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Only one? Ritchie Blackmore's work in Deep Purple and early Rainbow was a great mix of blues and heavy rock riffs. Peter Greene and Lindsey Buckingham made the best Fleetwood Mac tunes, long before the ladies made it a pop band.

Well, there's really only one choice here: James Marshall Hendrix. Without a doubt one of the most innovative musicians of all time, with an incredible ability to improvise. Thanks for everything, Jimi!

I get to pick just one? Nah, no can do! I'm a big fan of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Edward Van Halen, Andy Summers, David Gilmour, Keith Richards, The Edge... There are others, but I'll stop now.

This is tough because it depends on the genre. Ok, my favorite guitar player is: Pat Metheny, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Johnson, Joe Satriani, Alvin Lee, Jeff Beck, Al Dimeola, Andre Segovia, Paco De Lucia, George Benson, Chet Atkins, Jimmy Page, BB King, Chieli Minucci, Little Ed, Duke Robillard, Albert Collins and Robert Cray just to name a few. There are more but, these just come to mind.

I've stuck with Stevie Ray Vaughan and Chet Atkins. As I get older (44), I'm less tolerant of the mindless noise produced by today's groups.

Stuart Adamson of Big Country. I love that bagpipe sound! RIP, Stu.

Eric Clapton. He has made the guitar the extension of his soul.

Lee Ritnour

Frank Zappa, because the guitar solo wasn't the only solution in his composer's bag of tricks.

Peter Meier, a local musican here in Munich/Germany. Plays classical Music and his own compositions.

Ritchie Blackmore rules! Occasionally, but not often enough, during his hard rock years, he'd play an awesome rock guitar solo that would reach right down to your soul. Although there are lots of good rock guitarists, none I've heard has ever matched his great solos. Mind you, however, he played his share of garbage as well. But what artist hasn't? Ritchie continues to amaze with his new band Blackmore's Night. Only after he departs from this earth will he cease to rule as the #1 guitar god.

Steve Hackett: he's produced self-composed material in a wide range of styles and genres, over a long career, with very few duds.

Dick Dale. Just listen to him play and you'll understand why.

Stevie Ray Vaughn

Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush. Frank has to be seen to be believed. His records just don't do him justice.

Bill Frisell (fantasy, humor, swing), shared with Frank Zappa (unrivalled technique, truly original).

Come on, Stereophile! I thought I wouldn't have to answer questions like that any longer once I got my hair cut short, ditched the earring, and sold my hockey-stick Charvel electric. But if I had to pick one, Segovia will do nicely.

Without a doubt, my fave is Russell Malone. The man can play his ass off! I love the fact that he has such a keen sense about the music he plays. He is sensitive about to when to play sparse or to break out a truck load of fills. He is also willing to check his ego and blend in to a group setting as needed. I just love his style.

Duane Eddy. It's a guitar thing.

Tuck Andress is probably the greatest jazz guitarist alive. Larry Coryell's not far behind.

Jerry Garcia, Buddy Miller

As you say, there are lots of great Guitarist out there but one has that special effect for me with his style and that would be Mark Knopfler. I absolutely love Eric,Jimi,Page,SRV,Chet, I could go on and on with great guitarist but Mark K is my first choice.

That's easy. Just go to www.davebeegle.com and www.michaelroe.com. Listen for yourself and you'll know why.

Joe Satriani. Technically amazing, yet plays with soul.

BADEN POWELL

Charlie Byrd. He was the first guitarist I heard when I went to DC and I was so impressed that I have been listening ever since the early '60s. I met him again when he was in my home town for a gig shortly before he died.

I really like what David Rawlings has done, as well as Gurf Morlix.

Ry Cooder, who else could it be?

Mark Knopfler (Dire Straites), Richie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Phil Keaggy (the master).

My favorite guitarist is Buddy Guy! I have seen him in concert. In a huge ampitheater, he can hold an audience with just one note. Listening to him play makes it seem like he "becomes" his guitar. Of course, there are other great guitar players, and I have favorites in different genres (eg, Kenny Burrell, Pat Metheny, and Keb Mo, to name a few). However, Buddy Guy is my overall favorite.