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

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

I currently have 14 guitars, a small pile of stompboxes, a couple multi-effects units along with a couple MIDI foot controller thingies, two 100 watt tube heads, one 120 watt tube head, one 150 watt tube head, three 4x12s, one 1x15, a little crappy 15 watt modeling practice amp, a recording interface, several mics, a DAW on my computer, a couple amp sim programs, ect, ect.......

You're well within reason in wanting a 3rd guitar.
 
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Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I currently have 8 and I'm jonesing for a no.9 but can't really justify it to myself when I have found that 6 is the limit to my rotations after which, it starts leaving guitars in their cases for months at a time. There are others who can easily rotate dozens of guitars, and then there are those that feel one is enough. It really all depends on what you use them for (hobby, weekend warrior or for a living), your current financials and of course, room!

Personally, I remember not-so-fondly of the time I only had my Strat and had to take her in for some type of upgrade or just a setup as that meant being without a guitar for anywhere from a week to a month. Not fun. An acoustic doesn't work either since I generally tend to play in the middle of the night where an electric with headphones or unplugged is ok whereas an acoustic is most definitely not (and your wife would be the first to agree!!!)

Now, there are many schemes to cover one's bases ranging from the simple Strat/Les Paul/Acoustic trifecta to the "two of each" mantra (which usually applies either to studio players or just plain greedy ones).
Given that your current state barely qualifies for the "simple trifecta" and that like you said, will be purchased with disposable income that, should you not buy it would be spent on something equally non-essential I'd say you could make a pretty decent argument that it's not all that excessive, this time.

Just don't start going into double digits or you'll be sleeping in the doghouse faster than you can say "but honey you don't need all those shoes either"!
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I've been holding steady at 60 guitars, 4 basses, 1 acoustic for about 5 years but I do not have one of those wifes you speak of although a sweet lil lady does come by every once in a while. I find when talking to a woman I know how things are gonna go when they learn how many guitars I have. The intonation of this sentence says a lot, " You have how many guitars?". :eek5: :headbang: :dunno:

Thank you Rick Nielsen, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford for making me want them all. :headbang: :headbang: :headbang:

5hogs6_zpsd0e4c7ee.jpg
 
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Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

An Acoustic, Strat and Les Paul, along with a tube amp is a very reasonable collection of guitars. Show your wife the differences and the reasons why you want all three. My wife asked why I need to many pedals, so I proceeded to mix and match them while I made a few loops on the looper. It all made sense then, since they all make different tones. Especially the difference between an acoustic, a funky Strat and a meaty Les Paul...

For the record, I own:
-Martin Acoustic
-3 Strats (Deluxe Plus, '69 style, '62RI)
-52RI Tele
-4 "superstrats" (2 Charvel style, 2 Schecter style)
-Jazz Bass
(I also have parts for 2 more... :D)
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

The correct answer is one more than you currently have.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

How can you possibly get by with just one electric and one acoustic?!!

5 is a reasonable number to start. You need a Strat, LP, and semi (and possibly an SG), plus an acoustic. (Three electrics would be a bare bones minimum)!!

I have 33 guitars, 7 amps, and about 25-30 stomps. And I'm a normal guitar player. I'm normal. Yes, I am normal. Certainly I must be. At least I'm reasonably normal...Just like almost everyone else on this forum.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

This is one case where there is no such thing as "normal".
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Three.

Humbucker, Single Coil and Acoustic. Then you can start on filling out your collection.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

If we're already operating on the premise that multiple guitars is acceptable, I'd say 4-7 is a good amount, depending on the types of guitars you prefer. Obviously if you like Strats, Teles, Les Pauls, 335's, and more, you might want 7. But if your idea of a versatile setup is a LP and a Tele, then you might be better off with around 4.

And always leave room for an acoustic.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Securb said:
The correct answer is one more than you currently have.
Click to expand...
This. At least current+1.
I have a couple 24.75 length guitars and would like to get a decent heavy mahogany LP style one. I'd also like a 25.5 with a bridge humbucker and a maple board though. I also want a 7 string sooner or later...also a p bass. I'm also wanting am acoustic bass, as well as a bevy of screwy old style instruments. Something to fill a gap and a little overlap for me. Problematically I do piano and drums as well so...its a long list.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

How do you teach a man to be a man? In this day and age, it's just getting harder and harder.
:lmao:
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I think, the answer is like how many children can you have? The correct answer is how many children can you support, spend time, pay for goods, schools, etc.. Same with guitars. If you take gear seriously, and you are not just a collector or a pro musician, then time is limited. Imagine you gotta maintain those axes. In any case, in your situation, the LP is a must. Its sound is so different than the Strat. I think you could get the LP and then spend time wit modding the strat, to make it versatile.

And hey, the acoustic doesn't count :)

Currently i have 4 electrics, and 1 acoustic, and i am fighting tooth and nail to keep the number of electrics at 4. I am on GAS for ibanez uv70p, but i still stand like a rock!
 
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Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

greekdude said:
Imagine you gotta maintain those axes.
Click to expand...

It's not that bad. The more guitars you have, the less wear and tear any single guitar experiences, especially if you keep them in cases or gig bags. I use Elixirs and Cleartones to get more mileage out the strings. These things make short work of hardware tarnish. An occasional dusting or wipe down is all they need, for the most part.

I prefer storing my guitars in gig bags. It's almost like zip-locking the guitar. Cases tend to have more air in them, smell musty and retain moisture, in addition to taking up more space.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

Really all you need to do is explain or let her hear the difference in sound between the strat and the LP. That is enough of a difference to make you want it right?

Just yesterday I went to youtube to show my wife some demo's of the (5) pedals I am building at the moment. She could hear the difference between them and could understand that I would want to build them. (Ok it's more difficult to show the difference between a fuzz and a fuzz or a distortion and a distortion, but I just happen to be building a compressor, booster, overdrive, fuzz and autowah).

The same way with guitars. I currently own 1 acoustic (the first guitar I bought, about 10 years ago a takamine EG523SC), one american fender strat (cheap find for 400 euro's including a frontman 212 amp) and a G&L ASAT tele (with the P90 like pickups, got it almost new from a friend for 250 euro's I think), also a bass because I played bass for a year with a gig I did, but I lended that one to a friend who is learning to play it. I of course would love to add a couple, like a LP, a PRS type, a thinline Tele, a 335 type, a cheap floyder etc. Just to have them, have the flavors available to me when I like and just because I love guitars. I would love to build a couple of them myself, build my own amp and maybe just for fun a violin. I tell my wife these things, she gets used to it and I am pretty shure over the next couple of years I get to buy or build some of these ones. We just plan the finances, do the saving for all sorts of stuff and then it is really no problem at all, she actually enjoys seeing me enjoy this stuff, so what more can you ask for :).

I guess the key really is showing that she means the most to you, that you'll take care of her, put her first, that you prioritize taking care of the kids, the house etc., that will usually make room for a lot of goodwill in my experience. When she feels loved and taken care off, she'll gladly see you enjoy some new stuff. When she feels you are putting this guitar stuff first... not so much...

Ah well I guess I digress a little bit, the answer to your question would for me be up to 7-10 max if it is just a hobby/every now and then a gig/praise and worship band thing. If you make a living of off it: as much as you need. If you are rich enough and will not get into trouble for it: as much as you want... For me the 'normal' amount depends on the importance of it in your life and on the circumstances of your life really.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

This is an inward question... not an outward one... asking for outside opinions is only hoping to justify the rationalizations you've told yourself... but at the end of the day you gotta look at yourself and your relationship to figure out the number.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

DreX said:
It's not that bad. The more guitars you have, the less wear and tear any single guitar experiences, especially if you keep them in cases or gig bags. I use Elixirs and Cleartones to get more mileage out the strings. These things make short work of hardware tarnish. An occasional dusting or wipe down is all they need, for the most part.

I prefer storing my guitars in gig bags. It's almost like zip-locking the guitar. Cases tend to have more air in them, smell musty and retain moisture, in addition to taking up more space.
Click to expand...

What about electronics pots/switches/connections?. Sooner or later will go off. Redoing the electronics alone is a PITA. What about frets getting flat. If its not a job that require necessarily a trip to the tech, then the decision to fix it yourself becomes more likely, and then the number of guitars is important. Personally i can maintain max 2 playing guitars. The rest two have to rest in their cases.
 
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?

I must have around 20 now. If you buy quality electronics they will go years without needing attention. Give them a polish one a year change the strings on some.

Its easy when its a labour of love

I have 19 :headbang: some still need to be put together.

charvel fusion
charvel charvette
charvel neck
The voyager
ibanez dt 50
ibanez dt 50 Gold saint seiya
ibanez sabre
pirate ship strat
fullick strat
blind guardian strat
bonefire
berseke schecter
shadow s100
carvin dc
31 fret full map
36 fret virtus
kreator star
Session strat
 
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