It comes down to the player and their needs. I play in my house for fun. I don't play out anymore so for me one guitar is sufficient. I'm looking for one guitar for all situations and I think it's going to be an HSS strat style guitar of some sort. Right now I play a Squier VM Jaguar but I don't like the small scale anymore. I also have a nylon string acoustic classical guitar that I've been playing quite a bit lately too.
Oh boy! You got me here. I play my Tele most of all...but I own 293 guitars as of this writing. Yup a serious case of GAS. LOL. I have Gretsch, Fender, Ibanez, Guild, Yamaha, Cort, Wolf, Gibson, Gopherwood, {PRS and Martins for openers. I play them all on a rotating basis but my Tele with a Jazzmaster Pickup is my Go-To favorite. Not my most expensive guitar, but is has a great sound, it's comfortable to play and easy to fix if necessary. I also recently sold two of my amps and three guitars. My son plays professionally now (I taught him to play some years back) and he's a minimalist. He plays a Tele and his Martin most of all but since he's doing fingerstyle now mostly (tunes similar to Tommy Emanuel), he plays his Martin almost exclusively. DO we need all those guitars.... nope! But it's now just a fun thing to do collecting and selling and trading. My wife tells me my house looks more like a Sam Ash store, but she's very supportive and enjoys our music so we lucked out.
Yeah... I think of them so I'm times as art objects. Or pretty girls... I might play the same on tune on each, but it feels different, and, it's such a gas to play anything at all, why not? A lot more fun than stocks or bonds!!
I’ve gigging for over 40 years in large and small venues. For all the music styles I personally have played (electric or acoustic).There is only one that would work for everything in my performances. If I was forced to own only one. My choice is clear! It is my 72’ Fender Telecaster or similar with single coils. Please do not let my wife know this😮
Social pressure is real. I’ve always played 1 guitar in my life until recently when I met with people with many guitars. It felt like I was missing out. Now I realise this is not helping me as a player. Having 1 or 2 is how I progress the most.
Take a HSS with coil split and tremolo bar, try the neck and body check if it's comfortable with you, buy a mid range with respectable brand, buy a color you like, love the dent and scratch, use a digital fx + amp modeler + a ditto pedal You can basically nail 90 percent of everything, yes even you can IR simulate the acoustic guitar with your bridge middle pickups from your hss
I once ordered a second guitar, but the excitement quickly faded, and I felt overwhelmed having two. I decided to return it, realizing I prefer owning just one high-quality guitar. The only reason I would consider multiple guitars is for different tunings. However, with my Digitech Drop pedal for tuning down, one guitar is all I need.
It's down "to try them out" than to "have them all". The problem is, that you can't try them out in the big guitar store as the majority of them are not set up well or ain't set up at all, or even worse they are set up incorrectly on purpose. I think owning two or three guitars that suit us well is far more than sufficient.
Great topic Jamie. I’ve found that my periods of greatest creativity and productivity came from when I purposely limited myself to one guitar and one amp. To go one step further, lately, I’ve been sticking to using only one guitar pick too, since different picks introduce another variable in my tone. This “deprivation” allows my to focus all my attention on playing the music and enjoy the equipment I actually own (instead of dreaming about some rig I covet). For now, my Custom Shop Telecaster and Princeton fit my needs! Cheers.
I have a ‘quality over quantity’ approach to guitars, there was a time when I had a bunch of OK ones lying around, but then I sold them all and got two decent ones instead, a Strat and a Gibson acoustic, they cover a lot of my needs, but I think eventually I’ll swap those two out for some even better ones.
I’ve only been playing for less than 3 years and I recently got one as an upgrade to my initial squier. My squier had nothing wrong with it, and looking back at it I still feel I made the right choice. I just felt like I needed more, and when I found my second guitar I felt closer to getting the sound that I wanted and with versatility and longevity in mind. I now feel like I no longer need to get another for a very long time, if ever. The plus to using the same one is over time you can become so used to the feeling of the same one that it becomes an extension of yourself more easily than having several. I still use the squier in a different tuning so it’s more of its own thing and is more complimentary to what I now call my 2nd “main guitar”. I don’t follow social media too much, my anxiety won’t allow me too which is probably a good thing. Plus I don’t care what everyone else is playing, I want what I like
Awesome video man. Coming from a bass player’s perspective I also agree that less is more. I have two very solid basses that I’m very familiar and comfortable with and they’re even the same model. A Schecter Studio-4 and Studio-5. These basses cover anything that I need. I can get any sort of tone from them thanks to the active EQ they both have. I can go full neck pick up, boost the bass and mids slightly, leave the treble in the middle and I’ll get a nice warm tone. It won’t sound like a p bass because they’re hummbuckers but it has a nice “vintage” tone if you will. And go all the way to the bridge pick up, boost the bass and treble, scoop the mids accordingly (or leave dead center) and now I’ve got a tone similar to that of a Thumb bass. That’s without doing anything to the amp. That’s just the EQ on the basses themselves. I use those two examples because a p and a thumb are totally different basses but with the Studio series basses I feel that I’m able to achieve both. The only thing I may wanna get in the future would be a fretless Studio 5 in a tenor tuning (E-C) and that’ll pretty much cover any situation that I will need a bass for. Any genre comes up I know I’m covered. I grew up playing in Metal and Rock bands now I’m playing in a Latin/Funk/Fusion band with the same bass. That pretty much speaks for itself.
I have 15 guitars. I rotate between maybe five or six of them. One sits by the sofa, so I can pick it up whenever the mood strikes. Three of them are very high end, and I break them out when I have a song to record. A few of my guitars are earmarked for my grandkids, when they are old to play full size instruments. I’m about to sell off a couple that I find to be redundant.
Own one guitar? I do! It is a "partscaster" with a Squier neck I fell in love with, a body from USA Custom Guitars, and a pair of Pete Biltoft pickups that have five different interchangeable magnets via screwdriver. It has worked for every style from hard rock (not metal!) to cool jazz. And because I got the exact parts I needed it's become the only guitar I need and use!
I've never played a tele (or les paul ftm) that didnt poke my ribs and forearm. Belly cuts are popular for a reason. For me, the strat is the sound I look for. Basically neck pickup cleanish (think JJ Cale). I built myself a headless for fun, and it turned out quite good. Been playing it a lot. Very confy and light. Easy to travel. Holds tune. Sounds great. These are the 2 I keep. Only one Marshall amp but mostly play through my PC (bias fx) using the same preset always. Im a happy man.
Great video and topic. GAS is a very real thing for guitarists. I think for the most part it’s logical every thing you said in the video. For me I’ve owned the same three guitars: 2 Strats, 1 Tele for more than 18 years. I do have a bass guitar & piano but for my studio to do musical parts when writing songs. These three guitars I’ve had for years. It just made sense I didn’t need anything else to get the sounds & tones I wanted. I pick up each guitar every day to tune and to play. Minimum time on each guitar is roughly 12 minutes of song playing, scales, and noodling.
My all time favourite is a leftie Fenix tele that I bought new in the late 80's. Unfortunately I had to convert to a rightie stance 10 years ago due to a bike smash leading to lack of right wrist rotation under the neck, so I bought a PRS custom 24 to get me playing (I would have given up on a cheap one, but my wife forced me to play it as it cost so much!). I bought a Ron Kirn tele about 6 years ago and haven't played anything else as I love everything about it. Last year I bought an Ibanez AS73 to learn jazz on but never really found the time to do it! Would also love to revisit the classical guitar after a 40 year hiatus but time and money have not been kind to me!!
I feel you need at least a couple. Having a small body classical and a go to electric. I try to limit to 5ish, to cherish each one or make specific choices to replace it for a reason
I had just one guitar for a few years. During that time I thought a lot about what my perfect would be. I even made a list. I was surprised to discover that the Fender American Performer HSS ticked all my boxes. So I found one at a good price and bought it. Then I came into some money and went a little guitar crazy. I bought another Strat, a Tele, a Les Paul and an Alvarez Jumbo acoustic. I play them all. But that first HSS Strat is still my favorite and I sometimes think about selling the others. If I'm ever short of money they'll go. But, for now, I'm keeping them all.
In the last 12 months I went a bit crazy and bought myself 5 guitars: an acoustic dreadnought, a Les Paul kit, an ES 335 style, a Les Paul gold top P90 copy, a Tele Thinline copy. I like all my guitars for their different characteristics. If I had to choose one, I think it might have to be the Tele for overall comfort and versatility. I would miss the others 😢
I was a happy lad with just one guitar for years. I had a Gibson SG Standard when I was in a touring band in the early 70s, a Fender amp, an MXR Phase 90 and an EH Big Muff. It did the trick! Ten years later I moved on and became a studio session player. I took the advice of the legendary Tommy Tedesco and invested not only in more guitars, but also mandolin, bouzouki, balalaika, banjo. In the end I ended up with over 20 guitars, Les Paul, ES335, Tele, Strat, Jerry Jones electic sitar, Baritone, 12-string, electric, and acoustics: Martin, Guild, Yamaha Classical, 9-string Yairi, Martin in Nashville tuning...was I happy? Yes, because owning these guitars made it possible for me to make a (good) living for almost 30 years. 😊
The telecaster truly is the one guitar to rule them all. There's absolutely NOTHING they can't do. I'll be getting one as soon as I have the spare jingle. Hopefully in the next couple weeks or so.
Trouble is Jamie, if you are interested in different styles of guitar playing, classical, flamenco, jazz or just strumming away to sing songs, you cannot just have own one guitar. I regularly use four guitars, even though I own more.
@@jamieholroydguitarit’s not, it may be true but if you looked at the entire guitarist population you would find it is their lust that drives them not necessity. It is so unhealthy these folks constantly lust after instruments and research them endlessly it is no different than lusting for women and drugs. The online community condones it, companies encourage it but it still isn’t right.
@@bluwng I don't think you understand about the different styles of guitar playing. To try to play rock guitar, for example, on a classical guitar would be like trying to unscrew a slot-headed screw with a cross-headed screwdriver. Yes, guitar ownership can become an obsession but most often it's about having the right tool for the job. I don't know where the reference to lusting after women and drugs came from, but don't you think that a comment like that is a bit over the top?
@@DerekMcGonigle I believe you think I don’t know but I do know the difference. You missed my point and you didn’t read carefully. I said they are valid reasons my argument the number of people who are in this situation are negligible and if you look at the root cause if you can look at their hearts it’s just greed. I will keep it simple and restate, I do know, reasons are valid , reality is these reasons don’t apply to most but greed and lust do.
In some situations you can definitely own just one guitar, however, I have 2 electrics, 2 acoustics one bass and one mandolin. Both of my electrics are higher quality(Rickenbacker 360/6) and a custom built guitar that looks like John Fogerty’s baseball bat guitar but HSS. My Acoustics are a Gibson HP cutaway in D standard and a Johnny Cash Martin(MIM) in standard. My bass is a Rickenbacker 4001 jet glo and my mandolin is just an Alabama with a pickup. I use them all for various situations and mainly for home recording
I play two. They're pretty much identical (so act as backups to each other) except one is HH and the other SSS. I have a double guitar bag for gigs, and play both pretty much equally. I've been down the rabbithole (I think at one point I had 18 or 19 electrics) and found my way out. But one might be one too few for me personally.
There is a middle road: I own a hollow body (Ibanes LGB30) and a solid body (Ibanez AR325). The bodies obviously are different, but the neck, pickups are exactly the same. So in fact practicing one of them covers them both and at the same time I’m prepared for all genres.
Hi Jamie, I think I’ve got it down to three, similar to my bikes. One consideration for me you touched on was a guitar you didn’t mind getting dinged. I can now leave my well played Gibson L6 lying around the house to pick up and work things out without worrying about it, whilst still producing a great sound plugged in. Gypsy jazz presents a different set of criteria, such as playing outside in the summer and cutting through the ensemble in the pub. That leaves me with the gift to my myself of the archtop which is just a joy.
Unfortunately I can't be so pragmatic nowadays. I own six high-end guitars and an old classical guitar, despite I don't have more than one hour a day to play them. But it's so inspiring to look at them before I start playing "the guitar of the day". I love to clean them up, I'm very interested in different woods, different strings and picks, I have a lot of pedals and using different amps. I have to agree it is unnecessary to own all this equipment, and I'm sure I could be happy even with a humble but good Squier and a Roland Mini Cube if my current situation could afford just this pair. But there may be art in every step of an hand made instrument and equipment.
I'm old enough to be owning 5 guitars by now, and I'm happy with that! If I had to sell 4 I'd keep my favourite jazz box and would be happy as well. I think, though, that 2 is just perfect (your "one and only" guitar might sometimes not be available... like if it is being refretted or otherwise repaired and you need another one ready/steady/go). I play jazz, so for me the ideal situation would be either a jazz box and a 335 style guitar (for situations that need to be a bit louder) or 2 jazz boxes: a high quality jazzbox and a cheap one (as a backup or for the risky/dangerous situations, so to speak). A lot of saxophone players, for instance, have a couple of instruments (i.e. a tenor and a soprano, or a tenor and a flute... some have a sax and a clarinet, or bass clarinet) anyway. Out of my 5 guitars I only play 2 most of the time, really.
Very happy with one electric Eastman T64 and one acoustic Martin 0018v, having said that I'd love a Martin 015 as a couch guitar. I've owned 8 other guitars previously, but some of that was trial and error in getting to know what I liked, short scale and wide nut in my case.
These days I like the idea of a main guitar that can reach as many tones as possible and a couple for alternative tunings. I have an SE Custom 24-08 with p-rails for 95% of what I play and two others, one in Eb and one in drop D. Using the main one so much made me a better guitar player.
I own 6 Guitars but if I really have to choose one, classical guitar being my principal instrument, I would choose the one with a cut away instead of the more expensive and beautiful sounding other classical guitar without the cut away.
I have three classical guitars in my herd of 6. One is a beat up 3/4 student that sits at work to strum by me or anyone else there. Another 3/4 student with better frets and while basic not abused that's ready at my couch for working out an idea or practice. The 3rd is full sized cutaway with electrics if needed, meant for serious stuff to play or record
difficult one I 've had Gibsons and Fenders and others but I just got a D'Angelico Bob Weir signature at the age of 70 and I honestly think it does everything I need ! and it plays better than any I ever had..depends what you play really ..it's nice to have a solid and a semi solid if possible !
I'd be happy if I could get it down to 4 guitars. I too favor a Telecaster as my main grab. My favorite is a fifteen year old beat up Classic Vibe Squire that I bought used for $250 and plays and sounds great. I personally enjoy acoustic at least as much as electric so I have a few of those. Because none of my guitars cost me more than 400 bucks I don't worry about the small pile that always lying around.
Great topic and interesting to read so many thoughts and comments. I played live a lot in the 70s and since then it's all been in the studio and I have bought a few different guitars. For the last 30 years the one electric I have used for just about every recording session is my Roger Sadowsky NYC S Style HSH. So if it came down to it that be 'the one'. That said there's no way I'm letting my 1968 Les Paul Custom go anywhere anytime soon 😊
My newest favorite guitar venture is into building a pedalboard. It's a far cheaper route than acquiring more guitars, and GAS with pedals is not end of the world financially. I tend to not count my acoustic, bass, or my ukuleles as owning more than one (in each type of) guitar , and I've been happy with the electric I currently have. In a few years, I want to get something with a bolt on neck. Fender's Custom Shop FMT is made well where I won't break the headstock anytime soon, but it always is my number one fear with a guitar like that. However, the older I get, and the more of a desire I do have of buying a few more guitars. I think so long as these guitars are meaningful in choice, they have a place. The problem is if you are just buying guitars for the sake of having guitars and you still don't feel a desire to play, then it would be best to reduce that collection to a few essentials. It's like a Marie Kondo approach but with Reverb, "If it does not spark joy, to a Reverb listing it goes." Quality over quantity matters most, and the more you play the stringed instruments you have, the less guitars you find yourself needing in your collection. Currently, the only three guitars I want are a Fender 60s Vintera Jaguar, strandberg Boden 8, and an Eastwood Hi-Flyer Phase 4; and this is because they are so different from one another, it is a whole different instrument. This is after seeing hundreds of guitars and making countless lists of potential options. With my experience on just one guitar for years, those skills will transfer to if I ever acquire a second electric that's drastically different, and I think a meaningful decision for a guitar can improve your playing style, leave you open to new sounds and possibilities. Cause then you can get extremely proficient on that guitar, and it'll allow you to have more options in your toolbox.
90% of the time, I play my reverend double agent, and the 10% goes to my old sg style upgraded guitar, both p90/hb. That configuration is the best for me, I don't need more. The less you have, the more you connect with it and the more you can highly upgrade and repair your instruments to get it really the way you want it to feel and sound.
If I can’t decide which one I need/want to take, it usually comes down to my ES 335. Out of interest, instead of buying a Les Paul, did you consider buying an overdrive pedal for a fraction of the cost? Nice interesting video!
Thanks Russ! I just use my Strat with gain for all my rock needs these days. I never used to think that Strats rock but now I realise I hadn't found the right pedal!
Hello Jamie, interesting video, and refreshing to see a range of excellent comments in response that remain relevant to the subject. I have a number of guitars, quite a few being bought as collectors items or perceived to be investments when I stretch my imagination far enough. Approximately 95% of my playing is done on three guitars. Two solid bodies, one is strung with round wound 9-42s plain 3rd, one round wound 10-46s plain 3rd and then an arch top jazz box with 12-52s flat wound with wound 3rd. I have found that I can play certain things well on certain strings and that some strings suit certain guitars and genre's better than others. Do you have any thoughts on stringing for all scenarios?
I keep 10s on my Tele which I can use for any genres I play. But I’m like you and prefer heavier strings on semi and hollow body guitars. If I had to have one guitar then I’d need to have 10s on!
Do you need more guitars or you want more guitars? Both reasons are logical for me Buying a new guitar always feels amazing But as a fingerpicker and blues player I only need 2 acoustics(small body steel strings and nylon strings) and 2 electrics(semi hollow and a LP) Those will cover all of my needs but I own 20 guitars because why not?! Also having different guitars inspires me to play different styles and genres Also as a session player sometimes Its better to use different guitars for different projects For us beside the passion and love to collect, guitars are our work tools So owning different guitars makes you even more versatile
Answer is no lol there are valid differences between alnico 2 and alnico 5 pickups and differences between, humbucker, p90, single coil, and lipstick pickups, which puts the min collection you should aim for after years of playing is about 6 or 7 to have atleast 1 of each pickup type In alnico 5 and a few in alnico 2. and 2 good acoustics spruce and mahogany have a big enough sound difference. Here Harley benton, crafter etc can be your best friend as you can get great guitars for cheap and either vanson, Wilkinson, artec alnico pickups can be bought for about £35 a pair and are top notch ...big brands overcharge for the name as ultimately it's just wire, magnets and plastic so the cheaper ones fr those brands are good because they have been around consistently for yne last 15years or so, make pickups for other brands to put in their guitars and from experience and comparing my expensive guitars to them they sound good... Then after a good few more years if you want to add different voicings to the pickups start adding more guitar and target the type of pickups you want more variety in. I have 22 guitars (4 are acoustics) now and 3 basses over 15years , And I got 8 harley bentons to mod over the last few years to fill the gaps in variety of pickups rather than spend a fortume so I have 2-3 variations of each type of pickup in alnico 2 and 5 .. I feel each of my guitars give me riffs that the other dont depending on the feel of the neck and sound/ scale length, and it means I cam have guitars set for different string gauges and tunings without having to mess about so for me its worth it.
I have been collecting gear since years and now I own 36 different instruments ranking from Hollow body to semi hollow body as well as solid body guitars a set of acoustic both nylon and steel also some solid and acoustic basses an upright double bass an an ukelele .I do agree woth you but at my age It is hard for me to part from one of them .My kids and my wife will probably sell them when I'm gone.thanks for the video
I can't do it. I can't get down to just one guitar, especially acoustics. I can't imagine letting go of my 0000 Martin, 12-string, or D-28 let alone saying goodbye to my Yamaha AE-11 or tele.
I am jealous about others who can get different feelings out from different guitars, especially these who can feel the tone difference. They are already at the “enjoy music” level while I am struggling with my terrible guitar skills and hoping expensive guitar can do magic for me.
Can o'wormz?! I think it depends on what you are doing. Got a Benson for the jazz band, no way will I take my D'an out! Got a Martin dreadnough for the acoustics indoor select to sing to stuff. But a takamine for amplified acoustic gigs. An Iba As200 for lots of stuff, and an Iba blackbeauty LP for the blues. So they all have their place for me. Various strings, and sounds. I could NOT choose if I had to download!
Start smashing your guitar into your monitor amp after the show, and you'll quickly run out of axes. Oh, jazz. Never mind... Yeah, you guys just need one.
I don't even properly play guitar yet, and I'm watching hundreds of videos, perusing forms, and asking questions all in the pursuit of finding "the one" and I think it's just making me neurotic... Anyone want to hear my OCD asinine BS about what I think _could_ be "the one"? It's all about combining simplicity with versatility, range, and stability; so it would actually be interesting if anybody can guess.
Hallo, ich habe eine 63 F-Strat Custom Shop. Gleich nach diesem Kauf mußte ich meine alte F-Strat Mexico weggeben, weil die AM Strat viel mehr Power hatte. Sie ist super u. ich werde mein ganzes Leben brauchen, um diese Gitarre kennenzulernen. Jetzt spiele ich immer mehr Jazz. Ja das geht mit der Strat. Du hast es uns gezeigt im Video. Deine Strat ist sehr schön.
You only talking electric guitars. I play a Marin acoustic. Been wanting a flamenco guitar for years. Just got a Cordoba and is a totally different instrument. Electric guitars yes a telecaster a strat and a Les Paul... but they all kind of the same lenguage with a different feel. If you go from Electric to acoustic steel strings or steel strings to nylon strings then you are talking different languages. Worth exploring in my opinion.
For me, guitars have been like stray cats 🤣 In the six months since I started, my one entry level Taylor has turned into a Takamine dreadnought, Seagull 12 string, strat clone, 2 ukuleles and an Epiphone LP modern. All of them free (except for the Les Paul, which I just bought used). They just keep following me home 😂 In fact, today I'm seeing a friend and I suspect a hollow body will be in the backseat on my way back to the house. I'm lucky to have a very understanding wife. For a beginner, I definitely agree that variety keeps my interest as well as being able to learn to adapt to any guitar but at the expense of slowing progress of learning just one instrument really well. Great topic for discussion, Jamie! Thanks for your videos 😊
I think a guitarist can own 2 guitars and be happy...one electric and one acoustic....that's all I had all through the 70s and much of the 80s....now I own a home and retired so I have a dozen guitars but they're not neceessary at all. If I gigged again with an electric I'd like to carry a spare in case of string breakage . I have however used only one guitar pick for over 40 years now and there's not another like it available...no, I won't lend you my pick either!
I currently only own one guitar, an Ibanez semi hollow. I don’t play gigs, probably never will, and don’t even have people near me to jam with so traveling with one isn’t an issue. I would eventually like to own a hollow body, but that won’t be happening in the foreseeable future. I’m more interested in upgrading my amp. I feel like that’s a better use of my funds at this point and will give me more bang for my bucks.
I still have my first proper guitar from nearly 40 years ago and it is the one I play more than any of the others I own. I could live with just that one because although the other guitars are nice, it's the music that's important, not the latest gear and I can get my music from that one guitar :)
I've struggled with this for my 50 years of playing, and I think it comes down more to wanting variety more than NEEDING it. I constantly go between one and ten guitars 🤣🤔 Currently on five...but I've just bought another! 😳
I have a beautiful Les Paul which I love and play most of the time. It cost a lot and I do worry about it. If Im playing backstreet bars Im bringing my Squire Telecaster. It has a p-90 in the neck and a tele pickup in the bridge, sounds great and I never worry about it. 😂
I own 4 guitars. 2 electric and 2 acoustics. My favorites is the USA-made Fender Telecaster and Martin HD 28. The other two are made in Japan and China but I don't think they have the same quality as the US-made. Before I also had a Japan-made strat. Nice to play but the pickups made me disappointed, so I sold it.
I used to play the sax and now I play the trumpet , mostly , and I dabble in guitar and uke , I can tell you that saxophonists are obsessed with mouthpieces and in minor way with reeds (like guitar players with strings ) they own alto , tenor and sometimes baritone or soprano they can't buy so many horns because they are much more expensive than guitars , but I know some of them who own more than one , trumpet players buy more trumpets 'cause they are a little cheaper than saxes , I myself own many guitars and not many trumpets -
Yep. We just collect. I’m ironically a drummer. And a pianist. I own one piano. One drum set. Yet a dozen guitars. It makes no sense.
It comes down to the player and their needs. I play in my house for fun. I don't play out anymore so for me one guitar is sufficient. I'm looking for one guitar for all situations and I think it's going to be an HSS strat style guitar of some sort. Right now I play a Squier VM Jaguar but I don't like the small scale anymore. I also have a nylon string acoustic classical guitar that I've been playing quite a bit lately too.
Oh boy! You got me here. I play my Tele most of all...but I own 293 guitars as of this writing. Yup a serious case of GAS. LOL. I have Gretsch, Fender, Ibanez, Guild, Yamaha, Cort, Wolf, Gibson, Gopherwood, {PRS and Martins for openers. I play them all on a rotating basis but my Tele with a Jazzmaster Pickup is my Go-To favorite. Not my most expensive guitar, but is has a great sound, it's comfortable to play and easy to fix if necessary. I also recently sold two of my amps and three guitars. My son plays professionally now (I taught him to play some years back) and he's a minimalist. He plays a Tele and his Martin most of all but since he's doing fingerstyle now mostly (tunes similar to Tommy Emanuel), he plays his Martin almost exclusively. DO we need all those guitars.... nope! But it's now just a fun thing to do collecting and selling and trading. My wife tells me my house looks more like a Sam Ash store, but she's very supportive and enjoys our music so we lucked out.
Exactly! I think trading, buying and selling is almost like a related hobby to playing. Looking on reverb can be therapeutic sometimes!
I look on Reverb daily, also American Musical Supply and zZounds. They know me well. Lol
Yeah... I think of them so I'm times as art objects. Or pretty girls... I might play the same on tune on each, but it feels different, and, it's such a gas to play anything at all, why not? A lot more fun than stocks or bonds!!
I’ve gigging for over 40 years in large and small venues. For all the music styles I personally have played (electric or acoustic).There is only one that would work for everything in my performances. If I was forced to own only one. My choice is clear! It is my 72’ Fender Telecaster or similar with single coils. Please do not let my wife know this😮
Social pressure is real. I’ve always played 1 guitar in my life until recently when I met with people with many guitars. It felt like I was missing out. Now I realise this is not helping me as a player. Having 1 or 2 is how I progress the most.
Take a HSS with coil split and tremolo bar, try the neck and body check if it's comfortable with you, buy a mid range with respectable brand, buy a color you like, love the dent and scratch, use a digital fx + amp modeler + a ditto pedal
You can basically nail 90 percent of everything, yes even you can IR simulate the acoustic guitar with your bridge middle pickups from your hss
I once ordered a second guitar, but the excitement quickly faded, and I felt overwhelmed having two. I decided to return it, realizing I prefer owning just one high-quality guitar. The only reason I would consider multiple guitars is for different tunings. However, with my Digitech Drop pedal for tuning down, one guitar is all I need.
It's down "to try them out" than to "have them all". The problem is, that you can't try them out in the big guitar store as the majority of them are not set up well or ain't set up at all, or even worse they are set up incorrectly on purpose. I think owning two or three guitars that suit us well is far more than sufficient.
I agree. I’ve written guitars off after trying them in a guitar shop to later realise how good they are when I’ve used them at home, gigs, etc
Great topic Jamie. I’ve found that my periods of greatest creativity and productivity came from when I purposely limited myself to one guitar and one amp. To go one step further, lately, I’ve been sticking to using only one guitar pick too, since different picks introduce another variable in my tone. This “deprivation” allows my to focus all my attention on playing the music and enjoy the equipment I actually own (instead of dreaming about some rig I covet). For now, my Custom Shop Telecaster and Princeton fit my needs! Cheers.
Good points! Nice guitar and amp combo too.
I have a ‘quality over quantity’ approach to guitars, there was a time when I had a bunch of OK ones lying around, but then I sold them all and got two decent ones instead, a Strat and a Gibson acoustic, they cover a lot of my needs, but I think eventually I’ll swap those two out for some even better ones.
I’ve only been playing for less than 3 years and I recently got one as an upgrade to my initial squier. My squier had nothing wrong with it, and looking back at it I still feel I made the right choice. I just felt like I needed more, and when I found my second guitar I felt closer to getting the sound that I wanted and with versatility and longevity in mind. I now feel like I no longer need to get another for a very long time, if ever. The plus to using the same one is over time you can become so used to the feeling of the same one that it becomes an extension of yourself more easily than having several. I still use the squier in a different tuning so it’s more of its own thing and is more complimentary to what I now call my 2nd “main guitar”. I don’t follow social media too much, my anxiety won’t allow me too which is probably a good thing. Plus I don’t care what everyone else is playing, I want what I like
Awesome video man.
Coming from a bass player’s perspective I also agree that less is more. I have two very solid basses that I’m very familiar and comfortable with and they’re even the same model. A Schecter Studio-4 and Studio-5. These basses cover anything that I need. I can get any sort of tone from them thanks to the active EQ they both have. I can go full neck pick up, boost the bass and mids slightly, leave the treble in the middle and I’ll get a nice warm tone. It won’t sound like a p bass because they’re hummbuckers but it has a nice “vintage” tone if you will. And go all the way to the bridge pick up, boost the bass and treble, scoop the mids accordingly (or leave dead center) and now I’ve got a tone similar to that of a Thumb bass. That’s without doing anything to the amp. That’s just the EQ on the basses themselves. I use those two examples because a p and a thumb are totally different basses but with the Studio series basses I feel that I’m able to achieve both.
The only thing I may wanna get in the future would be a fretless Studio 5 in a tenor tuning (E-C) and that’ll pretty much cover any situation that I will need a bass for. Any genre comes up I know I’m covered. I grew up playing in Metal and Rock bands now I’m playing in a Latin/Funk/Fusion band with the same bass. That pretty much speaks for itself.
I have 15 guitars. I rotate between maybe five or six of them. One sits by the sofa, so I can pick it up whenever the mood strikes. Three of them are very high end, and I break them out when I have a song to record. A few of my guitars are earmarked for my grandkids, when they are old to play full size instruments. I’m about to sell off a couple that I find to be redundant.
Own one guitar? I do! It is a "partscaster" with a Squier neck I fell in love with, a body from USA Custom Guitars, and a pair of Pete Biltoft pickups that have five different interchangeable magnets via screwdriver. It has worked for every style from hard rock (not metal!) to cool jazz. And because I got the exact parts I needed it's become the only guitar I need and use!
I've never played a tele (or les paul ftm) that didnt poke my ribs and forearm. Belly cuts are popular for a reason. For me, the strat is the sound I look for. Basically neck pickup cleanish (think JJ Cale). I built myself a headless for fun, and it turned out quite good. Been playing it a lot. Very confy and light. Easy to travel. Holds tune. Sounds great. These are the 2 I keep. Only one Marshall amp but mostly play through my PC (bias fx) using the same preset always. Im a happy man.
Great video and topic. GAS is a very real thing for guitarists. I think for the most part it’s logical every thing you said in the video. For me I’ve owned the same three guitars: 2 Strats, 1 Tele for more than 18 years. I do have a bass guitar & piano but for my studio to do musical parts when writing songs. These three guitars I’ve had for years. It just made sense I didn’t need anything else to get the sounds & tones I wanted. I pick up each guitar every day to tune and to play. Minimum time on each guitar is roughly 12 minutes of song playing, scales, and noodling.
My all time favourite is a leftie Fenix tele that I bought new in the late 80's. Unfortunately I had to convert to a rightie stance 10 years ago due to a bike smash leading to lack of right wrist rotation under the neck, so I bought a PRS custom 24 to get me playing (I would have given up on a cheap one, but my wife forced me to play it as it cost so much!). I bought a Ron Kirn tele about 6 years ago and haven't played anything else as I love everything about it. Last year I bought an Ibanez AS73 to learn jazz on but never really found the time to do it! Would also love to revisit the classical guitar after a 40 year hiatus but time and money have not been kind to me!!
I feel you need at least a couple. Having a small body classical and a go to electric. I try to limit to 5ish, to cherish each one or make specific choices to replace it for a reason
I had just one guitar for a few years. During that time I thought a lot about what my perfect would be. I even made a list. I was surprised to discover that the Fender American Performer HSS ticked all my boxes. So I found one at a good price and bought it. Then I came into some money and went a little guitar crazy. I bought another Strat, a Tele, a Les Paul and an Alvarez Jumbo acoustic. I play them all. But that first HSS Strat is still my favorite and I sometimes think about selling the others. If I'm ever short of money they'll go. But, for now, I'm keeping them all.
Funny how it works! Thanks for your comment.
In the last 12 months I went a bit crazy and bought myself 5 guitars: an acoustic dreadnought, a Les Paul kit, an ES 335 style, a Les Paul gold top P90 copy, a Tele Thinline copy. I like all my guitars for their different characteristics. If I had to choose one, I think it might have to be the Tele for overall comfort and versatility. I would miss the others 😢
I hear you!
I was a happy lad with just one guitar for years. I had a Gibson SG Standard when I was in a touring band in the early 70s, a Fender amp, an MXR Phase 90 and an EH Big Muff. It did the trick! Ten years later I moved on and became a studio session player. I took the advice of the legendary Tommy Tedesco and invested not only in more guitars, but also mandolin, bouzouki, balalaika, banjo. In the end I ended up with over 20 guitars, Les Paul, ES335, Tele, Strat, Jerry Jones electic sitar, Baritone, 12-string, electric, and acoustics: Martin, Guild, Yamaha Classical, 9-string Yairi, Martin in Nashville tuning...was I happy? Yes, because owning these guitars made it possible for me to make a (good) living for almost 30 years. 😊
Great story. Sounds like you needed them all!
The telecaster truly is the one guitar to rule them all. There's absolutely NOTHING they can't do. I'll be getting one as soon as I have the spare jingle. Hopefully in the next couple weeks or so.
I don't understand people who say this. What can a telecaster do that any superstrat with HSH (splittable H) pups can't do better?
@@dimitrisdimitriadis4913 play one. You'll understand.
Trouble is Jamie, if you are interested in different styles of guitar playing, classical, flamenco, jazz or just strumming away to sing songs, you cannot just have own one guitar. I regularly use four guitars, even though I own more.
Good point !
Addicts always have excuses.
@@jamieholroydguitarit’s not, it may be true but if you looked at the entire guitarist population you would find it is their lust that drives them not necessity. It is so unhealthy these folks constantly lust after instruments and research them endlessly it is no different than lusting for women and drugs. The online community condones it, companies encourage it but it still isn’t right.
@@bluwng I don't think you understand about the different styles of guitar playing. To try to play rock guitar, for example, on a classical guitar would be like trying to unscrew a slot-headed screw with a cross-headed screwdriver. Yes, guitar ownership can become an obsession but most often it's about having the right tool for the job. I don't know where the reference to lusting after women and drugs came from, but don't you think that a comment like that is a bit over the top?
@@DerekMcGonigle I believe you think I don’t know but I do know the difference. You missed my point and you didn’t read carefully. I said they are valid reasons my argument the number of people who are in this situation are negligible and if you look at the root cause if you can look at their hearts it’s just greed. I will keep it simple and restate, I do know, reasons are valid , reality is these reasons don’t apply to most but greed and lust do.
In some situations you can definitely own just one guitar, however, I have 2 electrics, 2 acoustics one bass and one mandolin. Both of my electrics are higher quality(Rickenbacker 360/6) and a custom built guitar that looks like John Fogerty’s baseball bat guitar but HSS. My Acoustics are a Gibson HP cutaway in D standard and a Johnny Cash Martin(MIM) in standard. My bass is a Rickenbacker 4001 jet glo and my mandolin is just an Alabama with a pickup. I use them all for various situations and mainly for home recording
I play two. They're pretty much identical (so act as backups to each other) except one is HH and the other SSS. I have a double guitar bag for gigs, and play both pretty much equally. I've been down the rabbithole (I think at one point I had 18 or 19 electrics) and found my way out. But one might be one too few for me personally.
There is a middle road: I own a hollow body (Ibanes LGB30) and a solid body (Ibanez AR325). The bodies obviously are different, but the neck, pickups are exactly the same. So in fact practicing one of them covers them both and at the same time I’m prepared for all genres.
Hi Jamie, I think I’ve got it down to three, similar to my bikes. One consideration for me you touched on was a guitar you didn’t mind getting dinged. I can now leave my well played Gibson L6 lying around the house to pick up and work things out without worrying about it, whilst still producing a great sound plugged in. Gypsy jazz presents a different set of criteria, such as playing outside in the summer and cutting through the ensemble in the pub. That leaves me with the gift to my myself of the archtop which is just a joy.
That’s a good mix! Beware of the guitarist with one axe, because surely he will know how to use it.
Unfortunately I can't be so pragmatic nowadays. I own six high-end guitars and an old classical guitar, despite I don't have more than one hour a day to play them. But it's so inspiring to look at them before I start playing "the guitar of the day". I love to clean them up, I'm very interested in different woods, different strings and picks, I have a lot of pedals and using different amps. I have to agree it is unnecessary to own all this equipment, and I'm sure I could be happy even with a humble but good Squier and a Roland Mini Cube if my current situation could afford just this pair. But there may be art in every step of an hand made instrument and equipment.
I agree! It’s psychological sometimes and not just want you need.
I'm old enough to be owning 5 guitars by now, and I'm happy with that! If I had to sell 4 I'd keep my favourite jazz box and would be happy as well. I think, though, that 2 is just perfect (your "one and only" guitar might sometimes not be available... like if it is being refretted or otherwise repaired and you need another one ready/steady/go). I play jazz, so for me the ideal situation would be either a jazz box and a 335 style guitar (for situations that need to be a bit louder) or 2 jazz boxes: a high quality jazzbox and a cheap one (as a backup or for the risky/dangerous situations, so to speak). A lot of saxophone players, for instance, have a couple of instruments (i.e. a tenor and a soprano, or a tenor and a flute... some have a sax and a clarinet, or bass clarinet) anyway. Out of my 5 guitars I only play 2 most of the time, really.
Very happy with one electric Eastman T64 and one acoustic Martin 0018v, having said that I'd love a Martin 015 as a couch guitar. I've owned 8 other guitars previously, but some of that was trial and error in getting to know what I liked, short scale and wide nut in my case.
These days I like the idea of a main guitar that can reach as many tones as possible and a couple for alternative tunings. I have an SE Custom 24-08 with p-rails for 95% of what I play and two others, one in Eb and one in drop D. Using the main one so much made me a better guitar player.
I own 6 Guitars but if I really have to choose one, classical guitar being my principal instrument, I would choose the one with a cut away instead of the more expensive and beautiful sounding other classical guitar without the cut away.
I have three classical guitars in my herd of 6. One is a beat up 3/4 student that sits at work to strum by me or anyone else there. Another 3/4 student with better frets and while basic not abused that's ready at my couch for working out an idea or practice. The 3rd is full sized cutaway with electrics if needed, meant for serious stuff to play or record
@@Greenjagsurf Cutaway really helps
difficult one I 've had Gibsons and Fenders and others but I just got a D'Angelico Bob Weir signature at the age of 70 and I honestly think it does everything I need ! and it plays better than any I ever had..depends what you play really ..it's nice to have a solid and a semi solid if possible !
I'd be happy if I could get it down to 4 guitars. I too favor a Telecaster as my main grab. My favorite is a fifteen year old beat up Classic Vibe Squire that I bought used for $250 and plays and sounds great. I personally enjoy acoustic at least as much as electric so I have a few of those. Because none of my guitars cost me more than 400 bucks I don't worry about the small pile that always lying around.
Great topic and interesting to read so many thoughts and comments. I played live a lot in the 70s and since then it's all been in the studio and I have bought a few different guitars. For the last 30 years the one electric I have used for just about every recording session is my Roger Sadowsky NYC S Style HSH. So if it came down to it that be 'the one'. That said there's no way I'm letting my 1968 Les Paul Custom go anywhere anytime soon 😊
Thanks for the comment and I get it about the custom!
My newest favorite guitar venture is into building a pedalboard. It's a far cheaper route than acquiring more guitars, and GAS with pedals is not end of the world financially. I tend to not count my acoustic, bass, or my ukuleles as owning more than one (in each type of) guitar , and I've been happy with the electric I currently have. In a few years, I want to get something with a bolt on neck. Fender's Custom Shop FMT is made well where I won't break the headstock anytime soon, but it always is my number one fear with a guitar like that.
However, the older I get, and the more of a desire I do have of buying a few more guitars. I think so long as these guitars are meaningful in choice, they have a place. The problem is if you are just buying guitars for the sake of having guitars and you still don't feel a desire to play, then it would be best to reduce that collection to a few essentials. It's like a Marie Kondo approach but with Reverb, "If it does not spark joy, to a Reverb listing it goes."
Quality over quantity matters most, and the more you play the stringed instruments you have, the less guitars you find yourself needing in your collection. Currently, the only three guitars I want are a Fender 60s Vintera Jaguar, strandberg Boden 8, and an Eastwood Hi-Flyer Phase 4; and this is because they are so different from one another, it is a whole different instrument. This is after seeing hundreds of guitars and making countless lists of potential options. With my experience on just one guitar for years, those skills will transfer to if I ever acquire a second electric that's drastically different, and I think a meaningful decision for a guitar can improve your playing style, leave you open to new sounds and possibilities. Cause then you can get extremely proficient on that guitar, and it'll allow you to have more options in your toolbox.
90% of the time, I play my reverend double agent, and the 10% goes to my old sg style upgraded guitar, both p90/hb. That configuration is the best for me, I don't need more. The less you have, the more you connect with it and the more you can highly upgrade and repair your instruments to get it really the way you want it to feel and sound.
i have just one guitar an Alhambra 5p and i am happy i might buy a second one someday lets see when
If I can’t decide which one I need/want to take, it usually comes down to my ES 335. Out of interest, instead of buying a Les Paul, did you consider buying an overdrive pedal for a fraction of the cost? Nice interesting video!
Thanks Russ! I just use my Strat with gain for all my rock needs these days. I never used to think that Strats rock but now I realise I hadn't found the right pedal!
i have a few guitars but my gigging guitar is an ibanez az prestige, combine that with a boss gt1000 and it does everything
Hello Jamie, interesting video, and refreshing to see a range of excellent comments in response that remain relevant to the subject. I have a number of guitars, quite a few being bought as collectors items or perceived to be investments when I stretch my imagination far enough. Approximately 95% of my playing is done on three guitars. Two solid bodies, one is strung with round wound 9-42s plain 3rd, one round wound 10-46s plain 3rd and then an arch top jazz box with 12-52s flat wound with wound 3rd. I have found that I can play certain things well on certain strings and that some strings suit certain guitars and genre's better than others. Do you have any thoughts on stringing for all scenarios?
I keep 10s on my Tele which I can use for any genres I play. But I’m like you and prefer heavier strings on semi and hollow body guitars. If I had to have one guitar then I’d need to have 10s on!
Do you need more guitars or you want more guitars?
Both reasons are logical for me
Buying a new guitar always feels amazing
But as a fingerpicker and blues player I only need 2 acoustics(small body steel strings and nylon strings) and 2 electrics(semi hollow and a LP)
Those will cover all of my needs but I own 20 guitars because why not?!
Also having different guitars inspires me to play different styles and genres
Also as a session player sometimes Its better to use different guitars for different projects
For us beside the passion and love to collect, guitars are our work tools
So owning different guitars makes you even more versatile
I agree!
Answer is no lol there are valid differences between alnico 2 and alnico 5 pickups and differences between, humbucker, p90, single coil, and lipstick pickups, which puts the min collection you should aim for after years of playing is about 6 or 7 to have atleast 1 of each pickup type In alnico 5 and a few in alnico 2. and 2 good acoustics spruce and mahogany have a big enough sound difference.
Here Harley benton, crafter etc can be your best friend as you can get great guitars for cheap and either vanson, Wilkinson, artec alnico pickups can be bought for about £35 a pair and are top notch
...big brands overcharge for the name as ultimately it's just wire, magnets and plastic so the cheaper ones fr those brands are good because they have been around consistently for yne last 15years or so, make pickups for other brands to put in their guitars and from experience and comparing my expensive guitars to them they sound good...
Then after a good few more years if you want to add different voicings to the pickups start adding more guitar and target the type of pickups you want more variety in.
I have 22 guitars (4 are acoustics) now and 3 basses over 15years ,
And I got 8 harley bentons to mod over the last few years to fill the gaps in variety of pickups rather than spend a fortume so I have 2-3 variations of each type of pickup in alnico 2 and 5 .. I feel each of my guitars give me riffs that the other dont depending on the feel of the neck and sound/ scale length, and it means I cam have guitars set for different string gauges and tunings without having to mess about so for me its worth it.
I have been collecting gear since years and now I own 36 different instruments ranking from Hollow body to semi hollow body as well as solid body guitars a set of acoustic both nylon and steel also some solid and acoustic basses an upright double bass an an ukelele .I do agree woth you but at my age It is hard for me to part from one of them .My kids and my wife will probably sell them when I'm gone.thanks for the video
Very nice!
I can't do it. I can't get down to just one guitar, especially acoustics. I can't imagine letting go of my 0000 Martin, 12-string, or D-28 let alone saying goodbye to my Yamaha AE-11 or tele.
Didn’t know you had an AE-11. Great guitars!
I need to stop shopping and just practice my instruments. 😅
agree, tele pays the bills
I am jealous about others who can get different feelings out from different guitars, especially these who can feel the tone difference. They are already at the “enjoy music” level while I am struggling with my terrible guitar skills and hoping expensive guitar can do magic for me.
Can o'wormz?! I think it depends on what you are doing. Got a Benson for the jazz band, no way will I take my D'an out! Got a Martin dreadnough for the acoustics indoor select to sing to stuff. But a takamine for amplified acoustic gigs. An Iba As200 for lots of stuff, and an Iba blackbeauty LP for the blues. So they all have their place for me. Various strings, and sounds. I could NOT choose if I had to download!
I hear you!
I like this idea.
5:02 - funniest joke on the internet 😂😂😂
I have 7 guitars,but if i could only have one it would be my black gibson explorer
Start smashing your guitar into your monitor amp after the show, and you'll quickly run out of axes.
Oh, jazz. Never mind... Yeah, you guys just need one.
Telecaster! 😁 Plus a nice acoustic is a must!
Oh yes!
Yes I can... Since I built it to my spec...
I would need at least two: one acoustic steel string and one electric.
I don't even properly play guitar yet, and I'm watching hundreds of videos, perusing forms, and asking questions all in the pursuit of finding "the one" and I think it's just making me neurotic... Anyone want to hear my OCD asinine BS about what I think _could_ be "the one"? It's all about combining simplicity with versatility, range, and stability; so it would actually be interesting if anybody can guess.
Hallo, ich habe eine 63 F-Strat Custom Shop. Gleich nach diesem Kauf mußte ich meine alte F-Strat Mexico weggeben, weil die AM Strat viel mehr Power hatte. Sie ist super u. ich werde mein ganzes Leben brauchen, um diese Gitarre kennenzulernen. Jetzt spiele ich immer mehr Jazz. Ja das geht mit der Strat. Du hast es uns gezeigt im Video. Deine Strat ist sehr schön.
You only talking electric guitars. I play a Marin acoustic. Been wanting a flamenco guitar for years. Just got a Cordoba and is a totally different instrument. Electric guitars yes a telecaster a strat and a Les Paul... but they all kind of the same lenguage with a different feel. If you go from Electric to acoustic steel strings or steel strings to nylon strings then you are talking different languages. Worth exploring in my opinion.
I have 8 guitars, but would like one, a Peerless Martin Taylor ( I think!). But at $3600, forget it! That's too close to a Gibson ES 175 in price.
Wow they’ve gone up!
That price is at Guitars 'n Jazz. Seems high!
For me, guitars have been like stray cats 🤣 In the six months since I started, my one entry level Taylor has turned into a Takamine dreadnought, Seagull 12 string, strat clone, 2 ukuleles and an Epiphone LP modern. All of them free (except for the Les Paul, which I just bought used). They just keep following me home 😂 In fact, today I'm seeing a friend and I suspect a hollow body will be in the backseat on my way back to the house. I'm lucky to have a very understanding wife.
For a beginner, I definitely agree that variety keeps my interest as well as being able to learn to adapt to any guitar but at the expense of slowing progress of learning just one instrument really well. Great topic for discussion, Jamie! Thanks for your videos 😊
Thanks! Congratulations on the new hollow body
I can't figure out how my slippers work 😊
I think a guitarist can own 2 guitars and be happy...one electric and one acoustic....that's all I had all through the 70s and much of the 80s....now I own a home and retired so I have a dozen guitars but they're not neceessary at all. If I gigged again with an electric I'd like to carry a spare in case of string breakage . I have however used only one guitar pick for over 40 years now and there's not another like it available...no, I won't lend you my pick either!
Simply put: Not possible !!
I currently only own one guitar, an Ibanez semi hollow. I don’t play gigs, probably never will, and don’t even have people near me to jam with so traveling with one isn’t an issue. I would eventually like to own a hollow body, but that won’t be happening in the foreseeable future. I’m more interested in upgrading my amp. I feel like that’s a better use of my funds at this point and will give me more bang for my bucks.
I would agree actually. Better to have one guitar and two amps if you don’t need another guitar
I still have my first proper guitar from nearly 40 years ago and it is the one I play more than any of the others I own. I could live with just that one because although the other guitars are nice, it's the music that's important, not the latest gear and I can get my music from that one guitar :)
In rock music, Brian May kinda can.😉
Good point
I've struggled with this for my 50 years of playing, and I think it comes down more to wanting variety more than NEEDING it.
I constantly go between one and ten guitars 🤣🤔
Currently on five...but I've just bought another! 😳
Congratulations!
yes, of course! you can only play one guitar at a time
😅
I have a beautiful Les Paul which I love and play most of the time. It cost a lot and I do worry about it.
If Im playing backstreet bars Im bringing my Squire Telecaster. It has a p-90 in the neck and a tele pickup in the bridge, sounds great and I never worry about it. 😂
I hear you! I wouldn’t want to bring a 4K guitar to a £50 gig
yes AND no
I own 4 guitars. 2 electric and 2 acoustics. My favorites is the USA-made Fender Telecaster and Martin HD 28. The other two are made in Japan and China but I don't think they have the same quality as the US-made. Before I also had a Japan-made strat. Nice to play but the pickups made me disappointed, so I sold it.
Simple answer: NO. And I am a minimalist.
Tele
Indeed!
Can A Guitarist Only Own ONE Guitar? (And Be Happy!) ask Brian May
Yes Jamie, I know but… what about GAS? 🤣
Exactly!
ｐｒｏｍｏｓｍ 😳
I'd rather dont play guitar at all then to play a Strat...
I used to play the sax and now I play the trumpet , mostly , and I dabble in guitar and uke , I can tell you that saxophonists are obsessed with mouthpieces and in minor way with reeds (like guitar players with strings ) they own alto , tenor and sometimes baritone or soprano they can't buy so many horns because they are much more expensive than guitars , but I know some of them who own more than one , trumpet players buy more trumpets 'cause they are a little cheaper than saxes , I myself own many guitars and not many trumpets -