Many guitars or one guitar, from different perspectives

**Lobomov** · 03-03-2017, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by icr

My perspective = Many Guitars. Wive's perspective = no guitars....

Fixed it

**orri** · 03-03-2017, 05:35 AM

Having many is kind of distracting.
I mainly play two, tele with P90s and an ES175, but I have 7 others.

When I switch to others I often start to think too much about setup and such things, if I should raise the pickups or action, change strings etc.

**Jonah** · 03-03-2017, 05:42 AM

I'd love to have one guitar that would be perfect for me... or at least one acoustic and one electric.

But I did not find the one...

I kind of envy Peter Bernstein - he found something really unique for himself...

Initially I wanted acoustic archtop, then I got a pick up on it, then I got and archtop with two pickups, then I came across ES-335 type and felt very comfortable with it, and also began to use flattops as acoustic... I have very sonorous all-solid superjumbo... but now I am thinking about nice solid-top parlour for acoustic...

Then I occasionally borrowed strat (that I never even thought about seriously) and noe I have one and love it... I want to have a Tele now...
So you never actually know how it goes on..

But what I know for sure I am not collectioner.. I feel uncomfortable when I own something I do not use actively...
Somebody said: if you own something you do not use - you steal it.

I also agree that many guitars distract... because it's like playing toys a bit... but I also know that to really know the difference and my preference I need to have guitars at the same time for some time... I cannot sell one and buy another because I cannot really understand the difference then

and also I think the more intensive real work I have - the more I care just about strict practical things: playability, reliability etc.

the tone yes... but...
I do not know - very often I just pick a solid-body guitar and play some ideas even without plugging in... actually I pick the one closest for the moment)))
I noticed that with all tone differences I play more or less any guitar in the same manner...
I mean it's more significant than tone difference maybe... I am not sure...
When we go to my wife's parents' house for Holidays - they have old cheap laminated acoustic... half broken, in a very poor condition, nobody aplays it and it spent a couple of winters in the attics of a summer house i believe...
but I can handle it quite well... I mean if I had no choice i think I would have fixed it for more conviniece of playing and could make it sound all right

**JGinNJ** · 03-03-2017, 01:02 PM

When talking about "jazz heroes" and their playing just one instrument, I think it's a reflection on them being working professionals. The guitar is a tool for them, not a collectible, and they're paid for a particular sound. It's their brand, in a sense. It's also a musician's lot to travel- so one guitar that's not inordinately expensive makes sense. I read that Joe Pass toured with his ES-175, but he had an L5 that didn't leave the house.
There's also the stereotype of the impoverished musician who can only afford one guitar anyway! The vast majority of guitar players make their living doing something else, so multiple guitars is an affordable luxury. I smirk a little reading about acoustic players who are so into "tone", spending thousands to play cowboy chords.

**vinlander** · 03-03-2017, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by A440

Oh no, not the 'Tele' again; the answer to everything, apparently. Sorry but I really don't share the love for these planks of wood.

Was also feeling this way until I built my Warmoth solid Mahogany Franken Tele lately.
It overthroned my Les Paul in terms of tone and swiss knife versatility but no way in the same league as my Tal for Bop playing.
I thinned down the herd to 3 guitars and a Bass, all hanging on our living room wall with Wifey's approval

**Gitfiddler** · 03-03-2017, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by rio

If I had to choose I would probably take my Ibanez 2630. It has a good jazz tone and is just so damn versatile. That is real life though, needing one guitar for every gig. In some idealized reality it would be the L5 if I was just playing what I want to all the time.
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Um, I tend to agree with you about the Ibanez 2630...x 2 =5260!

**mr quick** · 03-03-2017, 04:36 PM

I have two "all-rounders". My Gibson ES-139, which after a fret levelling and general service, is the greatest guitar of all time. The backup is a 90s Epi Sheraton.
The rest all have functions/distinctive sounds ie. solid-body nylon-string electric, flat top acoustic, and so on.

**A440** · 03-03-2017, 05:35 PM

Ok, I admit that a more modern version of a Tele such as a Warmoth can be really nice, but the original Tele was made as cheap as possible. That bridge was awful. It had a big metal cover over it too (possibly to hide it?).The Strat was a much better guitar (I used to have one), but it has also been greatly improved upon.
I'll shut up now ....

**mr. beaumont** · 03-03-2017, 05:49 PM

Originally Posted by A440

Ok, I admit that a more modern version of a Tele such as a Warmoth can be really nice, but the original Tele was made as cheap as possible. That bridge was awful. It had a big metal cover over it too (possibly to hide it?).The Strat was a much better guitar (I used to have one), but it has also been greatly improved upon.
I'll shut up now ....

The tele wasn't cheap, it was marketed to pros and priced as such.

The bridge cover was removable

And you can build a Warmoth tele for less than many Fender models.

And Strats suck. (Not really, but teles are better

)

**hotpepper01** · 03-03-2017, 05:57 PM

I promised my girlfriend that there will be no more than 10 guitars, ever. So, there are 10 hooks on the slatwall in my mancave.
The number of guitars that I have is between 6 and 10. Presently, there are 7 and all of them are archtops. Yes, I do trade or exchange for something else or swap. And I do spend some money on them, but no more than 10. That promise limits me in a good way.

**Lionelsax** · 03-03-2017, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I'll never be down to one guitar, because I like both steel string and nylon string sounds.

But I think fewer is better, more and more.

How many guitars don't you play ?
Is it English ?

You've got a lot of guitars but do you play all of them ?

**JSanta** · 03-05-2017, 11:37 AM

I have three guitars (down from many more a few years back). I have two solidbody Carvins (a 6 and 7), and my Benedetto Bambino. After getting the Benedetto, I've really come to enjoy learning as much about how to make that guitar work perfectly for me. It's all that I could ever ask for in a jazz guitar. Are there guitars that I want? Sure! But I can't imagine that I will buy another instrument for many years. I have more than I "need". That being said, I am glad there are folks that love having lots of guitars. I think the variety is a great thing. I've found that my playing has improved because there is no choice or tinkering. I grab the guitar and feel immediately comfortable. I doubt I will ever play a gig again, and as such, I can't justify amassing a collection of toys just for the sake of having them. Again, I fault no one for what they do with their money (especially those that teach or make money from their instruments), it's just my perspective. It's funny, as a kid I could only have dreamed to have the money I do now to have "stuff," but I want less and less now!

**Stringswinger** · 03-05-2017, 01:18 PM

Many years ago, I decided to have only one woman. No regrets there. I suppose if I found the "right" guitar (as Barney Kessel and John Lennon did), I could be happy with just one. No such luck at this point. I have many guitars that are great, but not so great that I want to play them to the exclusion of all the others.

At one point I was up to 22 guitars. That was too many. I am down to 18 and have no plans to add any more. Perhaps one day when I stop gigging, I might sell some of them. But which ones? When I think about doing this, I think I know how the Utah Mormons felt after polygamy was outlawed there......

**50Hz** · 03-05-2017, 01:44 PM

I'm at a place philosophically where having less is much more appealing so the only reason I was even buying and selling was really to figure out my needs and wants out of a guitar. So it took a few years of trial and error but [for] now I feel pretty good about putting my few excess guitars up for sale. That being said, I'm all for people doing what brings them joy if they have the means to do so.

**rio** · 03-07-2017, 11:49 PM

So I have been sticking to the L5 since posting this and have had some big strides forward both in practice and getting my tone more where I want it to be. I think there is definitely something to be said for playing one guitar.

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**Alter** · 03-08-2017, 06:30 AM

whatever rocks your boat! One or many, it amounts to nothing if they don't inspire you to play! I have quite a few guitars, and try to keep one of every kind i enjoy, which is a problem

cause i enjoy playing many styles. Being left handed doesn't help either.

The ones i play each day are my 335 or an archtop as main practice, and a classical or flamenco (something with nylon strings). Have hardly practiced a regular electric at home (outside of gigging/teaching) for years. So i guess it is pretty focused instrument wise. Frets, necks, sizes i don't have a particular preference, but i really like the 24 3/4 gibson scale length, so gradually most of my guitars are being replaced with 24 3/4 instruments i hope.

If your musical voice demands it, i believe it is important to focus on a single instrument. Over the years, two things kind of defined my relationship with guitars. First, getting at some point a really good guitar (a hand made archtop, a taylor 810 later, etc..) kind of showed me what a superior instrument can do for your playing (a costly discovery unfortunately). Second, having spent a couple of periods of being in a house full of guitars and unable to play cause of overuse injuries. That was an eye opener also

My criteria of keeping a guitar is this: If i play it, or i need it for gigs or sessions, or if i may need it in the future. Otherwise it goes. But you need to play and try a lot before deciding what you really want from an instrument, and thats a good reason to buy/change/trade guitars.

**thrush40** · 03-08-2017, 11:16 PM

This is a false choice. Fewer guitars does not make one a better player. Practice makes one a better player and the number of instruments is completely irrelevant. Moreover, it could be argued that having more guitars around offers one more opportunity and more inspiration, as well as the ability to respond to different musical environments and settings. I don't buy for a second that having fewer instruments means or makes one more focused. Hogwash.

I am lucky enough to be able to have several guitars around. My count happily rests at seven (has for quite some time now). My playing and practicing time is extremely limited in my busy and varied life, full of enjoyable pursuits (travel, art, work, plants and gardening, etc. etc). Also, I know very well that while I always want to improve my playing, I do not aspire to be a great guitarist. So, I am under less personal pressure than perhaps others here.

I advocate lots of experimentation with respect to guitars of varied styles with particular attention to important specification differences (e.g. scale length, nut width, string spacing, etc). I think the pursuit of perfect gear might be distracting for some. I confess, it was for me for a time. Yet, having a modest collection of well maintained instruments offers tremendous pleasure.

I could be absolutely happy with fewer; however, more is no impediment. Rather, it gives me peace, joy and variety.

**rio** · 03-09-2017, 12:31 AM

I see your point but to call it "hogwash" and say what works for you is not true for others, much like everything else in life.

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**Lobomov** · 03-09-2017, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by rio

I see your point but to call it "hogwash" and say what works for you is not true for others, much like everything else in life.

Definately true ... but the notion that more guitars means less practice does seem to get stated a lot.

I must admit that having the option to pickup a strat if I hear something that is played on a strat is a lot more inspiring than to be stuck with only an archtop with flats.

**Klatu** · 03-09-2017, 08:09 AM

**tonesofpgh** · 03-09-2017, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

Um, I tend to agree with you about the Ibanez 2630...x 2 =5260!

How long have you had your 2630s? Just got mine back from the shop and it is absolutely stunning! Best guitar I've ever played, and I'm no stranger to high end guitars. Would love to pick up another one sometime but they are tough to find. What years are yours? Mine is a '79.

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**Gitfiddler** · 03-09-2017, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by tonesofpgh

How long have you had your 2630s? Just got mine back from the shop and it is absolutely stunning! Best guitar I've ever played, and I'm no stranger to high end guitars. Would love to pick up another one sometime but they are tough to find. What years are yours? Mine is a '79.

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Both 2630'3 are 1978 models.

I've owned the one pictured on the right since around 1985 and it has been modded by me over the years (Ibanez Super 58 p'ups, Gotoh bridge, bone nut; repro pickguard).

The one on the left is a recent purchase of about two years ago. It is stock except for the SD 59 p'ups and repro pickguard. I've considered selling it, but each time I play it.........................

Both are amazing instruments!

**gggomez** · 03-09-2017, 04:33 PM

Whenever I come to the forum there are 300-500 people in the equipment section about 10 times all other sections. About 2 people have purchased Jordan Klemons spectacular CD.

Didn't Wes say I am not a guitarist they spend too much time fussing about equipment?

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**drbhrb** · 03-09-2017, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by thrush40

This is a false choice. Fewer guitars does not make one a better player. Practice makes one a better player and the number of instruments is completely irrelevant. Moreover, it could be argued that having more guitars around offers one more opportunity and more inspiration, as well as the ability to respond to different musical environments and settings. I don't buy for a second that having fewer instruments means or makes one more focused. Hogwash.

I am lucky enough to be able to have several guitars around. My count happily rests at seven (has for quite some time now). My playing and practicing time is extremely limited in my busy and varied life, full of enjoyable pursuits (travel, art, work, plants and gardening, etc. etc). Also, I know very well that while I always want to improve my playing, I do not aspire to be a great guitarist. So, I am under less personal pressure than perhaps others here.

I advocate lots of experimentation with respect to guitars of varied styles with particular attention to important specification differences (e.g. scale length, nut width, string spacing, etc). I think the pursuit of perfect gear might be distracting for some. I confess, it was for me for a time. Yet, having a modest collection of well maintained instruments offers tremendous pleasure.

I could be absolutely happy with fewer; however, more is no impediment. Rather, it gives me peace, joy and variety.

I think a lot (most? all?) of us waste a good bit of time reading/thinking about gear instead of practicing. On some level gear is a distraction from the music once you've met some basic requirements (chunk of wood with strings). To some more than others. Sounds like you've found a good balance for yourself.

**rlrhett** · 03-09-2017, 09:24 PM

As a builder of unusual archtop guitars, I believe every player has a MORAL IMPERATIVE to have a wide collection of guitars... and to spend recklessly on them!!!