I'm not taking sides on this, but -

A lot more people than Buddy Holly were playing Stratocasters.

Hendrix insisted on playing a RH Strat upside down. Fender kept trying to give him new LH models, but he always sent them back because they didn't sound right.

Hendrix's no.2 guitar was a 1957 Gibson Flying V - this was a major force behind Gibson re-issuing this model.

If Buddy Holly had been playing on a Kay he bought in Woolworths for $15 he would still sound unique, distinctive and original!

Les Paul's guitar playing was a major influence on Richie Blackmore, a Strat murderer of the first water.

Steve-o is a banjo player (and it ain't but got three strings)