I've been just listening to a bunch of CDs & other references I've kept in the past and for the first time I can hear that over compression that people often talk about, that gives that muffled vibe. I've just listened to some of my stuff too & I hear the same problem. I've gotta tell ya, not much sounds good to me anymore. I'm really confused as to what direction to go from here. It seems like you always have to compromise, it's either more body & shitload of compression or scooped body ala Tool vibe.
Just pulled out the Toxicity CD, boy does that Marshall/Mesa combo sound good! Probably the best recorded guitar sound to my ear.