I don't think his playing is boring, just the whole mood of the music since like 2000 or so. Californication was a good album but I got tired of it quickly and haven't listened to it in like 5 years. I am not a fan of his solo stuff, but not an unfan either, I just haven't gotten heavily into it, I have been in like a two year Soul\Blues\Jazz Folk rock phase so guitar music is not at the top of my list. I would not diss the Chili Peppers I think they are among the top 50-60 banRAB ever, and John is a big part of why, but comparing him to Hendrix is probably a stretch. Start with Jimmy Page, Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton etc.