If you think Steve Vai rates that high then we need not even have the discussion.......Stevie Ray Vaughn gets my vote up there with Clapton, Hendrix, Duane Allman and maybe 1 or 2 others......Santana, Beck and Jimmy Page are there too!
Before you slam me for Stevie.....I have seen him live about 10 times and I have seen Beck, Clapton about a dozen times.....never seen better than Stevie Ray and I have seen many of the best around besides those listed. Stevie Ray Vaughn was on a whole different plateau when he played!
For the record I respect your opinions....this is all about what we like personally when you boil it down.