I've always thought Knopfler's talent was best expressed in the line from Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" about "guitar George"..."he knows all the chords but it's strictly rhythm, he doesn't want to make it cry or sing". Knopfler is from the "less is more" school of playing and seems to favor sparse licks over fiery solos like his opening in "Money for Nothing". His best work yet was with Chet Atkins on the "Neck & Neck" album; particularly on a track called "Tahitian Skies".

Mark Knopfler is one of the most talented guitar players of our era. I started listening to him in the 80's and have never stopped. In addition he is an amazing songwriter as well. I enjoy his solo work - but I loved Dire Straits - I remember thinking when I first heard them that I was hearing some so new and fresh- and yet it felt so familiar. To me he makes the others in his genre pale in comparison.

A very talented musician! Many times he doesn't recieve the credit that he probably should. I think many people just weren't too familiar with some of his work.

luv his bluesy sound...his playing made dire straits

Mark is the best guitarist I have ever heard

a very underrated player

Hard to fault playing live in his heyday

Sultan of Swing!

Comes up with some nice hooks.

Most musical of any. I can listen to his music all day, which is not something I can of any other player/singer.

Better than santana

old cowboy

good

  What a diverse guitarist! He is truly a virtuoso player...and fast!!! 

Sultans of swing is amazing work!

80's Rock

Did some great work with possibly the greatest guitarist of all time, Chet Atkins.

suck

What are you kidding me?  He is a guitarist, not a great guitarist.

He has a remarkable, maybe even unique ability to fire off a blistering solo nestled in the context of a laid back groove. Is also quite versatile, excelling at riff driven hard rock, exemplified by the album Making Movies, atmospheric soundscapes, like on the album Love Over Gold and simple folk/blues as was evident on much of the first two Dire Straits albums and a lot of his solo work.  While he's not the greatest guitarist to ever strap on a Fender, he is a solid technician who caught a wave in the late 70's early 80's and rode it with fine style and grace, never embarrassing himself.  He had the good sense to retreat to a tasteful country gentleman status that has served his legacy well.

Knopfler is not just one of the best guitar players of all time but he has the soul of a poet and a style like no other. He is difficult to imitate so not many try. I bow to his masterful handling of the instrument. His surreal solos seem to transcend time.

I dont like his style.

In 1994 I heard a song on the radio called "When It Comes To You" by John Anderson and immediately called the station to find out who played the guitar on that particular song. (As I already knew but had to ask) It was Mark Knopfler. His distinct playing style puts him in the top 5 of all time in my book.

mark is the best guitar player...

lejend

Music is personal, for me he is the best.

Considering all the great things people say about his playing, but I've yet to hear anything that wows me. Give him credit for playing guitar in the age of disco.

A very beautiful player and a very good songwritter!

Has contributed little to the genre.

Phrasing, touch, feel, timing, melody. I listened to countless guitarists over the last 30 years. The majority are all superb in their own right. Yet I also seem to return to the "Knop". Definitely right up there with the very best. The guy's done it all as far as I'm concerned...stadium supergroup etc. Now he can record what he wants, when he wants, with whomever he wants. I can't see anyone turning down a chance to work with Mr. Knopfler. Everyone has their own opinion and rightly so but for me Mark is an inspirational player.

I would say he's in the top 10.  I mean I don't even think the guy used a guitar pick.  Thats hard to do, takes talent.

boring.

if not the greatest guitarist of all time (he has to be top 5); he is the smoothest player ever

A true musician and superb player

He really influenced me when I was young

The Celtic thread of Knopfler's style is haunting and unforgettable. Take the top ten guitarist of all time and have them play the same song and the only one you can pick out clearly is Knopfler.

Sentimental and cheesy

Knopfler MUST be underrated! I find it hard to break him down in some ways, but I must plead some ignorance as I don't know Dire Straits as well as I SHOULD.  I heard him collaborate with others and the obvious comes to mind too-" Sultans of Swing "has some sweet playing-a real command of his instrument and such a fluid sound. And yes, his sound is NOT flashy.  I definately appreciate his musicanship as a team player, evident just from listening to his instrument.  Now, much differently in style, he tears up that "Money for Nothing" song with a killer hook, and again, there's nothing overbearing about his musical sensibilities....I need to listen to more Knopfler for sure!

Terribly underrated. His modesty, lack of flash and quiet brilliance is likely the cause for this, but it makes his talent no less evident. One of the greats and certainly deserving of a higher position on this list.

The master of feminine guitar.

I agree with markgtrplyr. Here is a guy who can actually PLAY a guitar....not just make it scream with amps and reverb. Without a doubt, one of the best ever. 

Update: Now this is the best guitar player of all time. There...now the Van Halen/ hendrix guys can get off each other and attack me.

I always think of Knopfler as a guy who kind of sneaks up on you as a guitarist, rather than knocking you on your ass with power or jaw-dropping riffs.

That's not an insult, nor is it meant to be. The guy is a superlative musician.

  He can play the honky-tonk like anything...

Great guitarist, doesn't need to be brutal with his axe, his bittersweet and melodic tones make great listening. 'Sultans of Swing' and 'King's Call' are perfect examples of this.

Absolutely amazing the sound this guy can coax from his guitar. Anyone who can not only make each note sound beautiful but also has such great melody is 5 star in my book. Shame on you lot who dont rate him.

My favorite guitarist of all time!
Has an unbelievable ability to make a guitar talk....not scream. After all, its not about how many notes you can play, but more about what you convey with the ones you do.

I love the extreme polarization in votes for Knopfler.  I'm definitely closer to the 5-Star side of things.  This guy can play a guitar like no other...well, almost no other.  I have seen several live videos of this guy in concert and while his stage presence is nothing to turn heads, his hands are magic.  And while I don't usually base votes of skill on pure speed, some of Mark's solos make the hair on the back of my neck stand on end...and that's something special.  He can pick a guitar better than any guitarist that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.  Also, I find his deadpan expression and flat delivery of his lyrics quite amusing.

There may be guys who are technically more proficient than Mark Knopfler - you know the guys I'm talking about - they'll play 38,240 32nd "souless" sterile notes in 4 seconds with ten fingers and 8 toes - but I doubt there's a more tasteful guitarist on the planet. And for those pinheads who claim he's boring or nothing more than a rhythm player at best, give the outro solo to Speedway At Nazereth a listen and then come back and tell me he's a "boring" player. I once read an interview where Mark's good friend - Eric Clapton - actually admitted to feeling "intimidated" every time he took the stage with Knopfler. That comment sums up how good this guy is and how respected he is by other players.

I like Mark, cant argue with the music, fantastic numbers. I just wish Dire Straits would come up with a tour or something. It's been too long.

A good rhythm guitarist at best.

Best guitarist i have ever heard both live and recorded in the studio. The best technical guitarist of the century. Best finger style guitarist ever, i.e. classical gas. Can adapt a great solo to any song. Even though is an old now he can still kick the ass of any other guitarist.

by far the best i have ever heard live - ppl here knocking him have obviously never heard him play