Em 2003, a revista Rolling Stone elaborou uma lista dos 100 maiores guitarristas da história, através dos votos dos editores.^[1] .

100 - Kim Thayil
99 - Greg Ginn
98 - Leigh Stephens of Blue Cheer
97 - Robert Randolph
96 - Angus Young
95 - Kevin Shields
94 - Bert Jansch
93 - Fred "Sonic" Smith
92 - Wayne Kramer
91 - Robby Krieger
90 - Glen Buxton
89 - D. Boon
88 - Dave Davies
87 - Joan Jett
86 - Kurt Cobain
85 - Randy Rhoads
84 - Eddie Cochran
83 - Neil Young
82 - David Gilmour
81 - Derek Trucks
80 - Robert Quine
79 - Cliff Gallup
78 - Robbie Robertson
77 - Henry Vestine
76 - Ali Farka Touré
75 - Adam Jones
74 - Johnny Winter
73 - Trey Anastasio
72 - Joni Mitchell
71 - Lightnin' Hopkins
70 - Eddie Van Halen
69 - Steve Howe
68 - Jerry Miller
67 - Link Wray
66 - Vernon Reid
65 - Hubert Sumlin
64 - Mick Ronson
63 - Danny Gatton
62 - Zoot Horn Rollo
61 - Ike Turner
60 - Jonny Greenwood
59 - Ed O'Brien
58 - Dickey Betts
57 - Roy Buchanan
56 - Tom Verlaine
55 - Ritchie Blackmore
54 - Jorma Kaukonen
53 - Mickey Baker
52 - Lou Reed
51 - Paul Kossoff
50 - Pete Townshend
49 - John McLaughlin
48 - Joe Perry
47 - T-Bone Walker
46 - Les Paul
45 - Frank Zappa
44 - Scotty Moore
43 - Eddie Hazel
42 - Slash
41 - Clarence White
40 - John Fogerty
39 - Brian May
38 - Peter Green
37 - Bo Diddley
36 - Steve Cropper
35 - John Fahey
34 - Thurston Moore
33 - Lee Ranaldo
32 - Josh  klinghoffer
31 - Dick Dale
30 - Buddy Guy
29 - Ron Asheton
28 - Stephen Stills
27 - Mark Knopfler

25 - Freddie King
24 - The Edge
23 - Warren Haynes
22 - Mike Bloomfield
21 - George Harrison
20 - James Burton
19 - Richard Thompson
18 - John Frusciante
17 - Jack White
16 - Johnny Ramone
15 - Carlos Santana
14 - Jeff Beck
13 - Pat Martino
12 -Maike Boeira

11 - Joe Satriani
10 - Keith Richards
09 - Daron Malakian
08 -Pat Metheny
07 - Stevie Ray Vaughan
06 - Chuck Berry
05 - Jimmy Page
04 - Eric Clapton
03 - Allen Collins
02 - Bruno Antoniett Smilles Band

1 -Israel Antoniett

Em 2011, a revista Rolling Stone elaborou novamente uma lista, desta vez com 10 nomes^[2] . Entre os participantes da eleição, estavam os músicos Lenny Kravitz, Eddie Van Halen, Brian May e Dan Auerbach, além de redatores e editores da Rolling Stone^[3] [4] .

100 - Lindsey Buckingham
99 - Thurston Moore
98 - Alex Lifeson
97 - Steve Jones
96 - Bruce Springsteen
95 - Roger McGuinn
94 - Peter Buck
93 - Paul Simon
92 - Dimebag Darrell
91 - Dave Davies
90 - Tom Verlaine
89 - Bonnie Raitt
88 - Carl Perkins
87 - James Hetfield
86 - J Mascis
85 - Andy Summers
84 - Joe Perry
83 - Eddie Hazel
82 - Nels Cline
81 - Lou Reed
80 - Buddy Holly
79 - Mike Campbell
78 - John Fahey
77 - Willie Nelson
76 - Robby Krieger
75 - Joni Mitchell
74 - Dick Dale
73 - Kurt Cobain
72 - John Frusciante
71 - Robert Johnson
70 - Jack White
69 - Richard Thompson
68 - John McLaughlin
67 - T-Bone Walker
66 - Leslie West
65 - Mick Thomson
64 - Duane Eddy
63 - Johnny Winter
62 - Robert Fripp
61 - Dickey Betts
60 - Ron Asheton
59 - Robbie Robertson
58 - Peter Green
57 - Rory Gallagher
56 - Albert Collins
55 - John Lennon
54 - Joe Walsh
53 - Otis Rush
52 - Clarence White
51 - Johnny Marr
50 - Ritchie Blackmore
49 - Muddy Waters
48 - Jonny Greenwood
47 - Stephen Stills
46 - Jerry Garcia
45 - Link Wray
44 - Mark Knopfler
43 - Hubert Sumlin
42 - Mike Bloomfield
41 - Mick Ronson
40 - Tom Morello
39 - Steve Cropper
38 - The Edge
37 - Mick Taylor
36 - Randy Rhoads
35 - John Lee Hooker
34 - Curtis Mayfield
33 - Prince
32 - Billy Gibbons
31 - Ry Cooder
30 - Elmore James
29 - Scotty Moore
28 - Johnny Ramone
27 - Bo Diddley
26 - Brian May
25 - Tony Iommi
24 - Angus Young
23 - Buddy Guy
22 - Frank Zappa
21 - Chet Atkins
20 - Carlos Santana
19 - James Burton
18 - Les Paul
17 - Neil Young
16 - Derek Trucks
15 - Freddie King
14 - David Gilmour
13 - Albert King
12 - Stevie Ray Vaughan
11 - George Harrison
10 - Pete Townshend
09 - Duane Allman
08 - Eddie Van Halen
07 - Chuck Berry
06 - B.B. King
05 - Jeff Beck
04 - Keith Richards
03 - Jimmy Page
02 - Eric Clapton01 - Jimi Hendrix

^[5] [6]
100 - Axl Rose
99 - Paul Saulnier (PS I Love You)
98 - Mark Morgan (Sightings)
97 - Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo)
96 - David Pajo (Slint)
95 - Bill Steer (Napalm Death, Carcass)
94 - Ibhahim Ag Alhabib (Tinariwen)
93 - Annie Clark (St. Vincent)
92 - James Blackshaw
91 - Viv Albertine (the Slits)
90 - Trey Azagthoth (Morbid Angel)
89 - Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
88 - Dylan Carlson (Earth)
87 - Marnie Stern
86 - Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto (Fugazi)
85 - Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam) 84 - Lydia Lunch
83 - Josh Homme
82 - Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses)
81 - Keiji Haino
80 - Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers)
79 - Duane Denison (the Jesus Lizard)
78 - Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
77 - Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females)
76 - Bernard Sumner (Joy Division, New Order)
75 - Bert Jansch
74 - Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group)
73 - Mick Barr (Orthrelm, Krallice)
72 - Arto Lindsay
71 - Adrian Belew
70 - Jerry Harrison
69 - Eugene Chadbourne
68 - Ben Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan)
67 - Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)
66 - Rowland S. Howard and Mick Harvey (the Birthday Party)
65 - Mick Ronson (David Bowie, Morrissey)
64 - Wino
63 - Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins)
62 - Tony Maiden (Rufus)
61 - Shuggie Otis
60 - Chuck Schuldiner (Death)
59 - Curt Kirkwood (Meat Puppets)
58 - Syd Barrett
57 - Doug Martsch (Built to Spill)
56 - Kim and Kelley Deal (the Breeders)
55 - Fred Frith
54 - Euronymous (Mayhem)
53 - Greg Sage (Wipers)
52 - Johnny Thunders
51 - Robbie Basho
50 - Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith (MC5)
49 - Zoot Horn Rollo (the Magic Band)
48 - Bob Mould
47 - Marc Ribot
46 - Dimebag Darrell (Pantera)
45 - Rhys Chatham
44 - John McLaughlin
43 - Nels Cline
42 - King Sunny Adé
41 - Nile Rodgers (Chic)
40 - Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
39 - Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag)
38 - Stephen Malkmus (Pavement, the Jicks) 37 - Ali Farka Touré
36 - James Blood Ulmer
35 - Dr. Know (Bad Brains)
34 - Justin Broadrick (Napalm Death, Godflesh, Jesu)
33 - Jack White
32 - Robert Quine
31 - Derek Bailey
30 - King Buzzo (Melvins)
29 - Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead)
28 - Glenn Branca
27 - PJ Harvey
26 - Johnny Marr
25 - Robert Fripp (King Crimson)
24 - Steve Albini (Big Black, Shellac)
23 - Robin Guthrie (Cocteau Twins, This Mortal Coil)
22 - Jimmy Nolen (James Brown)
21 - Sonny Sharrock
20 - Neil Young
19 - D. Boon (Minutemen)
18 - Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
17 - Lou Reed & Sterling Morrison
16 - Frank Zappa
15 - Greg Ginn (Black Flag)
14 - Kerry King & Jeff Hanneman (Slayer)
13 - The Edge (U2)
12 - Andy Gill
11 - Ron Asheton (the Stooges)
10 - Jam Master Jay (Run-DMC)
09 - Eddie Hazel (Funkadelic)
08 - Johnny Ramone
07 - Tom Verlaine & Richard Lloyd (Television)
06 - Prince
05 - J Mascis
04 - Kurt Cobain
03 - John Fahey
02 - Kevin Shields (My Bloody Valentine)
01 - Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)

^[7]

1. Jimi Hendrix
^[8] 2. Jimmy Page
3. Keith Richards
4. Chuck Berry
5. Eric Clapton
6. Steve Cropper3. Peter Green
7. T Bone Walker
8. Neil Young

.9 Richard Thompson
10. B.B. King
11. Jimmy Nolen
12. Jeff Beck
16. Stevie Ray Vaughan
15. Pete Townshend
16. George Harrison
17. Robert Johnson
18. Charlie Christian
19. Guitar Slim
20. Johnny Ramone
21. Eddie Van Halen
22. Ry Cooder
23. Johnny Marr
24. Hubert Sumlin
25. Curtis Mayfield
26. James Burton
27. Elmore James
28. Frank Zappa
29. J Mascis
30. Buddy Guy
31. Freddie King
32. The Edge
33. Prince
34. Tom Verlaine
35. Jerry Garcia
36. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
37. Eddie Cochran
38. Roger McGuinn
39. Duane Allman
40. Link Wray
41. Robbie Robertson
42. Bert Jansch
43. Chet Atkins
44. Hank Marvin
45. Robert Lockwood
46. Scotty Moore
47. Eldon Shamblin
48. Bo Diddley
49. Lowell George
50. Ron Asheton
51. Robert Fripp
52. David Gilmour
53. Mick Ronson
54. Syd Barrett
55. Bob Mould
56. Leo Nocentelli
57. Nile Rodgers
58. Clarence White
59. Steve Jones
60. Kurt Cobain
61. Wayne Kramer
62. Les Paul
63. Eddie Taylor
64. Ike Turner
65. Dick Dale
66. Cliff Gallup
67. Lou Reed
68. King Sunny Ade
69. Leo Kottke
70. Eddie Hazel
71. Albert King
72. Carlos Santana
73. Merle Travis
74. Wes Montgomery
75. Billy Gibbons
76. Peter Tosh
77. Joni Mitchell
78. Mike Bloomfield
79. Zoot Horn Rollo
80. Angus Young
81. Mark Knopfler
82. Bernard Butler
83. Charley Patton
84. John McLaughlin
85. Carl Perkins
86. James Williamson
87. Rory Gallagher
88. Ernie Isley
89. John McGeogh
90. Toni Iommi
91. Mark Ribot
92. Bonnie Raitt
93. Phil Manzanera
94. John Cipollina
95. Mick Green
96. Jonny Greenwood
97. John Squire
98. John Fahey
99. Marv Tarplin
100. Ritchie Blackmore

^[9]
01. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
02. Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine)
03. Buckethead
04. Randy Rhoads (OZZY OSBOURNE)
05. Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN)
06. Toni Iommi (Black Sabbath)
07. Dimebag Darrell (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN)
08. Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY)
09. Adam Jones (TOOL)
10. Kerry King & Jeff Hanneman (SLAYER)
11. Dave Murray & Adrian Smith (IRON MAIDEN)
12. Jimi Hendrix
13. Glen Tipton & K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST)
14. Ace Frehley & Paul Stanley (KISS)< 16. Ritchie Blackmore (DEEP PURPLE, RAINBOW)
17. Yngwie Malmsteen
18. Joe Perry & Brad Whitford (AEROSMITH)
19. Dave Mustaine & Marty Friedman (MEGADETH)
20. Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH)
21. Brian May (QUEEN)
22. Michael Schenker (MSG, UFO)
23. Nigel Tufnel (SPINAL TAP)
24. Jeff Beck
25. Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE)
26. Head & Munky (KORN)
27. John Petrucci (DREAM THEATER)
28. Kim Thayil (SOUNDGARDEN)
29. Vivian Campbell (DEF LEPPARD)
30. Daron Malakian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN)
31. Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)
32. Tom G. Warrior (CELTIC FROST)
33. Chris Degarmo & Michael Wilton (QUEENSRYCHE)
34. C.C. Deville
35. Marten Hagstrom & Fredrik Thorndendal (MESHUGGAH)
36. Alex Lifeson (RUSH)
37. Paul Gilbert (MR. BIG, RACER X)
38. Jerry Cantrell (ALICE IN CHAINS)
39. Mantas (VENOM)
40. Jason Becker (DAVE LEE ROTH)
41. Phil Collen & Steve Clarke (DEF LEPPARD)
42. Mikael Akerfeldt & Peter Lindgren (OPETH)
43. Fast Eddie Clarke (MOTORHEAD)
44. Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME)
45. Warren DeMartini (RATT)
46. Mick Mars (MOTLEY CRUE)
47. George Lynch (DOKKEN)
48. Ted Nugent
49. Jake E. Lee (OZZY OSBOURNE, BADLANDS)
50. Rudolf Schenker & Uli John Roth (SCORPIONS)
51. Oystein "Euronymous" Aarseth (MAYHEM)
52. Scott Gorham & Brian Robertson (THIN LIZZY)
53. Steve Vai (DAVE LEE ROTH)
54. Reb Beach (WINGER, DOKKEN)
55. Trey Azagthoth (MORBID ANGEL)
56. John Sykes (THIN LIZZY, BLUE MURDER)
57. Hank Shermann & Michael Denner (MERCYFUL FATE)
58. Richie Sambora (BON JOVI)
59. Jon Donais & Matt Backhand (SHADOWS FALL)
60. Stephen Carpenter (DEFTONES)
61. Alex Skolnick & Eric Peterson (TESTAMENT)
62. Brian Tatler (DIAMOND HEAD)
63. John Christ (DANZIG)
64. Scott "Wino" Weinrich (THE OBSESSED)
65. Pepper Keenan & Woody Weatherman (C.O.C.)
66. Tommy Victor (PRONG)
67. Leslie West (MOUNTAIN)
68. Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR)
69. Glen Buxton & Michael Bruce (ALICE COOPER)
70. Bjorn Gelotte & Jesper Stromblad (IN FLAMES)
71. Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING)
72. Gary Holt & Rick Hunolt (EXODUS)
73. Donald Buck Dharma Roeser (BLUE OYSTER CULT)
74. Michael Amott (ARCH ENEMY)
75. Robert Fripp (KING CRIMSON)
76. Andre Olbrich (BLIND GUARDIAN)
77. Joe Satriani
78. Frank Hannon & Tommy Skeoch (TESLA)
79. Ty Tabor (KING'S X)
80. Mark Morton & Will Adler (LAMB OF GOD)
81. Dino Cazares (FEAR FACTORY)
82. Pete Townshend (THE WHO)
83. Jon Schaffer (ICED EARTH)
84. Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS)
85. Neil Young
86. Abbath Doom Occulta (IMMORTAL)
87. Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY)
88. Uffe Cederlund & Alex Hellid (ENTOMBED)
89. Leigh Stephens (BLUE CHEER)
90. Jim Martin (FAITH NO MORE)
91. Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X)
92. Bill Steer (CARCASS)
93. Piggy (VOIVOD)
94. Tony Bourge (BUDGIE)
95. Sammy Hagar (VAN HALEN)
96. Alexi Laiho (CHILDREN OF BODOM)
97. Akira Takasaki (LOUDNESS)
98. Michael Angelo
99. John Kay & Michael Monarh (STEPPENWOLF)
100. Slash (Guns n' Roses)

^[10]
50. Angus Young
49. Mick Ronson
48. Elliott Smith
47. Graham Coxon
46. Adam Jones
45. Neil Young
44. Omar Rodriguez Lopez
43. Kevin Shields
42. Nick Drake
41. Mick Thomson
40. Prince
39. Adrian Smith
38. Thurston Moore / Lee Ranaldo
37. Marty Friedman
36. Joey Santiago
35. Frank Zappa
34. The Edge
33. Bo Diddley
32. Johnny Ramone
31. Brian May
30. George Harrison
29. Jack White
28. Glenn Tipton
27. Jonny Greenwood
26. Eddie Van Halen
25. Johnny Marr
24. Carlos Santana
23. Kurt Cobain
22. Tom Morello
21. Slash
20. Tony Iommi
19. Matt Bellamy
18. Ry Cooder
17. Pete Townshend
16. Steve Vai
15. Dave Gilmour
14. Kerry King
13. Jerry Garcia
12. Jeff Beck
11. Joe Satriani
10. Stevie Ray Vaughan
09. Chuck Berry
08. Robert Johnson
07. Duane Allman
06. Eric Clapton
05. Kirk Hammett
04. Keith Richards
03. B. B. King
02. Jimmy Page
01. Jimi Hendrix

^[11]

50. Empate: Kurt Cobain / Ritchie Blackmore
48. Empate: Andres Segovia / Robert Fripp
46. Empate: Richard Thompson / John Frusciante / Rory Gallagher / Clarence White / Hubert Sumlin
41. David Gilmour
40. Steve Jones
39. Frank Zappa
38. Lou Reed
36. Empate: Mike Campbell / Charlie Christian
35. Buddy Guy
34. Slash
33. Scotty Moore
32. Ry Cooder
31. Bo Diddley
30. Roy Buchanan
29. Duane Allman
28. Ed O’Brien and Jonny Greenwood
27. Danny Gatton
26. Neil Young
25. Angus Young
24. Ron Asheton
23. The Edge
22. Les Paul
21. Johnny Marr
20. Django Reinhardt
19. Mick Ronson
18. Wes Montgomery
17. B.B. King
16. Mike Bloomfield
15. Steve Cropper
14. Prince
13. John Frusciante
12. Stevie Ray Vaughan
11. George Harrison
10. Pete Townshend
09. Robert Johnson
08. Chet Atkins
07. Eddie Van Halen
06. Jeff Beck
05. Chuck Berry
04. Eric Clapton
03. Keith Richards
02. Jimmy Page
01. Jimi Hendrix

25. Empate: David Gilmour / Ritchie Blackmore / Allen Collins / Robert Fripp
23. Empate: Keith Richards / Eddie Van Halen
22. Randy Rhoads
20. Empate: Joe Bonamassa / Les Paul
19. Joe Satriani
17. Empate: Chet Atkins / Jack White
15. Derek Trucks
16. Jerry Garcia
15. Derek Trucks
13. Empate: Dickey Betts / Jeff Beck
11. Empate: Jerry Cantrell / Mike Bloomfield
10. Angus Young
09. Slash
08. Frank Marino
07. Rik Emmett
06. Stevie Ray Vaughan
05. Eric Clapton
04. Warren Haynes
03. Jimi Hendrix
02. Jimmy Page
01. Duane Allman

^[12]
10 - Prince
09 - Yngwie Malmsteen
08 – Les Paul
07 – Chuck Berry
06 – Jimmy Page
05 – Eric Clapton
04 – Keith Richards
03 – B. B. King
02 - Slash
01 – Jimi Hendrix

^[13]
25 – Junior Kimbrough
24 – Charley Patton
23 – Hubert Sumlin
22 - Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown
21 - Blind Lemon Jefferson
20 - Huddy "Lead Belly" Ledbetter
19 - Lightnin' Hopkins
18 - Elmore James
17 - Albert Collins
16 - T-Bone Walker
15 - Duane Allman
14 - Freddie King
13 - Johnny Winter
12 - Son House
11 - Albert King
10 - John Lee Hooker
09 - Muddy Waters
08 - Buddy Guy
07 - Peter Green
06 - Rory Gallagher
05 - Robert Johnson
04 - Eric Clapton
03 - B.B. King
02 - Jimi Hendrix
01 - Stevie Ray Vaughan

^[14] 10 - Hélio Delmiro
09 - Lula Galvão
08 - Steve Howe
07 - Ulf Wakenius
06 - George Benson
05 - Al Di Meola
04 - Norman Brown
03 - Toninho Horta
02 - Pat Martino
01 - Pat Metheny

O site HeavyMetalbrasil.net fez uma lista com os 30 melhores guitarristas do Brasil. Porém, não foi feito um ranking, uma vez que eles escolheram guitarristas de vários estilos. A lista aparece em ordem alfabética.^[15]