I’m enjoying having only two guitars

[markal]

Well, technically four. Ok, five. Lemme ‘splain.

I’m down to two electrics in the house, with another at a shop for sale on consignment. And I have two acoustics. I sold one other electric a couple months ago. Plus two amps and a handful of pedals

For me, it became apparent that having a lot of guitars is more distraction than benefit (and, yes, I realize that four electrics is not a lot for many folks). I found that instead of just playing, practicing or working on songs I‘m writing, I’d switch guitars a lot. I’d wonder, “how would this sound on that guitar?” And over time I found that it didn’t sound different enough to really do anything for my practice, inspiration or creativity. So I think streamlining has been a boon to my guitar playing.

I’m down to a PRS S2 Singlecut and a standard Tele, having sold a PRS SE Hollowbody and a Gretsch currently for sale. I think I’ve got the sounds I want covered with those two guitars. I can imagine adding a hollowbody again (the PRS didn’t really cut it for me for that sound). As for acoustic, I’m not sure I’m done. I like my “nice” acoustic (Taylor 214e), but I don’t love it. So we’ll see.

I can’t say my GAS is cured. But my intent is to limit the acquisitions and stick to 2-3 electrics and two acoustics.

Anyway, just thought I’d share my confessional since we’re always talking about GAS on this forum. To each their own. I don’t begrudge those of you who like to collect. Gear is fun. I‘m just finding it’s better for me musically to have less. Ok, that’s all.

 

[Recce]

I have five, one acoustic and four electrics. I don’t begrudge anyone more than that but agree more is hard to take care of in a reasonable manner.

 

[Call Me Al]

For me, it became apparent that having a lot of guitars is more distraction than benefit (and, yes, I realize that four electrics is not a lot for many folks). I found that instead of just playing, practicing or working on songs I‘m writing, I’d switch guitars a lot. I’d wonder, “how would this sound on that guitar?” And over time I found that it didn’t sound different enough to really do anything for my practice, inspiration or creativity. So I think streamlining has been a boon to my guitar playing.

This has been 100 percent my journey, and where I’m at with my gear. I’ve got one each of acoustic, electric, uke and bass set up in the main practice area. My Tele and tube amp set up in the basement, along with a keyboard and drums. The rest are in cases and I don’t really think about them. It’s been really freeing and I get right down to business when it’s time to practice or jam!

 

[Heartbreaker_Esq]

This makes a lot of sense to me. My GAS has always been fairly mild. Let's say Stage 1 GAS, as opposed to the terminal case a lot of folks around here live with. And in my experience, whenever I simplify or pare down, it's a positive move. I've found I'm happier with just a couple of guitars and effects. It's less to worry about, less to maintain, and as a bonus, I get to know the instrument and tones really well.

I have a couple of extras hanging around, but at this point, I'm really just playing one electric and one acoustic. Honestly, unless I'm at band practice, I'm mostly just playing with my Vox Amplug and headphones, and having a blast.

 

[tele_pathic]

I've got all y'all beat...I've got 1 (ONE) guitar, a 2016 Tele Elite in Texas Tea with rosewood fingerboard. I used to collect equipment, but I got tired of the chase. I have one amp (a Fender Mustang III) and I have only 5 pedals (a Crybaby Tom Morelleo wah, a JHS Whitey Tighty compressor, a Wren and Cuff Garbage Face fuzz [cuz of J. Mascis]), a ZVEX Double Rock handpainted purple [also cuz of J. Mascis], and a TC EL Plethora X3. This setup gives me everything I need. I preordered a PRS SE DGT and when I get that, I might even sell the Tele. Might keep cuz I've already spent the money on it a couple years ago, but I might sell it to repay the price of the PRS SE DGT. I try not to be sentimental about equipment: that's been a long process, though.

 

[Dan German]

I have been doing well with my limited inventory. That is, until I saw an oddball guitar I’ve always coveted come up for sale nearby at a price I could justify (cheap, in other words). I went home, played my three electrics plus one baritone, and asked myself which I would get rid of if I needed to make room. The answer was none. I have a 5 guitar rack, and I already have no space in it for my 12 string acoustic. I need one less guitar, not one more.

I agree that too many is a distraction.

 

[Brent Hutto]

I have two electric guitars and one acoustic, plus one no longer played electric in the closet that's not valuable enough to be worth the trouble of trying to sell. I'll may well give it away, next time I hear about someone's kid wanting to learn to play.

No aspirations for more guitars. The one acoustic I own has been sufficient for a couple decades and two electric guitars is basically one more than I really need. I just enjoy having a spare one to take on vacation. It doesn't get played at home.

 

[985plowboy]

A few years ago I was down from a couple dozen to just three, two acoustics and my Tele.
It felt good.
Then I found a great deal on a NOS Martin HD-28V.
That felt even better.
Then I needed a less precious acoustic electric for a two month regular outdoor gig, so I got an awesome Alvarez.
Then recently I bought a Squier Tele for a project that I am repainting in the Buck Owens style.
Soooo…….
Yeah.

 

[1stpitch]

Glad you found your sweet spot. I have too many. Actually way too many, and still want a few more. Need to get rid of some, but I don't know how to choose which ones.

 

[Eddiebaby1]

I have a bass and 4 guitars. Thats a bass and two guitars too many, so I'm keeping the tele and my JVT59 and selling the Precision, Strat and probably the baritone (i think I'd miss that most of those three...).

 

[Tone Quest]

I have a Telecaster, Stratocaster and Taylor acoustic. Very content.

 

[tbp0701]

I'm on the cusp of doing the same. I have five electrics and two acoustics. I'm looking to pare down to two electrics, one single coil one with humbuckers, and one acoustic. I could even go without any acoustics, I suppose. Or just go back to my first and, for several years, only guitar, a Strat.

Perhaps oddly, the two I am most certain about parting with are the ones for which I paid the most (and the only two that were over $1K). The one I'm most certain to keep was the least expensive. There are a lot of memories with it, though.

The process of selling though can be painful, especially as most buyers just want a bargain, while I keep thinking of how much a particular instrument or other object has meant to me. But I'm bad about attaching sentimentality to things.

 

[NWinther]

I am also only using two electric guitars.
On the other hand my nephew and some of my old friends just returned a couple of pedals that I had forgotten all about....
Haha I have been selling off like a madman....I do not want to swim in gear.
It is annoying to keep it all in shape, and most of what I used to have was for reference sake.

So I have one acoustic and two electric, and now I have 21 pedals....doh!

 

[Dik Ellis]

I downsized my collection so it would all fit in my mancave. I kept the gear I felt I couldn't live without. The final count is 8 electrics, 4 acoustics, 1 bass, and 1 cigarbox 4 string. Also 4 amps, so I'm good. My only vice is pedals.

 

[gitold]

I have a lot of different guitars and thoroughly enjoy them all. No desire to thin my herd!

 

[Fiesta Red]

 

[Killing Floor]

I only have 2. Well technically I only have 2 hooks on the wall. The rest of my guitars and basses stay in cases in closets. Take one out, put another away. Only 2.
Plus this gives an expansion plan because there are also 2 empty cases all the time. Just saying.

 

[RocknRollShakeUp]

I see my guitars as tools ultimately, beautiful tools, but that serve a utilitarian purpose ultimately. I need different guitars for different tones.
So I have a JM w rounds, a JM w flats, a Tele, a p90 LP, a PAF LP, a Strat, a Black Falcon, a Kauer Banshee V1, and a few other oddities.

The odd thing is, I always seem to dial them all in, to get thee One tone/sound that I hear in my head!

So in reality I probably only need two guitars, one with rounds and one with flats.

Well a third, for Nashville tuning.

Speaking of different tunings…maybe keep a fourth as my alternate tuning guitar!

Oh and if I still gigged, a backup to my #1/80-90% guitar.

Well I guess the 2 guitar paradigm is straight out for me …phew..I was worried for a min..

 

[Gimble]

I only have two electrics no acoustics.

My Tele and the Jackson with humbuckers and shorter scale covers everything I need.

And I agree I actually play more this way rather than having a herd to justify.

 

[rand z]

Glad you found your sweet spot. I have too many. Actually way too many, and still want a few more. Need to get rid of some, but I don't know how to choose which ones.

I feel your pain...

imo.