Here, here! I completely agree. This is definitely a chuckle. I like VH, but he's a very one-dimensional guitar player (any Blues?). He just doesn't have the nuances of Hendrix or Page or Clapton. And Brian May at #2? He's good, but I wouldn't even put him in the top 5.
But, lists are personal observations and this is a poll, probably (mostly) of the younger speed/death metal players of today who most likely have heard very little of Hendrix, Page Clapton, et al's, work.
I like and respect the talent of all those on the list
that i have heard of, and heard live (everyone from Jeff Beck to Buckethead to Al Dimeola to Johnny Winter, etc.
But Guitar World is primarily rock based, but occasionally
opines on jazz also. Rarely is country or bluegrass or
classical guitar written about.
It isn’t that I disagree that any are good or great, but it
is dependant on the style of music.
Andre Segovia was a classical genius on guitar.
Al Dimeola studied him, and it shows in his form of jazz.
Buckethead’s early stuff wasn’t that good, but his more
recent stuff in phenominal. It all depends on the type of
music and the stage of one’s career. (at least in my opinion).