I'm going to get a LOT of disagreement on this because this is my opinion based on my personal tastes. I'm interested to know who makes your top 5 list. Some of those who will be noticeably absent from my list are absent for a reason, but I'm trying to as objective as possible on such a subjective topic, and considering that I'm not sticking to a particular genre. So any genre, any era, who makes your list? Mine is (in no particular order):

Nancy Wilson - (Heart)
BB King
Brad Paisley
James Burton - (Elvis Presley)
Mick Mars - (Motley Crue)

Let the debate begin!

1 Yangwe Malmsteen
2 Jimmy Hendrix
3 Slash
4 Eric Clapton
567 too close to call, 3 way tie
Kurt Kobain
Bob Marley
Prince

Great topic man.....

Slash
Jimmy page
Jimi Hendrix
Tony Iommi
Carlos Santana

Cobain is the only one on your list that I can't make a legitimate argument in favor of. Other than him, great choices!

Absolutely Carlos Santana. Les Paul should be on the list somewhere too. Most of the guitarist mentioned wouldn't have picked up a guitar if it hadn't been for him. Kurt defined an era. Just like Hendrix he came and went far too soon but the genre pretty much evaporated after his death.

Leaving Les Paul off was not easy. Kurt Cobain defining an era may be true, but that doesn't mean it was a good thing. Like I said, all of your other choices are great. I only disagree with that one. That's not to say he wasn't good, but I can't justify ranking him very high. I can, however, despite not liking his music, justify his band's induction into the Hall of Fame last year because of the reasons you list him here.

add robert johnson...

I mean his skill as a lead guitarist. His voice was pretty much the same over his career but the level of his talent writing/creating with the guitar alone before the lyrics even started was... Genius. Maybe the crack and the shotgun wasn't such a good idea but neither was the heroin for Hendrix. *copyright 2015

Ok, + Robert Johnson - 1 soul= screwed.

what....no stevie ray vaughan..?

Considering he influenced BB, he was also hard to leave off my list.

1)jimmy page
2)jimi Hendrix
3)Lemmy
4)Eric Clapton
5)slash

throw some of those pretenders off of your list, and give it up for duane allman one of the all-time greatest ever....

What about John Squires from the stone roses and Angus from ac/dc? Two good guitarists also?

Ernie Isley.
Don't know their names but the leads from RATM and SOAD
were pretty sick too.
Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers and goodnight.

I love Angus, but I can't justify him on a top 5 list. Same for my sentimental favorite, Ace Frehley. I love Ace. Is he a top 5, or even a top 10 guitarist? No way. Slash is someone else I love, and very good, but not top 5. Chet Atkins was hard to overlook, and so was Buck Owens. Stevie Ray and Clapton are also great. An often overlooked guitarist doesn't get the credit he deserves is George Harrison. This debate is endless, but it's fun to have.

if i was talking about your list i would have quoted you....if i don't quote anyone, it is assumed i am speaking to the OP and his list.....when are you gonna get it ?

Dave Gilmour is God

Chet Atkins
Hank Snow


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2qcDlNxK5M

A top 5 isn't easy. I can't make a valid argument against any of the names you've given, except to refer you back to my remarks in the original post. This is completely subjective, but Nancy Wilson doesn't get nearly the credit she deserves. In country, I'll refer you Brad Paisley's "Play" album, or any of the instrumentals he has recorded throughout his career. BB King has influenced so many guitarists of every genre, including some that you've named. Mick Mars is overlooked, and because of the style associated with Motley Crue, people often don't realize just how talented he really is. Have you ever heard him play a solo live? Few can touch him. James Burton is often overlooked, as sidemen often are, because he played for the biggest name in the history of rock and roll. (I don't think Elvis is the real King, but that's another discussion for another thread.) You have no doubt given some great guitarists, and I won't argue that you're wrong, but I will stand by my opinion because this is subjective (even though I tried to remain as objective as possible) and based on personal preferences.