casual observer here - Yep i don't think anyone has suggested tuning to a chord as a good idea from what i've read, i think it was used as an example to show that
IF you did that, then the 'same' chords played elsewhere on the guitar will sound different, so in essence you're agreeing with each other.
had a feeling this thread, well intended as it is would get a lil' messy! as its a topic that so many can contribute their experiences to without much ability to weed out the fudge!
so can i politely suggest you good chaps put down your beautifully intonated axes and 700years of guitar playing experience and stay on target for the good of reaperkind?
i for one echo the suggestion already made of using tape sim/saturation after a digital amp sim to help reduce the digital fizz of ampsims -
I also recall our old buddy Tedwood raving about some light compression used before the amp head too. his fx chains are/were pretty cool and explained the idea behind it since they were uh.. fx chains.
acmebargigs redshift pickupreplacer did nice job on my dodgy pickups to clean up source sound too btw.
carry on!
t