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The March 2008 issue of Guitarist magazine is the publication’s 300^th issue, and, in celebration, it features a summation of what its readers, staff and contributors reckon to be the 50 greatest electric guitar sounds in history.

Genres from grunge to jazz are represented, but before we reveal the run-down in full, we asked Guitarist editor Mick Taylor to explain just what makes a great guitar tone:

“Is it the abrasive punk rock thrash of Johnny Thunders? The full, fat 'n' fruity blues of Billy Gibbons? Great tone is a divisive issue, but the one common denominator we should agree on is that it's memorable. It might not have changed history, it might not have been the first example of its breed, but a truly great guitar tone is the kind of sound that compels you pick up that guitar and play. Wood, metal, volume, overdrive. Bring it on…”

So, without further ado, we reveal what might just be the ultimate iPod playlist for guitarists, and link to some classic video clips along the way:

#50 Charlie Christian - Flying Home
Original Guitar Hero (1939)

#49 Noel Gallagher - Slide Away
Oasis - Definitely Maybe (1994)
Here’s Oasis live at Knebworth in 1996

#48 Chuck Berry - Maybellene
Greatest Hits (1955)
Chuck Berry on French TV in the early 1960s

#47 Ry Cooder - Sister Morphine
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)

#46 Link Wray - Rumble
The Original Rumble (1958)

#45 Dick Dale - Misirlou
Surfers’ Choice (1962)
Watch this awesome 1963 performance

#44 Larry Carlton - It Was Only Yesterday
Larry Carlton (1978)

#43 James Williamson - Search And Destroy
The Stooges (1973)

#42 James Hetfield - Orion
Master Of Puppets (1986)
Watch Metallica playing Orion at a 2006 studio rehearsal

#41 Chet Atkins - Mr Sandman
(1955, TV show)

#40 Dave Davies - You Really Got Me
Kinks (1964)