If you take the instrument in it’s most basic form, ……… the acoustic guitar. (And the only way to actually judge an instrument, is if it can be played acoustically.) If it can't be played acoustically, it's a "device", not an instrument.

It’s the ONLY instrument that you can take anywhere, without amplification or effects, and play something that actually sounds like a band, in the style of blues, classical, country, rock, pop, jazz, folk, bluegrass, alternative rock, alternative country, ………….. and the list goes on.

It’ll still be around after all of us are long gone. Whether any us like it or not, the guitar is the “King” of the instruments, especially if you take into account portability and what people want to hear. If you dismiss portability, piano gets the top spot.

Sorry to say it, but after guitar and piano, all other instruments have a "supporting" role. They aren't the "primary" instruments people want to hear.

Bob
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http://soundcloud.com/bobcflatpicke/music-in-the-mountains