you have to be a reasonably skilled player to understand what a really good guitar is so it's a journey of both player and guitar.
I found 2 holy Grail guitars I recently did a count I've owned 84 different guitars in 22 years, so I'm about 1 to 2% hit rate.
It took a long time to filter through mediocre guitars, mediocre pickups, and mediocre playing. I really learned that I do not get along with Stratocaster's.
I personally identified the parameters that were the most important for excellent tone for me. And good playability. Looks were secondary but still desirable if possible.
About 3 years ago I made a list. saying I have to stop buying 2 or 3 guitars per year just by 1 or 2 and stick with it. I know what I want.
The guitar must have
1. Jumbo frets, I cannot play minor 7th barre chords unless I have jumbo frets, and helps all aspects of my playing. bending and barre chords
2. Nitro finish, many years ago I finally pulled the trigger on the Fender custom shop 63 telecaster with Nitro, there was no turning back it is my 1st holy Grail guitar. the string dynamics picking dynamics were remarkable for me. lightbulb finally went off. OMG.
3. Single coil or splitable PAF, I stumbled across the bareknuckle mules many years ago, seems like the only satisfying humbucker after trying all 30 on the market, the alnico IV magnets get rid of all the mushiness of alnico II's. and are just remarkable single coil splits.
4. String through body, or stoptail wraparound, after owning 10 different Les Paul's and even the 594 I just do not like the string dynamics of a 2 piece bridge.
5. I really seem to prefer the PRS 24.5 inch scale, or the telecaster,
6. Lightweight guitars, 7.5 pounds or less.... my custom shop telecaster is hand selected lightweight alder 6.4 pounds, unbelievable sustain and picking dynamics.
but my number 1 holy Grail find with upgrades is a 2009 Ted McCarty double cut Limited edition 24.5 inch scale with nitro finish and jumbo frets.
I put the mann-made bridge on their, after deep testing multiple head-to-heads the one piece aluminum has less clarity on string attack the man-made adjustable saddles is a superior bridge for hearing individual strings ring out.
bareknuckle mules alnico IV uncovered also beat out the slightly mushy 57/08, coil splits are to die for.
I've nicknamed the guitar Scarlett.
It seems to do everything possible, I can make it sound like a telecaster I can make it sound like a Les Paul I can make it sound like a Stratocaster, the bending of notes and picking dynamics are out of the world with the nitro finish in the short scale. I've stop looking at other women, I mean other guitars.
Scarlett,..... clearly the most exquisite pieces of wood available are contributing to the mind blowing tone. the mahogany is beautiful 7.2 pounds sustains amazing, I've let several others play it absolutely the 1st thing they remark about it just goes and goes and goes with open chords. holy Grail equals religious experience?
the Maple top reminds me of the graveyard series PRS did. three-dimensional Maple flame.
wraparound stop tail 24.5 inch scale remarkable picking dynamics soft rubbery strings, for bending, dynamics, vibrato, you definitely have to learn a delicate touch but it's rewarding.
the Brazilian Rosewood is so smooth rich dense high quality, I'm in heaven about 2/100 hit rate.