Favorite and/or most influential guitarists (for you as a player or in general)

[BengalsRocker]

I don't think this thread was meant to be a "best of" list.

There are some guys who are definitely technically better or even more versatile than those I mentioned.

Yngwie Malmsteen is an example of a very masterful guitar player. 

My only problem with him is that he usually bends music to fit his lead style...  which to me is kind of a cop out as an overall musician.

I love guitarists that can push the envelope and be as versatile as possible.  Flowing to the style of the music no matter what the genre. 

I know a lot of people may not take hard rock/metal guitarists seriously as strictly genre specific legends but man there are some guys who can play blues/jazz/classical/chicken picking and any other genre you could think of.  Some real master-classmen.

Zakk Wylde makes me sick at the strictly pinch harmonic rut he's put himself into the last decade.  Check out this comical gem that shows what he can do. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fkkUOUONtw

Of course Andy Timmons can kill it about on anything and play long meaningful notes as well.  Never seen a guy playing chicken picking with a standard picking style like this and so frickin' cleanly. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC-NVauJ7y8

Slow soulful playing by Andy.  I love David Gilmour's playing too as previously mentioned.  Some of the best bends and vibrato ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOhiRUKWH7o

Okay.  I'm just gonna say it.  Keith Urban is probably one of my favorite "newer" guitar players. Rock guitar kinda blows now so yeah he's got chops and feeling that current rock lacks.