Re: How many guitars do you own?
Bonding with a guitar is not a requirement. But a skilled/experienced musician can find sufficient bond with an instrument to record or perform within very short order anyway.
I agree here. Have turned in perfectly good performances on guitars I'd never even seen before. There is a lot to be said for bonding though. Sometimes a certain guitar can bring out the best in you as a player and familiarity can help you get the best from an instrument.
I have a special synergy with a handful: certainly my top 3 PRSi, plus a couple of favorite Les Pauls, one very special vintage Strat, a McNaught, my venerable warbird of a Floydcaster, and the Jazz Bass I've been using since the 70s. Those are lifetime guitars, even though I haven't passed the hundred-gig milestone with all of them. Might not even have broken the hundred-hour mark yet with the McNaught. Still, sometimes you bond pretty quickly. For many of my favorites I've known within minutes.
The rest I like - some for tone, some for feel - but could part with if necessary.
Except maybe the Moderne; it's just too weird not to love, and I've got a thing for lively korina guitars.
I have a hard time letting them go by choice because even without that special magic, I get attached.
Whenever I've sold one, I've almost always missed it afterwards.
Like beaubrummels, I keep a select few close at hand. And I haven't sold off any guitar that's held the #1 spot.
Not since the Eighties, at least.