It’s widely accepted that two of the greatest guitar players in the world are John Petrucci of Dream Theater and Steve Vai of solo fame and many many bands. For me, they’re the two best. I’ve yet to find players that are more technically able and hold the gift of feel. Yes, there are many contenders: Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Vernon Reid and Nuno Bettencourt to name a few. But no one is quite on the level of Petrucci and Vai. Both have different techniques that make them equally as impressive. Which makes it difficult to make an actual decision of who’s better. Petrucci employs a speed plucking technique that’s unmatched. There’s a reason it’s his signature move. Because no one else can seem to do it. On the other hand Steve Vai can really really shred like no one else as well. He also creates textures that are so unique it’s instantly identifiable. It’s almost impossible to describe the sounds he can make with his guitar. Now that doesn’t mean Petrucci can’t create textures as well. He also as an unreal ability to create emotional song structure. He’s literally made me cry with some of his chord progressions and textures. There’s no one else that’s done that…maybe King’s X. Does Steve Vai have that kind of song strength? Can Steve Vai construct a 20 minute song that’s interesting all the way through? He’s certainly comes close. ‘Freak Show Excess’ is quite a feast for the guitarist senses. ‘Tarus Bulba’ is also an incredible display of guitar work. And he has a small knack for writing some of the most bad ass guitar riffs known to man. On the other hand Petrucci does that in spades too. And ‘Stream of Consciousness’ is one of the most impressive instrumentals in all of metal. Along with ‘Enigma Machine’. Both players also have a tone that is as rich as a 25 layer chocolate cake. Uniquely clean yet heavy as hell at the same time. At the end of the day it’s up to taste. It just depends on what kind of technique you like. That’s the only answer when you’re dealing with talent on this level. It becomes subjective at some point because both players can play pretty much anything. It’s whatever style the listener prefers.
I don’t know. JP has some sick chops. Vai is a better showman and better at things like whammy abuse and making his guitar sound like a robot on cocaine. They both are theory experts and both have great compositional skills etc.
At the end of the day, they’re each two of my favorite guitar players.