Ace of Spades
Motörhead, 1980, from Ace of Spades. Solo by Eddie Clarke.
'Fast' Eddie Clarke's solo on 'Ace of Spades' is short, raw and blistering, perfectly suited to the song's relentless pace. He plays fast, bluesy licks with a gritty tone that cuts through Lemmy's roaring bass. It's not about technique or polish but about energy and attitude, and it captures the band's rough-edged spirit perfectly. The song became Motörhead's signature anthem and an influence on both punk and metal. Listen for how Clarke's solo seems to race the rhythm section, adding urgency, and how it drops straight back into the song's pounding groove before the vocal returns, as if there's no time to waste.
Ace of Spades by Motörhead is ranked #202 in our consensus of 79 guitar-solo lists. The solo is played by Eddie Clarke and the song was released in 1980. It appears on 2 lists, placing as high as #29 (Classic Rock (Louder)).
In our lists
- One and Only — #32
- The 25 Greatest Punk Guitar Solos — #17
- Short & Perfect — #24
- The Best Motörhead Guitar Solos — #1
Sources
- Classic Rock (Louder): The 100 greatest guitar solos in rock — #29
- Guitar Solo Legends: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time — Ranked (2026) — #92
- Lefty Fretz: 53 Best Metal Guitar Solos Of All Time
Who played the guitar solo on Ace of Spades?
Eddie Clarke played the solo on Motörhead's Ace of Spades (1980).
What guitar was used on the Ace of Spades solo?
A gibson les paul, according to widely reported accounts.
Where does Ace of Spades rank among the greatest guitar solos?
#202 in the GreatestSolos consensus of 79 published lists; it appears on 2 of them.