yea I agree with SLY but here is my list of influencial shredders you should learn and emulate.
Malmsteen - Sweep Picking
John Petrucci - Alternate Picking
Van Halen - Tapping
Joe Satriani - Tap/Legato/Wah-Shred...the whole nine yards with this dude
Herman Li - Shred with the Whammy...awsome stuff man
Al Petrelli - Capo Shredding (when you use your right hand as a capo and tap with your fingers up and down scales with the left)