5 Must Have Guitars For Every Player

If you're a guitar player, you've probably wondered what guitar you should get next, or even how many guitars should you have? I think there are 5 guitars that are absolute must-haves for every guitar player out there, no matter what style you play or even how experienced you are. These are my picks for 5 must-have guitars for every player.
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0:00 Intro
1:21 Guitar 1
2:45 Guitar 2
6:24 Guitar 3
11:09 Guitar 4
15:07 Guitar 5

[@RedCarRecords]

The correct number: the amount you have plus one.

[@HarrisoNoah]

Thank u

[@donbishop6994]

Agreed Red. Always plus 1.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Correct price, whatever you have plus 300

[@Swampfox42]

Plus one…for now!

[@allanramusiewicz996]

That is TRULY the MOST “Unthinkable”, I.E. You Don’t Actually Come CLOSE to Understanding GUITAR !!!

[@rudyzee6427]

There is actually a very simple formula to know how many guitars you should own, X+1 = The amount of guitars you should own where "x" = the amount of guitars you currently own.

[@douglasgoodall3612]

As a software engineer who happens to write in c++ and collect guitars, I would have said, current++, but now I think it should be max(5,current+1)

[@kidjump4882]

It's the GAS formula, sure!!

[@ronwilliams1094]

Your equation is flawed. Yes, x+1...but...divide that by how many nights you're relegated to the couch by the Mrs. There will be a threshold. Do not break that threshold or your collection numbers may start creeping back into the negative as the divorce proceedings commence. lol

[@rudyzee6427]

@@ronwilliams1094 thank you for correcting, you are a gentleman and a scholar 😂😂😂

[@caca_spaniel_1239]

You are worsening my GAS... I need help

[@mrseaweed88]

I think a semi hollow electric like a gretch or hollow Gibson can be a nice addition to a collection

[@ezsmith3765]

Gretch are outstanding guitars

[@grievoush5377]

Ahhh General Kenobi

[@mrseaweed88]

@@ezsmith3765 I think they're heavily underated and can give exellent tone

[@mrseaweed88]

@@grievoush5377 😅

[@dejja7376]

i wanted to get a gretsch but all of their models have goddamn bigsbys

[@tomaslopez2940]

This list is missing the superstrat. The perfect blend between a Gibson and a Fender with extra bells and whistles added. You get a Strat-style body combined with Gibson-style humbuckers with the addition of extra frets (up to 24) and a Floyd Rose/Ibanez Edge locking trem. It's the perfect instrument for when you wanna crank it to 11!

[@hiroprotagonitis]

agreed, id have merged the strat/tele, and put the superstrat ahead of the gibson

[@ranger5281]

Right... because that's one louder, mate!

[@ernestdenov3599]

@@ranger5281 Yup, I gotta have a 'bucker for the bridge on a Strat. It's like super, man!

[@anthonycutt8854]

Right handed player: Here are the five guitars that every guitarist needs. Left handed player: There are five guitars?

[@anonanon5791]

Ha that's funny!

[@Yuiopppppp]

THE DEVILS HAND

[@fifthof1795]

Don't rub it in. I play left handed, but so annoyingly, I'm totally right handed in all else, except opening bottle tops and dealing cards. Grrr.

[@TheRoadki11uk]

@@fifthof1795 I'm the opposite, left handed but play guitar and shoot bows (or rifles - but not for many years) right handed.

[@fifthof1795]

@@TheRoadki11uk You're just weird 😁

[@JustSomeGuy]

How many guitars should you have? Yes.

[@HugoBanyCastilloCh]

Never gonna be enough 🥂

[@guitarisdead1642]

And, how many colors of each type.

[@tommorris5069]

G.A.S. Guitar Acquisition Syndrome

[@devolve42]

The optimal number of guitars is the number you currently own, plus one.

[@MooCow2X2]

N+1 I’m forever wanting to build another lol

[@jeffkalmar7871]

I'd add a hollow & semi-hollow body electric to that list, like an ES-175 or Gretsch G54 series and an ES-335. Also a good acoustic 12-string. That gives you 8 workhorses that can handle almost anything you'll ever play.

[@JonathanMacFarlane]

My 5: 1. An (small) acoustic - which I agree should be your first, specifically because they are harder to play. Builds up finger strength faster, way harder hide your mistakes. I do think you should get a decent one, there’s no need to actually torture yourself. But there are loads of pretty decent options out there in the $2-300 range; even more when you go used. 2. A 2-humbucker solid body (Les Paul, SG, PRS, etc etc) 3. Strat-style: I hate the Strat bridge, so I use a partscaster Jazzmaster with stray pickups in it 4. Fat single coil electric (p90s, Jazzmaster) 5. Semihollow of some kind: I think this is the one you combine with the double HB or fat singles and have 4 instead of 5. A 335-style will do everything a Les Paul or PRS will do, short of hard rock/metal (feedback is still a threat), but if you like throwing on delay and reverb and chorus and getting all atmospheric with it, nothing does it better than a semihollow

[@daleonov]

good list!

[@dejja7376]

For the third one, i don't think you need specifically a strat. Anything with single coils, you need at least one guitar with single coils like a strat, tele, jaguar, mustang, etc.

[@dahliafiend]

@@dejja7376Strats just need a good setup. Lube all points of contact. Set up the tremolo to float and they are incredibly versatile people don’t have to all do John Mayer a few mods like the tone knob wired to the bridge a dimarzio fs1 and I couldn’t go back to a telecaster again. The one bummer is breaking a string mid song is game over gotta switch out but you can do almost any genre with a Strat AND avoid the SRV cliches. A Strat a Les Paul and an acoustic plus a rickenbacker 12 string. You’re good to go. Les Paul and a Strat are the perfect couple. You can get a “cheap” $1200 of both. Have it setup and modded and nothing is better. I did a tele for ten years. If you’re a country guy they’re a necessity. Yeah they do cut through a mix but man the hype sometimes it’s seems like tele players have never played another guitar. No humbucker. No tremolo bar. Hard to play. Jesus might as well buy a D-28 and play bluegrass lol.

[@rskirk22]

I agree! My first acoustic was cheap and had really high action, and it took me about a month to be able to play an open chord. But my hand strength was great and it helped when I bought my first electric.

[@Win7ermu7e]

This man just justified my guitar collection.

[@whitekalif]

Amen!

[@ebmax55]

My life needs to watch this lol

[@hkguitar1984]

I'm always game to hear about how I might need more guitars.

[@AD1978leo]

You need another guitar

[@colinwallace5286]

“Might”? I think someone doesn’t realize the serious nature of this discussion...😂🤣

[@hkguitar1984]

@@colinwallace5286 So true, I apologize if my comment came off flippant. Procurement of another instrument is indeed serious in nature and needs to be approached, discussed, planned and executed with the utmost of care and dedication.

[@colinwallace5286]

@@hkguitar1984 I understand completely... you were simply displaying skills learned over decades by guitarists everywhere, speaking carefully in order to avoid sleeping on the couch. Nicely done...😬

[@hkguitar1984]

@@colinwallace5286 Indeed you are correct Colin, your experience shows in your words of wisdom. I've learned to adapt to dynamic circumstances/situations. When I do find myself relegated to the couch I also seem to have extra practice time that seems to coincide!

[@quickscopeoneeighty9158]

I couldn't decide if I wanted my P90 guitar to be a Les Paul or an SG, but I'm a sucker for originality and decided a LP gold top is the way to go. Absolutely the right decision

[@88Fitzy88]

My first guitar was a strat and now after trying multiple kinds I’m back at the strat but I’ve modified mine to have different small synthesizers hooked onto it, and I’m finally finding my sound!

[@danieloneil7693]

Every guitar player needs a bass because every jam session deserves a bass player and so many go without one. Also, sometimes it's fun to be part of the rhythm section.

[@jarrodross5050]

Agreed, I was hoping he would say bass.

[@VoxMax1200]

Agree I additionally play bass with a short scale, since I am a guitarist...

[@luise8701]

I play guitar because it’s my job and I play bass to have fun.

[@boriscortezjr3101]

@@luise8701 my brother is a drummer, I’m a guitarist. But I always have the most fun with him when I’m on the bass.

[@vladv5126]

Also, it's pretty hard to teach your bass player his parts without one.

[@JustQuitePro]

"The best guitar to play is the one you have." © 5 watt world

[@hkguitar1984]

Great Quote, Keith is a smart guy for sure. Another great saying by Keith "If what you're doing only gets you to 90% of the tone you're looking for, 90% is still an A Grade".

[@davidbreuer6449]

In the beginning of that video he quotes a saying, “Beware the man with one gun, for surely he knows how to use it” and I think that really applies. It’s cool to imagine having a massive guitar collection, but having a physical connection with one or two instruments is something that money just can’t buy.

[@fivewattworld]

There you go Rockweather!

[@onefastmini]

I spend my practice time guitar shopping. And then modifying the ones I buy, now I have many great playing guitars. I’ve got one that I swear if you handed it to John Mayer it would sound exactly like...well, John Mayer.

[@hkguitar1984]

@@onefastmini awesome Dan, yeah, I find myself doing much the same as far as modifications. I’m converting a Tele to an Esquire right now. I’ve set up a complete guitar work bench and am starting to find myself spending more time looking at and modifying guitars than I do actually playing them! It’s all good as I’m really enjoying them all.

[@douglaspate9314]

That was a brilliantly clear and concise explanation. Thank you! This afternoon I'm buying one (or 2) guitars

[@IainFrame]

Ex-girlfriend asked me why I had so many guitars. I asked why a golfer needs so many clubs. Fun fact: she's not my girlfriend any more.

[@madelinemitchell9845]

Before watching this, I consulted my wallet. It said a hard no.

[@starbattles1]

Ebay and craigs list are your best friend when you're poor. I'm poor and have 5 guitars, 4 really good name brands, one unbranded. NONE made in china.

[@audiophileman7047]

@@EarthSouthside Takamine is on the same level as Martin. Some say that Takamine can be better!

[@Netmover]

Seagull also good value for acoustic

[@glennb2819]

The wallet is much kinder than the wife

[@davidconroy8553]

@@Netmover and also pretty tough. Wouldn't part with my S6+.

[@Miningfordiamonds1]

As a kid I was always told to start with an acoustic guitar, however I think kids starting out should start with an electric, semi hollow, or hollow body solely because they have lighter gage strings. Playing heavy strings without any calluses and a non-developed fretting hand would help a lot to keep you wanting to practice and play. Just my opinion on that topic.

[@jameshartwell4345]

I agree. And when your starting out, no one wants to hear you, or in my case, I didn’t want anyone to hear me. An unplugged electric is much quieter, and of course easier to play.

[@rustyshacklfort9508]

Yup that’s what I did and you can still hear it when you’re in your bedroom practicing.

[@TylerS9812]

Exactly, I learned by buying myself an electric and then learned chords and developed strength and all sorts of things before I bought an a acoustic. I didn’t even learn any scales or anything until after I got an acoustic cause the first things you learn on electric are the same as an acoustic

[@rdc1950]

Don't forget the Carvin line . They are my favorite ❤️

[@rocktorrocks]

Started out on a very comfy Squier electric with easy to play fast thin neck and definitely agree! Will also add, if a new players likes rock music and that’s what they wanna learn, an electric will allow them to learn and play the music that inspires them and keep them motivated.

[@turntabletuesdays2112]

Excellent! The best intro to guitars and pickups I have ever seen on KZbin. And the best guitar channel hands down.

[@quashie8809]

Completely agree. I would add a semi-hollow guitar (mine is a Gibson Lucille) and a second acoustic with Nashville strings.

[@fooshoo2006]

I inherited 7 Guitars from my dad and I couldn’t play,. For Ten years I never understood why he had so many different guitars. Until about a year and a half ago, when I decided to pick one up and play. Now I’m still a beginner, but I enjoy guitar so much and am grateful to have access to so many guitars. And I know now exactly why my dad had 7 guitars and not just one.

[@ipuya]

Wow!! So lucky!! What guitars are they? I actually left a comment on how 8 is the ideal number and listed the guitars that deserve a place on that list. Curious to know what your dad chose.

[@heikojakob6491]

@@ipuya The perfect number of guitars is always n + 1

[@bolkoa.zgierski646]

where n is the number of guitars one has at the moment

[@BaronVonQuiply]

I have 10 PRS guitars and I'm sure to the average person I bought ten of the exact same guitar with different finishes. They all have different pickups and/or wiring though, so no two are the same and each one has its own place.

[@heikojakob6491]

@@BaronVonQuiply Still not enough guitars. There's always at least one missing ...

[@123Ir0nman]

I'm surprised the 335 wasn't on the list considering how much you love your 335

[@keef7224]

Was thinking the same thing. Should have been 6 essentials. Some kind of semi-hollow body. But since it’s the one model I still don’t have I guess my incompletion is validated!🤣

[@abcrx32j]

Same he mentioned it on a similar video with Rick Beato

[@chunk4572]

I agree, but I knew he'd have his Novo on there.....

[@123Ir0nman]

@@chunk4572 yeah same, I figured the p90 novo would have to be there

[@imla-ch]

@@keef7224 You should get one - I did this year and it's pretty much become my go-to! Love it!

[@raymeedc]

Totally agree with all of your comments. I’ve narrowed my guitars down to essentials over the course of time, that also being 5, but with one substitution, that being a 12 string (‘90 Korean model) in place of a Humbucker model, as I’ve never cared enough about them enough to still own one. I’m not a pro anymore, so it matters less than it had earlier in life.

[@richardriley8906]

As a amateur and student I have 2 electric hollow and solid body and 2 acoustics 1 of each in E440 and Dmaj . a lot of sound variety. 1 of your videos started me on the Dmaj tuning . thanx .

[@relevantusername88]

Hey man, I was telling my ole lady about this video and she said we’re not allowed to be friends anymore. I’m sorry.

[@subpoppy1]

Ha. No doubt.

[@DrDespicable]

You and your ole lady are no longer allowed to be friends? That's gonna be awkward. At least you'll have the guitars, though!

[@fredstevens799]

@@DrDespicable like Jimi said! (red house...)

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

Take back your manhood. Trade the old lady for a nice Les Paul.

[@fantonledzepp]

“Whoa. That’s you with Led Zeppelin!” “Who’s the ole lady?!” “That’s my ole lady.”

[@cerealkiller5688]

Rhett, thank you so much for bringing desperately needed attention to the fact that I don't have a P-90 loaded guitar. Until this video my wife had no idea of the dire urgency needed to alleviate this obvious crisis.

[@1sttvbn]

I hear you, I’m thinking ‘56 gold top historic

[@goranivancevic7456]

I totaly agree with both of you, and I see your gold top and rise you an Epophone Casino (hollowbody + P90s)

[@goranivancevic7456]

*Epiphone Casino

[@chipsterb4946]

@@goranivancevic7456 I want a DwightTrash Casino so badly... only 1 for sale right now listed at $250,000 and that’s just so far beyond stupid I don’t know what to say

[@BOBANDVEG]

I've got a hb st20 that I'm going to put 2p90s in. Gonna be a fun project

[@jackschijven8219]

This video makes me happy. It is a wunderful overview of all the types of guitars and are major characteristics. I saved it as a reference video. Thanks.

[@user-jg4ye4tz1y]

The last riff you demo'd on the tele was top shelf stuff and YOU played it beautifully perfect to demo the uniqe sound using both pickups

[@jroobz]

I’m in a position where I can only have one guitar and my choice was a telecaster. It covers everything

[@grantandrews4826]

Good choice.

[@perudolux]

Good choice. Me too ..... meanwhile now I have 6 telecasters 😁

[@donkeyboy585]

Yeah either a Tele or a Strat and you can play pretty much anything

[@jonzy72]

Blues , rock , jazz ...Tele is all you’ll need!

[@user-zb4ss5ze5s]

I wish I would have choosen that as well...

[@bazzboy6739]

My Telecaster has been drug through 25 years. It’s been knocked off it’s stand more than I like to remember. I take this guitar to every gig. Each time I pick this guitar up it’s in tune and ready to play. I have many guitars, but this Tele is the one. Thanks Rhett! I love your content bro.

[@andreaferrero6533]

I just moved to another country, I waited my guitars to be shipped around one month, with huge heat and...when I picked the Tele it was in tune!

[@lorenvguitar614]

Thank you for some great information my friend, your knowledge is very valuable. Thank you

[@rbilleaud]

As an amateur luthier, one of my goals had been to come up with guitars that cover as many sounds as possible in one instrument. My most successful project so far has been what I call my Humcaster. It has a single coil Telecaster pup in the bridge and a Duncan APH-2 in the neck. The body style is modeled off an old 80s era Cort double cut. I really like the symmetrical layout and rounded horns. It has a natural wood finish on the maple/mahogany 7 piece body with a 3 piece maple/mahogany neck, very thin profile a 33.5 Inch scale neck, 'cause I have small hands. It's pretty sweet.

[@Stinkuh69]

You should post a video about it. That sounds sick.

[@skrillah6259]

This is what my dingwall bass does (ik not a guitar) all 3 pickups massive humbucker sound, middle only sounds like a p bass, middle and bridge sounds like a stingray perfect for slapping and bridge only sounds like a jazz bass. I wont ever need another bass but ill probably end up buying more anyways lol.

[@MauFerrusca]

Can we see that beauty?

[@rskirk22]

33.5 inch scale length! That’s quiet the guitar.

[@randyk1919]

Honorable Mention: a Precision Bass.. every guitarist should own a bass (guitar)!

[@offbeatbassgear]

As a bass player, I'd recommend the jazz instead, slightly narrower neck and more versatile in terms of tone, and usually the same price. Certainly nothing wrong with a Precision, but for a do-all bass, the jazz is a little more versatile and faster handling, though not by a great deal.

[@5000rgb]

And every bass player should own a guitar.

[@offbeatbassgear]

@@5000rgb I wish I stopped at one, though I still have fewer than I do basses, so that's okay

[@5000rgb]

@@offbeatbassgear You really only need one if it isn't your primary instrument.

[@randyk1919]

@@5000rgb My first bass was a short scale Squire Jaquar w/ flat wounds.. going for a 60's feel/tone that I love. Then.. I played a P-Bass with round wounds with that classic tone.. maybe I don't need it, but those 2 basses cover the sounds I'm looking for.

[@Impractical_Engineer]

Started the Pandemic with 3 guitars, currently have 7. It's enough until the next pandemic.

[@lenbones7940]

Started the pandemic with none and having not played in almost a decade.. Now 6guitars and a bass lol

[@janheikel7751]

There's a flu pandemic every year

[@BRLaue]

That’s making the most of adversity.

[@TheGamermouse]

Dude I literally have the same situation with my guitars 😂 keep rockin!

[@stratjed]

Planned demic

[@arefmoin814]

Good selection there Rhett. As a beginner, I appreciate my Taylor Academy 12e (for the comfort, low action, etc.) and my Squier Strat.

[@jimmywelder8445]

Thanks for the tips man. That’s cool! I learned a few things.

[@MagusPerde42]

I totally agree with these five with one modification: I think that every guitarist should have a hollow or semi-hollow bodied guitar, so I'd make the P90 model an Epiphone Casino.

[@jacobscott2054]

FUCKING RIGHT! Just picked up the olive drab one, used to have cherry red years ago. Fantastic guitar

[@RMosack]

Amen to that. Either a Casino or the slightly prettier Gibson ES-330. I'd say an ES-350, but who has $10k laying around for guitar #5!

[@jinxwren4628]

My same sentiment. And he didn’t say a 12-string.? I hate the tele.

[@jimsmith4611]

Have an old Yamaha SA 1000 that I bought brand new God knows how manyyears ago.. love it..

[@dirtylemon3379]

Agree. I loves me my Epiphone Casino.

[@deafrider]

My list: 1. Acoustic 2. Strat 3. (Semi-)Hollow Body (Epiphone Casino is my choice it has also P-90s) 4. Humbucker pick ups like LesPaul (my choice is flying V) 5. Some not ordinary guitar like 12 string guitar if you play more classic stuff or 7 string or baritone if you are into more heavy stuff

[@sr.duarte9438]

I agree. Your list is more complete than his!

[@asdaven1]

The Jr versions of the Les Paul and SG with the P90 are pretty amazing. Single pickup guitars that in some cases can be more versitile than having 2 pickups. Some say 1 P90 is better than having 2. I was reluctant but I have a SG Junior now and love it. Its versatility is up there with even my Telecaster which is my favorite guitar. The SG Junior is like the Gibson version of the Telecaster to me but with a Gibson flavor. It has a twangyness that works for country but up the overdrive and you have rock. If you already have a Les Paul with humbuckers but want a P90 guitar and want something different and something more like a Strat in weight, try the SG with P90s.

[@EvLoutonian]

Agree. I love the SG platform.. I have 3x (late 60's) SG melody makers (all purchased used / and pre-modified with non-original pickups). So I set them up as I wanted: First one has PAF spec humbuckers, second has Novak P90's, and third has Tele-ish style single coils (sort of closest one to original Melody Maker single coil spec, I suppose). I have another SG guard with vintage mini-humbuckers installed.. just need a fourth Melody Maker to put them in! (or can swap in to one of the current three)

[@DevilsAvocado69]

Was playing my electric guitar for 6 years before I bought my little acustic. I bought a mini fender redondo, I love it. At first I was kind of wishing I had bought a bigger acustic but after getting used to the size it's so comfortable to play.

[@zesty5321]

Tele middle position is so underrated

[@gdkopinionator4356]

Alex Lifeson uses that position with lots of modulation. Absolutely heavenly.

[@worldwarwe]

The essential math rock tone: tele in the middle position

[@dylangreen9819]

But the bridge is just unrivaled for country. The la brea neck pickup also sounds amazing

[@samsrg3025]

@@gdkopinionator4356 any Rush tele songs that comes to mind?

[@fredstevens799]

@Luke gonna funk, spank twang twinkle all nite long...

[@gben2457]

I played a strat with a hot rails bridge pick-up for 18 years gigging in bars. That is a versatile guitar if you could only have one.

[@dambuster6387]

The only strat I can afford is a Fender Black Top its a strat made in Mexico with 2 hum bucker pu its a mahognay body strat. bags of sustain sweet sounding guitar.

[@rustinhamilton2772]

This is really good. Expecially for an acoustic player like me who wants, and needs, to know more about the electric world but has always been a little reluctant. Nice job.

[@undersoundproductions1915]

Probably the best video ever for reading the comments and hearing everyone elses choices. Thanks y,all.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

Without watching - Strat, Tele, Les Paul, 335, Acoustic. Done.

[@stephenbowyer7269]

before i listen further, did you nail it? my thoughts on your choices: strat. safe choice here, despite awkwardly placed volume knob. Tele - one of Keith's fav's. I agree with Keef on that one. They invariably sound good, and some (cheap) ones sound fantastic. Les Paul - i am so sick of hearing that name, but hey, if you like it s particular sound. I know many do, but it is way down my list. 335? Get yourself a Dot. No-one is going to know, and one of the most playable necks ever made. Acoustic - nobody can truly make a choice among the thousands available, get one but make sure the set-up is bang on. And btw, plywood guitars often get a bad rap. Laminate acoustics can sound real good, in my experience. You dont have to mortgage the house to get a real good sounding acoustic. Let me know how i did?

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

@@stephenbowyer7269 Lots of thought involved in typing the answer, indeed. 🎸🤔

[@eriklesliejohnson]

No 335 but you’re correct

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

Well, sort of. While there was no 335 he did feature his boutique Novo, or however it's spelled, and it has P-90s. It was meant to represent really any P-90 guitar. So there you go. I think your list is the only way one would predict his choices.

[@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040]

@@WhoWouldWantThisName Well, the rest of guitars are just weird versions of the above.

[@JoeFic9997]

As a player of 40 + years I can say your advice to build a partscaster is spot on! Nothing more satisfying than playing a guitar that you had a hand in specifying and building or even modifying. But once you let that genie out of the bottle it can become addictive! All 6 of my solid body electric guitars now have either been built or modified by me for specific purposes and it was a 5 year journey😁

[@kelleyfamily2636]

Now that you mention it, three of my four electrics are either partscasters (Strat and Tele) or modified (Carvin 24 fret DC127, routed for a Ibanez LoPro Floyd). Even my Les Paul has been refretted with 6100 wire, my preferred size.

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Yep, I started by swapping out pickups on 2 of my Ibanez RGs, then I built one out of parts... now I want to do another!

[@sleevelessace]

i had a knock off strat as my first electric guitar when i was like 10 and i loved it man i rocked it in junior band,senior band, and i never had enough money to get something better till i started working myself then i got a epiphone les paul special ii but that knockoff strat holds a special place in my heart ill keep it forever

[@prosql]

Not just a solid list but presented in a way that really drives home your "why" on them. As a 40ish year guitar dabbler (off, on, off, on - life just gets in the way when you have too many interests), it was great to see some of my own thoughts represented. I happen to have 3 on the list with a 4th being targeted. I didn't really have the P90's on even my radar - with a 335 style being what I would have thought of as #5. Great stuff.

[@willjones4992]

unpopular take but between a tele deluxe/sg and a jazzmaster, you're covered for like 90% of the tones you could ever need and these guitars sound perfect together in a mix.

[@officialWWM]

Except a Jazzmaster is ugly as hell!

[@disruptivebutterfly8045]

Debatable.

[@willjones4992]

@@disruptivebutterfly8045 ok man thanks for the input lol

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

I didn't buy a tele until after I'd been playing for more than 20 years. Once I did I never looked back - so versatile!

[@N_B_123]

I just got one!!!!!

[@vicrattlehead8665]

Hated them at first, then they slowly grew on me, then i saw page play it in some 69 vids and I fell in love with them. THEN I actually played one and I hate that I don’t own one

[@squirelova1815]

The Tele neck pickup mimics an acoustic very well. It's gone over most people's heads why the Tele was first named the "Electric Spanish" guitar.

[@timnewman1172]

The secret sauce is that Tele can get reasonably close to so many other guitars, especially the Les Paul sound...

[@AndersMcTee]

They really are!!

[@kellyyoung1983]

i think you nailed it on the selection. very cool video. im currently on the hunt for my p90 guitar. i might install p90 hot rails on my john 5 tele and get a more traditional tele for that sound

[@Sephi_Dreams]

I remember my first broken LP neck. It was my Artic White Epiphone LP. Strap let loose of the button and it hit the floor. I was destroyed at the loss. But, after research and trying to find a luthier to fix it, I ended up resetting and fixing the neck myself. Left it glued and clamped in place for weeks and then used resin to fill in any gaps in the exterior of the neck. Sanded it down and its super smooth. Keeps tune better than ever and plays great. I'll never let that one go. Also, all my guitars now immediately get Dunlop Straplocks installed before use. Never again....

[@dwaynemcallister7231]

Great comment!

[@georgegagnon4566]

Bought my first acoustic guitar in Vietnam 1969. Still have it still playing. Kasuga 12 string.

[@euphority_delay7978]

how old are you?

[@thedevilsadvocate5210]

Kasuga. God Bless You

[@squirelova1815]

"Charlie don't surf", or play much guitar either I guess.

[@steveb9325]

Can't think of a better time to buy a guitar. Place at that time: God bless you!

[@simondebrun]

Bought my first banjo - a Kusaga 4 string!

[@johncrafton8319]

One must have guitar for every player: Whatever guitar you actually, actively want to play. That's it. That's the only "must-have" guitar you need. If you see that guitar and you can't not play it, then you "must have" it. Any other instrument is extra.

[@ngsanfo7927]

Was gonna say this before I saw your comment. I was a one guitar guy before I started watching KZbin videos. Lol. No slam on Rhett personally

[@starbattles1]

Opinions are like ass holes. Maybe 1 is good for the simple minded hobby player. A LOT of songs sound is due to a particular guitar and pickup that must be done with those certain pickups to sound right. Or maybe you don't care about sounding right.

[@ngsanfo7927]

@@starbattles1 cool story👎 check out how many top revered guitarists are one instrument guitarists

[@johncrafton8319]

@@starbattles1 Simple-minded hobby player? To hell with you. You don't know me, and apparently you don't know jack shit. We're talking about "must have", dumbass. Yes, guitar players like getting multiple instruments for multiple reasons, including how they sound, make you feel, feel in your hands, look, etc. That's got nothing to do with this. Even as a gigging professional, WHICH I AM, I don't "need" more than one instrument. That's it. I can get every single sound I need for every single song I'll ever play with a single guitar. I can absolutely get those tones more easily with other guitars, which is one reason why I have other guitars. Even so, it's not a "must have". The biggest problem for guitarists and would-be-guitarists is finding that one guitar that they just can't live without. The instrument they can't put down. When they wake up and see it sitting in the corner, they immediately want to pick it up. When they reach a plateau and stop improving, or hit a wall and stop learning, it's that ONE guitar that will get them past it. These guitars in this list aren't "must haves" by any stretch. They're only "must haves" if you have a need that they can fill, and most players simply won't have a need for all of these. It's videos like this that help give guitarists GAS - Gear Acquisition Syndrome. "Oh no! I only have a Tele! I MUST HAVE a P-90-equipped guitar! Better spend every waking moment researching and looking and feeling and playing every P-90 guitar I can find before I spend way too much on an instrument I'll barely ever play!" Must have? Simple-minded hobby player? GFY.

[@johncrafton8319]

@@ngsanfo7927 KZbin is a great way to get GAS. Before I started watching guitar videos, I was fine with my collection - an acoustic, a Fat-Strat-type, and a bass. Within a couple years, I had over 20 guitars. What did I take to my gigs? The acoustic, the Fat-Strat-type, and/or my bass. All those guitars, and many more since, were just extra. Nice to have - some nicer than others - but rarely ever played.

[@BluegillGreg]

I have all those guitars on your list but play mostly a Blackguard Tele and a P-90 Goldtop. My favorite Humbucker guitar is a sunburst ES-135. Great louds, distortion and controlled feedback from the balsa-blocked lead pickup, and beautiful old-school Jazz where it's completely hollow under the neck pickup

[@sofiaruffiner4612]

I agree with your video. I started with a cheap acoustic guitar being only 8. Then I bought a low-cost stratocastar with two hamburckers at 15, and then started with the pedals paraphernalia until I understood I needed real wood and felt ready to jump into a Fender Jaguar at 20. It's a heavy guitar, but I love it. l WISH I had a Telecaster too. But before that, I made sure to get a GOOD acoustic guitar (Yamaha), having a good acoustic guitar made things easier for me and I ended up using it for a lot of sessions. Definitely, my next acquisition will be a Telecaster. For some reason I never went for Les Paul because I don't find them very comforable to wear, but I love their sound! Humbuckers may be the reason.

[@Jerry_Fried]

0:59 "So, without further ado...now before we get started..."

[@bernardosabsylon2269]

Lul

[@BrettPapa]

Agreed Tele is the one to rule them all!

[@paddyhardy]

Even if it’s a Nash ?Glad to see you watch these videos too.

[@dannyllerenatv8635]

@@paddyhardy Whichever brand you prefer! A tele is a tele!

[@edge2sword186]

I would add a 335 and a 6120 2 of the best ever made guitars that all the great players owned .

[@paddyhardy]

@@dannyllerenatv8635 that’s very true a friend of mine made his own tele from scratch and bizarrely it sounds more like that classic tele sound than my American made tele special.

[@BetterWokeThanAsleep2]

That's the only one you really need!

[@LocrianDorian]

Interesting take. I'd have to agree with the SSS (or HSS maybe) Strat, as well as a PAF equipped LP. They are basically essential if you own several guitars, and there is no reason not to own these extremely iconic guitars/sounds. But other than that, I consider a Floyd Rose guitar more or less essential. If nothing else at least everyone should try it.

[@keithshwalbe6981]

Nicely walked thru Rhett, thank you.

[@jeffainsley6000]

I would put the SG in there with the Tele in terms of versatility. SG's always get the snub in favor of Les Paul's in lists like these though. Not sure why. LP neck pickups are usually a mudfest, but usually very clear in an SG.

[@daveschocker8228]

I prefer the Flying V, same reasons. But the V gives great access all the way up the neck. You don't want to live at the 22nd fret, but I do want to get up there easily when I want to get up there.

[@tomblack9401]

Jeff, a lot of the secret to the Les Paul is having a good pickup well matched to the guitar in the neck position (and good electronics). I have a Tom Holmes set in my LP and it is incredible. Those same pickups didn't do much at all for an SG.

[@professorpedropontes4402]

Hey mate, that’s only true on low quality neck pickups. A good neck pickup on a Les Paul has both the bass and the clarity. Trust me.

[@jojojojojojojojojojojojob]

huh? what kind of les paul do you have? a knock off?

[@dannybrown1846]

Nobody breaks it down like Rhett Shull ... I always end up here! No matter where you are in your personal journey, this guy will help you get better. Many thanks Rhett.

[@davidbrady52]

Great job, and I agree with everything you said. My P-90 preferred option is a Les Paul Junior.

[@jimmartin4430]

I just added an Epiphone Billy Jo Armstrong LP Junior. Absolutely awesome!

[@MikeyAGoGo101]

I think the essentials would be a Tele, Les Paul, Baritone, Hollowbody, acoustic and something like a Ibanez RG series.but then you want some that you keep in different tunings.

[@jazzguitarwithandy]

I’m thinking we all need a Noah’s ark style guitar collection. For Fenders that means you need at least two of each model. One with a maple board and the other with rosewood.

[@klee_of_c8082]

I like the way you think!

[@squirelova1815]

Biblical!

[@timnewman1172]

Maple is definitely a different sound!

[@hans-joachimbierwirth4727]

@@timnewman1172 Depends. Stratocaster tone plastics behave very differently. Is it ABS? Is it PLA? Black or white? And then the nut! Is it made from common buffalo or female toddler skull?

[@notapplicable328]

@@hans-joachimbierwirth4727 female toddler skull??

[@konradhof7318]

Other “essential” guitars: - Classical / nylon string - Gretsch hollowbody - ES-335 - Rickenbacker 12-string - Acoustic 12-string - Round-neck resonator acoustic

[@athmaid]

and a baritone

[@juliensabadinowitsch8139]

Ibanez rg

[@martin-1965]

Yup agree on most of those. Would love to get a resonator one day and a Gretsch Country Gentleman (always wanted one, never had the money to spare or justify). When it comes to 12 string, I got rid of my 12 string acoustic last year but still have a non-Rickenbacker electric 12 string for recording which sounds ace live as well. Rickys are just overpriced for what they are these days and have a unique sound all of their own, but hard to justify when with the rest of my guitars I can get almost every sound I need. I say "almost" because I doubt I'll ever stop wanting just one more guitar lol :)

[@ginopini6484]

A banjo, a ukulele,a hello kitty, and a washtub and broomstick.I need a bigger house

[@Flat5Henry]

And an archtop

[@specialfred453]

Watching this, the sound from the Fender Stratocaster bridge pickup immediately brought the theme song to Trigun to mind. I didn't realize that I could distinguish the sound of the pickups like that

[@TheHoojo]

Thank you for the breakdown of WHY these guitars in technical terms as well.

[@jasonwilcox6334]

Well, I've been playing pro for 25 years now. 5 guitars you actually need are - 1- steel string acoustic. 2- nylon string acoustic. Both should have good pickups and I find cutaway very handy. 3 - at least one bass. 4 - ES-335 5 - something with a whammy bar. Maybe Strat? PRS? Ibanez? Whatever you choose. For me I take.more than 5. So for me... 5 - PRS Custom 24 6 - a jazz hollow body with Flatwounds. 7 - a good strat that I love. 8 - something quirky. Hope this helps.someone out there.

[@JerryWasARaceCarDriver]

I put flat wound on my 335

[@richardkelley7938]

Nice list. I never got into 335s. I'd love to pick up a PRS, but the Les Paul fills that role pretty much. I didn't include basses, though I'd recommend a 5 string P bass.

[@mygreatbigfoot1679]

+ a resonator + a 12 string

[@Argonautica8]

So as a guitarist you need at least one bass but zero les Paul's?

[@ayeyobossman6151]

yeah really helpful, if you want to help even more you could paypal me about 50k to buy all this thanks

[@brianstrawser5695]

I can't get over how easy Rhett makes it to listen and watch his channel. I always learn something without that teacher aftertaste. Love the channel.

[@kodykindhart5644]

He’s learning too 😁

[@kodykindhart5644]

Live ya Rhett

[@onamemmet]

Even if he does say "a Finder is essintial..." Southern English😐

[@shane2663]

For me Number 5 would be a Semi-hollow, totally agree with your first 4.

[@markmm1066]

I split the difference with a Casino.

[@lutzvonhintermond274]

As a Bassist primarily, i have 4 Basses and 3 Guitars. The Guitars are two Telecasters, one Fender Vintage, one Jim Root Signature for drop tunings and a Fender Japan Strat, which I rarely use. One heavily modified Fender PJ Bass which I love the most, a Cort A5, a Höfner Verythin Custom Fretless XL, and a Gretsch G5440 Semi-Hollow. That’s all I need from classical stuff, to blues and rock, stoner, doom, and all sorts of metal.

[@southplainsrr]

Hollow body guitars: “what, am I a joke to you?”

[@Dreager141]

yes, yes they are

[@UmVtCg]

@@Dreager141 Nah, they're really not

[@Kubooxooki]

I included those under P 90s

[@RatBastardDan]

Props on the ATSF logo my dude

[@klee_of_c8082]

Made ME laugh!

[@trumpetperson11]

I feel like a hollow body should have been there in place of 4 or 5, just for the diversity it brings. Maybe something like an e335 or sheraton. Its obviously hard to chose just 5, but hollow bodies can be really useful depending what kind of music you intend to play. And as others have mentioned, a 12 string acoustic if anyone wanted the 6th option. Something really good, but not quite useful enough for the top five.

[@jourdinthedragon]

For me it was there. "Anything with p90s". My es339 p90 sings. On the other hand, I get your point because that's not true of everyone and it's actually what I expected

[@richardfox1605]

I fully agree I love my Gretsh Hollow body

[@michaelbyrd7883]

The Gibson 335 needs to be on the list and also to mention to players the play ability is 1,2 or 3 top reasons to get whatever tone i.e sound you want. For instance the D shape straight up neck is harder to play then the Gibson 335 C neck or the Gretsch country gentleman. Newer model strats and tele's are stiff, so vintage necks are a strong reason to have a fender strat or tele. Some guys got monster hands and fingers and can man handle a guitar others have smaller more agile hands and need a neck and body that fits them.

[@fhstaley3340]

Any reputable, well build 335 style

[@erichanhauser3190]

Had a cheaper Ibanez Artcore semi hollow. Fun guitar.

[@jeffbrown7408]

Great! Informative, thanks. Nice playing by the way🎸

[@LRHutch]

Very good video man. Every guitarist has their own favorites. My #1 is Telecaster stock #2 is Telecaster with Filtertrons, #3 Telecaster with Jazzmaster pups, #4 Roadcaster (my custom build Telecaster) with forearm and belly cut 3 pickups and tremolo system #5 Gibson ES-135 and of course #6 D'Angelico acoustic/electric. I have several more but these are my favorites. I've been playing for 65 years and played professionally since I was 14.

[@raymondcampbell9077]

Nylon string isn't a bad thing to have nor is a twelve string. As a professional, I made most of my money with a Martin D35, but I agree that for the range of sounds in the electric world, you need a tele, strat, Les Paul and something with P90s. I also have an ES 335 style jazz box which makes me happy when playing chord melody. I don't think it's unreasonable to have 7 or 8 guitars and a mandolin or two. Good video, ROCK ON!

[@Zack-bl2gg]

The only problem with classical is they’re a pain to take care of and setup(no truss rod for most of them)

[@daz97]

I want a mandolin But I have a Ukulele for now And 2 Harley Benton's lol a stray and a LP Plus a Yamaha acoustic I need more guitars lol I need something more metal, with a thin neck About 15 years ago I had a Ibanez RG1650 prestige Dam do I miss that guitar, it was just so easy to play

[@soul_headshot]

Is any number of guitars unreasonable?

[@colejohnston8031]

I think every channel could ask this question and I would watch everytime.

[@fivewattworld]

Me too, :)

[@rasm0225]

Yeah, I want to know what the Pokémon players think!

[@mpdjr77]

REALLY enjoyed your playing. Thanks for the demo. I’m missing a Tele and Les Paul, but I do have a strat with double humbuckers (double fat strat?), as well as a traditional single coil x3 strat.

[@enewman411]

I’ve been playing guitar most of my life, and I have to say this list is spot on.

[@onamemmet]

Also very predictable. Who wouldn't have been able to guess what at least four of the five would be?

[@mikemccardle2319]

Great demo and discussion of the different guitars that one might want - the single greatest part of the sound demos is that you covered the tone with the volume rolled off a bit. That's critical because in practice most people adjust the volume on the guitar while performing or jamming. Which really shows how great each pickup type at cleaning up as well as how the P90 is always middle of the road while being great all on it's own. Thanks!

[@cwir88]

I have five guitar and all of them are strats. Guilty as charged.

[@KramerPacer2]

So they basically share the fact, that they have a floating bridge? Seems okay to me :D

[@auntjenifer7774]

@Luke don't, SG with p90's and a Les Paul Jr. Are so freaking great and can twang and bang with the best Tele out there ! You owe it to yourself to treat yourself to a Les Paul special double cut or something like that. Trust me,I played a Tele almost exclusively in a major cover top40 band where I needed everything in one guitar and the only other guitar that could do it all, side from the Tele was the p90 Les Paul Jr.

[@NormanPeterson]

One of your best videos Rhett! And they all are great!!

[@GiovanniGugliantini]

Some times ago a friend asked for a first guitar for his son. I recommanded Tele for exactly the same reasons, plus, I think; Tele is a forgiving guitar, it helps you when you're coming for classical and need to learn control.

[@freeman7079]

I routed my favorite strat for double humbuckers (jazz neck and tremolo bridge) and a three way switch. I also put tall, jumbo frets on an ebony fingerboard for heavy gauge strings tuned a full step down and use it primarily for heavy metal. Father, forgive me! But that’s how much i love strats, I find a way to use it no matter what style of music!

[@hibernative]

Rhett just sold me on buying a strat while already owning one. He did the neck pickup justice.

[@SnorkyBlundabus]

I think the choices here are really good and every style of guitar playing can be covered, nothing else needed!. :)

[@guithawk-ij8is]

Love your channel! Taylor, Strat Les Paul, Tele, and ES 330 covers the P90 for me. Up until last year I would have agreed, but my son bought me a Gretsch, and I now feel that you just need a guitar with a Bigsby! I also think a good classical is a must.

[@ronwilcox7716]

Your introduction to the telecaster gave me the title to my next album, “Without A Doubt, Probably” You rock, consistently! Keep it up!

[@Tiburcio1950]

You can never have too many guitars. The 5 you covered are must have. I would add a semi hollowbody 335 style guitar to the list as well. I have 30 guitars with the 5 styles and a semi hollowbody. I modified all myself. This group of guitars are must have as you pointed out. Good job.

[@alanaspurling6469]

I picked up a thin-line style Telecaster for my first electric guitar. It’s got a humbucker pickup in the neck position. I was all set to change the strings and do some work on the frets, but have just been playing it like it came. It stays in tune, and makes the right sounds as I’m working on my fingerings, and toughening my finger tips. I also picked up a metal string acoustic, but my fingers need to get used to pressing the strings first. When I started, I was frustrated that I couldn’t do more than about 5 minutes before my finger tip pain was too much. I played trumpet, mellowphone, and Horn in band, so I’m still working with cords and music theory is a challenge, although my horn experience certainly gave me an introduction to keys (my double horn has both an f side and a b-flat sides) and on the fly transposing.

[@patrickestwick5675]

Thanks mate. Nicely done.

[@phillipderose3737]

I own six guitars. My wife complains that I play the same three chords on all of them!

[@rafahappke566]

It is ime to change...not the chords...maybe the wife. 😁

[@felicelococo9226]

Married men always told me I was smart for staying single

[@jimsmith4611]

Asmany chords as that...

[@mysticone1798]

That's a pretty good rundown of essential guitars! I have 4 of the 5 you recommend, only the Les Paul is missing, but I agree it's essential for most pros. Prefer the cleaner, crisper Fenders. If I were to add just one more guitar to your list, I'd add a semi-acoustic model. I really love my Thinline Telecaster, but many others are fine. There is no substitute for the semi-acoustic sound, especially for rhythm playing.

[@dx7guy]

Along with the classics ... it's fun for the player & audience to hear (or see) a surprise ... like a Rick 12 string, something tuned to Drop-D or only 5 strings tuned to GDGBD, etc. Really enjoyed your video - Thank You !

[@Glicksman1]

I started playing on a Harmony archtop acoustic that I bought at Sam Ash for $22 in 1964. It was strung with bridge cables. Except for a tuning fork, which I didn't have, there were no tuners yet. I discovered that he dial tone on the phone was an F chord so I used that. It still is, I think. This guitar was just fine for months until I got a Gretsch Streamliner and a Univox10 watt amp for $125 and it all began in earnest. The beauty of the Strat is that each pickup is equally great but different sounding. I'm a big fan of the middle pickup, but the neck and bridge pickups are also great. I use the all with no extra charge. The one sound I would like on Start is neck and bridge together, like a Telecaster. Now that would be nice. I know, it can be done. Maybe I will on one of my newer ones. I have a chevron flame 'Burt, too, a 2001 R-9, but the chevron goes the other way. It now has '59 PAFs, a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard from a 1961 LP SG, bridge, tuners, hardware and electronics from 1960-61 LPS and SGs. It's an 80% real 'Burst, but it sounds and plays 100%. I notice that you, too, wrap the strings OVER the tailpiece. Makes a lot of good difference, for sure. Like many of us, I have played and owned various Telecasters over the years and always felt while playing it that if I could only have one guitar, this would be the one. My "Desert Island Guitar". It's just perfect and sounds like nothing else. Leo got it right, right out of the box. "Hear what your soul sounds like plugged in" a Tele ad once went. Many years ago I was Zeus-blessed to get my hands on a '52 in great condition, all original. After playing it, that was all she wrote. I sold some things, hocked some other things, borrowed and begged and bought it. F a Duck, but it is a fine thing. Not at all bad for "a toilet seat with strings." And yes, the Tele's neck pickup is the stuff that sonic dreams are made of. Ask Keef about it. P-90. Nothing more to say than that it's the greatest pickup ever made. The PAF Humbucker was supposed to sound like a P-90 without the hum. That's why the early and best ones are so gloriously bright. Once they got overwound, it was all over as far as I'm concerned. Mud, just mud. I'd add a Jazzmaster and a Duo Jet with Dynasonics, but that's me and fodder for another vid, I guess.

[@Yats6417]

I have just recently started learning how to play, out of impulse I bought an electric guitar and honestly, as much as I love metal, having an electric made me somehow play my acoustic more, odd I know but I feel like having an electric made me appreciate the difference in sound more !

[@henryfaulkner6051]

My first guitar...uh my Dad found it in a trash can and glued that Spanish style together with Elmer’s glue and put metal strings on it...

[@squirelova1815]

Ha! Luxury. I only had a trash can with a 2x4 glued to it...and I was GRATEFUL!

[@RichardKraneis]

Rhett, Thanks to you, I have more guitars to purchase. Not a bad thing. As a beginner, I am learning that each guitar has its own voice and its own place in our lives. Guitars are so interesting. Guitars are tools of the trade for musicians, pieces of art for collectors, and objects that become friends in our solitary moments of playing. Thanks for your tour of 5 Must Have Guitars. I have 3 of them already.

[@bobsawyer8153]

I have a '73 ES-335 that I bought in '85 or '86 that was my main guitar for years. A few years ago I built a Strat-style partscaster with Hotrails-style pickups that are tappable, so that gives me an incredible range of tones to play with. Then at the start of the pandemic I started building a P90 based off-set Tele-style partscaster that I decorated with panels from an old "SHAZAM" comic book (I call it the Shazcaster!) with an old Kramer banana headstock neck. And then just a couple of months ago I rehabbed a Vox Mark VI (Teardrop) that I scored on Freecycle a decade or so ago that has been sitting in a closet. So that's my current arsenal. I'm thinking about either a Jackson for straight shredding or another P90 in the form of an LP goldtop because I really love a goldie. :)