[Itzlzha]

True enough. My top 10 favorite metal guitarists, in order:

I'll critique and add/replace mine here...but you have a REAL good starting list...

1. Yngwie Malmsteen
He's REALLY good, but not #1.

2. George Lynch
perfect placement

3. The Nuge
Again...awesome, but further down the list

4. Randy Rhoads
perfect placement

5. John Petrucci
Again, perfect!

6. Kirk Hammett before he became a wuss
Hammett WAS good...but I prefer his mentors...

7. Dimebag Darrell RIP
Dimebag (R.I.P.) was good..."Planet Caravan" was AWESOME...but not in my top 10.

8. Warren DeMartini
He should be higher

9. Edward Van Halen
Again...higher

10.Adrian Smith
Nice choice, but not top 10...although Iron Maiden IS one of my all-time fav's.

My list:

1) Chris DeGarmo...Operation: MindCrime and Empire are a tour de force in playing!
2) George Lynch
3) Warren DeMartini
4) Randy Rhodes
5) John Petrucci
6) Jake E. Lee
7) Edward Van Halen
8) Steve Vai
9) Yngwie J. Malmsteen
10) Ted Nugent

[Notforprophet]

It's always too tough to name a top 10 of any musicians, guitarists especially as there are so many good ones.

NFP

[RockinRight]

Good list. No real objections, yours that aren't in my top 10 are certainly in my top 20.