Eddie Van Halen is the greatest guitarist of all time according to the readers of Guitar World magazine. Instead of readers just casting votes for their favorite player, the magazine went with a knock-out round format with a list of 132. Eddie went head-to-head with and knocked out Jake E Lee, Michael Schenker, Slash, Randy Rhoads, Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson and finally Brian May.

The Top 50 is:

1. Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)

2. Brian May (Queen)

3. Alex Lifeson (Rush)

4. Jimi Hendrix

5. Joe Satriani

6. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)

7. Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)

8. Steve Ray Vaughan

9. Dimebag Darrell Abbott (Pantera / Damageplan)

10. Steve Vai

11. Randy Rhoads

12. Dave Mustaine (Megadeth)

14. Les Paul

15. Duane Allman (Allman Bros Band)

15. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

16. Robert Johnson

17. John Petrucci (Dream Theater)

18. Zakk Wylde

19. James Hetfield (Metallica)

20. Ritchie Blackmore

21. Angus Young (AC/DC)

22. Slash

23. Paul Gilbert

24. Buddy Guy

25. George Harrison

26. Vernon Reid (Living Color)

27. Frank Zappa

28. Eric Clapton

29. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

30. Chet Atkins

31. Dickey Betts (Allman Bros Band)

32. Django Reinhardt

33. Mark Morton (Lamb of God)

34. Mark Tremonti (Creed / Alter Bridge)

35. Warren Haynes (Allman Bros Band / Gov’t Mule)

36. Kirk Hammett (Metallica)

37. Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains)

38. Buckethead

39. Jeff Beck

40. Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)

41. Michael Schenker

42. Carlos Santana

43. Yngwie Malmsteen

44. Chuck Berry

45. John Frusciante

46. Jason Becker

47. Eric Johnson

48. Joe Bonamassa

49. Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom)

50. Dave Murray (Iron Maiden)