Well its really hard to say what the "finest" guitar period was because each period is so different with its own unique sounds. The 80's (which I was born in hehe) were all about lead guitar, every song had a solo in it. Now in the 2000's you very very very rarely hear a guitar solo unless its by one of the older bands. But you can't necessarily say thats a good thing or a bad thing. I personally would like to hear more solo's in today's music but I also like all the power chords and heavy riffs being put out today by new groups. Just my opinion.