Killer tone is ESSENTIAL for making an emotional connection w/ your guitar, amp, inner artist, EVERYTHING. If you hate your tone you'll never really get decent song ideas to come out. As a guitarist myself of 40 years who gravitates to this type of playing, I have to say there is a real relationship you have w/ your "rig". If you can't emotionally connect,,,, Forget it. Get new equipment that can can have a good relationship with!
I met this guy twice, the second time it was in the UK and flipping freezing cold. But he still signed a load of stuff for me. Paul Gilbert = a total legend.