Our Guitar Guide to the United States is a map highlighting the large array of memorable guitarists, manufacturers, and other significants landmarks that have helped shape music universally. Take a look at what your state or city has produced. You can click on the map to see the full size image and read below for more information on each point of interest.
Alabama: Country music legend Hank Williams Sr. got his big start working in Montgomery.
Arizona: Scottsdale is the current headquarters of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
Arkansas: Albert King was raised and started performing in Arkansas before moving on and picking up his Gibson Flying V.
California: San Diego County is home to both Taylor and Carvin guitars. Southern California can also claim rock guitar gods Eddie Van Halen and Slash. Thrash Metal legends James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, and Dave Mustaine were also raised in the Golden State. The Bay Area lays claim to the guitar jams of Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, Jim Dunlop Manufacturing, and Mesa/Boogie
Colorado: Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the most stunning venues in the U.S. to see a rock concert.
Florida: Southern Rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd formed in Jacksonville.
Georgia: Macon was the home to the Allman Brothers Band and Capricorn Records. The college town of Athens produced REM’s Peter Buck and the distinctive sound of his Rickenbacker guitar.
Illinois: Chicago is one of the great blues hubs of America. Chess and Cobra records featured blues legends like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Otis Rush, and Bo Diddley.
Indiana: Jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery was born in Indianapolis and became known for the unique tone he could create by playing with his thumb.
Iowa: On February 3, 1959 a plane carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper crashed outside of Clear Lake.
Kansas: Before she had a platinum album and a signature 12 string Ovation guitar, Melissa Etheridge was born and raised in Leavenworth.
Louisiana: The “Master of the Telecaster”, James Burton, developed his chicken pickin style in the Shreveport area as a teenager.
Maryland: Paul Reed Smith’s popular brand of guitars is based in Stevensville.
Massachusetts: Guitarists Joe Perry and Brad Whitford created classic rock guitar lines as part of Aerosmith in Boston.
Michigan: In 1902, Gibson Guitars was founded in Kalamazoo.
Minnesota: Through all of his antics, Prince still manages to amaze fans with his amazing guitar work.
Mississippi: Nobody knows for sure what happened at the crossroads, but Robert Johnson definitely influenced American guitar forever. The Delta Blues produced many other legends like Howlin’ Wolf, Son House, and Elmore James.
Missouri: Rock and Roll pioneer Chuck Berry and Alvarez Guitars both call St. Louis home.
Nevada: With his song, movie, and performances, Elvis helped establish Las Vegas as one of the United States’ entertainment capitals.
New Jersey: Rock anthems poured out of Bruce Springsteen and the Garden State.
New Mexico: John Denver was born in New Mexico before becoming a high profile Colorado resident.
New York: Gretsch and Guild Guitars were both started in the New York City area. Long Island greats Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and John Petrucci have performed together as part of the G3 Tour.
North Carolina: James Taylor lived in Chapel Hill before his fingerpicking style produced hits like “Fire and Rain”.
Ohio: There is no shortage of famous guitars on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
Oklahoma: Tulsa’s J.J. Cale penned guitar classics like “After Midnight” and “Cocaine”.
Oregon: Get a handcrafted Breedlove guitar from the workshop in Bend.
Pennsylvania: Nazareth houses the headquarters and factory for Martin Guitars. Jazz legends George Benson and Joe Pass were both raised in the state.
Tennessee: A trip to Nashville allows you to experience history at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, and Music Row. Beale Street, B.B. King, and Sun Records contribute to the Memphis tradition of blues and rockabilly.
Texas: Blues greats T-Bone Walker and Stevie Ray Vaughan, country icon Willie Nelson, and metal guitarist Dimebag Darrell are just a few of the Lonestar State’s legendary guitarists.
Utah: Digitech and their line of effects pedals are headquartered in Sandy.
Vermont: Trey Anastasio inspired a new generation of jam guitarists as a member of Phish
Virginia: Dave Matthews and his percussive acoustic style started in Charlottesville.
Washington: Jimi Hendrix was the first of many guitar legends who would call Seattle home.
West Virginia: Country picker Brad Paisley was raised in Glen Dale.
Wisconsin: Les Paul, who was born in Waukesha, helped give birth to the electric solid-body guitar.