OK, instrumental stuff. A few mentioned already:
Joe Satriani - Surfing With The Alien (haven't heard his more recent stuff, but still my favourite of the ones I know)
Eric Johnson - Tones and Ah Via Musicom
Vinnie Moore - Mind's Eye (better tunes and more melody than other shred albums I bought in the '80s!)
A few others I like:
Chris Poland - Return To Metalopolis
Jennifer Batten - Above Below And Beyond
Chris Haskett & Brandon Finley - Nonfiction
John Paul Jones - Zooma
The Mermen - A Glorious Lethal Euphoria
I'd love to include some Roy Buchanan and Richie Kotzen, but most of their best albums have vocal tracks!