OK so this post is not designed to upset anyone however here is my 2c.

I think it helps to understand why things sound the way they do and what will happen if I turn this knob or push that button.

Once you have that down it helps you when you are listening to someone's playing. "Ah yes... slide with a little phase".

One way to practice getting a particular sound is to mimic what you hear.

I also think that this whole "finding you own tone" thing is anything other than important. I think it is just more music industry BS designed to sell guitarists more "stuff" (like that is hard !!).

Find kit you like and enjoy playing.... and play it. After that it is up to your brain and fingers !!

Sure a twangy strat through a solid state pre sounds whey different from a PRS through a Boogie wound up to 10, but so what. Is using a different amp / guitar to get a particular sound any different from turning a pedal on or off or sending your signal through a plug in on a computer ?