Best acoustic guitarist you've ever seen?

CountryDave

Forgot to mention Molly Tuttle too. Wow, what a technique. Nice voice too.

rlw

Davy Graham

Bezzer

Oh God, loads ... and I mean loads.

Eric Roche was probably the first "proper" acoustic gig I went to which led to many more ...
Thomas Leeb
Stuart Ryan, and he has bloody lovely shoes.
Declan Zapala
Calum Graham
Colin Reid I used to love but I've not heard anything about him in years and years now.
Peppino D'Agostino
Tony McManus ... rather obviously!

Those are probably my top picks, I've seen Martin Taylor, Pierre Bensusan and Clive Carrol too and while technically great they did go on a bit.

Tommy Emmanuel I used to be a big fan off, then he seemed to start going on extended solos, shredding on the acoustic completely devoid of context and while impressive didn't do much for me.

Love Rod Y Gab, but sadly not got to see them yet ... but I will, when we're allowed out again.

March

It's between Monte Montgomery, Preston Reed or Tony McManus for me. 

icu81b4

I’ve seen and met Tommy a couple of times, and he does put a lot of effort in to make it look effortless, nice guy too. 

I once sat at the feet of Gordon Giltrap during a Masterclass a long time ago, I had no idea how he was doing what he did, and I was right next to him! 

Funkfingers

Bezzer said:

Tommy Emmanuel … then, he seemed to start going on extended solos, shredding on the acoustic completely devoid of context and while impressive didn't do much for me.

There was a phase when TE insisted on doing a "sound effects" instrumental mid-set. This could be described as shredding in the sense that he was gouging through the finish on his Maton TE-1 and burying the noises in delay and reverb. 

Another thing he used to do was bring his then-wife on stage to sing a handful of dreary, irrelevant songs.

At a gig I attended more recently, the crap had been cut. 

Honourable mentions - Simon Nicol accompanying Dave Swarbrick. Neil Innes accompanying himself in one-man show format.

timmypix

Saw Tommy Emmanuel 5 or 6 times with my Dad in the early 2000s and I was really starting to get into guitar (but hadn't become a rebellious metalhead/grumpy teenager yet). A wonderful player and truly infectious character. Met him a couple of times after the shows and he was always kind and enthusiastic.

Budgie

The standouts for me are Richard Thompson, I’ve seen him many times and he is consistently excellent. Martin Simpson is superb too. Bert Jansch is probably my favourite though. I regret not seeing John Renbourn whilst he was still with us.

Limehouse_Blues

Kelly Joe Phelps

hollywoodrox

Slash as he played all the songs I liked 

blobb

Best acoustic player I've seen is......drum roll......that guy from Fairport...that's right........Simon Nicol.

Some of the stuff he did with Swarb is simply incredible.

I love RT but Simon is right up there.

Second, Martin Carthy. Just so at one with his instrument, check out this version of Sovay, his timing, rhythms, movement, just brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkpujKDSTTo

Moominpapa

I couldn't pick a 'best', but among current players I love watching these guitarists

Angelo Debarre

Molly Tuttle

Yamandu Costa

Tim Lerch

because as well as being technically accomplished they just seem to really enjoy themselves when they play.

Greatape

Seen live? Kelly Joe Phelps. Back when he still played slide. Tunes, communication, groove, heart. 

99% of solo acoustic bores me sheeetless fwiw, but I'd go to see him anytime.

Gary Louris is a compelling performer when he does the man-and-his-guitar thing. 

digitalkettle

Greatape said:

Seen live? Kelly Joe Phelps. Back when he still played slide. Tunes, communication, groove, heart. 

From this angle, I've got to throw in the wonderful (and sadly missed) Johnny Dickinson.