I'd say EVH eclipses all of them. Page? Studio wizard, sloppy guitar player. Hendrix set the standard for the lead role that the electric guitar would play in rock music but his body of work was not extensive. His flame burned bright and fast. He was dead 3 years after Are You Experienced was released. Clapton was musically exhausted by age 26. Everything he released thereafter was mediocre in comparison. Knopfler and Santana are accomplished virtuosos but they didn't revolutionize the instrument the way EVH did. After VH1 was released, everything was different. The bar had been raised. A new standard had been set.
Hendrix established one benchmark. EVH established the second. There's been great players, great music, but these are the two standards in rock guitar.
Thanks appreciate your take. We all like different styles and I’ll give another listen to EVH. Have to admit I followed the rest more than him and the band.
Offered in the true spirit of FR commentary and sharing