Music Banter - Most Iconic Guitar in the History of Rock?

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Most Iconic Guitar in the History of Rock?

As much as I'd love to say something else, probably the Gibson Les Paul Custom. The only obvious competitor that immediately comes to mind is the Fender Strat. It's pretty hard to determine which one made more of a mark. Strats are designed for versatility and are used all over the place, Les Paul Customs kind of strike me as the quintessential rock and roll guitar, two humbuckers, heavy as ****, big beefy neck, they're tanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EPOCH6 (Post 1593534)

As much as I'd love to say something else, probably the Gibson Les Paul Custom.

Agreed, but this is about the marriage between the fiddle and the player.

If we're talking blues the game would be over.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/asset...6ad47c9ac3.jpg

Oh you're asking who's guitar is the most iconic. That's a lot more difficult. Lets start by getting the obvious competitors written in text.

Jimmy Page's Les Paul Standard or double-neck Gibson SG
Jimi Hendrix's Fender Stratocaster
Angus Young's Gibson SG Standard (or Jaydee SG later)
Keith Richard's butterscotch blonde Fender Telecaster
EVH's Frankenstrat

Every other iconic guitar I can think of doesn't stand a chance against the above 5 because they're either too obscure outside of metal or too blues to appeal to rock and roll fans on a wider scale. From the above 5 I think the first to fall would be Keith Richard's Telecaster, unfortunately. After that probably EVH's Strat because it's too personalized and custom for a lot of fans to really identify with, part of what makes guitars iconic and inspirational is having that model accessible to fans, I've never met somebody that primarily plays an EVH signature model clone, I've met countless people who play Les Pauls because Jimmy Page played a Les Paul. Next to fall I believe would be Angus Young's SG, it's extremely iconic, especially since he almost exclusively played SGs, but I can't think of any specific historical moments where people would go "Whoa, that guitar just made history", and while Angus Young's playing style is very unique and famous, it's not inspirational like the remaining options are, it was never mind blowing. Next I think Jimmy Page's Les Paul Standard would overshadow his double-neck SG, the double-neck was kind of an added stage prop, almost gimmicky, it wasn't his primary guitar.

So I think realistically it would always come down to Jimmy Page's Les Paul vs. Jimi Hendrix's Stratocaster. The Les Paul and the Strat are the most iconic guitars in rock and roll, no question, it's like Coke vs. Pepsi, Jimmy Page is probably the most famous Les Paul player, even if he didn't exclusively play Les Pauls, and Jimi Hendrix is almost certainly the most famous Strat player. Now which is more iconic? I think I'd have to go with Jimi Hendrix's Strat. I believe that when most people hear a classic strat sound they immediately associate it with Hendrix, you hear people refer to Strat players as "Hendrix-esque", you hear the riff from Purple Haze or Foxy Lady or All Along the Watchtower and you're hearing the epitome of Strat tone. And while a Strat may not be the ideal rock and roll guitar, even if it is very close, it was a Strat that was center stage during perhaps the most iconic moment in rock and roll history:

http://i.imgur.com/hvU4waG.jpg?1

Great post. Exactly what I was hoping for! Strat vs LP is the bottom line and your argument for best is spot on.

But let's keep it going. You mentioned Keef and Angus.

http://assets.rollingstone.com/asset...7d30d6e055.jpg

http://k06.kn3.net/7E7BEA360.jpg

A few more.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m...ve2_edited.jpg

http://www.takegreatpictures.com/app...ert-pictur.jpg

https://queenphotos.files.wordpress....n-late-70s.png

For better or worse, everyone knows the Gibson Flying V is everything that is rock 'n' roll, metal especially.

http://img.guitarchina.com/img2012/0504wj1/49.jpg

Not the most iconic but it's pretty any way. John McLaughlin and his 'Double Rainbow'.

http://cdo.seymourduncan.com/blog/wp...johnnymac1.jpg

The Double Rainbow Guitar

Generally speaking, I agree it's either strat or les paul with telecaster not far behind. I'd vote for the strat. To me, it's basically the electric guitar.

As for specific iconic guitars, I don't really know. A lot of the music which makes a great impression on me might not make such an impression on the majority of others. But I know that I badly want a Gibson SG "Roxy", like what Frank Zappa had customized and played in the 70s.

http://www.premierguitar.com/ext/res...16ede98590.JPG

http://www2.gibson.com/Images/Produc...410&width=1000

Iconic to me at least :) Gibson were making these signature models or what you'd call it, but I don't think they're producing them at the moment.

Can't stand Van Halen but I think I'd say that his guitar takes the cake since it's so unique.

Not rock, but Willie Nelson's guitar is pretty iconic too, mostly because badass and I want to steal it from him.

http://media.nu.nl/m/m1mxc72ajgwv_std320.jpg