Oh and for a few of other players I highly rate: Jason Becker - some of his stuff is genius, but I admit some of it falls to the same prey as Vai's and ends up as a widdley, widdley fest. Slash - Not technically the best, but that tone, and the soul in some of those solos! Andy Timmons - Versatile is an understatement, and he has bags of chops, melody and class. Mark Knopfler - Need I even explain why I put him in? Rory Gallagher - You'd be hard pushed to find a better bluesy rock n' roll player! Andy P.S. There are many, many more, but it'd take too long to list them