For the 4th, what is the most "American" guitar?

[sunvalleylaw]

What guitar do you think of first when you think of an "American" guitar? Either due to who performed with it, who made it? Etc.? If you vote other, please list the guitar and say why.

1. Strat: "Come on, it is the most iconic and recognized shape for years!"

2. Tele: "You kidding? What is more American than a tele, from twang to session musicians to Springsteen. Get outta here!"

3. Les Paul: "Named for the inventor and musician, prolific, rocks, what else do you say?

4. Rick: "Bring that American sound. Always original. What is more American?"

5. Gretsch: "roots sounds from day one."

6. 335: "Voice of the American invention, the blues."

7. Martin or other acoustic Flattop: "Guthrie, Dylan, Willie, even Andy Griffith. Let's be honest, a flat top is the original sound of American folk and popular music."

8. Other:


Take or leave my notes and vote for your own reasons. Happy 4th!

[Spudman]

http://www.edroman.com/featured/images/Stars%20&%20Stripes%20guitars%20small.jpg

I'm going to say Tele. It reeks Americana.

[guitartango]

Bye bye American Pie.... This is your 4th of July Guitar


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MgvSV8FXGM/TmfoRJNcQnI/AAAAAAAABpU/vNQKbXhzAcE/s1600/Buddy_Holly_General_Publicity_Image_credit_Popperf oto_GettyImages_20110428_83200.jpg

[Katastrophe]

Can't vote. They all are iconic shapes, and create iconic sounds, and they are all American... They all had a hand in shaping rock n' roll, a uniquely American invention. So, if I had to vote, I would vote for all of them.

[sunvalleylaw]

Yeah, as I wrote the list, I was surprised how all the common guitars we think of are of American origin. Rock on America!

[R_of_G]

I'd say it's this one in particular for me...

http://ridinglunch.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/20060417-woodyguthrie-killingfascists.jpg?w=500

[Tig]

I'd say it's this one in particular for me...

http://ridinglunch.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/20060417-woodyguthrie-killingfascists.jpg?w=500

The original Woody Guthry Signature Model! :socool

I just happen to be watching "Bound For Glory" while working from home tonight. I haven't seen it since it first came out. My Dad and I was staying in an old hotel in Crested Butte, CO, and saw it in the local theater. A perfect setting. I appreciate the story now, much more than when I was 13.

[hubberjub]

Jimi playing the Star Spangled Banner on a Strat is pretty damn American to me.

[wingsdad]

Late for this July 4th Party....
In terms of iconic shape or model, I wouldn't argue with Fender's Strat in the hands of Buddy Holly or Jimi. but there'd be no Strat without Leo's Tele that preceded it.
But I'd posit that there'd have probably been no Fenders, Gibsons or any clones of them had it not been for the Rickenbacker 'Frying Pan' that spawned their development.
And there may not have even been that had it not been for the original Dobro that inspired it.
I voted for Rickenbacker, because they were the first American electric guitar that ignited the birth of everything that followed it.
And it's still true to it's American Roots. Ain't no Ricks made anywhere but in the USA.
Read the Rickenbacker History (http://www.rickenbacker.com/history_early.asp) and perhaps you'll agree?