Phil X is a top guitarist and very versatile. That said he is also a classic gun for hire musician, and in my opinion he does not have the guitar voice that Sambora has. However, not being in a massive band and getting lazy has meant he has kept up his craft, so at the moment he is probably more consistent, although Richie can deliver the magic that Phil cannot. Remember, magic is not all technique.

Having wrote that, I am not sure who cares. There are better players than Richie, should they join Bon Jovi too? Surely that is not the point.