Thanks, Moonchild. As I re-read the list, I start to think of all the great guitar players who should be mentioned. As I said, it's a short list, very spur-of-the-moment. Those are simply some of the guitarists I could think of right then.

Peter, It was my intent to omit references to style or genre. I sort of feel that a motivated beginner will seek out the music of those players and discover for himself where each fits with respect to his own goals. In the process, the student may broaden his view of music and the guitar. Like Douglas Adams' fictional computer, Deep Thought, I think it's often more useful to provide a better question rather than an ultimate answer.

      - Mark