The point I was trying to make is that you'll never GET that tone without the technique. I know it's frustrating but it's also true.
IMO, besides the obvious right hand finger picking/flat picking style/musical theory approach, and ability to swing, I'd say the first three pieces of gear on the list have got to be a guitar with active electronics and a middle pup, played through a Fender Twin (blackface) with a nice plate reverb, and a JBL speaker. Everything else beyond that gets you closer and closer to the tone.
I started with a strat that has EMG active single coils played through a silverface Twin, and I thought it was a very good start. Then I developed my tone-changing relationship with Waldo. First upgrade was to switch out the Twin's EV 12Ls for a JBL E120 and the tone got much closer. Next, I blackfaced the Twin and did some other mods including the preamp tap. My first amp was a Mosvalve--closer still. The MC2100 has gotten me even closer still. I also upgraded my guitar by first finding a guitar that felt good for me and that had some room for modifications. The axe of choice for me is the PRS S24. I modded the axe first with the Wald TPCsm1 buffer and the OBEL, middle pup, and Super II's. It has taken time and $, but its been super gratifying to put the rig together.
Finally, your guitar and rig have got to be functional for you--my rig just feels super comfortable for me. This way when I'm playing in the band, I can focus on the music.
We haven't addressed effects. For me, top of the list of effects for Jerry's 80's and on tone is the OBEL and an overdrive effect--I use an MXR Series 2000 and an OD-1 (and the other standard Jerry effects--octave, envelope, phase, and delay).
Jerry!!