reinhardt is considered one of the great acoustic guitar players of all time. He was a Belgian-born French guitarist and composer who played the guitar with his left hand. He is best known for his contributions to the development of Gypsy jazz.

Reinhardt was born into a family of Manouche Romani itinerant musicians. He started playing the guitar at the age of 12 and quickly became proficient. By the age of 18, he had already recorded several records with well-known European musicians.

In 1934, Reinhardt was injured in a fire that burned half of his left hand. He was told that he would never play guitar again. However, he proved the doctors wrong and went on to develop a new style of guitar playing that was influenced by his injury.

22. Preston Reed

Preston Reed is an American musician who specializes in fingerstyle and percussive guitar playing. He has been a prominent figure in the acoustic guitar world since the early 1980s and has released 13 albums. His style is highly influential and has been imitated by many guitar players.

23. Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez

Gabriela Quintero and Rodrigo Sanchez are best known as the Mexican guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela. They first gained popularity in Dublin, Ireland, where they played on the streets and in the local bars and pubs. They have released six studio albums, all of which have received critical acclaim. Their music is a mix of classical, flamenco, and rock, and their guitar playing is truly virtuosic.

24. James Nash

James Nash is best known as the slide guitar player for The Californian roots-rock band, The Way Down Wanderers. He is also a solo artist and has released three albums. His music has been featured on NPR, BBC, and CBS.

Nash was born in England and moved to the United States when he was 19. He began playing the guitar when he was 12. Nash’s style is a mix of Americana, folk, and blues.

25. Xuefei Yang

Xuefei Yan is one of the best female acoustic guitar players in the world. She is a world-renowned Chinese concert guitarist and recording artist. She is the first-ever classical guitarist to be signed by EMI Classics in China and has released eleven albums on the label. Xuefei has performed in over forty countries and is a regular guest artist with major orchestras around the world.

In addition to her critically acclaimed recordings and concert appearances, Xuefei is an active educator and has given masterclasses in many of the world’s most prestigious music schools.

She is a dedicated advocate of new music and has commissioned and premiered works by some of today’s most exciting young composers. Xuefei’s passion for music and her commitment to sharing it with others has made her one of the most beloved and respected guitarists of our time.

26. Merle Travis

Merle Travis was an American country and western singer best known for his guitar playing. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983.

27. Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson is a British folk-rock and electric folk musician, songwriter, and producer. He made his debut as a member of the Fairport Convention in 1967 on their second album, What We Did on Our Holidays. Thompson was ranked number 15 in Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.

28. Bryan Sutton

Bryan Sutton is an American bluegrass Flatpicking guitarist. He is best known as a member of the band Hot Rize and for his solo work. He has won the International Bluegrass Music Association Guitar Player of the Year award three times.

Sutton was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He began playing guitar at age eight. He was influenced by Tony Rice, Doc Watson, and Clarence White. He joined the bluegrass band Hot Rize in 1989. He has recorded six solo albums, the most recent being Into My Own in 2017.

29. Martin Simpson

Martin Simpson is often described as one of the best acoustic guitar players in the world. His style is a unique blend of British folk and American delta blues. He has won numerous awards for his playing and has been nominated for a Grammy. He has released over 20 albums and toured extensively throughout the world.

30. Andres Segovia

Andres Segovia is often called the “father of classical guitar.” He was one of the first guitarists to bring the instrument into the concert hall. Segovia’s best-known student was John Williams, who went on to become one of the most famous classical guitarists of all time.

31. Don Ross

Don Ross is a Canadian fingerstyle guitarist who has been playing the guitar since he was eight years old. He is best known for his unique and complex playing style which is a combination of percussive and melodic elements. Ross has released thirteen albums, including the Juno Award-winning Human Factor.

32. Lawson Rollins

Lawson Rollins is best known as a solo artist, but he’s also an in-demand session musician. His playing style is best described as “fusion” – a blend of jazz, rock, and Latin music.

Rollins began playing guitar at the age of eight. He was self-taught until the age of 16 when he began taking lessons from jazz guitarist Mick Goodrick. After graduating from high school, Rollins attended Berklee College of Music, where he studied with Pat Metheny and Steve Vai.

33. Tony Rice

Tony Rice is an American bluegrass and country guitarist and singer. He is perhaps best known for his work with the David Grisman Quintet.

34. Monte Montgomery

Monte Montgomery is an American guitar virtuoso best known for his distinctive fingerpicking style and energetic live performances. In addition to being named one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century” by Musician magazine, Montgomery has also been dubbed “the best acoustic guitar player in the world” by Guitar Player magazine.

35. Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has received many accolades over the course of her career. She is widely considered one of the best acoustic guitar players of all time.

Mitchell began her career playing clubs in Toronto and then moved to New York City, where she played at folk festivals and released her first album in 1968. Her best-known hits include “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” and “Both Sides, Now.” She has won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

36. Memphis Minnie

Memphis Minnie was one of the best blues guitar players of her time. She was born in 1897 and began playing guitar at the age of six. Minnie was self-taught and learned to play by ear.

She moved to Chicago in the 1920s and became one of the most popular blues musicians in the city. Minnie recorded over 200 songs during her career, many of which are still popular today. She died in 1973.

You can also check out 50+ Best Acoustic Guitar Songs for Beginners.

37. John McLaughlin

John McLaughlin, born in 1942, is a British guitarist best known for his work with Miles Davis and Mahavishnu Orchestra. He has been cited as an influence by many modern guitarists, including Steve Vai and Jimmy Page.

McLaughlin began playing guitar at the age of four and within a few years was already performing with local bands. He moved to London in 1960, where he quickly established himself as a session musician. His first major appearance was on Davis’ album My Funny Valentine.

38. Adrian Legg

Adrian Legg is an English guitarist who has been playing guitar since the age of 12. His style is a mixture of fingerstyle, classical, and jazz. He has released 22 albums and has won numerous awards.

39. Leadbelly

Leadbelly’s music was deep and meaningful, with a focus on the stories of his life. He was a true pioneer of the acoustic guitar, and his playing style was influential to many subsequent artists.

40. Leo Kottke

Leo Kottke is a remarkable fingerstyle guitarist who has been playing and recording since the late 1960s. His guitar playing is often compared to that of Chet Atkins and he has been a major influence on many other guitarists.

Kottke is known for his use of alternate tunings and for his fingerpicking style. He has recorded over 40 albums and his music has been used in a number of films and TV shows.

41. Earl Klugh

Earl Klugh is an American smooth jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and composer. He has released more than 30 albums since 1976 and has won two Grammy Awards. Klugh is best known for his work with Bob James, including the Grammy-winning One on One.

Klugh was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He began playing guitar at the age of 12 after hearing Chet Atkins on the radio. Klugh was soon influenced by Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, and George Benson. He began his career as a sideman in the early 1970s, appearing on albums by Stanley Turrentine and Yusef Lateef. Klugh’s first solo album, Earl Klugh, was released in 1976.

Conclusion: Best Acoustic Guitar Players

These are some of the best acoustic guitar players in the world. There are many other great guitarists not mentioned here, but these are some of the most famous and influential players. If you are interested in learning to play acoustic guitar, these are some of the best players to listen to and learn from.

Please share this article if you liked it, and feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts on the famous acoustic guitar players.

Frequently Ask Questions

Q: Who is the best fingerstyle guitarist?

A: This is a difficult question to answer as there are so many great fingerstyle guitarists. However, some of the best include Leo Kottke, Adrian Legg, and Earl Klugh.

Q: What guitar strings does Ed Sheeran use?

A: Ed Sheeran uses Ernie Ball Power Slinky strings.

Q: What is the best acoustic guitar brand?

A: This is a matter of personal preference, but some of the best acoustic guitar brands include Martin, Taylor, and Gibson.

Q: How do I learn to play acoustic guitar?

A: The best way to learn how to play acoustic guitar is to take lessons from a qualified instructor. You can also find online tutorials and resources. However, the best way to learn is by practicing regularly.

Q: Who is considered the best acoustic guitar player?

A: This is a matter of opinion, but some of the best acoustic guitar players include Leo Kottke, Adrian Legg, and Earl Klugh.

That’s all for the list of the best acoustic guitar players. You can also check out Best 3/4 Guitar for Beginners in 2022 (Affordable) and 11 Best Small Guitar Amp for Home Use (Tried & Tested).