Jimi-changed everything at the time. If you have ears to hear, you know what I am talking abut!
EVH- Changed it again taking it beyond anything yet to be done.
Vinnie Moore- the major/modal version of YJM who was 1st in changing it yet again taking things to yet a new realm of never before heard phrasing and string articulation.
EJ an amalgamation of TONE and taste tied with SRV
Timmons another genius with phrasing and tasteful shredding!
Paul Gilbert/Ste Vai Vai went alien so he tied with Paul!
Lincoln Brewster
Finally....Joe Bonamassa for keeping it real and morphing old school blues shred with new school rip roaring shred!
Rhoads, Gibbons, Page, Petrucci, Lynch, Demartini, Jabs, Shenker, Campbell all get honorable mention!