Alex Lifeson v John Petrucci

CaptainWafflos wrote: Stop making Dream Theater vs. Rush polls?

How bout a Frank Zappa vs. Dream Theater poll?

Also, I doubt most people have listened to the live album "An Evening With John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess". Tell me if Petrucci doesn't have this 'feel' everyone knows so much about, or improvisational skills, or a wide variety in style, etc...

Don't limit him just to what he does in Dream Theater. This is rating him as a guitarist in general, not just Dream Theater.

It took me quite a while to pin down Lifeson's style, but now that I've found it, I definitely prefer it over Petrucci, although he did some fine work as well, particularly on Awake.

There's something about comparing super great musicians: they are all amazing in their own unique way, because once musicians reach that level of skill they become quite individualized. Both are great guitarists, but which one is better then depends on what you are talking about. As far as technical skill Petrucci beats almost any guitarist you can name hands down, especially Lifeson. However, as far has creativity, I'd say Lifeson beats most guitarists hand down in that regard - his solos and riffs are amazingly creative, but as far as technicality, I could learn to play most of them myself . For fusion fans I guess it's like comparing McLaughlin to Al di Meola (in fact that might make an interesting poll as well).

karakatoa wrote: i like both,but lifeson is a great inspiration for petrucci

y'are right

Both are phenomenal axemen, but my vote goes to Lifeson. He was the original and is a more influential player than Petrucci is.

^Good point.

Alex Lifeson.

Mr. Technical master mind v major scale 99% of the time.

Lifeson all the way, both great players but I think that Lifeson is the better band player and has far more stage presence.