How Many Guitars Do You Really Need? (Page 1 of 2)

How can you speak such blasphemy.?? The answer to your question is "All Of Them". .I did read the article. I am also thinning out my collection.  4 have been sold. 6 are on consignment.  The money from the consignment goes toward another guitar.

The correct answer is "just one more ...."

My approach to guitar buying is largely utilitarian and based on filling a function rather than just having them to have them. I have three acoustics, all the same model. Guitar 1 is the guitar I learned to play on and got when I was 5-6 years old. It's very important to me and I rarely travel with it. Guitar number 2 is same model and I use it for traveling. Guitar 3 is also same model and I use it for a stage backup or when I have acoustic jams at the house.

I have a strat-style guitar for rock playing, a tele as a stage backup to that, a semi-hollowbody for jazz and blues, an SG-type guitar with humbuckers for heavier songs. Finally, I have an electric traveler that I use to keep guitar withdrawals away on long vacations and long work trips (of which there are many).

And that's it. I also have a lap steel but I consider it to be a piece of home decor.

My WTB guitar list is also small. I want a high-end acoustic. All the acoustics I've ever owned have been in the sub-$300 range. I want a really nice taylor or Tak or Guild acoustic.  And I want an electric acoustic nylon string guitar because I have 0 nylon string guitars.

Vince Gill at his home studio.  He has a few guitars.  https://youtu.be/ImE5k_OoMIY

What I like about this is somebody asked him about his most valuable guitar, which he pulled out and tuned up. Then someone asked him about his favorite "go to" guitar, and he handed the most valuable guitar to the closest person to play.

I just wonder of all of those drawers have two guitars each in them like the drawer that he pulled the first guitar out of.

I have 4, that meet my needs.  A 12 string Concert Dreadnaught..... more of a "tuning trainer" but some tunes just sound better on 12.  The Ovation Acoustic/Electric, go-to guitar that travels well, is almost indestructible and with effects will do most everything in the repertoire.  The Epiphone ST175 solid body, which has served me well for many years, just think Strat with Gibson PUPs dual tone and volume pots and switched like a Les Paul in classic sunburst. Finally a nylon strung Classical, because sometimes you just need that mellow tone that no "effect" can replicate.

There are a few that catch my eye once in awhile, but if I really wanted it I'd own it or build it, and that is not a high priority at this stage of life..... maybe a banjo or Mando....or Fiddle? 

Just one more is too many and a hundred isn`t enough. Lol.

That's a real beauty, JJJ ... gotta be a poem / song written around that one. With your permission, I'll see what I can come up with.

Great stories, everyone!

All of them. After some thought, and realizing that even if I have my own guitar with me I still borrow of there's one available, I realized that I need all the guitars.

 
I don't know who said it but I heard that phrase 29 years ago at an AA meeting.