Richard Thompson is the one that springs to my mind.

If I hear something of his which I don't know, it only takes a couple of seconds to think 'that's Richard Thompson' And I'm always right.

Martin Carthy manages the same thing to perhaps a lesser extent.

What is it (apart from being fabulous players) that gives that that 'signature'?

Of course that doesn't stop me from trying to own one either.

Cheers, EJ

Steve

Think of a guitar arrangement as a "problem" with a million different resolutions. The players you mention have a personalized collection of "tools" with which to approach the resolution of the problem. They apply their particular set of tools and the result is a recognizable sound.

But once again, every guitar player with a minimal level of technical competence has a set of tools. But ss the saying goes, if your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail. If you are a guitar player and your only tool is "boom chang" then all your arrangements will be variations on "boom chang". But your boom chang won't be exactly like anybody else's.

The legendary guitar players might have more tools to choose from, so technical ability counts, but more important they've got years of trying different tools in different combinations. They have developed distinct preferences for tools and combinations. That's what you are hearing.

A signature, no matter what the level, is always a mixed blessing. I really love Doc Watson, but there are times when he sounds too much like Doc Watson.