What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

jimzucco

jimzucco

New member
So I have my eye on a Les Paul Ok... Serious GAS. Problem is, my wife says "how many guitars do you need?!" ... I happen to have two guitars BTW.. A very nice fender strat and an epiphone acoustic. So I had this idea that I would ask all my good fellow guitar players here on the forum
... Is it not reasonable for me to pick up an epiphone Les Paul that I'm in love with? For a Guitar enthusiast, is it not appropriate, even modest, to have a strat, an acoustic, a Les Paul, and a nice tube amp (which I also have)?

Also, just too seal the deal, I wanted to see what sort of collections you all have.

I intend on showing this to my wife to show her that I'm being perfectly reasonable =) also, we're far from broke... I don't wanna buy a Gibson here.... I'm talking epiphone.

Thanks,

Jim
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Well, I can only speak for myself on this subject.

I have thirteen guitars, like forty-some-odd pedals, and three tube amps.

You are being very reasonable.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I've got eight currently


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

There's practically no limit. It's even valid to have two of the same guitar that are merely different colors. Why? Because it makes a person happy, and that's that. Having two of the same guitar in the same color might be a bit over the top, but then again, people collect rocks and stamps and baseball cards, and nobody frowns on that, so really, there's hardly any need to justify collecting anything. People spend hundreds of dollars for cheap, kitsch garbage to hang on their walls, it's mass produced and is nowhere near as functional as a guitar - few people question that. I think the real thing you have to express is that a guitar is enjoyable in it's own right, it's not just a means to an end. Guitars usually look nice, they're not exactly an eye sore to have around. They're enjoyable even when you're not playing them.

If you don't already have a Les Paul, and only have a Strat and an acoustic, I'd definitely get one because it doesn't feel or sound anything like either of the guitars you already have, so it's a no brainer.

If ever you're still concerned, just watch this http://youtu.be/OjuJ-EOWXuI?t=8m25s it will put your mind at ease. The bottom of this guy's guitar store is a guitar store. Above his guitar store is an equally massive collection that constitutes his own private stash.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I think 3- 5 six strings and a bass, but I'm over that amount
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Amazing answer. I appreciat everyone's input. This is exactly what I was trying to put into words, I just lack the eloquence I suppose. Guitars are enjoyable in their own rite... Exactly. And it's not that she was giving me a hard time necessarily, she honestly couldn't figure out why I'd need another guitar.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

One, anything more is a proof that you really are one of us...
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Anywhere from one to as many as you can fit in your home.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Ask her why she needs so many shoes. If she keeps ordering from zappos they're going to give her a platinum card and an unlimited credit limit.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Someone once told me they don't tax the extra ones

I have;
A Martin acoustic
Three Strats
- 3 tone MIM ,
- Candy apple Squire standard
- Seafoam Squire Bullet project , I have yet to finish
Two Ibanez
- hardtail RG2 , My favorite rocker
- Floyded RG4, cuz ya gotta have at least one Floyd
Two Ibanez basses
- SR 500
- SR 530 , dude threw in on another deal

I'm sure I have some laying around friends houses somewhere .

I sometimes sell them sometimes give them away when I loose interest in particular ones

But I've always had at least three my entire adult life

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

DreX said:
There's practically no limit. It's even valid to have two of the same guitar that are merely different colors. Why? Because it makes a person happy, and that's that. Having two of the same guitar in the same color might be a bit over the top, but then again, people collect rocks and stamps and baseball cards, and nobody frowns on that, so really, there's hardly any need to justify collecting anything. People spend hundreds of dollars for cheap, kitsch garbage to hang on their walls, it's mass produced and is nowhere near as functional as a guitar - few people question that. I think the real thing you have to express is that a guitar is enjoyable in it's own right, it's not just a means to an end. Guitars usually look nice, they're not exactly an eye sore to have around. They're enjoyable even when you're not playing them.
Click to expand...

+1. And unlike most stuff people buy (like the wife's shoes), they have a respectable resale value. Not like it's money down the drain.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I tend to think that 25 is about right (for me), but then, that doesn't include a Rickenbacker, a baritone, a 12-string, anything with more than 6 strings, anything with a Floyd Rose, a 24-fret guitar, a Gretsch, a Martin, a Gibson Les Paul, and it goes on. Perhaps best if you just make your own number up...
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

On a serious note: to me it depends on the way your relationship (if you are in one) works.

Some folks pool all their money with their spouses in a single joined account, meaning that buying extra gear for what is a simple hobby for most of us, can cause frictions at some point (this applies for both sides by the way).

In my case (and I expect others as well), we are fortunate enough to be able to have a joined-account but also each of us has a personal account. Meaning that the money in those personal accounts is ours... what I do with my money is no concern of hers and the opposite is true for her money. If I have the money for 50 guitars and 35 amps, she won,t say a thing unless they start piling up in the living room and dining room, etc...

I'm lucky that we both have good careers and that we can work this way with our finances, I know it's not a possibility for everyone...
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Take an average from what you get here, and keep adding by everyone that answers. And IF this thread ever closes... multiply by 10.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I probably have between 10 and 15.....but I have many in the 'build pipeworks'
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

In answer to the guitars question, you had better find somebody "normal" to ask.

In answer to the wife question, logic is futile. Reasonable, schmeasonable. No explanation that you give will be acceptable. Even placatory gifts will only postpone the day when your proposed purchased is used against you in evidence as part of a completely unrelated argument.
 
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