The most I have had at one time is 7. I traded up and now have 4. 3 electrics and one acoustic. Typically I only play the one electric 90 % of the time. This has been the case for the last 3 years. I'm a simple man with modest taste and a fixed income. The joy I get from a new guitar is short lived but the joy I get from playing that one cherished guitar never fades. It's like hanging out with an old friend.
People always seem to think they're missing out on something. Once you figure out your favorite type of guitar, play that. You don't need to be able to make every sound that can be made with a guitar. Unless that's what you need to do for your job. Guitar players' obsession with more stuff is confusing to me.
I'm down to 4 electrics (Suhr with HH, Suhr with SSS, Tele, Les Paul), 4 acoustics (2 6-strings, 12-string, classical) and 4 basses (modern J-style, humbuckers, fretless and P-style) plus a lap steel here in Bucharest, and I have one guitar in the UK at my parents. I'm 100% satisfied with what I have. I play the Suhrs 90% of the time. I've thought about adding a baritone or a hollowbody, but not likely to buy either until at least 2024.
Jeff, I have Humidipaks in all of my acoustic guitar cases. They absorb moisture when it is too humid, and release moisture when humidity is low. You have to keep your guitars in the case, but I have never had a crack, or any other thing associated with lack of humidity, or excess humidity. You can also buy a monitor system that is placed in the case, and an app for iPhone that lets you see temp and humidity inside the case. You can set levels to warn you as well. Not real cheap but not bad either, and worth it if you value your acoustics or electrics.
Great conversation gentlemen! I've always been one of those 'one guitar at a time' kind of players. Currently it's my Gibson Explorer I've owned since 2007, rediscovered during the pandemic after a decade of living in a case while I was in a Tele/Esquire phase. This guitar is my most sentimental and valued possession, so the only reason I'd stop playing it so much is to retire it from gigging for safe keeping.
When you listen to John McLaughlin talking about the time he went to jam with Jimi Hendrix, he talks about how he only had a hollowbody jazz box with him, so it was constantly feeding back and meant the jam couldn’t get off the ground.
I am semi-retired so I own all the guitars I want now😁. Was fortunate enough to get a Fender Musicmaster and Gibson Les Paul Deluxe early on. Kept a Music Emporium catalog in my back pocket as a kid that kept me motivated!
23 guitars, 6 basses, & 5 amps plus a Mac M1 with all the plugins. I tell myself it’s ok because I learned how to do a fret dressing and solder new pickups and never spent more than $500 at once. Keep thinking I have everything I want and then I buy or trade up for another one. It’s time to switch to building them to slow me down…
I have 2 really nice guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Fender Classic Series 50's Stratocaster, I really love both guitars, I'm a Les Paul guy, but just happened upon the Stratocaster that sounded and played right for me, it's very heavy for a Strat at 9 lbs 14 oz ( my Les Paul weighs 12lbs 15 oz), and has a way thicker tone than any other Strat I've ever heard. I also have a great sounding/playing cheap practice guitar with heavier strings on it, has no case, just a great beater guitar I got free, then put a few upgrades into it to improve it's tone and playability( none that I spent very much money on) to just sit around and play, then when I break out my nice guitars, they play effortlessly!
Been through so many guitars - kept some, sold some, regretted selling some, sold some and never looked back, had and sold a couple of classic amps (really regret that), have a couple guitars signed by luminaries, and now have about 14 ranging from cheap throwaways to some pretty nice examples. I remember those days - mostly high school and college - when I only had one, never thought I needed more than one, and focused on the music. Now, I’m focused on the instruments and, while that’s cool, it’s not quite as magical as being forced to wrangle what you needed from the only guitar you had. My latest sickness is seeking “the amp” and torturing myself flitting between modeling, single-purpose digital (Tonemasters), and tubes. Have a ‘69 Vibro Champ that’s really all I need. Making music is the thing.
I wanted to try a Bass VI, so I bought a Harley Benson B Stock delivered for $180, strung it with heavier strings (LaBella Bass VI strings). It’s pretty cool, and a bargain
How many amps do you need? It’s always one more than you currently own or until you run out of room for them. I like to get a new tube amp every time I get a new electric guitar, but I’m okay with only one acoustic amp.
I have a double paf tele thats my #1 road and flight guitar. Being a tele/bolt on/light and having the pafs is the best compromise between both worlds plus no noise, etc. works great
I think one guitar can be a good way to discipline yourself and focus on your playing. Of course I can understand if steelstring players want both an electric and acoustic, but some guys have so many guitars and they can't even really play. I'm a fingerstyle nylon player and I just own one guitar a Cordoba Stage
I own probably 20ish but I use them all. Especially writing, different instruments inspire different songs. I could get away with probably 3 which would be a Gretsch, Tele and Les Paul.
About 14 minutes in Jeff makes the point that buying two guitars really close together has the potential to leave one in the case. I happened to grab the two guitars I’ve wanted forever within 3 days and I barely touch one of them. I kinda feel guilty about it ngl.
Tried to join in but it was right as I woke up 5am JST. As a guy who only has one electric and one acoustic I never really felt the need for more. Wants yeah, but when I had more I ended up preferring one, or being uncomfortable on the other to the point of neglect. I'm just a hobbyist and I lead worship at church so mostly acoustic then. Occasionally, we have concerts and I'll wield my strat in a bad Lincoln Brewster impression or play youthful poppy punk worship sets. Even then I don't need much more. Wish I had more gigs to use actually open up the "need" for additional instruments, but alas just not there for now.
@@goswo I like to use a dummy coil. Somebody junked the pickups out of a Squeir Affinity strat. the coils are wound around a cheesy bobbin that looks like Tupperware. The magnets pop right out., And you can tape up the coil and shield it with foil, then put it in series with the volume pot in reverse polarity. On strats, it fits between the switch and volume control. You can't use a reverse wound middle pickup though. All 3 have to be the same.
From a true interview… “Mr Richard’s, I understand you have 500 guitars” …Keef replied “Yes and if you give me anyone of them within 5 minutes it will sound like the last one”
Got my 3 and I'm out ,as well . Only thing that changes that is Once in great while I get a new and different kind of gig ,and think" ya know this would be great if I had "X" . I just gotta make sure I never get rid of the main "3" . Because undoubtedly that gig runs its course ,ends and I never get that type of gig again and end up selling #4 .
You need enough guitars to cover your ground, nomatter how many that is. I have three electric guitars, and two acoustic. A humbucker guitar, single coil guitar, a baritone guitar, an acoustic guitar, and the last acoustic with only a wider neck. I only take with me one acoustic at a live gig though, but I switch between them depending on how the soungs are. The electric guitars cover my ground every time.
My wife has asked me, a few times, “Why do you have so many guitars?” My answer is, “Well…I’m not entirely sure, but I think that when two mature guitars meet and fall in love, they have offspring…”
Here’s how the conversation goes: my wife says, “That’s ridiculous! Guitars can’t make more guitars!” My response, “Of course they can! See, look! This is Les Paul. He had a thing for Denise…who goes by the alias of D-28. They got together and made these hollow bodied children.” My wife: “Why do you call them hollow bodied?” Me: “See these holes? These are called f-holes…it’s not like you think. Look in the holes and you’ll see that the guitars are hollow.” Wife: “Why’s this one only have one f-hole?” Me: “He takes after his dad. And then Les got with this guitar. She’s kind of racy and we call her Strat. Their kids are Charvel and Jackson. They tend to act like they’re on a permanent sugar high.” Wife: “What’s with this V-shaped one?” Me: “Les got together with SG and V is their kid and he likes to go fast. I haven’t told him that Charvel and Jackson are faster.” Wife: “SG? What kind of name is that?” Me: “She thinks that she’s Super Girl. Les thought so too.” Wife: “What is this one?” Me: “This is Variax.” Wife: “That’s a weird name.” Me: “Well, it’s kind of complicated, but she’s been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder.” Wife: “Really? How about this super pretty one here?” Me: “Oh. She’s PRS.” Wife: “PRS? What’s that stand for?” Me: “Perfect and Really Special; she’s a bit of a diva.”
I have a strat, tele, les paul, 335, jazzmaster and an old harmony to cover the vibey stuff and a baritone I built, that covers any and all sessions ill be called for, tho I still want an lp jr…
The Honda Fit here in Portugal is called Honda Jazz. It would even be more adequate :-) Great video; great conversation! My personal experience: I only play and record at home and, after a bunch of buying and selling I settled on a Gibson Derek Trucks SG ("upgraded" with VIPots and Wizz PAFs) and a Japanese Fender 62 Tele ("upgraded" with new pots and Nocaster pickups). I'm happy and I feel I don't need anything else. It was fundamental to try to respect what my budget allowed me and to be aware of the moment when to call it a day. I know there are better guitars out there but I'm pretty happy and feel fortunate to have the ones I have.
ha...good Question.....it depends who you ask.....ask me, and well...there's always something i "need".....😀 but if you ask my wife, i'm not so sure why i would need even 2 guitars......😅
THE MOST ASKED question by the wives of everyone here..... I'm hoping your answer to the question satisfies her once and for all! But I'm guessing it won't....
The most I have had at one time is 7. I traded up and now have 4. 3 electrics and one acoustic. Typically I only play the one electric 90 % of the time. This has been the case for the last 3 years. I'm a simple man with modest taste and a fixed income. The joy I get from a new guitar is short lived but the joy I get from playing that one cherished guitar never fades. It's like hanging out with an old friend.
People always seem to think they're missing out on something. Once you figure out your favorite type of guitar, play that. You don't need to be able to make every sound that can be made with a guitar. Unless that's what you need to do for your job. Guitar players' obsession with more stuff is confusing to me.
I'm down to 4 electrics (Suhr with HH, Suhr with SSS, Tele, Les Paul), 4 acoustics (2 6-strings, 12-string, classical) and 4 basses (modern J-style, humbuckers, fretless and P-style) plus a lap steel here in Bucharest, and I have one guitar in the UK at my parents. I'm 100% satisfied with what I have. I play the Suhrs 90% of the time. I've thought about adding a baritone or a hollowbody, but not likely to buy either until at least 2024.
Gotta love a suhr
Jeff, I have Humidipaks in all of my acoustic guitar cases. They absorb moisture when it is too humid, and release moisture when humidity is low. You have to keep your guitars in the case, but I have never had a crack, or any other thing associated with lack of humidity, or excess humidity. You can also buy a monitor system that is placed in the case, and an app for iPhone that lets you see temp and humidity inside the case. You can set levels to warn you as well. Not real cheap but not bad either, and worth it if you value your acoustics or electrics.
Great conversation gentlemen!
I've always been one of those 'one guitar at a time' kind of players. Currently it's my Gibson Explorer I've owned since 2007, rediscovered during the pandemic after a decade of living in a case while I was in a Tele/Esquire phase. This guitar is my most sentimental and valued possession, so the only reason I'd stop playing it so much is to retire it from gigging for safe keeping.
When you listen to John McLaughlin talking about the time he went to jam with Jimi Hendrix, he talks about how he only had a hollowbody jazz box with him, so it was constantly feeding back and meant the jam couldn’t get off the ground.
I am semi-retired so I own all the guitars I want now😁. Was fortunate enough to get a Fender Musicmaster and Gibson Les Paul Deluxe early on. Kept a Music Emporium catalog in my back pocket as a kid that kept me motivated!
I have just one..1980 les Paul custom.between tone,volume knobs and modeling amp settings you can get just about any tone you want.
This is the thing. With all of the modeling amps you can dial in so many tones these days with just one guitar
23 guitars, 6 basses, & 5 amps plus a Mac M1 with all the plugins. I tell myself it’s ok because I learned how to do a fret dressing and solder new pickups and never spent more than $500 at once. Keep thinking I have everything I want and then I buy or trade up for another one. It’s time to switch to building them to slow me down…
I have 2 really nice guitars, a Gibson Les Paul Standard and a Fender Classic Series 50's Stratocaster, I really love both guitars, I'm a Les Paul guy, but just happened upon the Stratocaster that sounded and played right for me, it's very heavy for a Strat at 9 lbs 14 oz ( my Les Paul weighs 12lbs 15 oz), and has a way thicker tone than any other Strat I've ever heard. I also have a great sounding/playing cheap practice guitar with heavier strings on it, has no case, just a great beater guitar I got free, then put a few upgrades into it to improve it's tone and playability( none that I spent very much money on) to just sit around and play, then when I break out my nice guitars, they play effortlessly!
Been through so many guitars - kept some, sold some, regretted selling some, sold some and never looked back, had and sold a couple of classic amps (really regret that), have a couple guitars signed by luminaries, and now have about 14 ranging from cheap throwaways to some pretty nice examples. I remember those days - mostly high school and college - when I only had one, never thought I needed more than one, and focused on the music. Now, I’m focused on the instruments and, while that’s cool, it’s not quite as magical as being forced to wrangle what you needed from the only guitar you had. My latest sickness is seeking “the amp” and torturing myself flitting between modeling, single-purpose digital (Tonemasters), and tubes. Have a ‘69 Vibro Champ that’s really all I need. Making music is the thing.
I keep thinking that I have enough guitars except that I want a Bass VI. My question is how many amplifiers do you need.
I wanted to try a Bass VI, so I bought a Harley Benson B Stock delivered for $180, strung it with heavier strings (LaBella Bass VI strings). It’s pretty cool, and a bargain
How many amps do you need?
It’s always one more than you currently own or until you run out of room for them.
I like to get a new tube amp every time I get a new electric guitar, but I’m okay with only one acoustic amp.
I have a double paf tele thats my #1 road and flight guitar. Being a tele/bolt on/light and having the pafs is the best compromise between both worlds plus no noise, etc. works great
how do i know what i like unless i buy EVERYTHING?!!?
I have a Les Paul and a strat. I played them both. It all comes down to my needs and my mood.
I think one guitar can be a good way to discipline yourself and focus on your playing. Of course I can understand if steelstring players want both an electric and acoustic, but some guys have so many guitars and they can't even really play. I'm a fingerstyle nylon player and I just own one guitar a Cordoba Stage
Get a guitar with alot of switches. Baritone, Hollow Body, Solid body with pickup and humbuckers, acoustic. Boomb.
Met Jeff in Nashville. He performed with RF at 3r and Lindsey. They killed it!
🙌🏻🙌🏻
I own probably 20ish but I use them all. Especially writing, different instruments inspire different songs. I could get away with probably 3 which would be a Gretsch, Tele and Les Paul.
About 14 minutes in Jeff makes the point that buying two guitars really close together has the potential to leave one in the case. I happened to grab the two guitars I’ve wanted forever within 3 days and I barely touch one of them. I kinda feel guilty about it ngl.
Tried to join in but it was right as I woke up 5am JST. As a guy who only has one electric and one acoustic I never really felt the need for more. Wants yeah, but when I had more I ended up preferring one, or being uncomfortable on the other to the point of neglect. I'm just a hobbyist and I lead worship at church so mostly acoustic then. Occasionally, we have concerts and I'll wield my strat in a bad Lincoln Brewster impression or play youthful poppy punk worship sets. Even then I don't need much more. Wish I had more gigs to use actually open up the "need" for additional instruments, but alas just not there for now.
Joe Bonamassa own every guitar in the world but he said if he could only have one. It would be one of his 50's teles.
@@caspay21 very easy to get rid of that hum :-)
@@goswo I like to use a dummy coil. Somebody junked the pickups out of a Squeir Affinity strat. the coils are wound around a cheesy bobbin that looks like Tupperware. The magnets pop right out., And you can tape up the coil and shield it with foil, then put it in series with the volume pot in reverse polarity. On strats, it fits between the switch and volume control. You can't use a reverse wound middle pickup though. All 3 have to be the same.
From a true interview… “Mr Richard’s, I understand you have 500 guitars” …Keef replied “Yes and if you give me anyone of them within 5 minutes it will sound like the last one”
Follow the formula G+1
Got my 3 and I'm out ,as well . Only thing that changes that is Once in great while I get a new and different kind of gig ,and think" ya know this would be great if I had "X" . I just gotta make sure I never get rid of the main "3" . Because undoubtedly that gig runs its course ,ends and I never get that type of gig again and end up selling #4 .
As many as you want
You need enough guitars to cover your ground, nomatter how many that is. I have three electric guitars, and two acoustic. A humbucker guitar, single coil guitar, a baritone guitar, an acoustic guitar, and the last acoustic with only a wider neck. I only take with me one acoustic at a live gig though, but I switch between them depending on how the soungs are.
The electric guitars cover my ground every time.
My wife has asked me, a few times, “Why do you have so many guitars?” My answer is, “Well…I’m not entirely sure, but I think that when two mature guitars meet and fall in love, they have offspring…”
😂
Here’s how the conversation goes: my wife says, “That’s ridiculous! Guitars can’t make more guitars!” My response, “Of course they can! See, look! This is Les Paul. He had a thing for Denise…who goes by the alias of D-28. They got together and made these hollow bodied children.” My wife: “Why do you call them hollow bodied?” Me: “See these holes? These are called f-holes…it’s not like you think. Look in the holes and you’ll see that the guitars are hollow.” Wife: “Why’s this one only have one f-hole?” Me: “He takes after his dad. And then Les got with this guitar. She’s kind of racy and we call her Strat. Their kids are Charvel and Jackson. They tend to act like they’re on a permanent sugar high.” Wife: “What’s with this V-shaped one?” Me: “Les got together with SG and V is their kid and he likes to go fast. I haven’t told him that Charvel and Jackson are faster.” Wife: “SG? What kind of name is that?” Me: “She thinks that she’s Super Girl. Les thought so too.” Wife: “What is this one?” Me: “This is Variax.” Wife: “That’s a weird name.” Me: “Well, it’s kind of complicated, but she’s been diagnosed with multiple personality disorder.” Wife: “Really? How about this super pretty one here?” Me: “Oh. She’s PRS.” Wife: “PRS? What’s that stand for?” Me: “Perfect and Really Special; she’s a bit of a diva.”
I’ve been married for a long time. She tolerates my gas pretty well, all things considered.
I have a strat, tele, les paul, 335, jazzmaster and an old harmony to cover the vibey stuff and a baritone I built, that covers any and all sessions ill be called for, tho I still want an lp jr…
Two of the RUclips guitar worlds senate members discussing a great topic. Nice
🙌🏻
The Honda Fit here in Portugal is called Honda Jazz. It would even be more adequate :-)
Great video; great conversation!
My personal experience: I only play and record at home and, after a bunch of buying and selling I settled on a Gibson Derek Trucks SG ("upgraded" with VIPots and Wizz PAFs) and a Japanese Fender 62 Tele ("upgraded" with new pots and Nocaster pickups). I'm happy and I feel I don't need anything else. It was fundamental to try to respect what my budget allowed me and to be aware of the moment when to call it a day. I know there are better guitars out there but I'm pretty happy and feel fortunate to have the ones I have.
Those are nice guitars!!
Tele, Strat, Les Paul, P-90, Filtertron, Lipstick, and Firebird.
And something with a hot humbucker and a Floyd Rose.
N+1 And something with goldfoil pickups.
And a Baritone.
Plus a 12 string
42 - everyone knows that number is the answer to life's great conundrum.
😉
Good to see you two.
The middle pickup on a Stratocaster is the sound for me
We need only just one more guitar.....that's all
One or two acoustics and a couple electrics. No mas.
Jeff, for acoustic guitars try McPherson Carbon Fiber Guitars.
Hats are a whole different rabbit hole...
ha...good Question.....it depends who you ask.....ask me, and well...there's always something i "need".....😀
but if you ask my wife, i'm not so sure why i would need even 2 guitars......😅
One
I'm a guitar hoarder....Fender, Gibson, PRS, ESP......etc
Understood. 😀
Isn’t the answer always “1 more”?
What's that cool intro track?
That’s one of mine called Gowanus Five -O. jeffmcerlain.bandcamp.com/track/gowanus-five-o
You only need as many guitars as you can afford. But the more you can afford the more you’ll get.
#true
Boy,...that's, a dumb question. How big is infinity, also.
Ha!
As many as I want.
The answer to that : more
Shit, Keith just traveled back 15 years or so
THE MOST ASKED question by the wives of everyone here.....
I'm hoping your answer to the question satisfies her once and for all!
But I'm guessing it won't....
That is not the right question. The question is how many guitars will your house hold (before your wife will leave you)?
I’ll change the title!!
Prefect question! I haven't gotten no more at lest with her on the credit report you get what I mean!
N+1
One more !
You just need one … More.
Just one more..........
Something seems out of whack here. Like 1/2 of Keith is missing