Jerry, I agree with you. Sal Salvadore for sure. Kenny Burrell. Billy Bauer, (less known with Lennie Tristano). There are so many incredible players on electric guitar. Of course Martin Taylor and Diz Disley. And for sure Frank Vignola as well as Howard Aldin.

Yes, virtuoso was the question. Who was the Paganinni of guitar?
Probably Segovia with Diaz and Bream close by. Paganinni, himself as well since he put down his fiddle for a while to become a great classical guitarist.

Rick Ruskin along with Duck Baker. Chet and Merle and Guy Van Duser and Pat Donahue.

Doc, Clarence White, Tony Rice, David Bromberg,.....

In rock, Van Halen, Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Page, Clapton.............

A question like this has to be qualified but since we've mentioned so many, I think we've covered it pretty well.

There are probably a great many who never get out of their small towns or venues that we don't know about.

Now the question is what of these virtuosos could be classified as
great musicians and by whose standards?

I believe there is a genetic disposition for "chops". There are those who have incredible fingers that are made for virtuosity. It's not just a function of practice. Some of these might or might not make enjoyable listening but the same skills that a surgeon or maybe a watch-maker might be useful in guitar. Some of it is biology and genetics.

In the case of Paganinni, he had outsized hands that were attributable to a medical condition (sometimes described as a disease) similar to elephantitus. As a result he was able to
invent incredibly difficult virtuoso pieces and play them easilly while other violinists still struggle to get them right.

Frank