What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
- Thread starter jimzucco
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DreX
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
The more guitars you rotate between, the less warn out any one guitar becomes.
The more guitars you rotate between, the less warn out any one guitar becomes.
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
I have 12 or so and almost as many amps. Its more than the wife wants.... I would say 9 guitars and 3 amps would be ideal. I'm pursuing one of each color and body style or pickup combination for guitars. For amps I go with small (battery powered) , medium (1x12 combo) and Large (half stack). All of my gear is used or inexpensive but I do have a ton of it.
I have 12 or so and almost as many amps. Its more than the wife wants.... I would say 9 guitars and 3 amps would be ideal. I'm pursuing one of each color and body style or pickup combination for guitars. For amps I go with small (battery powered) , medium (1x12 combo) and Large (half stack). All of my gear is used or inexpensive but I do have a ton of it.
Wolferine92
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
What is this normal you speak of friend?
You'll know when you have enough IMHO, lack of GAS might be one factor!
What is this normal you speak of friend?
You'll know when you have enough IMHO, lack of GAS might be one factor!
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
alright, but management-wise, its more economical to concentrate on specializing on 1-2 types of guitars (e.g. strats/LPs), and do the job more frequently, than having to learn how to work on 3-4 or more designs (PRS, Ibanez, etc.. all having their own designs, hardware, electronics, parts), even if this gets done more rarely. Having to know less leaves room in the head for other parts life.
alright, but management-wise, its more economical to concentrate on specializing on 1-2 types of guitars (e.g. strats/LPs), and do the job more frequently, than having to learn how to work on 3-4 or more designs (PRS, Ibanez, etc.. all having their own designs, hardware, electronics, parts), even if this gets done more rarely. Having to know less leaves room in the head for other parts life.
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Laughing Kookaburra
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
Given your current collection, a Strat and an acoustic, having a humbucker guitar is quite reasonable, if you require that sound. That's the line of reasoning that I would present. This isn't cosmetic, as in wanting different colors of the same model (not that there's anything wrong with it!), but about your basic tonal palette.
As far as myself, there was a time I had around 15 guitars. I was using them, and it was cool, but conversely, the periods of my life where I was gigging the heaviest (twice a week), I often had only one or two electric guitars (strictly due to personal economics). I worked it out just fine. These days, I gig once in a while, have two Teles, two Hamer Specials, and an acoustic. Each electric has a different pickup approach than the others, so I can cover a lot of ground. Yet, at the same time, the guitar sounds aren't so far apart that they can't at least do a reasonable job covering for each other in the event that one goes down at a gig. That is more than enough for me. YMMV.
Given your current collection, a Strat and an acoustic, having a humbucker guitar is quite reasonable, if you require that sound. That's the line of reasoning that I would present. This isn't cosmetic, as in wanting different colors of the same model (not that there's anything wrong with it!), but about your basic tonal palette.
As far as myself, there was a time I had around 15 guitars. I was using them, and it was cool, but conversely, the periods of my life where I was gigging the heaviest (twice a week), I often had only one or two electric guitars (strictly due to personal economics). I worked it out just fine. These days, I gig once in a while, have two Teles, two Hamer Specials, and an acoustic. Each electric has a different pickup approach than the others, so I can cover a lot of ground. Yet, at the same time, the guitar sounds aren't so far apart that they can't at least do a reasonable job covering for each other in the event that one goes down at a gig. That is more than enough for me. YMMV.
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Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
I currently have 16 guitars. My big OCD thing is having a back up of each of my axes. It doesn't have to be an exact duplicate but close in tone and function. For that reason I have two HH Strats, 2 guitars with a piezo/Hum combo of some sorts, 2 Teles with high output bridges, 2 shred sticks with bouncy trems and the list goes on. My fear is I work something into a set and a guitar goes out of commission.
I currently have 16 guitars. My big OCD thing is having a back up of each of my axes. It doesn't have to be an exact duplicate but close in tone and function. For that reason I have two HH Strats, 2 guitars with a piezo/Hum combo of some sorts, 2 Teles with high output bridges, 2 shred sticks with bouncy trems and the list goes on. My fear is I work something into a set and a guitar goes out of commission.
ImmortalSix
John Mayer's Mankini
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
YES --- shame on the rest of you! There is only one correct answer in this thread, and that answer is
N+1
YES --- shame on the rest of you! There is only one correct answer in this thread, and that answer is
N+1
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
Think from the wife's perspective for a moment.
To her, your next guitar is a non-essential indulgence, bought with money that she has already mentally ear-marked for other things. The fact that the funds for the proposed purchase were earned entirely by you counts for nothing. Decor, shoes and depilatory tools = important. Guitars = frivolity.
Think from the wife's perspective for a moment.
To her, your next guitar is a non-essential indulgence, bought with money that she has already mentally ear-marked for other things. The fact that the funds for the proposed purchase were earned entirely by you counts for nothing. Decor, shoes and depilatory tools = important. Guitars = frivolity.
Jocelyn
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
I need to tell my wife that . Wow I feel so good reading this thread.
I need to tell my wife that . Wow I feel so good reading this thread.
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Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
This is actually good advice whether you are talking about guitars or not. I always made my wife feel this way, and then for my birthday several years ago she surprised me with a Fender Deluxe American Strat and a Jazz Bass, then for Father's Day I got an Elliot Easton signature Gretsch Pro Jet.
A little genuine love and caring goes a long way!!!
By the way, that Takamine acoustic is a great guitar for the price...I've got the same model and love it.
This is actually good advice whether you are talking about guitars or not. I always made my wife feel this way, and then for my birthday several years ago she surprised me with a Fender Deluxe American Strat and a Jazz Bass, then for Father's Day I got an Elliot Easton signature Gretsch Pro Jet.
A little genuine love and caring goes a long way!!!
By the way, that Takamine acoustic is a great guitar for the price...I've got the same model and love it.
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
My wife doesn't care what I buy. Hell, I bought her a house how can she complain about my guitars.
My wife doesn't care what I buy. Hell, I bought her a house how can she complain about my guitars.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
I'm very fortunate. My wife is supportive in all the things that I do and I support her hobbies in return. So, as long as I exhibit a reasonable approach to purchasing gear, she makes it a point not to bug me too much about my oddball purchases. I also make it a point to keep her in the loop from time to time with what I'm thinking of getting, showing her pictures and asking her opinions on the color, style, etc., and that often gets her excited about a new purchase, too.
As I'm finishing up a couple project guitars that have sentimental value to me, I've been actively trying to clear out others. My goal is to get down to 4 primary electrics (2 fixed bridge, 2 tremolo) and then get an acoustic or classical down the road, maybe even a 7 string at some point, but I'm not in a hurry to acquire anything new right now.
It was mentioned earlier in the thread and may be sort of off-topic, but my wife and I also have "personal" accounts alongside our joint accounts for the "household". It does away with the nit-picking over smaller purchases and the day-to-day stuff and has worked out extremely well for 7+ years now. Any time there is a big change in goals (go on vacation, increase savings, etc) or monthly commitments (joining a gym, buying a car, changing insurance, etc.), we revise how much needs to go into the "household" checking account for monthly expenses and the "household" savings account for, well, savings. Since we're both honest and level-headed (neither one of us has a wicked gambling habit or secret meth addiction), it works out really well
I'm very fortunate. My wife is supportive in all the things that I do and I support her hobbies in return. So, as long as I exhibit a reasonable approach to purchasing gear, she makes it a point not to bug me too much about my oddball purchases. I also make it a point to keep her in the loop from time to time with what I'm thinking of getting, showing her pictures and asking her opinions on the color, style, etc., and that often gets her excited about a new purchase, too.
As I'm finishing up a couple project guitars that have sentimental value to me, I've been actively trying to clear out others. My goal is to get down to 4 primary electrics (2 fixed bridge, 2 tremolo) and then get an acoustic or classical down the road, maybe even a 7 string at some point, but I'm not in a hurry to acquire anything new right now.
It was mentioned earlier in the thread and may be sort of off-topic, but my wife and I also have "personal" accounts alongside our joint accounts for the "household". It does away with the nit-picking over smaller purchases and the day-to-day stuff and has worked out extremely well for 7+ years now. Any time there is a big change in goals (go on vacation, increase savings, etc) or monthly commitments (joining a gym, buying a car, changing insurance, etc.), we revise how much needs to go into the "household" checking account for monthly expenses and the "household" savings account for, well, savings. Since we're both honest and level-headed (neither one of us has a wicked gambling habit or secret meth addiction), it works out really well
Chocklit_Thunda
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
What's a normal amount of guitars to own?
One more.
What's a normal amount of guitars to own?
One more.
Detroitblues
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
"normal" amount? 1 more than you currently have.
"normal" amount? 1 more than you currently have.
zenmindbeginner
New member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
Oh man... I have a cheapo Xaviere travel electric guitar + 13 guitars that are assembled... I have 7 more that are in differing stages of refurbishing.
One of those is a vintage GR-707 synth guitar... does it count?
All electrics are USA except for one Korean Hamer and that Roland. I think all of my acoustics are Japanese except for my Ovations Elites.
Of course, that number is set to change in the next year or so... I am probably going to sell some to fund an amp(s) purchase(s).
So, 20 guitars could very well turn into 15 within a year or so. I simply don't have enough space to put them all on stands at once.
Oh man... I have a cheapo Xaviere travel electric guitar + 13 guitars that are assembled... I have 7 more that are in differing stages of refurbishing.
One of those is a vintage GR-707 synth guitar... does it count?
All electrics are USA except for one Korean Hamer and that Roland. I think all of my acoustics are Japanese except for my Ovations Elites.
Of course, that number is set to change in the next year or so... I am probably going to sell some to fund an amp(s) purchase(s).
So, 20 guitars could very well turn into 15 within a year or so. I simply don't have enough space to put them all on stands at once.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
The normal amount is inversely proportional to the money in your current bank account. And your current line of credit.
The normal amount is inversely proportional to the money in your current bank account. And your current line of credit.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: What's a "normal" number of guitars to own?
And...the more you have, the less likely she'll be able to recognize a new one. Numbers can work to your advantage. Most women are going to see a 'black' guitar, and not know whether it's a Strat, Tele, LP, SG, 335, etc.
And...the more you have, the less likely she'll be able to recognize a new one. Numbers can work to your advantage. Most women are going to see a 'black' guitar, and not know whether it's a Strat, Tele, LP, SG, 335, etc.