Great discussion thread wazkelly, very interesting read.

Can I add another factor, from the perspective of someone who's played plenty of 4+ hour gigs. Weight.

I do love my Tele and will use it for the original band gigs. However, when I played in Country and Bush bands, the gigs would go for 3 or 4 sets over 4 or more hours. Then I'd grab my Gretsch Jet Pro, which is semi-hollow and super lightweight. Doesn't sound, play or feel anywhere near as good as the Tele, but in the last set I'm not needing physiotherapy on my left shoulder.

Of course, now that DB has made me that stunning GR-1SF, that is my go to guitar.