I think what is being discussed is rather common. When players start they use all the gain they can coax out of their rigs. It's addictive stuff. But as you get older and start caring about how you sound you get more into articulation. Once you get away from the gain you find out how bad your playing sucks and you get serious about playing.
I also find I like brighter woods. I love ebony boards even though lots of people hate them.
I to find myself firmly planted in the strat camp, though I do love bridge humbuckers.
One final thing the players who tones I tend to want the most tend to not be very distorted ,Ty Tabor and Tom Morello are prime examples.