Ok, so this is a poll to find out who everyone thinks is THE greatest guitar player in this tiny, tiny world. I have many influences as most do, but Petrucci is easily the greatest. Thats fact. But anyways, some people have inferior opinions, and here you can express them! This can be based on technique, songwriting, innovative style, lead/rhythm playing, how sexy they look, whatever. This list (in no particular order) contains guitarist i know of and/or like, so if you think someone should be up there who isnt, dont flame my ass just say and i shall add them. So get voting for the greatest guitarist in z motherfucking veeeerld!

The lack of:
Pat Metheny
Jason Becker
Frank Gambale
Chris Broderick
Jeff Loomis
and inclusion of:
Matt Heafy
Corey Bealieu (before someone starts bitching, I like Trivium but these guys don't belong on this list simply because they haven't been around anything to do anything that innovative yet, sorry, I love 'em but they just haven't been around long enough to make an impact that deserves this type of mention)
Kirk Hammett
Tom Delong
And the two wankers from Avenged Seven Fold
Voids this list completely.
EDIT:
That being said, Michael Romeo is the best guitarist on there. And before you say anything, he slays JP. In everything. He slays everyone in technical ability. End of story.

How are some of the people on that list on that list and Zakk Wylde's not? =p
Ok, Zakk isn't the best guitar player, but he's definitely my favorite.
Out of the people on the list...I'd say Randy Rhoads or Dime.

Well I have to start by saying some guys taht shouldnt be there:
Dave Mustaine (Hees good but he is just not organized and not incredibly fast, not impressive)
Kirk Hammet (Same)
Adrian Smith (Come on man anyone can play his solos, not impressive)
Both A7X (Theyplay nice and all but they just cant compete with other names there)
Eddie Van Halen (I dont even have to type it)
Jimmy Hendrix (same)
And you are missing Jason Becker WTF man
Its defenitley between Yngwie, Michale Angelo, and maybe somewere behind there Petrucci alongside Marty Friedman.
Yngwie uses a scalloped strat, and plays all his songs with presition during live concerts unlike other guitarrists. I have this one video of Petrucci Messing up Master of Puppets. Come on thats embarrassing for a shredder with such a reputation to keep, Master is such a basic solo.
Marty is there because he can just like make a CD by entering a Studio and improvising, tahts just damn impressive + he doesnt mess up in live shows. He also made one of the best metal CDs in history (Rust in Peace) alongside Dave mustaine.
Michael Angelo is Just Showing off and im beggining to doubt most of his videos with some of my guitar playing friends. Michael Angelos songs are impresive but they are not good, two things that are verry diferent.

QUOTE(Julian Shredder)Well I have to start by saying some guys taht shouldnt be there:  
Dave Mustaine (Hees good but he is just not organized and not incredibly fast, not impressive)
Kirk Hammet (Same)
Adrian Smith (Come on man anyone can play his solos, not impressive)
Both A7X (Theyplay nice and all but they just cant compete with other names there)
Eddie Van Halen (I dont even have to type it)
Jimmy Hendrix (same)
And you are missing Jason Becker WTF man
Its defenitley between Yngwie, Michale Angelo, and maybe somewere behind there Petrucci alongside Marty Friedman.
Yngwie uses a scalloped strat, and plays all his songs with presition during live concerts unlike other guitarrists. I have this one video of Petrucci Messing up Master of Puppets. Come on thats embarrassing for a shredder with such a reputation to keep, Master is such a basic solo.  
Marty is there because he can just like make a CD by entering a Studio and improvising, tahts just damn impressive + he doesnt mess up in live shows. He also made one of the best metal CDs in history (Rust in Peace)  alongside Dave mustaine.
Michael Angelo is Just Showing off and im beggining to doubt most of his videos with some of my guitar playing friends. Michael Angelos songs are impresive but they are not good, two things that are verry diferent.
You know very little to didly squat about this subject, clearly.
On that list Michael Romeo IS the best. Hands down no questions asked. The end. Fin. Refer to my post.

id say batio purely coz of his technical ability

Dimebag Darrell got my vote... was going to go for Petrucci, as I'm into Dream Theater a lot recrntly But this master got me into metal.
There is no "best guitarist ever"... it's all down to opinions. There are many different masters of many genres, not just one set.
And the guy I'm sitting next to think it's Satch.. can we tell him otherwise?

Paul Gilbert ftmfw!

I voted paul gilbert but hes not the best... actually none of them up there are the best becuase there cannot be a best guitar player but paul gilbert is my favorite player at the moment so he gets my vote.

Out of that horrible list I picked John Petrucci, even though Michael Romeo comes in close 2nd. NW, Romeo is great but he's not as good as Petrucci. Romeo is a one sided player, all of his work is extremely repetitive (Even though it's amazing), Petrucci is a far better song writer and an extremely versatile player. He also has better chops then Romeo on all other styles of playing then legato.
But there are way better guitar players out there then the ones in this poll.

I voted John Petrucci.
He aint my favourite.. but damn he is good! 8)