newer string helps too ^__^
True, but a categorical difference is not due to a week older set of strings. Only nuances.
Trying to solve this problem I have went through Elixir, Ernie Balls, NYXL and finally now DR DDT. And different gauges. None of them removed the problem, whether they were brand new or they had been there for months.
Strings, age of strings, fingers, pick, pickups... yes, all of them have an effect. But I feel that categorically they are just bringing flavor. They don't mean anything if the gear doesn't work properly. There's no way to play or EQ your way out of a deficient piece of gear.
My guitar is deficient, the strings just don't ring and the wood just doesn't resonate as it should. I have no way to explain it to myself how it has taken me years to reach this conclusion! I feel utterly embarrassed. I have blamed Kemper, tweaked kemper, changed strings, changed pickups, changed to SPDIF, reinforced my floyd rose springs, dampened the springs, dampened the strings beyond nut, sorted intonation, I have brought it to storekeepers for a listen... and all this time the answer has been sitting on my lap! But as I have said, I have learned a lot about sound.