The irony being that some of the most innovative guitar building of the past 50 years has been incorporated into classical guitars. There is something wonderful about hearing Tarrega played on an instrument with carbon fiber reinforced lattice bracing or a sandwich top. Features that, if Martin were to fully embrace them, would make a sizable portion of forum guitarists blanch.
Better is the enemy of best. As any invention is developed, it becomes more difficult to make meaningful improvements. Even simple things, such as a shovel, can be improved upon. but the improvements are incremental once the basic art is established.
That is akin to a circular definition... "the Tele is a great guitar therefore a great guitar is a Tele."
Let me first start by saying that Leo Fender was a true genius. He never put his name on a guitar that wasn't his design or inspiration. Secondly Les Paul never invented the guitar that eventually would bear his name nor did he design it. He didn't have any input on it! They showed him to the door calling him "The guy with the broomstick" when he showed them the atrocity that he cobbled together from an acoustic guitar with home made pickups in it. This was a few years before they introduced what is now known as the Les Paul. It was originally called the "Gibson Standard Model" at that time. Once Les Paul began making it big and everyone started to take notice Gibson they then ate their words and signed him as fast as they could to sell their "new baby" to the public.That is akin to a circular definition... "the Tele is a great guitar therefore a great guitar is a Tele."
It is more a lack of creativity and originality in the guitar community.
Les Paul was always tinkering with strange guitars. He loved being in the shop. And he didn't quit when Gibson started making his eponymous guitar.
Look at some the the marvelously weird instruments Steve Vai has built and the marvelously weird sounds he makes.
It's not hard to see that there are very few people like Les Paul or Steve Vai,
I’m not suggesting that a Tele is the only good example of a solidbody electric. It is, however, a great guitar which has been a viable choice for over 70 years. The Strat was supposed to replace the Telecaster, but the market demand for Teles remained, and Teles have remained in production. A Tele and a Strat are two separate and distinct designs; both great instruments, but each with a distinct personality.That is akin to a circular definition... "the Tele is a great guitar therefore a great guitar is a Tele."
It is more a lack of creativity and originality in the guitar community.
Les Paul was always tinkering with strange guitars. He loved being in the shop. And he didn't quit when Gibson started making his eponymous guitar.
Look at some the the marvelously weird instruments Steve Vai has built and the marvelously weird sounds he makes.
It's not hard to see that there are very few people like Les Paul or Steve Vai,
What is the source for that? I’ve seen plenty of articles indicating that he had a good bit of input.
It’s always been my understanding that Gibson brought their solid body design to Les Paul, pretty much as a completed design. Les agreed to have it called the Les Paul model, and signed on as an endorser, but had little, if any input to the design.
I tend to think that, rather than the perfect solid body guitar, what Fender actually created a whole new market. Just look at how quickly Gibson and Gretsch jumped into solid body production.
I would say that the market has shown a great appreciation for the Tele. It’s certainly not the only good design, but fact that it has remained viable in the market for over 70 years speaks loudly. Actually, Teles have seen improvement, over the years, but basic design features, such as the bridge design and pickup arrangement.
