hi, i have found that alot of your speed comes from the right hand. paul gilbert once said in a video i have of him that you can only play as fast as your picking hand, this makes alot of sense, somthing to try and im not saying this is wright for everyone but it realy helped me with speed, go out and buy some stylus picks, this have hardly no friction and allow total movement without drag and you will imediately see a difference, but they will not make up for lack of practice or lack of knowing what to play, as far as making your solos sound better you just realy need to spend alot of time to solo over different progressions and mix modes together, to be honest there is no magic involved here its just taking your time to practice and paying your dues just ike all the big guys did, there is no overnite remedy.but personnally in my opinion the stylus picks have helped some of my students that i teach alot. so good luck and practice practice practice, you can never do it to much.