I think the best idea is to go for gear that compliments your already developed technique and style. Don't use something just because it sounds good if it doesn't sound you. And until you do 'know yourself' it's a good idea to practice clean :)

But yeah, there's a lot stuff that effects sound besides technique. They aren't all as important, but they still make a difference. Guitar construction (esp. wood mass and species), strings, pickups, whether or not you use a decent cable, how much you 'attack' the strings, amp eq., tone knobs, input v. output volumes, and god only knows what the limits are when you start using distortion or digital effects.