Depends I suppose on what we mean by “excellence?”
Take for example the old Folkways Records artists from the 1940’s. None of them sang in tune, or had any training or “technique.” Few of them were adept at their instruments. None of the recordings consist of anything approaching what we now call “high fidelity.” And yet, they are most definitely wonderful recordings (for me, anyway).
IMHO we modern musico’s – especially the crusaders on gearslutz – are far too wrapped up in “fidelity” and “virtuosity” and other such things. It’s like how some people, including on this board, feel that Chuck Berry sucks compared to Paul Gilbert. I LOVE both of them. Gilbert IS far more skilled. I don’t look at that as being “better”, however.