Jimi Hendrix - Still the best ever, no doubt.
Dave Gilmour - very melodic at best.
Allan Holdsworth - the master of jazz legato
Al Dimeola - Acoustic gypsy legend
John MacLaughlin - this guy's phrasing would sometimes make me wanna quit guitar.
Alexi Laiho - his guitar work at Bodom is simply excellent especially the solos!
Yngwie Malmsteen - I think the man deserves some greater respect. Even though sometimes he sounds like repetitive, He still have the best and cleanest "shred" technique Ive ever seen. The fluid violin like vibrato even at high distortion is still untouchable, as well as his versatillity on acoustic . And If you think youve heard all of him better check out his guitar work on Derek Sherinians "Black Utopia."
Guitarplaying is 1 Percent Inspiration, 99 Percent Perspiration... :)