Agreed. Ranking them is all down to taste. Vai with DLR was superb, but I find his recent album pretty inaccessible. I saw Satriani last night and he was on fire, (definitely one of my top 3), but again, his latest album hasn't grown on me yet.
I also agree with the opinion that a great guitarist is one you can hear and immediately recognise. Malmsteen, George Lynch, Satch, Vai, May, Hendrix, Rothery, SRV, Blackmore, Schenker, Knopfler, Clapton, etc etc. Others are not to my taste, but the fact you know its them is just plain brilliance on their part.
Oh, and SurreyAV too of course :? :winkold:
Edit: I just commited the cardinal sin and listed fave guitarists without EVH in the list :shock: