You're right, Nigel...at least to me,it's way more about ability and heart than the type of equipment.
Often, someone asks specifics about recording equipment used on a commercial project, EQ, compression, settings on amplification, and mostly, I don't remember or never new.
Zappa was a real innovator in many ways. He was totally committed to his art and using it to make real statements about his philosophies, the state of the world, etc.
He made the world a better and more interesting place. He was a major contributor to our culture. And, his body of work prooves that music matters, across the spectrum.
Russ