Why Do You Own Multiple Guitars?

[TaylorGirl]

Many of us (if not most of us) have multiple guitars. Some of us have only Taylors, while others have Taylors in addition to other brands. I thought it would be fun to see why we have chosen to do so.

1. You can choose multiple answers.
2. You can change your selections, if need be.
3. This is for multiple guitars, regardless of brand.

I've tried to think of as many scenarios as possible. Hopefully, I've captured most of them.

Just trying to have some fun on this forum. That's all!

[mavr]

Only two answers out of twelve have some hint of actually playing guitars,...   

[TaylorGirl]

Sorry, maybe I failed. Just trying to have some fun. Maybe someone could do a better job. Oh well.

[mavr]

No, it's great 

[Earl]

Excellent observation, Mavr.   The answers seem to be more about the "having" and not the "playing".  Not an indictment of your survey though, Susie.

In my case, I started out with just a couple - one really nice Martin and one "beater" Seagull.  Then I added a carbon fiber Rainsong because I lived in Alaska and could not keep any wood guitar out for easy access in the wintertime.  Then a OOO body to take some strain off my injured shoulder that no longer likes to play dreadnoughts.  Then came a 12 string, then a nylon string, then a baritone, then a koa guitar when I took up Hawaiian slack key.  Taylor next came out with nicer koa guitars and a new body shape (GS) which I like just a bit better than all the GA's that I have.  At this point, I am pretty well innoculated against GAS, but not totally immune.  I am actively selling off some and don't intend to make any more acquisitions nor do I expect to replace any that are sold (knock on wood).     

[werkout52]

Started out with a 70's Aria that fit the bill for my youth. When I retired I tried cheaper guitars, but they were no comparison to Taylor. Lately I've gone through numerous guitars (mostly Taylor) and ended up with a E20OM Eastman (fingerstyle, camping), 2013 Taylor 514e FLTD (main battle axe for church), and a Taylor 654ce 12 string. I would kill to have a SC OM Grand, but then I would get killed by my wife. 

[Bernie]

Still not so sure of what sound I prefer in relation to makes, woods, shapes, quality of luthiers' or makers' work & so on...I want to try other things and decide one day "this is it" & stick to a number one guitar for life...Maybe I've got it already, maybe not : Koa & Cocobolo, Alpine spruce  & others are among the things I hope to check out some day...
Thanks : Bernie.

[FDHog]

Only two answers out of twelve have some hint of actually playing guitars,...   

Think you missed the point!
By looking at the choices, it's obvious that this was supposed to be taken with a little humor.

Taylor Girl, great choices! They cover all the bases. Choices for those of us with a sense of humor and for those who are more serious.

[Guitarsan]

Great poll Susie!

I guess I'm pretty practical about this, the first three really resonated for me. Even explains why I have the electric guitars I have, broadest possible tonal variation in a small set of guitars. (Now numbering 4 total per my signature.)  I've "ended up" favoring quality over quantity. Not long ago I would never have thought I would own a $4K acoustic guitar, but life's getting too short not to fully enjoy and appreciate what I play. While I'm not immune from GAS pangs now and then, it's quite possible I'm done. For the forseeable future, I'm focusing on playing and learning. But, ask me again next week. 

Scott

[Strumming Fool]

I agree that it's a great poll as well...for me, I've been at both ends of the spectrum. While there's something to be said for owning one guitar that you get to know intimately over time with no other "distractions", owning many keeps it all "feeling new". The trick for me is to have that intimacy combined with the newness. After many years of buying and selling multiple brands, shapes and sizes, I've settled on the Taylor GA as my intimate musical partner for life. Having several versions of that GA provides the newness and keeps it spontaneous as well.

[mgap]

Thanks for the poll Susie.
The first three were my answer, but some of the others could be.  Every year, at least twice a year I get GAS from the limited edition offerings.  No doubt the LTDs will be to nice and GAS will strike so hard another will follow me home. 
The last one

I have no clue what I'm doing.....hey, where did all these guitars come from?!?!

could come into the play with age, but for now I know exactly when and why I have my current line up.

[TaylorGirl]

I was hoping people would find this thread fun and interesting. Just trying to keep this site one that people enjoy being a part of.

Now my feelings. My whole life I owned one guitar. I was brought up in a very conservative family. Why would you NEED more that one guitar. But, now that I'm all grow up and both of us having worked our careers, I'm taking a little different attitude. I use each of my guitars for a different purpose. With different shapes and woods, I can use whichever I need for whatever setting I'm in. After I bought the 512ce last year, I said to myself "Self, that's it....you are all set now. You have all your bases covered." Then, Taylor had to come out with the 150e! I fit their target customer to a tee. I wasn't going to get one, but my husband insisted. Couldn't argue. So, I'm going to be picking that up on Saturday. 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!

[Guitarsan]

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!

Amen to that! Can't wait for your NGD report!

[Rod Neep]

A significant part of me owning several guitars is/was the introduction of internet guitar forums! 

I started playing with my first guitar in the 1950s. (A cheap no-name 000)
That was sold and I bought a Harmony Sovereign in 1963. (A friend had one and I saw its advantages)
That was sold in 1972 when I bought a Martin D-18... a serious upgrade

I managed with just one guitar for decades until... I started reading the forums.
Then ownership of multiple guitars exploded. 

Over the last few years the stable became much smaller again as I began to specialise. I still consider that I need more than one.

1. A gorgeous "guitar of a lifetime" Martin custom D-42VS Madagascar/Adirondack. - Great as a solo singer instrument.
2. A "D-18" copy. Built in traditional manner by John Hall (Blues Creek Guitars) (awesome)
3. A Godin ACS Multiac nylon strung electric with widgets to connect it to a Roland Synth.
4. A Godin Montreal (dual input. humbuckers + under saddle UST)
and finally recently:
5.  A Taylor all koa custom GA (so versatile for playing in the church worship group, and a great balance of tone acoustically)

I may not "need" 2 and 4 above. 
But I still recently ordered the new Taylor GS Mini Koa. Something different, you understand. 

And, ladies, and gentlemen... I refuse to talk about my collection of ukes. (I lost count).

Rod

[TaylorGirl]

Rod, you make an interesting and valid point, that the forums also help us expand our line-ups. I also know how ukes are actually worse than guitars , because they are so reasonably priced (for a good sounding instrument). Dulcimers are the same way (I have 5 of those and have to keep tabs on my DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease)).