1. Jimi- He was from another planet. his playing was totally original in every way and paved the way for every guitarist since. He didn't know there was a box to think outside of. He was very unrefined and sloppy. He played out of tune, he was always high while he was playing (which I do not advocate) and he knew nothing of music theory; yet his concept, passion, sexuality, conviction, and raw talent have never been surpassed, or all been found in any one other guitarist. His 4 albums, Are You Experienced, Axis Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland, and Band of Gypsies, are all guitar masterpieces as well as amazing pieces of music. He was the 20th centuries greatest guitar writer/visionary.
2. Ron Thal- The total opposite of Jimi. Very schooled, knows tons about theory, harmony rhythm and orchestration. His technical abilities are unmatched by any guitarist I've ever heard. He hears music in a way I can only imagine, and only get a glimpse of when watching him play. An incredibly original writer, and someone who continually pushes the limits of what can be written for and played on the guitar. I feel unbelievably privileged to have been able to play with him extensively in my life. He is a true genius. I really like his newly released Forgotten Anthology as well as Hermit.
3. Michael Hedges- A brilliant composer and guitarist, Michael Hedges is also one of the most amazing performers the acoustic guitar has ever seen. He fused elements of classical music, folk music and pop music to create his own style, which has been emulated by many players since but never done justice. I especially love his recordings on the Harp guitar, an instrument with a guitar neck as well as several open bass strings that has a very wide range and a beautiful sound. He's the most sensitive and musical guitar player/writer I've ever heard. Arial Boundaries is my favorite record of his. I like Taproot a lot also.
4. Django Reinhardt- A gypsy guitarist, Django was crippled early in life by a fire that left him with only 3 digits on his left hand. He played more melodically and fluidly then almost any jazz player before or since. Technically phenomenal, with incredible passion and vision. The fact that he played the way he did with his handicap is a true testament to the human potential.
5-Robert Johnson- The most amazing Delta blues guitarist with the most amazing songs and the most amazing voice. Really primitive stuff but groundbreaking for it's time and the roots for most blues music since. His playing is revered by Eric, Stevie, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Buddy Guy, Willie Dixon and B.B. King. Not too shabby.
6. Andreas Segovia- The premier classical guitarist of the 20th century. He was technically impeccable but always subservient to the genius of the composers who's music he played. He just did it right as a classical player. Listen to anything he's done.
7. Eddie Van Halen- He's a master who created his own style, and expanded the way guitar has been played. Nuff said. He and Ron are the only hard rock/technically progressive guitarists that I like to listen to, although the only Eddie I have on record is the solo for "Beat It"
8. Stevie Ray Vaughn- He just had it. totally funky, totally bluesy, took the influence of players like Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and Albert Collins and made it his own mix. The coolest things about Stevie are his sense of time, and his sound. Where he chose to pull back or lean into a phrase was almost mystical. My favorite by him is probably Live Alive. I like live records for getting a sense of what an artis is really about, not what they contrive in a controlled environment but what they do in the heat of the moment. That album is truly a testament to his talent. Check it out.
9. Chet Atkins- He wrote the book on country guitar playing. his technical approach was staggering and his songwriting and arranging for the guitar was brilliant and unique. I'm not saying enough about him because I don't know enough yet, but the little I've heard, combined with his sphere of influence places him in the top 10.
10. Eric Clapton- For a while when he was really young, Eric was one of the finest in the world and a true blues visionary. The Bluesbreakers and Cream records are his highest art in my kind of humble opinion. His later blues stuff, From the Cradle as well as his unplugged album are great.