So many great guitarists
Like nelson61 alluded to it's not always about the speed but the feel
Alex lifeson from rush is superb , Jeff beck , Jimmy page , satriani, Rory Gallagher, Johnny winter , Robert Cray , Steve Hackett in his early genesis days
But I am a man of metal and for me the king of the riff will always be Tony iommi from Sabbath
But that doesn't stop me appreciating Robert Tripp, Richard Thompson , Jeff Buckley who was a great guitarist who died too young
Let's be honest , the Beatles came up with some great guitar sounds , the little gentle licks of in my life are simple and sound superb which for me is what it's all about
A quick mention of queen's of the stone age , and his former band KYUSS
Josh homme got his fuzzy stoner rock sound by plugging his Les Paul into a bass amp !