I chose John Petrucci from Dream Theater. I really love Dream Theater's songs, especially Panic Attack and Pull Me Under. It was a hard decision, though. I really like Alex Lifeson and Adam Jones, too. Buckethead is also a really great guitarist.

I could listen to that guy all day.

Robert Fripp.

other:
Mike Vennart
Dominic Cifarelli

I'll go with Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs) and why not the wondrous Guthrie Govan?

Kind of off topic, but I've just found out there exists Rick Graham. Have you had a go at his music? His technique is supreme, but never listened to his compositions yet.

Hackett of Genesis is brilliantly understated, he uses nuance and tone rather than just bombastic chops (not that there's anything wrong with bombastic chops)

My favorite Hackett starts at 5:46

Crikey, those lads were beyond amazing in those days! Hackett did have a good taste! Nothing wrong with bombastic chops at all, and the song really called for what Hackett fell back on. I really enjoyed that piano at the beginning; it really blew me away.
I love Van Halen's solo on "I'll Wait" (1984), which has no bombastic chops (strange enough if we're talking about Eddie, right?), but nuance and tone as well.

Went with Gilmour just for Animals alone. But Steve Howe is a very close second.

One of my "Stranded On A Desert Island" CD's is Hacketts' "Bay Of Kings". I got it back in the mid 90's and have loved it, learned it and lived by it ever since. The man is a brilliant classical player.



His solo work is outstanding as well: