That might be, Ace, because at the time there was no boutique pedal market. That's like saying none of my favorite cool jazz-era musicians used Marshalls.
I've been told by a few musicians that are extremely skilled that I have both great tone and killer chops. To quote the bassist I jammed with last week, "When did you (Agileguy) get so good at soloing?" I don't say this to stoke my ego or impress anyone, I just offer it as proof that skill and boutique pedals do not exist completely independently.
But perhaps I may be the exception rather than the rule.