Electric guitar pilgrimage

Coming into work one Monday morning in November 1996, I strolled by a small exhibit case and noticed that something wasn’t quite right. The case was very familiar to me because it was part of the Lemelson Center’s newly-opened exhibition, From Frying Pan to Flying V: The Rise of the Electric Guitar and I was the co-curator of the show. On closer inspection I discovered that indeed something had been added, or I should say some things—specifically, 7 guitar picks littered the floor of the case. With eyes only half open before my customary morning cup of coffee, I scratched my head and wondered: How did those get there?

Prince's "Yellow Cloud" guitar.

Eventually, I realized that museum visitors had slipped them through the miniscule cracks between the case’s glass doors, apparently leaving them as offerings to honor iconic instruments (including a loaned first edition 1954 Fender Stratocaster) and beloved musicians such as Prince, represented by his 1989 “Yellow Cloud” guitar from the music collections. It turns out that this wasn’t an isolated incident; we found more guitar pick offerings throughout the show’s run. I also stumbled upon a man literally on his knees in front of a case featuring early instruments including the 1931 prototype of the Rickenbacker “Frying Pan,” the first commercially successful electric guitar. Reverently, the man turned to me and proclaimed: “This, to me, is the Holy Grail of electric guitars.”

This aspect of museum exhibits as pilgrimage sites can be amusing but it is also inspirational. The power of the object, the “real thing,” is reflected in the awed reactions of visitors—from the young visitor who runs excitedly to a case saying “look, Mom, look!” to these anonymous donors of guitar picks who felt compelled to leave behind an extension of themselves (or at least their guitar-playing fingers). Although the Lemelson Center’s electric guitar exhibition closed in 1997, its complementary Web site lives on, and I continue to receive e-mails that attest to the personal meaning and educational impact of the research we share with the public. The powerful personal connections made between individuals of all ages and the millions of artifacts we collect, research, and display are why I love to work at the National Museum of American History, and are reminders why museums play an important role in our society.

Currently a few notable instruments from the museum’s guitar collection are displayed in the artifact wall on the second floor near the Welcome Center. Please come and visit, but don’t leave your guitar picks behind!

Monica Smith is Exhibition Program Manager for the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History.

Comments

[AndyC]

For some reason when I was at my grandmother's funeral almost 30 years ago I took a pick out of my pocket and placed it in her coffin. I haven't thought of that for years. I was wondering if anyone has heard of a display of unique guitar or instrument cases. I am trying to put together a history of cases and have not had much success searching on-line.

[Matt]

Prince's guitar is definitely gorgeous.

I hadn't heard of the custom of leaving picks as tribute before. Is that a common phenomenon at guitar exhibits?

[Tod Woodward]

Nice article. I love the idea of leaving picks behind as a small tribute. To see them I imagine you would wonder what kind of guitar geniuses have anonymously flicked the pick. One will never know.

[Tony]

The yellow Prince guitar is pretty wild, but I don't think as progressive or as daring as his 'symbol' guitar. Click the above link to the exhibition, enlarge the first photo (top left photo) and there's a black and white photo of Prince with that guitar. Or...just Google it : ). There are some amazing luthiers out there.

[Tom Boyd]

I'd love to go and see these guitars. The yellow guitar looks so unique and stylish.

[Eric]

That Prince guitar is awesome! Pity we don't get to see him online that much. He has something against the internet!

[guitar lessons]

The yellow guitar looks so artistic.

[Joe]

Excellent article and just goes to prove how important music has been and continues to be throughout human history. Guitar rock (pun intended!) and always will.

[Doug]

Thank you for the Lemelson Center’s electric guitar exhibition online link. I'm always looking for sites to send my guitar students to. This one is definitely on my list.

Thanks, Doug

[Rex Turner]

As a guitar player over the years, I just simply love guitars. The variety of them. The different custom contraptions that famous guitar players will collect. Sometimes adoring fans even give the guitars to them. Can't say that I am into "praying" to them. I would have like to have seen that exhibit and was glad to get the link to the Lemelson Center website.

Thanks, Rex

[Eric]

Wow that's really cool. I've always loved the rickenbacker electro-hawaiian. I'd love to play one, but I'm not sure I'd go so far as praying to it!

[Alex]

Wow, it's stunning to see how far people would go just for guitars.

[Larry J Durdines]

Guitar players leave picks on graves in cemeterys and even in caskets with the dead. I have seen this done and have done this myself several times with musician friends who had passed on. I don't know if they were removed before the casket was finally closed , I hope not.

[Claire Lenenski]

I love this. I had this feeling when I visited the Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time, but witnessing the diehard fans in front of some of their favorite players' belongings was all the more priceless.