I try to avoid who is best etc because it seems a futile question to ask. So I think the question I want to ask is: Which guitarist do you currently admire most?
The person who irons my soul out is Kelly Joe Phelps. He is self-effacing and humble, but he has a talent that is rooted in genius.
Check him out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7iCM_nECEg