Why Do You Own Multiple Guitars?

[dr461]

I like different sounds--although honestly, Taylor has such product consistency that most of the Taylors sound the same to me, and I am a performing pro.  There are minor differences between the sound from that back and sides, but the top represents about 80% of the tone quality.   It is very entertaining to have multiple instruments with different character---the size of the guitar makes more sound difference than the tone wood--e.g.  A dreadnought is much fuller in low bass than a concert body.

My two Taylors have rather similar character, and they are both Grand Auditoriums.  I am going to get the mimi, just to have something different in a Taylor milieu.

[FDHog]

I've taken a new look at life after tackling early stage 1 breast cancer in January of this year. My conservative nature has given way now to an attitude where you have to be set for your future, but you also have to enjoy life!


That's my outlook exactly. I'm a retired FDNY Lt and was at the WTC on 9/11. After that experience, my outlook on life completely changed.
Guitars, Harleys, and fishing make me happy. Happy is a good thing!

[TaylorGirl]

That's my outlook exactly. I'm a retired FDNY Lt and was at the WTC on 9/11. After that experience, my outlook on life completely changed.
Guitars, Harleys, and fishing make me happy. Happy is a good thing!

Thank you to you and all those there that day who risked your/their life to save so many. I can only imagine how that changed you. I know it had to change who you are. I was telling my husband today that my experience changed who I am. Sometimes Ir's hard to explain.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I checked half of the offerings. I own multiple guitars because I can. It's that simple with me. The six boxes I chose vary at times, but remain a constant method to my madness.

 Susie and FDHog, thanks for sharing your personal experiences. Happy is a good thing. Enjoy.

   

[FDHog]

Code Blue…Like your choice in Electrics.

[jmg257]

I found that I like having more then 1 of a type on hand minimum - like at least 2 acoustics, at least 2 electrics. There is something about being able to switch up to keep things interesting, and to compare, that I enjoy. It can get "worse" though - when I was into learning flatpicking, I found having 2 nice dreads to swap between pretty cool, but then eventually I missed other types for other styles and situations.

Now I settled in so that when I end up with something that is fairly redundant (say 2 dreads, or getting a mahogany/cedar 514 and having a GPCPA2) then I feel OK about trading 'the lesser' in for something different (say the hog GPC for a RW OM-21).

[deepermagic]

I couldn't really find an adequate box to check (so i picked I have no clue )

But the reason I have multiple guitars might be because of growth and/or necessity. I learned how to play on my mom's Ovation. I really really wanted an electric guitar. My folks got me one when I was probably 11ish but I kept going back to my mom's acoustic. So a few years later they bought me a used drednought Takamine something or other. No electronics on board so when i started playing at the church I bought a little pickup to cradle the soundhole. After about 6 or 7 years with that guitar and my increasing frustration with not having electronics on board, I purchased an Epiphone EJ-160E (the John Lennon replica). That guitar was used week in and week out (as I led weekly worship services) for nearly 10 years. In that time I grew in skill and in understanding of the guitar and was wanting to take it to the next level. Also I was beginning to really dip into songwriting and doing some hodgepodge performances. As dependable as my Epiphone was (is!) I knew I needed (ok, wanted) a guitar that took sound, playability, dependability, etc to the next level. Taylor was the answer and I purchased my 316ce last year.

So my multiple guitars track my growth and are watermarks or stepping stones in my music life. I would love to splurge and own like 12 guitars, but I don't have that luxury, and frankly I'm content. If anything, my multiple guitars tell me that I don't need 12 different guitars however much I'd want them. I still own all of the guitars. I haven't played the electric since I was probably a teenager. I haven't played the Takamine in probably 10 years. My Epiphone is now my "travel" "campfire" guitar. She goes where my Taylor fears to tred. It also serves as my backup guitar at performances. My hope is that one day I'll be able to hand these guitars down to my kids. That's why I keep them at least.

[Saxacat]

I only ever play two of my guitars (the GA-Ke and the GS Mini), but I just can't bear to part with two Yamaha guitars.

[mavr]

Well, I guess we are all driven by this simple math formula:

X = N + 1

where:

X - number of guitars I need
N - number of guitars I own now

    

[EGBDF_Paul]

The question itself is a real good one. Sometimes it's just discovery as you go along. I've learned so much about tone woods, body shapes and bracing that there's been an evolution. I flat pick, I finger pick, I play soft, I play loud, I play plugged, I play unplugged. I've discovered that while there are good all-around guitars out there I crave the uniqueness of character for each of these playing styles. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Taylor fan-boy but I'm actually considering a Martin EC model because it's just so bluesy (and I found an awesome guitar tech in my area!).

Paul   

[Strumming Fool]

The question itself is a real good one. Sometimes it's just discovery as you go along. I've learned so much about tone woods, body shapes and bracing that there's been an evolution. I flat pick, I finger pick, I play soft, I play loud, I play plugged, I play unplugged. I've discovered that while there are good all-around guitars out there I crave the uniqueness of character for each of these playing styles. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Taylor fan-boy but I'm actually considering a Martin EC model because it's just so bluesy (and I found an awesome guitar tech in my area!).

Paul

I used to own an EC - one of the best-sounding rosewood guitars I've ever played (and I'm not a rosewood fan). I couldn't get used to the V-shaped neck, but it is still an excellent guitar...sorry for enabling your illness, but then I'm a bit ill myself!

[dr461]

The EC model is a great guitar for sure.  It is definitely overpriced, due to its pedigree with the signature, but a great sounding and playing guitar in its own right.  I could not get used to the deep V neck either--I like more gradual sloped necks.

[Jersey tuning]

Of my 13, 6 were special "needs": classical, 12-string, electric, true vintage guitar(1930), baritone, and travel. #7 a gift. #8 a raffle winner. #9 my 1970 guitar that I just can't part with after 45 years, #10-11 stupid ebay purchases, #12-13 quests for my "it" guitar (7 and 8 are really "it").

[CodeBlueEMT]

The question itself is a real good one. Sometimes it's just discovery as you go along. I've learned so much about tone woods, body shapes and bracing that there's been an evolution. I flat pick, I finger pick, I play soft, I play loud, I play plugged, I play unplugged. I've discovered that while there are good all-around guitars out there I crave the uniqueness of character for each of these playing styles. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Taylor fan-boy but I'm actually considering a Martin EC model because it's just so bluesy (and I found an awesome guitar tech in my area!).

Paul

I recently purchased a used 2013 Martin 000-28EC and love it. I'll be nice and not hijack this thread.

[Frances50]

I started this as a hobby that I can take into retirement.  All of the guitars I bought are all very different from each other.  Each has a unique sound and it depends on what I want to play as to what guitar I will pick up.  I'm now done with adding to my collection as I have run out of space and disposable money.  The Taylor 12-string and the Olson are my last guitars.  Five of the seven are in their own humidified cabinet.  The Les Paul and the Strat are on nice guitar stands for display and easy playing.  But it's kinda like asking the questions, "why do you have more than one child or more than one dog."