How Many Guitars is Enough?

I'm getting close to 20 ... and still have a list of possibilities, cuz no Dano, no Hofner, neither LP nor Jr, Johnny A no way, no L5, Moserite is wrong, nada Zematis, Gretsch-me-not, no Benny by gosh, no dreaded HD-28, less than righteous Ric-wise, no Turner, doubting Lowden, no Collings -- so many shortfalls!

Poetry man ...poetry 8)

I still have to find my first HH solid body, i know i've been going on about this for quite a while now but, there are soooo many distractions.
i should start another thread i quess.

I'm in the 2-5 club

1 Korean LP type electric
1 pawn shop special acoustic, containing plenty of my labour to make it playable.

And my grandmother's mandolin, currently pending restoration. No name or markings on it anywhere. As near as I can tell, it's a between-the-wars, bought from a catalog type.
It sounds not to bad for what it is, but I don't keep it tuned up until I get a major crack in the back properly fixed.

I've never really been a big collector - unless you count books and CDs - but guitars and general musical paraphernalia seems to have got under my skin.

I'm a big music collector too (CDs as well, although if I had a record player I'd probably collect records too :lol: ). I don't consider myself a guitar "collector" however because I play guitar and I use all my guitars often: I don't know, for some reason when I think of someone as a "guitar collector", i picture a non-guitar player with alot of money and a bunch of guitars hanging on the wall.

Chris C. asks:
Is your partner a collector too? (Receipts perhaps?.... :wink:)

Not at all! My husband's idea of collecting is gathering up and taking out the trash. :? Oddly enough, however, he does collect ALL receipts and files them away neatly. Except for the ones I've managed to hide. 8) I truly envy and marvel at his lack of desire to have more than enough of anything. It's not that he's a tightwad; he just doesn't buy much. He's like the anti-me.

He's the primary breadwinner, but we've only been married 6 years. I came equipped with most of my LPs, CDs, DVDs, stereo stuff, etc. However, he is at least 50% responsible for my guitar (and gear) acquisitions and I am most grateful. Let me quickly add that he has become less and less patient and understanding with my newest addiction over the past few months, so I'm on shaky ground. From here on out, I must choose my playthings wisely, sporadically and budget-mindedly (it's gotta have a tag that reads: SALE!). And I'll be utilizing some fancy footwork, too. :idea: Mostly (and on a serious note), I'll be cutting back in a big way!

As others have discussed, I don't consider myself a "guitar collector" either. To me, that would require that I own mostly vintage, rare, and quite expensive things that I may or may not be able to play. Outside of the 5 guitars I owned just over a year ago and a crumby used Washburn I bought on a whim this year, all my stuff is new. I love them and play them regularly, but a serious collector would just yawn at my array of toys.

I absolutely love guitars (and the things that go with them). I love playing and I hope to keep learning and playing better every day. Also, I know that "more" isn't necessarily "better" (and that it can be embarrassing to admit to being in the 21+ club). I love Nick's formula, but I know it's not the formula for happiness! :)

As others have discussed, I don't consider myself a "guitar collector" either. To me, that would require that I own mostly vintage, rare, and quite expensive things that I may or may not be able to play.

There should be a special word for us. 'Enthusiasts' doesn't quite seem strong enough, but as you say "Collectors" gives the wrong message too. :?

Vicki and I don't watch much TV, and there are only 2 shows that we watch each week. One is a comedy style music quiz, and the other is called "Collectors". It's always fascinating to see what people collect and how much pleasure they get from it. Even the most bizarre things seem to come to life at the hands of a true enthusiast. There was one person for instance who collected pieces of scrap plastic that they found on the street at various locations around the world as they travelled. It was all carefully bagged and labelled. Nothing sounds more dull or ridiculous but it was actually more like a work of art than a collection of trash. :)

Of course they show the usual things (including a collector/dealer with his vintage guitars) but some of the collections (such as the one that was all of random items all in the same shade of red) were surprisingly wonderful to see.

We don't have anything that we 'collect' as such though. We've amassed about 800+ CDs, but that's mainly because I used to own a CD shop and when I closed it I kept a good selection of mostly 'Classical' (which was what I specialised in) plus some early Jazz and Blues. And we've just added a range of rock stuff since.

But guitars have proved to be quite addictive. I love the look and feel of musical instruments, and the fact that I can also get a modest tune out of many of them seems almost like a bonus. I suppose that for somebody at my stage of ability, two or three should really be enough. Perhaps a reasonable electric, an acoustic and a bass. But then one plate, and one knife and fork might be considered enough too... I'm somewhat torn between the desire to lead a non-consumerist, zen-like existence without a lot of unnecessary material baggage, and the contrary desire to have a comforting pile of toys, especially musical ones. Perhaps that's it - I don't need all those 'comfort foods' like packets of chocolate biscuits, but I do have a weakness for the odd 'comfort purchase', expecially if it's a good looking guitar. Judging by the responses to the poll, I'm far from alone in that respect. :wink:

Like you I do love playing them. And I've improved a lot over the last two or three years. I feel that the fact that I do play every day, and give them all a turn now and then, should be a mitigating factor when the Consumer Correctness Police drag me off for sentencing. In the meantime, another one or two can't hurt.... can they? The sales and manufacturing side of the industry needs the turnover and the jobs.... and anyway, a couple more might come in handy to build a barricade when the Consumer Correctness Police come for me.... I'll keep them busy defusing a banjo while I slip out the back and head for the hills with a pair of loaded Epiphones... 8)

Cheers,

Chris

I thought that I was pretty "bad" with my collection, which by this thread's standards is quite small. There are some impressive collections out there, that's for sure. Label us as you might, we're too busy playing guitar.

Funny thing, when I used to watch concerts before playing, I always wondered why they switched guitars between songs. Now I know some of the reason at least. Different guitars, different sounds. Simple enough.

I've got little guitar "stations" in the house. The Strat is in the office next to my Cube30. My Ibanez is downstairs in the family room attached to a fender 30, while the rest are on a rack in my bonus room beside my big amp (now a Fender Blues Deluxe). When near the rack, my first grab is always the Epi-LP. We have bonded, and I don't think it's a summer thing either. Sure, it's no Gibson as far as action or pick-ups go, but it's my favorite for sure. Everyone who grabs it falls in love with it too. It's got a very inviting sound to it. It too, by the way, has been getting along with the new amp, but not as much as my keefocaster has. There's love in the air.

I guess if I had to only have one, I'd be very pleased with the LP. It's almost as if the rest of them are my toys while this one is my guitar.

Any of the rest of you have the same kind of feeling?

I guess if I had to only have one, I'd be very pleased with the LP. It's almost as if the rest of them are my toys while this one is my guitar.

Any of the rest of you have the same kind of feeling?

Yup, My cheap-0 strat copy is my main guitar... I even prefer it over my brand new Ibanez artcore, I guess I just love that hot single coil clean sound. I'm sure if I went out and bought a vintage or MIA Fender then that would be my main guitar, but nevertheless, it is my favorite and it works for me :D

Funny thing, when I used to watch concerts before playing, I always wondered why they switched guitars between songs. Now I know some of the reason at least. Different guitars, different sounds. Simple enough.

Don't forget those of us who like alternate tunings: I'm a huge fan of both Led Zeppelin and The Tea Party, and ALOT of songs are in alternate tunings (I'm sure I can think of at least 5 alternate tunings used by each band). So that is also how I can justify getting even more guitars on top of the ones I want to get just for the sake of tone: WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END!! :lol:

Definitely - the same as Steve and rparker.

My favourite was about a third the price of the costliest one (and even that was fairly inexpensive in comparison to the bigger names in guitars ). In case of fire I'd grab that favourite Epi plus the old acoustic (for sentimental historical reasons). The rest could be replaced some other time.

Like Roy, I also have a couple of permanent 'stations' set up - one upstairs and one downstairs - and the favourite Epi SG400 is always plugged in and ready on a stand or hanger. My equivalent of his rack is that one of the stations has 3 more guitars hanging on the wall nearby.

Lets see.....
1989 fender Strat mij...........$350
Johnson Acoustic JO-610.......$99
Blueridge Acoustic BR-OS .....$225
Squier 51..............................$99
Squier black and chrome Tele..$199
Epiphone 335 dot (used).........$250
Artisan lap steel......................$59
Johnson JB-080 banjo..............$159
Rogue mandolin A type.............$69
Washburn XB-102 bass.............$99

TOTAL......................................$1608

I don't have anything thats really expensive, but I really enjoy what I do have :D My favorite guitar is my $99 Johnson and my 51. Though the epi gets a lot of use too :wink: My next purchase will be a fender Blues JR. and then maybe a new fat Strat :idea:

I guess if I had to only have one, I'd be very pleased with the LP. It's almost as if the rest of them are my toys while this one is my guitar.

Any of the rest of you have the same kind of feeling?

Honestly? Nope. I look at the guitars hanging around here in this one 8 by 10-ish room alone (nine on the walls, one on the floor, a pair behind the futon and couple more in pieces), and I think they are nothing without me, 'cause I'm the player, and I decide if each will sound good or bad or ba-a-a-a-d or funky or jazzy or punk or whatever. Why get too emotional about or attached to a particular guitar? Bend that sucker to your will and move on -- so many more to try!

Don't forget those of us who like alternate tunings: I'm a huge fan of both Led Zeppelin and The Tea Party, and ALOT of songs are in alternate tunings (I'm sure I can think of at least 5 alternate tunings used by each band). So that is also how I can justify getting even more guitars on top of the ones I want to get just for the sake of tone: WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END!! :lol:

I've got one in open-G and one tuned to some tuning Linkin Park uses. I might do a Gsus4 tuning guitar one day just for the Rain Song though. I just wish there was more than one song I knew in that tuning.

I've got one in open-G and one tuned to some tuning Linkin Park uses. I might do a Gsus4 tuning guitar one day just for the Rain Song though. I just wish there was more than one song I knew in that tuning.

I'm the same - keep one in open G, like Roy I've been known to bash out a few Stones songs. Also a George Thorogood fan, he plays a lot in open G. I wish I knew more than a couple of songs in open D (Stuck In The Middle With You, Shelter From The Storm) to justify ANOTHER purchase!

My favourite guitar - the go-to guitar, if you like - has always been the Squier Custom Tele, but the new Fender Tele has superceded that - now the Squier's PERMANENTLY in open G rather than being shuffled back and forth between tunings. I wanted another Squier Tele for slide, the original plan was to keep the first one in EADGBE and the new one in open G - but I couldn't justify spending all that money on a new guitar and it NOT be the new #1 guitar.

Strange how you go in a guitar shop with a plan, and end up with something totally different, isn't it!

:D :D :D

Vic

Strange how you go in a guitar shop with a plan, and end up with something totally different, isn't it!

:D :D :D

Vic

I've gone in at least five times to buy an acoustic and walked out with another electric. Finally forced myself to focus and get the acoustic.

A few years ago I took an Ibanez in for some fret work and walked out with a Martin.

It's not like they had a "free Martin with refret" offer (oh, by the way, our frets are $200 each...) - somehow I just find it hard to be waiting in a guitar store without falling in love with something.

Somehow I just find it hard to be waiting in a guitar store without falling in love with something.

Maybe that's just it.
I can't give my heart away that easily.

I'm sure some of you suspect it - I'll just come out and admit it....
Yes, I'm still madly in love with my ex-wife (Melody).

She came over the other day for a few hours and hadn't been feeling well the whole week, so I gave her an extensive
foot massage.
I told one of the other drivers at the yard that, and he just about spit in my face. (He hates his ex-wife)

I can't help it though.
Once I fall in love with someone or something, that's it.

I'm not saying that I haven't or don't look at other girls....
Looking at and admiting that other girls are beautiful, and FALLING IN LOVE with them are two totally different things.

I guess the same is true with me and my guitars.
In a somewhat demented way, I think I just may be in love with my Strats. (Specifically my white one)

Which could explain why I defend them so ardently.

My white Strat has been with me since the begining.
I think the 71 is a much better guitar, yet on a day to day basis....
I play my white Strat.
I lucked into the 71.... I did not buy it for myself.
The only other electric I ever bought was the SG, and I have since sold it.

There are plenty of other guitars that I find 'attractive'.
I play them when I go to the GC in Chicago.
Inevetibly, NONE of them compare to my Strats.
So why buy them....?

My white Strat (Elsie) has been MY look, and MY tone since the start.
I think there would be plenty of gossip going around if I ever showed up somewhere with a different guitar. :wink:

So now I'd like to share a "quote" from my favorite book; The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery:

" 'People where you live,' The Little Prince said, 'grow five thousand roses in one garden.... yet, they don't find what they're looking for...."

"And yet what they're looking for could be found in a single rose...."

"Of course," I answered.

And The Little Prince added, "But eyes are blind. You have to look with the heart."

Ken