People who don't gig/play regularly anymore how many guitars?

Johnny Morales · June 26th, 2008, 11:11 PM

Just trying to determine how many guitars I "need" to have around. I don't gig at all anymore. I jam with my old drummer once a month or so and maybe play 2-3 times a month in my basement. I currently have a decent acoustic, a strat that was a gift from the wife, a PRS collectors item that I don't play anymore, and I just added a new am std strat to the lineup.

Just wondering if 3 electrics (really two plus the PRS because I am trying to keep that guitar as mint as possible to sell someday) is too many for a guy who doesn't have time to play much anymore.

superbadj · June 26th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Well shoot, I guess you're the only one who'll know that one.

Need? Really one. Maybe two, if you want a tele sound and then a big humbucker sound, or a hollowbody sound.

But want? Well, I have 4 electrics right now, and I don't gig anywhere, just play from time to time with a few friends. Nothing serious.

but I enjoy them.

It's all about where you put your money and time, and that's based on the amount you have of each, and your priorities. Just put it where you'll get the most out of it, be that guitars, vacations, investments, jewelry for the wifey (boom-chica-wow-wow), or whatever.

rocksteady Max · June 26th, 2008, 11:52 PM

... well ... there's no strict rule

I'm a living room player and I have 5 guitars and one Blues Junior amp.

Ampwise 1 amp is enough because it'd be crazy buying anything over ... 18 watts

Joe M · June 26th, 2008, 11:58 PM

You do need one more....a tele......

mistermullens · June 27th, 2008, 12:20 AM

Very interesting question. I'm in the opposite position. I've been dwindling down my collection for the past few months trying to find exactly what I need. After recently purchasing a 50s Classic Esquire, and playing it (along with my Casino) at my first jam in about five years, I think I have my answer. Really, I could probably get by with only my Esquire, but its nice to have the Casino as well. Personally, as far as electrics go, I think its about finding "the one". I often think about those blues guys that got by with one guitar. B.B. King plays the same guitar all the time. I'm sure he has a few of them, but its the same guitar. Clapton had Blackie, SRV had #1, etc. Personally, I think you have more than enough, except you don't have a Tele.

What do I see myself owning in the future? My Esquire, Casino, a Telecaster, and an amp I love.

studio1087 · June 27th, 2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbadj

Well shoot, I guess you're the only one who'll know that one.

Need? Really one. Maybe two, if you want a tele sound and then a big humbucker sound, or a hollowbody sound.

Very true. Right on.

I write and record a lot. I have well over a dozen but I don't have two of anything. The styles and tones are all very different traditional guitars (Tele - Strat - Gibby Humbucker - P-90 - Dread - OOO - OM - 12 string)...etc. I have two Tele's but one is solid and one is a thinline; they do not sound alike. I got my first Tele when I was 13....I'm 44 now.

I don't spend insane money. I've been at this for over 30 years. It's been long term and slow spend. This is my passion (outside of family and day job).

I joke with my wife that it could be worse.....I could be buying monster trucks. She's an artist and a horse enthusiast. She gets it. I'm lucky.

It's music; it's something that you can do your entire life.

It's all good. Don't spend what you can't spend. Enjoy your music.

John

bender-freak · June 27th, 2008, 12:32 AM

have 29....i don't gig or even jam much any more, but i still like to play here at home...do i have TOO many...???....Lady bender-freak hasn't complained yet, so i guess not......in fact, she told me just this evening she had another Tele on "watch" for me on the "Bay"...

Flat357 · June 27th, 2008, 12:44 AM

Maybe don't worry about how many guitars you need , and treat yourself to some effects / amp etc , which might give you the inspiration to play more often .
Also why not consider another instrument ?

Piano
Banjo
Mandolin
Ukelele
Bass
Sax
Harp etc etc

No matter whether people are playing or not playing gigs , if they have a lot of guitars , most of them live in the case / hanger etc more than they do a stage .
Most of us have our favourites , and the others tend to be collected over the years , or are spur of the moment / impulse buys .
They're cool to get out now and again , but not what I would call essential .

robt57 · June 27th, 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe M

You do need one more....a tele......

Yea, what he said...

You do know what the 'T' in TDPRI stands for, don't ya??

vinman · June 27th, 2008, 01:24 AM

basement player for years now. 25 guitars, 11 amps, 1 keyboard and a set of drums. Oh, yeah, and 1 ukulele, I've been starting to learn. 8 or 9 of the guitars and two of the amps I've built.
fortunately my wife has a sense of humor.

B Valley · June 27th, 2008, 01:27 AM

Currently I have 4 electrics, 6 acoustics, a couple under constuction, and a mandolin. Maybe more than I need, but since when were guitars about need?
You need food, water and shelter, but no one really needs a guitar. But, I like them so much, and I want some more.

mjb1967 · June 27th, 2008, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

... well ... there's no strict rule

I'm a living room player and I have 5 guitars and one Blues Junior amp.

Ampwise 1 amp is enough because it'd be crazy buying anything over ... 18 watts

+ 1 I have 2 teles 1 hot rod and one chandler.....ive got a homebuilt strat that is my player, and an older les paul....I'm with you on the amp selection, my jr is all i need

Ricko · June 27th, 2008, 01:33 AM

I haven't played out for years, but have been playing some acoustic open mics lately. Aside from my Larrivee, I've got two tele's, a strat, a Les Paul Studio, and a PRS CE-24...that covers a pretty wide spread.

outbreak · June 27th, 2008, 01:33 AM

sorry, off topic and a very noob question, but how different is a mandolin to play to a guitar?

beep.click · June 27th, 2008, 02:41 AM

People are different, and people change. You've already identified one change, Johnny -- you don't gig at all any more. What if that changes again?

I'm always asking myself, "What if?" From time to time, I've thought about getting rid of my 100 watt amp and my 135 watt amp. But in my situation, the kind of gig I'm called on to do these days is often something like playing in the middle of the desert (seriously), and the guitars WON'T be run through the P.A. What do I do when that comes up, and I don't have a loud amp? Am I going to rent one, for some crazy amount of money, or just say, "Sorry, can't help you out"? For sure, I don't know anyone who could LOAN me that kind of amp.

Plus, I get bored easily. Even if I love some particular guitar, when I play it a lot, I quickly hit some wall where that guitar just won't do. Even if I'm just writing songs at home, I'll get to a point where I say, "AHA -- what I need right here is a nylon-string acoustic."

So I don't know what the right number is, for anyone, including myself!

getbent · June 27th, 2008, 03:29 AM

sell a strat and the PRS and buy a really smokin' tele.

boris bubbanov · June 27th, 2008, 04:23 AM

If you find yourself trapped by too many guitars in your guitar-room, you have one too many guitars.
Otherwise, you're just fine for the moment.

I have a guitar I want to play tomorrow, and I can't find it.

Unseen · June 27th, 2008, 04:32 AM

It's been about 4 decades since I did anything even resembling a "gig," but I have four electric guitars, a Line 6 Spider III 75 amp, and a Line 6 Micro Spider, which I bought after a couple incidents with the 75 watt amp that nearly blew the windows out of my apartment. I'll save the 75 watter for when/if I do some "chamber blues" (blues served up in a gallery or coffeehouse...I don't expect to ever be on a stage again).

Telemarkman · June 27th, 2008, 04:55 AM

I gig once a year, and I have my '52 RI, 60's Classic and a '57 RI Strat. I'm thinking of selling the Strat though, 'cos I (almost) never play it anyway. The two Teles are really all I need and I rarely get GAS

...

Only problem is, I got THREE amps

...

ibobunot · June 27th, 2008, 05:06 AM

I have more gear than I need but compared to my computers (MacBook Pro, Power Mac G5, Titanium PowerBook, Cube G4, Photoshop) it's peanuts.

..

MulliganChebichev · June 27th, 2008, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ibobunot

I have more gear than I need but compared to my computers (MacBook Pro, Power Mac G5, Titanium PowerBook, Cube G4, Photoshop) it's peanuts.

..

But guitars don't become obsolete after time

(well unless you abuse it like hell

).

ibobunot · June 27th, 2008, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MulliganChebichev

But guitars don't become obsolete after time

My point exactly... uh, I think...

Ricky D. · June 27th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocksteady Max

... well ... there's no strict rule

I'm a living room player and I have 5 guitars and one Blues Junior amp.

Ampwise 1 amp is enough because it'd be crazy buying anything over ... 18 watts

You need a small tweed Fender, like a Champ or a 5E3.

Sollophonic · June 27th, 2008, 07:21 AM

When I was gigging regularly I usually owned 4 guitars;- Main electric, spare electric, acoustic and a bass (for when I occasionally jammed or stood in). At the time I was single with no kids, and had lots of space if I had had the means or the desire to have a bigger guitar collection. I had a bigger collection of cycles, as that was my other passion at the time.

Now I dont gig anymore, have a wife and two kids, less space, yet I now own 10 guitars, a bouzouki, a mandola and an appalachian dulcimer. They all get played too.

Maybe now I'm not gigging, maybe I have more time to play them all?

Conversely I now only have one bike, which I use every day to commute!

June 26th, 2008, 11:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
Johnny Morales TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 70	People who don't gig/play regularly anymore how many guitars? Just trying to determine how many guitars I "need" to have around. I don't gig at all anymore. I jam with my old drummer once a month or so and maybe play 2-3 times a month in my basement. I currently have a decent acoustic, a strat that was a gift from the wife, a PRS collectors item that I don't play anymore, and I just added a new am std strat to the lineup. Just wondering if 3 electrics (really two plus the PRS because I am trying to keep that guitar as mint as possible to sell someday) is too many for a guy who doesn't have time to play much anymore.

June 27th, 2008, 12:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
mistermullens Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta Age: 31 Posts: 2,324 51 Photos	Very interesting question. I'm in the opposite position. I've been dwindling down my collection for the past few months trying to find exactly what I need. After recently purchasing a 50s Classic Esquire, and playing it (along with my Casino) at my first jam in about five years, I think I have my answer. Really, I could probably get by with only my Esquire, but its nice to have the Casino as well. Personally, as far as electrics go, I think its about finding "the one". I often think about those blues guys that got by with one guitar. B.B. King plays the same guitar all the time. I'm sure he has a few of them, but its the same guitar. Clapton had Blackie, SRV had #1, etc. Personally, I think you have more than enough, except you don't have a Tele. What do I see myself owning in the future? My Esquire, Casino, a Telecaster, and an amp I love. __________________ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - Jimi Hendrix

June 27th, 2008, 12:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
bender-freak Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: springfield, missouri Posts: 1,381	have 29....i don't gig or even jam much any more, but i still like to play here at home...do i have TOO many...???....Lady bender-freak hasn't complained yet, so i guess not......in fact, she told me just this evening she had another Tele on "watch" for me on the "Bay"... __________________ bender-freak

June 27th, 2008, 12:44 AM	#8 (permalink)
Flat357 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cheshire Age: 40 Posts: 2,913	Maybe don't worry about how many guitars you need , and treat yourself to some effects / amp etc , which might give you the inspiration to play more often . Also why not consider another instrument ? Piano Banjo Mandolin Ukelele Bass Sax Harp etc etc No matter whether people are playing or not playing gigs , if they have a lot of guitars , most of them live in the case / hanger etc more than they do a stage . Most of us have our favourites , and the others tend to be collected over the years , or are spur of the moment / impulse buys . They're cool to get out now and again , but not what I would call essential . __________________ Homepage http://www.soundclick.com/members/de...member=flat357 MySpace http://www.myspace.com/flat357

June 27th, 2008, 01:27 AM	#11 (permalink)
B Valley Tele-Holic Join Date: May 2008 Location: Glendale, Az Posts: 536	Currently I have 4 electrics, 6 acoustics, a couple under constuction, and a mandolin. Maybe more than I need, but since when were guitars about need? You need food, water and shelter, but no one really needs a guitar. But, I like them so much, and I want some more. __________________ How many guitars is enough? Just one more...

June 26th, 2008, 11:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
superbadj Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: roanoke, va Age: 34 Posts: 539	Well shoot, I guess you're the only one who'll know that one. Need? Really one. Maybe two, if you want a tele sound and then a big humbucker sound, or a hollowbody sound. But want? Well, I have 4 electrics right now, and I don't gig anywhere, just play from time to time with a few friends. Nothing serious. but I enjoy them. It's all about where you put your money and time, and that's based on the amount you have of each, and your priorities. Just put it where you'll get the most out of it, be that guitars, vacations, investments, jewelry for the wifey (boom-chica-wow-wow), or whatever.

June 26th, 2008, 11:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
rocksteady Max Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Montréal Age: 26 Posts: 424	... well ... there's no strict rule I'm a living room player and I have 5 guitars and one Blues Junior amp. Ampwise 1 amp is enough because it'd be crazy buying anything over ... 18 watts

June 26th, 2008, 11:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
Joe M Moderator Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,198	You do need one more....a tele......

June 27th, 2008, 01:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
vinman TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: long island, ny Age: 55 Posts: 35 3 Photos	basement player for years now. 25 guitars, 11 amps, 1 keyboard and a set of drums. Oh, yeah, and 1 ukulele, I've been starting to learn. 8 or 9 of the guitars and two of the amps I've built. fortunately my wife has a sense of humor.

June 27th, 2008, 01:33 AM	#13 (permalink)
Ricko Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sanford, FL Age: 51 Posts: 199	I haven't played out for years, but have been playing some acoustic open mics lately. Aside from my Larrivee, I've got two tele's, a strat, a Les Paul Studio, and a PRS CE-24...that covers a pretty wide spread. __________________ Be nice

June 27th, 2008, 01:33 AM	#14 (permalink)
outbreak Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Australia Age: 21 Posts: 459	sorry, off topic and a very noob question, but how different is a mandolin to play to a guitar? __________________ '07 MIM std tele '07 Epiphone Studio Dot '08 Gretsch 5120 '08 Ibanex accoustic '07 VOX ad50vt

June 27th, 2008, 02:41 AM	#15 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,914	People are different, and people change. You've already identified one change, Johnny -- you don't gig at all any more. What if that changes again? I'm always asking myself, "What if?" From time to time, I've thought about getting rid of my 100 watt amp and my 135 watt amp. But in my situation, the kind of gig I'm called on to do these days is often something like playing in the middle of the desert (seriously), and the guitars WON'T be run through the P.A. What do I do when that comes up, and I don't have a loud amp? Am I going to rent one, for some crazy amount of money, or just say, "Sorry, can't help you out"? For sure, I don't know anyone who could LOAN me that kind of amp. Plus, I get bored easily. Even if I love some particular guitar, when I play it a lot, I quickly hit some wall where that guitar just won't do. Even if I'm just writing songs at home, I'll get to a point where I say, "AHA -- what I need right here is a nylon-string acoustic." So I don't know what the right number is, for anyone, including myself! __________________ "It looked like a giant green gum drop to me."

June 27th, 2008, 03:29 AM	#16 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Posts: 10,024 37 Photos	sell a strat and the PRS and buy a really smokin' tele. __________________ 'never pet a burning dog'

June 27th, 2008, 04:23 AM	#17 (permalink)
boris bubbanov Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA + in the past Posts: 8,430	If you find yourself trapped by too many guitars in your guitar-room, you have one too many guitars. Otherwise, you're just fine for the moment. I have a guitar I want to play tomorrow, and I can't find it. __________________ Bubban0v

June 27th, 2008, 04:32 AM	#18 (permalink)
Unseen Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 61 Posts: 1,649	It's been about 4 decades since I did anything even resembling a "gig," but I have four electric guitars, a Line 6 Spider III 75 amp, and a Line 6 Micro Spider, which I bought after a couple incidents with the 75 watt amp that nearly blew the windows out of my apartment. I'll save the 75 watter for when/if I do some "chamber blues" (blues served up in a gallery or coffeehouse...I don't expect to ever be on a stage again).

June 27th, 2008, 04:55 AM	#19 (permalink)
Telemarkman Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Norway Age: 61 Posts: 4,652	I gig once a year, and I have my '52 RI, 60's Classic and a '57 RI Strat. I'm thinking of selling the Strat though, 'cos I (almost) never play it anyway. The two Teles are really all I need and I rarely get GAS ... Only problem is, I got THREE amps ...

June 27th, 2008, 05:06 AM	#20 (permalink)
ibobunot Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dullsville Posts: 3,456	I have more gear than I need but compared to my computers (MacBook Pro, Power Mac G5, Titanium PowerBook, Cube G4, Photoshop) it's peanuts. ..

June 27th, 2008, 07:21 AM	#24 (permalink)
Sollophonic Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Skipton, N. Yorkshire, England Age: 44 Posts: 352	When I was gigging regularly I usually owned 4 guitars;- Main electric, spare electric, acoustic and a bass (for when I occasionally jammed or stood in). At the time I was single with no kids, and had lots of space if I had had the means or the desire to have a bigger guitar collection. I had a bigger collection of cycles, as that was my other passion at the time. Now I dont gig anymore, have a wife and two kids, less space, yet I now own 10 guitars, a bouzouki, a mandola and an appalachian dulcimer. They all get played too. Maybe now I'm not gigging, maybe I have more time to play them all? Conversely I now only have one bike, which I use every day to commute!