I think it's important to understand that making music with a guitar and appreciating fine instruments are two completely different things and one does not necessarily have any bearing on the other.
That is so well said, and I love both aspects of being in the guitar world, but they are two completely different highs. It is always a privilege to have someone come up to you after they hear you play live and complement you on your playing. But the joy of setting with a fellow tone chaser and comparing guitars, amps, speakers, tubes, etc., that is the reason forums like this exist. Unfortunately on the forums we can only discuss this stuff in sonic adjectives. My hope for everyone is that they have the opportunity to have someone in their life that they can have the physical experience of hanging with like J45. And for all us old farts that have a house full of great gear we need to make sure to teach the young people in our lives that there really is a difference in how this stuff sounds.
I do love the forum!