Elusive sound to get (it seems)

I have been trying to get the ultimate country (chicken pickin) sound for quite a time now. I think that i have the right gear but, still not satified. I have a Strat and a Tele, using a 4-10 hotrod De Ville amp. I am using a compressor-sustainer and a 9 band eq but, when my band has a gig, I get that too transparent sound. I tried to turn back the attack and sustain, then it is too dry. i try to turn up the amp with the compressor then it's too loud on stage, turn down and can't hear it. I like the way the rig sounds well enough when I pracitce at home when I don't have other instrumentation. Any suggestions or input would be greatly apreciated.