I also never learn solos note for note...if at all.

I basically worked out almost the exact crazy train solo...for some reason i didnt find it hard...think its cos i basically play in a similar style. At least, i like to think that :).

I can also play a few others, like the One solo and the original paranoid one. I worked out part of Phantom of the opera by iron maiden and also Run to the hills. A couple of Queensrÿche numbers and one blind guardian - Mirror Mirror. I've recently started trying Petrucci's version of flight of the Bumblebee...i find his stuff really challenging. Generally speaking though i hardly bother with solos by other people. The above is pretty much all ive done in that area over 3 years of playing electric guitar.