That's a fine point bardsley- however my feeling is that if it's a magazine devoted to the guitar, then it should reflect this in it's content. A top 20 solo list for example should choose it's solos based on the merit (not necessarily just speed) of the instrument in that song, for things such as melody and phrasing and yes, technique too. If they want a "most popular solos" list, then they ought to call it that. I guess it all comes down to whether guitar world is a magazine devoted to the instrument or more like a music magazine like Rolling Stone or something.

I subscribe to guitar world, and yeah it definately caters to new-age metallers and such, but it does try to balance with worthwhile stuff on the instrument.