1. Joe Satriani
Who else could take a top-spot in any guitar list than the immovable object of unstoppable force, Professor Satchifunkilus himself; Joe Satriani? Having tutored the likes of the phenomenal Steve Vai, Metallicas Kirk Hammett and Testaments Alex Skolnick among many others, Satch has an all-encompassing style and flair that is all his own, built from the ground up to incorporate every single technique known to a string-wielding man. From fretboard-spanning two handed passages to incredibly complex sweep-picking sections on the likes of The Mystical Potato Head Groove Thing (probably the best song title ever), to his collaborative work with supergroup Chickenfoot, his ability to either let an entire shelter full of cats out the bag or reign in his eccentricities to compliment other musicians is unsurpassed. Just watching the guy is enough to make you give up and dig out the old Guitar Hero controller, only to find him handing you your ass on there as well with the expert-level Satch Boogie. With his latest work Unstoppable Momentum returning slightly to his incredibly infectious overblown style of yesteryear after 2010s more experimental Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards, Satch continues a global facemelting crusade for the ages. No doubt with each subsequent click of the Next button youve either been thoroughly satiated or instead built up a rage-filled eruption WHY WASNT X INCLUDED?! Well friends, please nominate your favourites down in the comments, and we can all check them out before years end, when we see what talent emerges in 2014!