Best Simplistic Guitar Solo

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Lathspell
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10:26p, 7/22/26
AG
So, I was listening to Rumors, as one does when one wants to hear great music, and listening to Go Your Own Way got me thinking. That ending solo is so freaking great and emotional, but it is absolutely incredibly simple. Obviously, that's the genius of Fleetwood Mac and Lindsey Buckingham, in particular.

I came to the conclusion that this solo may be the best simple solo i've heard. I thought it would be interesting to hear other people's favorite guitar solos that are incredibly simple. No sweeps, tapping, shredding, or really anything fancy at all. Just the right few notes that come together to make something special.

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maroon barchetta
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In reply to Lathspell • 10:36p, 7/22/26
He is unique in his approach.

Keep On Rocking In The Free World might fit your criteria.
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Equinox
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11:32p, 7/22/26
Cinnamon Girl, Neil Young.
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amg405
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12:00a, 7/23/26
AG
I've always like the one from "What I've Got" by Sublime
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amg405
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12:00a, 7/23/26
Whos Juan
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In reply to amg405 • 7:19a, 7/23/26
AG
amg405 said:
I've always like the one from "What I've Got" by Sublime


"I can play the guitar like a MF'ing riot" *plays the lamest solo ever*
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Sooper Jeenyus
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In reply to amg405 • 7:39a, 7/23/26
AG
amg405 said:
I've always like the one from "What I've Got" by Sublime
WAY overplayed on radio. Can't stand hearing anything from that album now. Instant station switch.

40 oz to Freedom is still OK though.
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GrapevineAg
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10:02a, 7/23/26
AG
Perhaps too simple for your criteria, but...

Tom Petty - "Don't Come Around Here No More"



Steve Perry - "Oh Sherry": very simple, not daring, but it fits the song



Beatles - "Let It Be"




edited to link in the videos
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Lathspell
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In reply to GrapevineAg • 10:23a, 7/23/26
AG
Nothing is too simple. The simpler the better!

I will say, everyone is failing because I see no linked videos. Are yall expecting me to do all the work of searching on YouTube and jumping to the solo myself!?!

ETA: That's better!
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rednecked
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11:05a, 7/23/26
AG
Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally.
It has a few bends. It's Clapton, it must have some bends! but it's such subtle masterpiece. I'd probably listened to the song 100 times, then one day driving down the road it just floored me how awesome this solo is.
starts at 1:47

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MGS
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11:08a, 7/23/26
The beginning of Sweet Child of Mine.

I don't need a youtube link, everybody knows the song.
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Lathspell
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11:10a, 7/23/26
AG
Finishing Rumours and was reminded how amazing the ending solo to The Chain is, as well. Basic and awesome!

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MW03
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11:19a, 7/23/26
AG
I always thought Billy Corgan had a knack for the simple solo. Dude has an absolute knack for tone.







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gggmann
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12:35p, 7/23/26
AG
Chris DeGarmo on "Silent Lucidity". Simple and fits the song. There's a key change from G to Eb which give that section an uplifting feel.

Guitar solo starts at 2:57

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RAB97
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12:59p, 7/23/26
AG
I've always loved the solo to Faith No More's Epic. The broken chord buildup to a simple little lick at the end, just fit the song so well.
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MSFC Aggie
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In reply to rednecked • 4:10p, 7/23/26
AG
rednecked said:
Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally.
It has a few bends. It's Clapton, it must have some bends! but it's such subtle masterpiece. I'd probably listened to the song 100 times, then one day driving down the road it just floored me how awesome this solo is.
starts at 1:47


Wonderful Tonight is simple and powerful

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StoutAg
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In reply to MSFC Aggie • 4:41p, 7/23/26
AG
I was going to suggest Wonderful tonight, too. Glad I didn't have to find the video!
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StoutAg
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4:45p, 7/23/26
AG
Faith No More - Easy is a good one, too.

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rhutton125
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10:15a, 7/24/26
AG
Wreckage by Pearl Jam. I think my favorite thing about it is the restraint - it's not a McCready guitar solo I'd come to expect, but instead perfectly suits the song.

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bonfarr
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10:22a, 7/24/26
AG


How about this lick from Corey Feldman.
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VP at Pierce and Pierce
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1:00p, 7/24/26
Nirvana - Come as you are

St Vincent - Pills
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Head Ninja In Charge
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1:28p, 7/24/26
AG
MCA from Beastie Boys on "Sabotage" and I don't even know if it is complex enough to even qualify as a solo.
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chico
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1:56p, 7/24/26
AG
This doesn't sound simple to me, but it might fit your criteria. The legend of B.B. King.


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Scotty Appleton
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3:23p, 7/24/26
2 off the top of my head.

Radiohead - "High and Dry"

Pavement - "In The Mouth of a Desert"
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Scotty Appleton
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3:31p, 7/24/26
Oh and, duh, it doesn't get much darker, bleak and awesome than the simple solo on "New Dawn Fades".
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Mowdy Ag
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4:40p, 7/24/26
AG
The tune that inspired Justin Hayward to learn to play guitar:

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Mowdy Ag
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5:30p, 7/24/26
AG
…and one from the man himself:

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IIIHorn
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In reply to MGS • 5:43p, 7/24/26
MGS said:
The beginning of Sweet Child of Mine.

I don't need a youtube link, everybody knows the song.


Oops …

Responded to the wrong post.

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IIIHorn
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In reply to MSFC Aggie • 5:45p, 7/24/26
MSFC Aggie said:
rednecked said:
Eric Clapton - Lay Down Sally.
It has a few bends. It's Clapton, it must have some bends! but it's such subtle masterpiece. I'd probably listened to the song 100 times, then one day driving down the road it just floored me how awesome this solo is.
starts at 1:47


Wonderful Tonight is simple and powerful





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snowaggie
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In reply to Equinox • 6:22p, 7/24/26
Equinox said:
Cinnamon Girl, Neil Young.

Down By the River and Cowgirl In the Sand have entered the chat.
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IIIHorn
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In reply to Equinox • 1:56p, 7/26/26
Equinox said:
Cinnamon Girl, Neil Young.


I think Guitar Player provided the tablature for that repeating, one note solo.
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to IIIHorn • 2:14p, 7/26/26
IIIHorn said:
Equinox said:
Cinnamon Girl, Neil Young.


I think Guitar Player provided the tablature for that repeating, one note solo.


Andy Aledort needed a day off?
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IIIHorn
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In reply to maroon barchetta • 2:57p, 7/26/26
maroon barchetta said:
IIIHorn said:
Equinox said:
Cinnamon Girl, Neil Young.


I think Guitar Player provided the tablature for that repeating, one note solo.


Andy Aledort needed a day off?


Yes. He didn't have to fret over it.
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90 bull
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3:30p, 7/26/26
AG
Any number of Elliot Easton's solos with the cars. I can't remember who said it, but the paraphrased quote was "he always plays the right solo. "
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maroon barchetta
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In reply to 90 bull • 3:47p, 7/26/26
90 bull said:
Any number of Elliot Easton's solos with the cars. I can't remember who said it, but the paraphrased quote was "he always plays the right solo. "


Even Nuno Bettencourt mentioned that in his visit with Rick Beato. It's true. Easton always had the best solo for the song.
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