Technique: Stanley Jordan, Micheal Angelo and any other really humiliatingly ambidextrous dudes. Also Allan Holdsworth who plays legato like nobody else on earth. Michael Romeo for sweeping. Pettrucci for being God.

Soul: Alex Lifeson (rush)especially early 80s late 70s stuff(best guitar solo ever, from La Villa Strangiato found on the Albums "Exit stage left" and "Hemispheres") David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

My favourite all round possibly Satriani but I'm not so keen on his last 2 albums.