Well, valid points maybe there is (at least) one more dimension to it:
- sure "ears" change, but..."shine on you crazy diamond" on an F-style guitar+clean amp still sounds great - no matter what
- definitely, since I have really good gear...all improved...also the playing. If only all learners had access to high grade guitars and amps...
+ the sound of your guitars also does change: I got some now...about 30 year old guitars (electric Ibanez and acoustic Yamaha) and they have built up better sustain, sound louder (with no amp).
I would assume the wood just gets "better with age". So...advise is to keep the "reasonable" quality guitars.
I was also able to test/own a brand new ES-345 and a 38 year old one. With no amp attached, the new one sounded "disappointing" (tin can, just very trebly).
So the PRS approach of drying/preparing the wood seems to work a lot better.
Still, I assume there is a lot of "great stuff" in mid-priced models (of all kinds) once they are about 15 - 20 years old.
Have fun trying...
PS: Agree that some days exactly same kit/amp settings sounds strangely differently. Then there are the days were "anything goes" > use them well.