I can only agree with the "use whatever tone you like" mentality up to the point where you start working with other musicians regularly or you wish to start recording. If you're just playing for your own enjoyment at home, then it really doesn't matter what kind of sound you are getting, because nobody else is gonna hear it and it doesn't have to balance with anything. But if you are going to start working in a live band situation, or trying to record guitars to be placed into a mix, then having a tone that works with the other components is essential, if you want to do it well. One of the best ways to know if the tones you are getting will work is under "battle conditions," either at a live gig, or if that's not possible, in a rehearsal situation with acoustic drums and a bass player. You will know fairly quickly if the tones that appeal to you at that point are standing on their own or getting swallowed whole by the other instruments. If the former is the case, then the tonal details of your sound become a matter of taste. However, if you're getting lost in the mix, then you know you have some homework to do on pulling a sound.
Remember, there are tens of thousands of guitarists who can play really well. I have learned that talent is not that rare a thing. However, the numbers get weeded out when it comes to guys who have the playing ability, but also know how to run their equipment in an effective way, and can readily pull great tones that work in a band environment. The notion that an audience is not moved by great tone is a fallacy. They may not be able to explain or describe it in detail, but they will be moved by a band with a great sound and great balance, without ever having to know why. The work we do on the sounds that we are producing is equally as important as the time we spend on our playing ability. Those who disagree are probably not under any pressure to produce a finished result, which is a combination of what we play and how it sounds when we play it. Again, if it's just for the bedroom, it can sound like a can of bees for all intents and purposes, because it is of no consequence. But if it is going to be mic'd up and sent through a PA system to be balanced into a mix, or sent to a recording system to be balanced into a mix, then it really matters. A great guitar player with a crap sound is really just a crap sound being sent into the ether. A good guitar player with a great sound will generally get the gig ahead of the first guy.
The first premise which needs to be let go of is that we already know, because we have convinced ourselves. We don't know until we have heard and felt the results of our tone search as they interact favorably with other instruments. Only then can we assess if we are on the right path. From there, improvement is about being open to new ideas, suggestions, equipment and approaches. It is an invaluable journey and learning experience for anyone who aspires to be a musician.
Cheers..........................wahwah
