ive said this in the bass place, and i think it would also apply here:
a bass (or guitar) affects your playing more than it affects your sound ... the sound is really dependent on the amp (and effects of course, but thats already being specific).
so if you find a so and so guitar that makes you play the way you want to, then lucky you, you just have the chance to splurge on your sound - the amp, i mean.
IMO, sound is:
guitar - 30% (unlike basses, guitars are usually just a choice between single coil and humbuckers)
amp - 70%
and playability is:
guitar - 95%
amp - 5% (you cant play well, if your amp makes buzzing noises, right?)
as for tone... hehehe, joke lang... baka mapunta na naman to sa fingers vs. budget.