Cool topic, my list of favorite guitarists always change, as I grow musically I appreciate different things I didn't appreciate before, and mind less about others.
My first inspiration to pick up the guitar was Slash, he had memorable lines that stuck in my head, my first solos were Patience, Don't cry, Welcome To the Jungle, and then almost everything Slash played.
Then it was Kirk Hamett, I heard the unforgiven solo and at the time I thought it was amazing, and I learned my first Metallica solo, then Kirk Hamett's One solo helped me discover tapping, I realize now when I hear his solos that they are not technical, and as someone said he is a little sloppy, and his bends are sometimes flat with no vibrato, I hear that now, but didn't back then. That doesn't take away the fact that I started shredding because of Kirk, I practiced Fade to black solo Night and day, I learned my first shred tricks from kirk Hammett and I am thankful to Metallica and Kirk for writing great inspiring music, it kept me going. Yes Fade to black could be played better by a very technical clean guitar player, but can you Imagine a super clean Neo-classical version of a Kirk Hammett's solo, it wouldn't fit the music, Kirk Hammet's style although sloppy and imprecise at times fits Metallica's music perfectly, he has his sound and has created memorable solos that will live on forever.
The next one was Malmsteen, my uncle wanted to show me how much I sucked at guitar and gave me a tape of Rising Force, I was blown away. I didn't have access to tabs or anything and listened for hours, I figured out my first neo-classical licks on my one, by sticking a pencil on to the cassette tape player to slow it down.
Then he did the same to me with Vai, Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Tony Mcalpine, and other guitar heroes from the 80's but I was fascinated with Yngwie's neo-classical so he had much more impact on my playing
The Next was Petrucci, a friend invites me to his house to watch the Live in Tokyo concert, and I see Under a Glass moon for the first time, Again blown away, but this time I managed to get a hold of the Tab book, and practiced for hours days weeks and months the Under a Glass Moon Solo.
I can honestly say that was the last time I sat down to analyze and copy a certain style, from then on I picked up little things from others, I admire Paul Gilbert's shred style and dynamics, SRV's awesome jaw dropping bends and vibrato, Mark Knopfler's awesome lead lines played straight from the heart, and I could go on forever.
The latest single guitar player I admire, and can't get enough of is Guthrie Govan, my god what a tone, phrasing, amazing shred, and lots of emotion.
Then for some time now my main source of inspiration is GMC.
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He's solos are melodic and I could listen to him all the time =p
