I like to think that somewhere in there, I've been both. And when this gig is up, I'll go back to being better than either one.

Doesn't make any sense to bitch about what you happen to be in this HereAndNow©, does it? I mean, it hardly matters once your equipment rots off. And if your "residual self-image" (a good way to put it, BTW) happens to differ from your equipment, maybe that just makes you really empathetic...