10 Best Classic Rock Guitarists Of The '70s

Every guitarist seems to have a different definition of what constitutes having 'chops.' While some may focus on the actual knowledge of scales, others may gear themselves towards the general speed and your ability to play over a thousand notes per second. At a time when many were centered around dexterity and finesse, David Gilmour reshaped the game with pure emotional power.

Though Gilmour was not there at the start of Pink Floyd, he came into his own as one of the great conceptual wizards during the group's golden age. Rather than use the solo as an opportunity to cram in a thousand exercises, Gilmour picked his battles wisely, from the freakout at the end of Comfortably Numb to the cinematic scope of the lead break in Time.

In addition to being a monster behind the fretboard, Gilmour also provided a lot more effects than many were used to. While most guitarists may have been all set with a distortion pedal and a few other gadgets, no one would forget something like the arpeggiated chord in the middle of Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Yes, it might seem a bit clinical at times, but effects like this only work when they're in the right hands, and David Gilmour has more than proven himself to be the man for the job.