I think there's too little talk about guitars on this CF, although there are quite a few of us guitarists posting.
This thread is about shred guitar, as you should have understood from the title. Shredding is also known as wanking.
Just search Google Video and you'll see it's true.
Those who don't know what shred is about, don't worry it's a pretty simple concept: Play as many notes as fast as you can. But the trick is, make it sound good.
I'll start by posting links about the great Rusty Cooley, an amazing shred guitarist. He's one of the few guitarists that play 8-string guitars, but he seems to favor the 7-strings over 6 and 8-string guitars.
Google Video links
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Other shredders are
-Paul Gilbert
-The Great KAT, one of the few known female shredders
-Michael Angelo Batio, both left and right handed, with unique guitars, 2 and 4 guitar sets put together one in V shape and the 4 guitar set in X shape.
-Yngwie Malmsteen, from Sweden
-Vinnie Moore
-Buckethead, was in the Guns N' Roses "reincarnation"
-John Petrucci
-Joe Satriani
-Tony MacAlpine
-Steve Vai
-Michael Romeo, from Symphony X
If you want to check out some "freakier" shred, check out Mattias IA Eklundh. He's from Sweden, maybe tweaker has heard of him.
EDIT:
And one fast Finnish guitarist, Timo Tolkki from Stratovarius.