@IronWord absolutely. You've hit the nail on the head "splitting some fine hairs here"
I totally agree, they sound slightly different but I don't think they are necesserily better or worse - just different and certainly tweakable to get a great result with any of them.
As for the mix. Yes, it is a bit unusual with the bass on one side and guitar on the other. I did it that way because that's how the original Joe Walsh (James Gang) track is actually mixed so as I was copying it including note for note drums and bass I just followed through with the mix perspective too.