The other day I found out by accident why Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley's guitar sound has always been so awesome. He doesn't just pick the strings, he also gives them a swipe with his thumb. That maneuver doubles the impact and seriously fattens the sound.
But take heart, all you guitarists who couldn't write a cool guitar solo to save your mother, this is what Ace looks like now, even after plastic surgery, hair plugs, etc., that's right, he looks like a Hells Angel Beanie Baby.