I partially agree with sir alex that tone smashes technique..
It's the reason why most of us suffer from gas.. it's that tone searching stuff that we want to reach even if we're not that skilled..
It's also the reason why that kid in PGT got swanget comments from the judges, "nasobrahan sa electric"..
The reason why most of us complain with sound engineers with how they mix and set the sound levels..
Typical novice way of setting up his/her tone, too much gain and treble on a solid state amp
the result, ear-piercing ice pick highs
Having the ear for tone takes experience too, napansin ko sa mga students ko, oks naman mag-gitara but they tend to set-up a horrible tone.