When the harem got up to 10, I decided to keep it there. So, my next GAS attack found me trading a keeper for what would have, should have been #11. The next milestone was at 25. I mean, who in their right mind could possibly need/use/play/care for more than that? In about a year, that harem size had grown to 50, and I found it much easier to hold there. I held for a while, then somehow caved on a few GAS onsets. Darn thing shot up to 72 before I realized exactly how many I had. In taking that inventory, I became disappointed that I had a few I had not seen or played in years because they were in the rear of the closet. I made a conscious decision that I needed to thin out the duplicate guitars in all collectible AND non-collectible models. Not easy to do, but it was a smart thing. I'm currently down to about 55 and headed towards a cap of 50. My strategy is working because for every 3 or 4 I sell, I replace it with a CP Thornton model - the guitars I consider to be the finest on the planet. This is the only strategy that has worked consistently for me. I want to be able to display ALL my lovelies and have NONE hidden away in a closet. And I'm finding that I can live quite well with fewer net harem members as long as the quality of workmanship and playability of the new members remains high.
What about it, how many is too many for you?
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Some times I feel one guitar is all I really need. I remember the happiest I have ever been while playing is when I owned only one guitar and one amp. I think the key to this was that there was no internet.
ReplyDeleteThe internet keeps your GAS level out of control at all times. Lately I have been tring to keep away from getting caught up in it.
Today I have two guitars, a bass, four amps and a eletronic drum set. It keeps me going, but this is not to say 50 guitars is a bad thing.
I have used the buy a guitar as savings method plenty of times. It works as a great upgrade plan.
DAVE
I appreciate this comment. I truly relate to what you've said here. All that mean ole 'net has done is captivate my attention and directed a huge part of my "play money" into GAS-related purchases. Between the 'net & guitar mags, there's always a GAS leak in my house.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! to the net. I was drooling over a Yamaha SG2000 on Chris' guitars. I almost went for it. I have know idea why (1979, sunburst, double HB, push button coil splitter, gold hardware, nice inlay, neck through body, BEAUTIFUL!!), but thankfully someone else pulled on it. Then there is Craig's list. I check it nearly everyday. I haven't the funds to buy anything, but it's an addiction. I've bought and sold at least 10 guitars in the last year. I bought my beloved CP Thornton Fusion and thought that would be it. Nope! I'm hooked. I traded an old Jackson Performer for a LP style guitar and put Vintage 59' Seymor Duncan pups in it just to feel like I had a choice. My Fusion gives me every tone I've ever wanted! I tell myself I have to have a guitar to take out places so I don't hurt my Thornton. When does it stop Jay?
ReplyDeletePatrick
I am pretty much a player rather than a collector although I did have as many as 15 guitars on hand at one point. I've probably owned several times that many. I don't like to have more guitars than I can play. That's not to say I won't let my on hand stock swell, but it's got to be a pretty special and playable piece these days to get a spot in my "collection". Right now, I've got a good assortment of versatile guitars and I don't really have a hankering for more. Although ... I do seem to be a little skinny in the amp department. But that's a story for another blog.
ReplyDeleteRickT
I think there are several factors that will determine the size of your guitar collection. "Too many" is when you have gone over one of those factors such as: financial, physical storage space, and the well-known significant other tolerance level.
ReplyDeleteYes, the internet has opened the door to seeing many guitars that aren't at your local music store.
Chris <><
This came from Mark, who couldn't seem to get his comment posted:
ReplyDeleteFirst off Jay, in the words of Steve Martin “You are a wild and crazy guy”. Anyone with a guitar collection the size of yours needs to undergo psychiatric evaluation to cope with addiction issues. But, you are one of the nicest, most sincere guys I’ve ever met, so I tend to look past your gear-a-holic tendencies (although I really should try to help you if I’m a true friend, right?) Heck -you can never have too many guitars! (if money was not a concern, no space limitations no spousal/significant other consent, etc.) I say this half jokingly, as I have been known to feel “bad” when my guitars and amps sit idle. I’ve been a horse trader for many years, always looking for the flavor of the month, maybe as a hobby or just to fill a void in my life, but I try to keep things in check. About two years ago, I purchased a sleek-looking, heavy duty guitar hanging system that affixes to your ceiling and/or wall which holds 8 guitars within a 65 inch span (pretty cool). If you have floor or wall space limitations, this is a great design, as you can hang your axes perpendicular to the wall and/or allow some or all to swing out where they lay flat against the wall. As a result of my purchase, I decided to limit my collection to 8 and attempt to live by the “buy one/sell one” mantra. I’m currently down to 9, so one has to go. For sale is a Valley Arts Larry Carlton Standard, signed and numbered by Larry Carlton (only 100 in existence), OHSC, COA, stock p100’s. (I also own another, so I’m trying to avoid duplication). Other than the 2 VA’s, the other 7 guitars cover a variety of my musical tastes and needs. I have a custom made Strat style guitar that a local luthier built to my specs which is on par with a Suhr, Tom Anderson, Grosh, etc. I just purchased a 2008 ES 335 in Beale St. Blue (killer color) after I mistakenly sold my early ‘90’s, cherry red, dot reissue a few years back. Everyone needs a 335 in their collection! I have a Fender USA Custom Shop Robben Ford Ultra Spruce which was Fender’s attempt at a “335 meets Les Paul”. It was signed by Robben at the HOB in Chicago a few years back and I can honestly say, I will never sell it. I have a Fender D’Aquisto Elite from 1984 which is an incredible archtop. For acoustics, I own a Larrivee OM 10 which kills any Martin, Taylor, Huss & Dalton, Collings, (the list goes on) that I ever played and a Takamine ESF 40 C acoustic/electric that has been a great mid-level guitar for me. Lastly, you need a bass in your collection because many of us like to pretend that we’re bass players, so I have a Fender American Deluxe Jazz ash bass in Sunset Orange Transparent, a beautiful, discontinued color. So, in recap and in no particular order, I have solid bodies, semi-hollow, hollow, chambered, acoustic, acoustic/electric and bass. Not a bad way to look at maximizing your collection while still being “frugal”! In addition to being a boutique guitar snob (owned Thornton, Suhr, McNaught), I’ve had my share of mass-produced and boutique amps over the years as well as a plethora of stomp boxes. I won’t go into too much detail, but I’m down to 3 amps now and that should do it for me: Carr Rambler, Bruno Cowtipper Professional 22 and a Fender Woody Blues Jr. in a beautiful Bubinga cabinet. It’s still a Blues Jr. in disguise, but it’s super-cool looking and I might have some Bill M. mods done to it down the road. In closing, how many guitars are too many? It’s purely subjective and I say do whatever makes you happy in life and helps keeps your sanity. I truly believe this now more than ever, given our economic crisis.
This just in from Mike....
ReplyDeleteI am a lawyer and attended a continuing legal education seminar this morning called "What Every Lawyer Needs to Know about Addiction and
Mental Health." They discussed the warning signs of addiction -- continuous or periodic loss of control over the activity or the time
spent engaged in the activity; preoccupation with the activity; irrational thinking and behavior related to the activity; the activity
gets in the way of normal social interaction with family and friends; etc.
All of those things apply to my interest in buying and playing guitars. I currently have 6 and one on order. My wife said "I'm starting to get a little sick of guitars." It didn't help my cause when I told her I just wanted to have a different one to play every day of the week. (She
also reminded me that I didn't include the 12-string, the travel guitar, or the "beater" guitar I take up to the cabin when I counted my
guitars.)
By the end of the seminar, I had diagonsed myself as being addicted to guitars and, specifically, the acquisition of guitars.
When I got back to my office, I googled "acquisition of guitars" (my cry
for help in the internet wilderness) and found a link to your book. I'm not sure it will help me, but I'm willing to try anything at this point!
I can stop buying guitars any time. Really.
I fear that five or six may be the limit for me.
ReplyDeleteMy reasoning is as follows...
I don't like humbucking guitars, so that rules out a whole section of electrics.
A steel strung acoustic is a necessity, but find one you love and any others will always stay locked away.
A classical acoustic is a nice to have, but you certainly don't need two.
However many electrics you have two or three will always float to the top of the pile as just having more tone and playability (or whatever) than the rest.
Add in a bass for occasionally filling in at the low end of things and you're covered.
Unfortunately, you have to buy many more to reach the point where you accept that the ones you have are the ones you want.
For me, anything beyond five or six is a collection for the sake of the collection. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
And I daresay more versatile guitarists than me could build a compelling case for a few more. But my principle - that the number you can enjoy from a playing perspective - will still apply.
I think!
How many...?
ReplyDeleteI've got approximately 22 guitars at the moment, and three amplifiers. My brand selection is widely varied: everything from Fender and Gibson to Kay, Stella, Teisco, Hofner, Hagstrom, Crescendo, Supro, Peavey, Godin, Rickenbacker and Applause.
I lust for more axes every day. On eBay I can browse and crave in real time, 24/7. The hunger for more electrified (and acoustified) twangers is a passion without limitations. There's always one more guitar I 'need' to have!
Jay's book nailed this condition with authority. I am forever indebted to him for giving me validation as a GAS-aholic.
Cheers!
I'm buying and selling all the time so the number changes constantly. Right now I think I have about 20, but I'm trying to keep it under 10 long term. I'm buying, playing them for a bit, and then selling them when I get bored. Check out some of the ones I've sold on my website.
ReplyDeleteCan a person own too many tools? Too many guns? NO. There is no such thing as too many GUITARS. My self esteem suffers when I'm low on guitars. And no, I'm not trying to keep up with the Wrights but single coil pickup wire is wrapped around my DNA. It's not my fault that I spend my rent money on guitars. Also, I had NO ritalin as a kid either.
ReplyDeleteIn the words of an old friend of mine, "One is to many and 1000 are not enough!" Of course he was talking about guns, a different kind of gas, but I think it applies here as well. I currently have 17 with another that will be here in a day or two. I can think of at least 12 more that I want to add. I'm hoping to keep my collection to 30, but know I won't. There are guitars lurking out there that I don't even know exist, and dreams guitars from my childhood that are still unfullfilled. I'm trying to save for a Driskill & a Ferrington, but keep getting distracted by other tasty axes. I figure whan they fall in your lap & you like them, It's kind of a bird in the hand thing.
ReplyDeleteWayne