For the avoidance of doubt, I'm not of those people that still bemoan that Eric Clapton is no longer playing his Firebird or SG from Cream days - I believe that, say, Blackmore, Brian May, Jeff Beck, Billy Gibbons, Uli Jon Roth, Carlos Santana and Steve Vai would all still sound like themselves even if they played one and the same guitar over the same amp right before your eyes in your living room. A workable guitar, talent and experience will take you a long way.