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I've owned way too many guitars over the years...always looking to "cover the bases". I've allowed myself to part with several guitars that I now wish I wouldn't have, primarily because I had too many and wasn't getting proper use out of any of them. Had I focused on truly enjoying what I did have and not worrying about the next one, I'd have been much happier in the long run, I'm sure.
My current lineup is much slimmer and I plan to keep it that way. I've got 2 electrics, both very different...Gibson ES-175, and a Gibson Les Paul Junior. I can justify keeping both of those based on sonic differences. I also have 2 acoustics, a flat top and an archtop.
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01-24-2012 09:42 PM
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I go through phases, so I feel a need to keep three cheap ones, but ones that I was very careful about buying. All were purchased new. I researched and played and played again before selecting not just the right models, but the right individual guitar.
Since trading in a guitar I loved but rarely played (Gibson L6), I've been playing the one I replaced it with (PRS SE Semi) 90% of the time. Before that I split time with my Ibanez Artcore and my Squier VM Tele. They're all different to me, and have different "personalities" or "vibes", which means something to me, but might not to the next guy. All are versatile. .012 flats on the Artcore and .009's on the PRS, makes the differences more noticeable.Last edited by woyvel; 01-25-2012 at 12:02 AM.
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great thread...I have been in and out of this dilemma for years...
Same as some of you, there were times that I have proudly declared 'this is it, no more guitars, I'm happy now!", only to get something new, trade something old, etc, etc...I finally accepted that I just love guitars! It is hard to stop, you always want something else, and God bless our times, this is a golden era for guitar lovers: new models, reissues, ebay, craigslist, forums, reviews, youtube, facebook....holy! the never ever bombarding of gear never ends. The good thing is that more gear is coming in better quality and lower prices (let's not get into the north america/asia debate for now)
Just these days, NAMM 2012 is wrapping up...I've seen at least two guitars and two amps I have to have! See? that is how it works. So, now I am thinking that maybe that Epiphone Regent could get sold, along with that SG that is not seeing much use, and maybe, if I add some $, then I could have a chance at that new one...
This reasoning has allowed me go through most of the coveted names/models in the jazz/rock guitar world, but it has also hit me financially at times. A good friend advise me to 'buy expensive, so I can sell expensive'. That was good advice, I found that I can always get my money back (and sometimes profit) when dealing with popular market brands. Surprisingly, some brands never get into this buy/sell value model, regardless of how good they are.
In general, more money can be obtained from the street via ebay/craigslist/kijiji and more bargains can also be gotten there. Store trade-in is the worst, as you will get around 25% less of your original price, less 15%-25% for the store commission, less whatever the store clerk thinks on top of that. But, I had accepted it sometimes, so to save the hassle and time of dealing with strangers on a mall, parking lot, etc.
Back to the topic, I recently traded the Gretsch CCTGC you see on my videos, and got two guitars and two amps for it. Traded one amp for another guitar, and so it happens that one fantastic guitar turned into three great guitars and an amp. Not bad.
However, the over abundance of gear around the house, got me toying with the idea that I maybe I should sell it all and get another great guitar...the cycle never ends...and I think I am starting to realize that I like it! Not sure what the next big one will be, but it is good to know that I own the decision on that move.
Surely, you would ask, then why did you exchange that good guitar on the first place? And here is my point, life is too short to hang on to stuff: If I am not using it, it should get moving.
These days, I am perfectly happy with a couple of high end Godin Multiacs as main guitars and the rest being mid level Godin/Epiphones covering every possible style. Call me for any gig, and I have the perfect guitar for it
(Someone mentioned the Godin Montreal, and that is a perfect example of something I might be getting next...itself, it covers a lot of styles )
Enjoy your guitars, and if you think you need 'that one', well, I say, go for it!Last edited by anothersixstringer; 01-25-2012 at 12:48 AM.
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Every guitar makes you play it in a certain way. Somehow they dictate the way the need to be played according to their particular specs and performances. Partly this is why most of us want or like to have more than a single costly and top notch guitar. A single guitar is ok if you only play one style or approach your playing in a "single direction", or if that particular guitar fits your needs good enough. Surely most of us would be more than happy with just a single good guitar, but don't we use to want everything in life?
Personally, I prefer a bunch of good affordable guitars than a single and very expensive best-in-the-world-for-certain-purpose one. All round versatile guitars are not that all round or that versatile in the end. Most of us cannot afford a small pack of custom ordered to specs top class guitars from the more famous and expensive luthiers in the world either. A few affordable good performers are ok for me. Nothing is perfect.
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only you can answer the question
if i had 3k to spend and owned no guitars, -id probably look for a decent accoustic first,
and then perhaps an LP and a tele-or some hollow body
i do think an accoustic is a differnt aspect entirely than an electric and in my mind , i need both
when i started, i saved to get my first martin and that was all i wanted or needed for years-still have it
i think
a high quality instrument
that you connect with
is a thing for life
buy one that suits your musical interest
then, perhaps another later
i think that if you might like a high end insturment, ask yourself will you really want it and feel like you wasted money by not getting what you wanted-this is a subjective value basedupon only your satisfaction-and i think its real and valid-ie if you really want an L5 dont buy a 175 if youre going to still wish you had bought the L5-i guess youll end up, possibly, with both
above all, too, is what you can reasonably afford-and how youll use it-at home-a d45 is fine-knocking about, id think twice
i have had the same d28 since 1969-i love it like i love my family
then i bought and kept several LPs and strats and teles-all high end
then an archtop-
and a pretty high end mando too
all over the course of at least 13 years (excluding the martin)
i love them all and i love to play them all
they key is to do things slowly and with thought,
and recognize if you have a short interst span-
and of course within your means
i love having different guitars because they sometimes inspire me uniquely
personally, because i love fine instruments and the craftsmanship-so theres something that is fulfilled beyond utility that is of value to me
that being said i have one japanese fender strat that is superb as well as an older ibanez d 18 and a takamine cutaway accoustic electric
that i also enjoy and have also kept because i like to play them-Last edited by stevedenver; 01-25-2012 at 04:20 PM.
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Looks to me like most of the replies are in favour of the higher end stuff (and obviously these are great guitars, no question) - even some of those described as mid-price seem highish end to me (Taylor for example).
So I just thought I'd throw in my view that the less expensive end of the market can still provide great guitars. I suppose my most used guitar is an Ibanez Joe Pass model made in 1980 - I don't know if it qualifies as high-end, perhaps higher mid-range - I do love this guitar though, it suits me perfectly for jazz use and sounds great IMO. But on the cheaper end, I recently bought this Shine semi-acoustic:
It cost me £149 plus postage, and I thinks it's terrific! I did give it a full fret level and dress, and changed the pickups to some nice alnico 2 PAF types, but still, it seems like a lot of guitar for the money to me. I use it for some jazz gigs, and have it set up with GHS brite flats 11 to 50 gauge half-rounds. Really nice guitar to play, nice semi-hollow character, gets a great jazz sound...
EDIT: should have said, but I guess I'm a vote for several mid-range (or even lower end range) guitars.Last edited by Meggy; 01-25-2012 at 04:29 PM.
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High end gear is great, especially if you can get it for a song! There is a certain kudos to having a brand name. I would love a pre 60's Gibson ES125 and they're certainly affordable still, I've had Fenders left, right and centre but they are generic and don't warrant the extra expense. Hand made guitars are worth the expense, love 'em.
But I love finding average quality and mid-priced guitars and modding them. I get given the odd guitar here and there and I either breath new life into them or 'Frankenstein' them into oblivion.
This is my go to Jazz guitar. Tanglewood TRG1, £275 second hand, maple neck and ply body. I fitted a Vintage Vibe CC rider H/B sized pickup and new bridge. I recently tried a 2010 Gibson ES175 and preferred my TRG1. I guess I was hoping for something more...something!? But the ES175 couldn't improve my guitar playing experience and I would have missed that TRG1 had I P/X'ed for the Gibson (+ £2000 out of pocket).
This is the Cort version of the same guitar (same manufacturer). The owner has modded his aswell. New pickup and tailpiece.
So in retrospect I guess one should have a nice vintage guitar, a well sweet custom guitar and a cheapie knockabout guitar........All sorted
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That TRG1 is well cool Jazzbow, and knowing you it will be set up to the max also. Which magnet have you got in the Vintage Vibe pickup?
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AlNico 2, tried the AlNico 5 for a while but the 2 was somewhat 'softer' sounding.
Originally Posted by Meggy
I also have the same model in Blue but stock, that one was £300 new + case. They didn't sell so they were discounted from £599ish. Shame, a really nice guitar. They also did a Larry Coryell model which is super rare but I hope to find one some day
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Awhile back I had 8 guitars, nothing super special.
Walked into a music store with em, walked out with a Les Paul Supreme.
I'm back up to 6 and still got the supreme.
Reality is I'm a better trader than player.
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I wonder how many guitars Jeff Beck uses to get all the different incredible sounds he gets. It must take at least 4 or 5. There's not any one magical guitar that could do all of it.
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that "L-5" of jeffs is a ES-175!
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Thank you for posting that ! That was a treat to watch !
What a cool guy who appreciates the guys who came before and their music .
Dennis
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Scof-one good Ibanez As-200/1981/.
He did a lot of great recordings on it and millions gigs...:-)
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In my case ONE DIRT CHEAP GUITAR!
Economics aside when I finish my studies and start making money again I wont be buying one guitar after another. I just want ONE guitar I really like. Never saw the point of having several. I get really intimate with my guitar and absolute hate changing. I once owned two and since I liked one a bit better than the other I never even touched the other one even though it had many caracteristics the 1st one lacked. So I sold it.
I guess I'm weird in that way. But not alone I think. Look at Ed Bickert. ALLWAYS playing that same worn out tele. And also Scofield is worth mentioning. To my knowledge he has been playing that same Ibanez on all recordings and concerts since around 1980.
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Yeah me too
One Ibanez Af120 ...... hey , it works , plays in tune
sounds OK , stuffed with foam
Now amps , there i've got AAS (amp aquisition syndrone)
just bought a Rockette 30 ......... whoops
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if you're a gigging pro then you need the "tools of the trade". they should do the job well and be cost effective.
but if you're a collector, then you should be very focused and selective. plan your purchases and be patient. and remember - even collectors move their collections around a bit. (i.e. they get GAS and buy and sell their guitars). when/if you do, you don't want to "take a bath" on resale prices.
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Not true about Scofield. The AS200 is still his main guitar, but last time I saw him I played a custom shop strat(with Robben Ford ford) and I know he has been playing that guitar quite a bit lately. I have also seen him with a Custom Shop telecaster, a Gibson 335 and even a Gibson Howard roberts(I think). Ed Bickert as at least two different tele's, he played one with a single-coil pickup in the neck before the humbucker one. Certain players get associated with just one guitar, but in most cases they have many. Originally Posted by aniss1001
In my case ONE DIRT CHEAP GUITAR!
Economics aside when I finish my studies and start making money again I wont be buying one guitar after another. I just want ONE guitar I really like. Never saw the point of having several. I get really intimate with my guitar and absolute hate changing. I once owned two and since I liked one a bit better than the other I never even touched the other one even though it had many caracteristics the 1st one lacked. So I sold it.
I guess I'm weird in that way. But not alone I think. Look at Ed Bickert. ALLWAYS playing that same worn out tele. And also Scofield is worth mentioning. To my knowledge he has been playing that same Ibanez on all recordings and concerts since around 1980.
I think it is good to have a main instrument and have other guitars to provide other sounds to switch things up a bit.
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Good idea for a thread. I'm along the lines of what Tom and fep say in their quotes below.
For me, I would rather have a few, say 3-4 under $1000 guitars that are tools for different playing situations:
1 solidbody for rock or fusion: Gibson Les Paul Studio
1 semi hollowbody for rock, fusion, or jazz: Ibanez AM93
1 hollowbody es175 type for jazz: Ibanez AK105SM
1 solid top acoustic dreadnaught: Seagull S6
Originally Posted by Tom Karol
Originally Posted by fep
Last edited by monkmiles; 03-28-2012 at 01:11 PM. Reason: Orderd the AM93!
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My friend just sold his Gibson Les Paul for an Epiphone, and after hearing his Epi, nobody questioned his decision. I used to have a couple expensive guitars, but once I started looking hard enough, I've found 5 sub $500 that all do exactly what I need them to and I love them all.
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+1 Originally Posted by Soco
Have you any Scof Cd's with these guitars?
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Hi, I don't. The last CD I bought by him was "En route live" which is one of my all time favorites, he is using the as200. Originally Posted by kris
I am not sure if Scofield has recorded with these other guitars but I have seen him live with the strat and seen youtube clips of him with other guitars.
He sounds great on the strat by the way.
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It depends, everyone has a different opinion, but given the financial opportunity I'm sure a lot of people would like a 'collection' of sorts. For me however after previously having owned a fair few guitars that I've narrowed it down to what I would actually use. So I use:
- JJ Electra (solid body, two humbuckers with coil taps, covers a lot of bases)
- Eastman T186MX (thinline hollowbody, used for all my jazz stuff, some clean stuff too)
- Larrivee L-03R (acoustic, pretty self explanatory)
- Alhambra 7P Cedar (classical, again self explanatory).
There aren't many instances where I feel that I need another sound, something with a vibrato would be nice but I don't need one.Last edited by Gabe; 03-27-2012 at 07:11 PM.
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