Best as far as what? Skill, songwriting, arranging? Jimmy Page was the greatest arranger and layerer(word?) in the studio, but kinda sloppy live. He was a genius in the studio. Malmsteen can play most people out of the building but actually wrote few good songs. Keith Richards isn't technically amazing, but he's a very interesting guitarist. Plays A LOT in Open G, plus he is the king of the rhythm riffs. I love Keith Richards style of play. Roy Buchanan was an amazing blues guitarist check out "After Hours". Junior Brown, my fucking idol, nobody plays like this guy, or plays a guit-steel for that matter. Phelps "Catfish" Collins guitarist for James Brown's band and guitarist in Parliament Funkadelic. Doc Watson, greatest flat picker and bluegrass guitarist ever. STEVIE RAY "fucking" VAUGHAN, do I even need to explain? Andres Segovia classical guitarist. Django Rinehartd(sp?) another amazing jazz guy. Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery....The list could go on and on brother make some criteria. "The road goes on forever, and the party never ends".