One amazing guitar or a few mid-range? Where do you allocate your spending?

[Rmcali2]

Just wanting to get everyone's thoughts on a common dilemma that seems to be coming to a head for me: Use most of my resources to purchase one amazing guitar and try to make it versatile OR spread your cash to cover a few sonic territories?

I am mostly referencing electrics, both solid and semi-hollow.

Where do you stand?

[lpdeluxe]

I prefer to go with one great guitar. In the past, I have accumulated different guitars with the idea of "versatility;" this is generally practical only if one buys instruments that are not top flight (a situation that does not apply to some of us, of course). After many years of that approach I discovered that I play much better, and believe I sound better, if I get one really good guitar and play it exclusively. Here's my current squeeze (and likely to be my last one):

[mr. beaumont]

I have one really nice semi hollow, my main guitar.

I have other guitars around that 1k (and some below) mark for different textures. But my most used guitar is my nicest and most expensive. I like having multiple guitars around...I buy the best I can afford...I don't have the money for a house full of top tier instruments, but I don't buy cheapos either...

However, now that I'm not really gigging and spending most of my time with my 2 month old, my acoustics are getting a lot more play...

[FrankLearns]

Originally Posted by Rmcali2

Just wanting to get everyone's thoughts on a common dilemma that seems to be coming to a head for me: Use most of my resources to purchase one amazing guitar and try to make it versatile OR spread your cash to cover a few sonic territories?

I am mostly referencing electrics, both solid and semi-hollow.

Where do you stand?

Got converted. In the beginning i bought a few cheap guitars that were all "good bang for the buck". I liked and still like them but they were all lacking something. I finally decided that i don't need another cheap guitar and started buying great instruments. And indeed - the gas for another guitar that covers the same sonic territory is gone in each case. I am sure i will never ever need another gypsy guitar, i will never need another travel guitar (got both from Luthiers), i don't need any other hollow body Rockn' roll guitar than my Gretsch G6120. If i'll have another guitar it'll be a jazz archtop that a luthier makes to my specifications. But presently i'm happy and worry, as i should (:-)), about my musical and playing skills.

[Help!I'maRock!]

it's a question of intent. are you buying a buncha guitars to cover some idea of imaginary "bases" for the right gig? to me, that's the wrong path. buy an instrument because you bond with it and can't live without it. then play whatever you want on it.

[Tom Karol]

I have 3 $800 electrics - a Tele-type, a 335-type, and a single-pickup 175-type. I would rather have these three than one $2400 one. But that's just me. (I also have a Martin and a travel guitar.)

[mr. beaumont]

Originally Posted by Help!I'maRock!

it's a question of intent. are you buying a buncha guitars to cover some idea of imaginary "bases" for the right gig? to me, that's the wrong path. buy an instrument because you bond with it and can't live without it. then play whatever you want on it.

Well, not all bases are imaginary.

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Well, not all bases are imaginary.

that's how i ended up with 12 guitars.

[mr. beaumont]

Hey, me too...

I think it's not as much the bases that are imaginary as it is the need to cover them...

I probably could get by with about 5-6 guitars for my needs...but I like my 12.

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Hey, me too...

I think it's not as much the bases that are imaginary as it is the need to cover them...

I probably could get by with about 5-6 guitars for my needs...but I like my 12.

my problem with "covering the bases" is that many guitarists take that to mean they need a 335, a Les Paul, an SG, and an ES-175 because they "all sound different!" they could probably pick two of those and be perfectly happy. or the guys who have 8 strats and 4 teles with different pickup combinations. all that stuff just gets in the way. you only need the one or two that sound right for you.

[mr. beaumont]

That I can agree with.

By the way, love the Hawk quote...

[ESCC]

I am very happy with my one and only wife, but as far as guitars go . . . I have a hard time being monogamous.

I have 5 electrics and each one is different from the other in body style, pick-ups and neck profile. Each one speaks to me in a different way and makes me play differently which I like. One guitar may get most of my attention for 6 months or so, but the others will get some time for the sake of inspiration. Only one of the 5 is under $1,500 in value and not made in America, however I've enjoyed making upgrades/modifications to that guitar while the others remain "original".

[Soco]

I am going for all super nice guitars!
One collings, 2 prs, a McInturff, 2 custom shop Fenders, a G&L, A godin nylon and a taylor steel-string. I think I am done now.

[raylinds]

I have a couple of really nice guitars, and a couple of lower end. I have a high end Fender USA Deluxe strat that I have had for years as my basic elctric blues guitar. I also got a Gretsch Chet Atkins that I got a great deal on about six years ago when I started playing some early 60s instrumentals

About 6 months ago, when I started playing again, I got a Paul Reed Smith Custom 24, to use as a humbucking blues sound.

Since I have gotten big into jazz I bought a Peerless Gigmaster Jazz, which has become my main guitar. It was only about $1100, but is a fantastic guitar both tone and playing wise.

I also have a early 90s Samick built Epi Joe Pass, with all upgraded electronics and hardware. I like the Peerless better.

I now kind of regret the PRS purchase, as it is not getting much use.

[marcwhy]

For the OP, I'd say, "It depends on what you already have."

Also, if you're an experienced player and you have a good sense of what kind of "sound" you're looking for, AND you have the cash to do what you want (please don't buy guitars on credit!), then why not get something nice?!

Remember, "nice" guitars can range from $2000 - over $20,000, so there are many options.

Now, if you're 20, just getting into jazz, and are living in a studio apartment, I'd say, "Get a $300 Ibanez and practice!"

Marc

[Help!I'maRock!]

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

That I can agree with.

By the way, love the Hawk quote...

Originally Posted by marcwhy

Now if you're just getting into jazz, I'd say, "Get a $300 Ibanez and practice!"

fix'd to enable me buying an Artcore.

[johnnyl]

GAS is a difficult condition

I have sort of ended up with 5 medium-ish priced guitars
2 Taylors,
1 strat,
an epiphone les paul &
Peerless monarch

All are nice enough guitars in their own ways, but I sort of wish I could start again with a clean sheet and maybe get a Gibson es 339 for its size mainly, and a martin acoustic.
I suppose the problems are:
Musical tastes change (blues to jazz), there is so much choice but mainly I don’t fancy getting divorced!
I think it’s important to have that one instrument that you just cant put down
The search continues!
John

[newsense]

A very timely thread, as I am struggling with that same concept at present. I have a nylon string, one steel flat top, a Gitanes Maccaferri, a G&L Legacy S500 and a Godin Flat Five, plus various low cost amps and pedals.

All the above were bought new except for the Flat Five, which I bought off e-bay at a quarter its retail price (~£1300 before it was withdrawn). The "new" guitars were all around the £500 mark when purchased, putting them in the lower mid-range of guitars. However, I find myself playing the Flat Five the most and in recent years have invested in replacement pickups and customised the electrics to produce a unique guitar which is something more personal than the others.

My New Year resolution was to reduce my instruments to the minimum for my purposes. As purely a hobbyist (i.e. not a performer) my aims are to
enjoy playing and to improve as a player. The first of these aims explains the proliferation of guitars, but as lpdeluxe suggested I don't think it helps improve my playing to hop between several instruments.

Hence my strategy is to sell virtually all the above (and the other gizmos) except for the Gitane and replace them with one (or two !) instruments from the next rung up. By restricting myself to half the number of instruments (of higher quality), I hope to spend more time on each of them and achieve my goal of improving my playing.

I estimate I can raise about £2500 if I sell everything, which could give me enough for, say, a pretty good thinline semi (e.g. Yamaha SA2200 or Godin Montreal) plus a good electro-classical (maybe a Godin Multiac).

I realize that if I restricted myself to just the semi, I could aim for a more expensive instrument, such as a 335. However, I read many reviews which suggest that some lower cost instruments (e.g. the Yamaha, the Ibanez AS103 or Peerless equivalents) sound better and appear to be of higher quality. Hence I am reluctant to truly commit myself to "one amazing guitar".

This post is more like therapy than a plea for help, although feel free to comment, offer guidance or advice.

[Buster Loaf]

I have 4 guitars that I use.
- small pignose electric with built in amp, to keep at work.
- backpacker for park playing
- j45
- strat
GAS-a Loar 300 or a G100

[kris]

Good guitar for good money -this is the key.
I use: Ibanez As-200/1982/, Tele style Santander upgraded,D'Aspiranta arch-top upgraded,Frameworks-hand made nylon strings travel-gig guitar.
All are different and I love all of them.:-)

[whosgarethparry]

i can only play one, feel like i'm cheating if i swap around..also for me, i struggle to switch to different postures that respective guitars require. wake up the next day with all kinds muscle ache...
i've always tried to find one guitar that does it all. that guitar doesnt exist (i've spent a fortune trying to find it, then modding it (if i can just get it to do this,,,,,))
i've now settled on a vintage 335 style guitar....end of
....well.............maybe......though i was looking at a Benedetto Benny earlier, if i can just wire it so that......

[rickshapiro]

Originally Posted by Rmcali2

Just wanting to get everyone's thoughts on a common dilemma that seems to be coming to a head for me: Use most of my resources to purchase one amazing guitar and try to make it versatile OR spread your cash to cover a few sonic territories?

I am mostly referencing electrics, both solid and semi-hollow.

Where do you stand?

It depends on how wide your sonic territory is. My classical and archtop guitars are not going to cut it for my rock needs. My rock guitars will not do it for my classical needs. You get the idea.

[fep]

Originally Posted by Tom Karol

I have 3 $800 electrics - a Tele-type, a 335-type, and a single-pickup 175-type. I would rather have these three than one $2400 one. But that's just me. (I also have a Martin and a travel guitar.)

+1

If I was starting over:

1st a 335 or something similar from Heritage or Ibanez or Epiphone

2nd a Fender Jazz Bass

3rd a Fender Tele

4th a 175 type, I'd get that new Eastman 403CE

Including the used market and MIM fenders, I think I could get that done for 2k

[pingu]

Now, if you're 20, just getting into jazz, and are living in a studio apartment, I'd say, "Get a $300 Ibanez and practice!"

Yeah thats what I did/do ...... mind you I'm 55
the practicing is cool tho

[ES350]

I do play other genres gig/studio wise (not rock), so I have tried to consolidate to 4-5 basic guitar types, all electric: a 335, an LP, a Tele, a Strat, and a few good archtops. In all cases, I have saved my money and tried to get the best I can afford so as not to play the 'if only' game...I think having the best instrument you can safely afford, the one that really speaks to you in whatever voice it offers, is a good policy.

[KevinV]

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.

[woyvel]

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.

[anothersixstringer]

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!

[Snap]

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.

[stevedenver]

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-