How many guitars do you have, and do you need them all?

[rpguitar]

From a strictly musical perspective, I need 5 guitars: Electric archtop and solid/semi, and acoustics in nylon, flattop steel and archtop steel varieties.

From a variety and fun perspective, the only limits are physical space, budget, and one's tolerance for maintaining guitars.

[boatheelmusic]

When I boil it down, I need (and have) a blonde Gibson ES-175 and a Fender Baja Telecaster.

I think about adding a Sadowsky archtop or maybe even an L-5, but no overwhelming need to.

As a backup, I also have an Ibanez AFJ85.

[MLambov]

In the country I live and study in, I have my Sheraton II and a Nylon string guitar (Cort) and in my homecountry I have a cheap ES335 Copy (Tanglewood memphis) and a Gibson SG. I don't really need much more. I would like to maybe change my nylon string for a better quality one and I would love to have a Tele. I can fo without it, but it covers totally different sound spectrum so I guess it would be a great investment.

[Doctor Jeff]

This pic is a bit old, but you get the gist. I have since sold the Electra SG-style bass and acquired a Gibson ES-135, which is my main axe these days. I have a Fender SCXD, Fishman Loudbox Artist and Fender Rumble 100 amps. Oh, and an old Pignose transplanted into a vintage farm radio cabinet.



Do I need them all? No, not at all. I could get by with the 135 and a nylon string and be quite happy. But why sell them when they bring me joy and look so cool?

[rpjazzguitar]

I could be happy with three.

Comins GCS 1
Yamaha Pacifica Strat copy
a nylon electric like the AEX500N.

The Comins actually has all the steel string sounds I need. The Yamaha is for days when my hands hurt -- it has a smaller neck and softer action.

The AEX500N is a narrow neck 24 3/4 instrument -- which is rare in a nylon guitar. I don't have one.

[ugarte]

I currently have 5, two telecasters, an ES339 semi, a 17" Hofner and a 16" Eastman archtops, I really only play two - one of the Tele's and the Eastman. Ideally I will sell the Hofner and the ES339 to partially finance acquisition of a good classical and someday a vintage carved-top. One of the problems is that I'm only in this location for another 18 months tops, and I hate moving guitars, the Teles can take anything but shipping acoustics is stressful.

[Tal_175]

I have six guitars. But if I think about it, I only really need twenty. Thirty max.

[djelley]

The total number of guitars that I own is embarrassing. Seriously. I have a problem. We joke about GAS around here, but my collection is causing me many difficulties. I really should sell almost all of them, but the thought of parting with most of them causes anxiety. I just love guitars so much, even though I'm not a very good player.

[Doctor Jeff]

The total number of guitars that I own is embarrassing. Seriously. I have a problem. We joke about GAS around here, but my collection is causing me many difficulties. I really should sell almost all of them, but the thought of parting with most of them causes anxiety. I just love guitars so much, even though I'm not a very good player.

You should only keep those that give you pleasure. Sell the rest.

It may not help your cause for me to say I have regretted selling almost every guitar (and car) I have ever owned. And miss most of my old girlfriends terribly.

I'm reminded of an old man who was told he needed to have his testicles removed to treat his prostate cancer (this was 35 years ago, not current standard treatment). He replied, "Well doc, I don't get too much use out of 'em these days, but I kind of like to keep 'em around just for the memories."

[teeps]

7 guitars and 5 basses. Need them? Not as such, but I like to change now and then and they are all different.

[Mark M.]

Seven. Plus one arriving on Friday. And, I'm already thinking that I will move my Gibson C1 classical in order to find the right flamenco blanca in a few months.