I play. It's almost indefinable. My son and I own identical guitars. Mines a couple of years newer. Dillion ripoffs of PRS guitars. His played like a dream so I went and found one for myself when I started playing electric again. Here's the deal, mine sounds better. The differences are very subtle, but are there.

Real players can get whatever they want out of about any axe. It's more about the fingers than the guitar.

I also think with the old stuff the quality of the wood was so much better in the 40's and 50's. The body composition does change the tone of an electric, just not as much as an acoustic. You just can't acquire the kind of lumber they took for granted.

Also, tube amps absolutely smoke solid state, if you're looking for nice sound. Solid state is fine for ultradistorted.