How many guitars do you need?

In this video I thought I'd attempt to answer the tricky question of "how many guitars do we need?".

[@dave.F0X]

I had 4 and was happy. I started watching KZbin in 2017. Now I've got 12.

[@jtguitartv]

🤣

[@3Torts]

Same

[@kellyharrison1081]

Great video. This is probably the most balanced answer to this question I have seen! I have 3 electrics: Les Paul, Strat, and Squire Tele. 2 acoustics and a P-bass. Seems like a lot ... I've been trying to figure out what to get rid of. BUT I hate re-buying something you already sold for a loss.

[@jtguitartv]

Thank you for watching, glad to hear you relate to it! That sounds like a really good set to have. :)

[@paulrich6307]

thank you for your thoughts and specifically about learning your tastes changing as you grow as a player. very great advice.

[@jtguitartv]

You’re very welcome! The taste changing bit is so true!

[@lamontprospect9974]

He's right, I stupidly put pressure on myself and it was such a waste of money. I'm 64. At 62 I decided to teach myself guitar and in 2 years by 20 electric guitars. I must have been out of my mind. I still feel guilty about it. I put this pressure on myself and for what? Even if you're financially comfortable like me but not rich, don't make the mistake I did.

[@talbenami8396]

Great video. I've been dealing with that topic for many years, watched a lot of videos regarding this - and you had some really good insights. The "I love them as an object" attitude as well as the fact it's totally fine and common to like other guitar player's sound with a specific guitar type while not liking ourselves with it. +1 on the Telecaster! although I don't own one (for now...).

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks for watching, and for the kind words. :)

[@Jake24378]

This is a truly insightful video!

[@jtguitartv]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@Strat66]

Wow, what perfect sense you make !!!! The tone is in our hands 🙌 the priority is practice, learning, improving bit by bit. NOT buying endless stuff ! But like you a lot of it is emotional attachment eh.

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks, it’s nice to see other people feel the same. :)

[@christmas-telecaster]

I think you nailed this video, everything you say are true. Some guitars you cannot sell because of the sentimental value. I do also believe you dont NEED more that 2 guitars, the reason people including myself buy guitars is because we all love guitars. I think another thing is you dont need the most expensive guitar to get the sound YOU want, a lot of people buy crazy expensive guitars in hope of sounding better but that is not the case. Find your sound and challenge yourself to find that in an as cheap guitar as Possible. Great video mate!

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks mate! I totally agree with you too! Especially about not needing expensive guitars. Les Paul Juniors sound incredible and they were originally the budget option!

[@CantAffordToRecord]

Great video - we all seem to go through that buy buy buy phase! I’ve weened it down to 5 now and one of them is my Les Paul which I’ve had since I was 13, so many have and come and gone but that one really is still number one.

[@jtguitartv]

I remember that Les Paul. I used to not like gold tops until I saw yours! They look much better in person. 5 is a nice number! Thanks for watching mate!

[@CantAffordToRecord]

@@jtguitartv The day I got that guitar I must have tried 20 Les Paul's and that was the one I kept coming back to...but I hated that is was gold. I got over it, ha.

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, I love the gold now. I also like the history behind it (designed to look good on black and white TV).

[@ryanmelvey8764]

i only have a telecaster. i am considering getting a 6 way switch on it so i can get different tones. that should be fine for me

[@shoots007]

Nailed it!!

[@iancurrie8844]

2. Telecaster for most things, Les Paul for everything else. That said, I own 4 electric guitars and they suit me well: (tele, strat, lester, cu24). If I had to lose one, it would be the strat followed by the Custom 24. Tele would be my last one if I were only allowed 1.

[@jtguitartv]

That’s a great setup and breakdown!

[@ThePlanarchist]

I've long been a fan of the n=n+1 formula for the number of guitars but after getting to a dozen i pretty soon discovered I only ever regularly played my Tele. So totally agree you only really need a Telecaster (or maybe two).

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, two if my students sent me that formula after my Instagram post. It's a great formula! 🤣 Yeah, I think they got "the electric guitar" right the first time around with the Tele. It's imperfect perfection! Thanks for watching, again! ;) Maybe I should do a video called something like "Why does everyone love Teles?" Or "What's so great about Telecasters?"... 🤔

[@neogeoriffic]

Everyone NEEDS two guitars! One electric and one acoustic.

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

Started with Telecaster and gigged for years with it. Now never play them. In photography, there is a discipline of only shooting one lens for an entire year. You REALLY get to know that lens/focal length. Good for guitar as well. Play one guitar for an entire year. I started on Telecasters but now play Ibanez S and SA guitars. I've got about 15-ish guitars total. I use 2-3 on a regular basis. The "but, but's" have got me in thrall. I mean to sell on Reverb but , but.... :). Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@jimmythefish]

Makes sense to me. I currently have a Tele, a Gretsch semi hollow with a Bigsby, a Martin dreadnought, a travel acoustic, and a bass I’m borrowing. So five, but it seems to be a minimum for me. The notion that you can play anything on a Tele is limited after you get tired of bending the neck forward as a cheap alternative to a vibrato. I have wanted a Strat and sold one ages ago, but I can get close enough with a Tele that I don’t really need anything else. I was reminded of this recently when my favourite Strat player, John Frusciante, played a Tele for an entire show and still sounded like himself.

[@jtguitartv]

Yeah, you can even get a Nashville Tele with the pickups. I think I prefer the Tele sound but as you said, they’re pretty comparable. Thanks for watching! :D

[@kamilkowalczyk4258]

I actually did what you advise the last - i had two electroc guitars for years until I knew what I was guing for and before I could afford better guitars. Now I have 5 guitars, which is about one too many, but still they all serve to play in different tunings and have different pickups so it's a variety I need.

[@jtguitartv]

That's great, well done for not making the same mistakes as me and thanks for watching. :D

[@robertbourke7935]

Money, if you'll pardon the expression, is like manure. It's of little worth unless it's spread around helping little things grow. Thanks to Hello Dolly. Great video and very sensible advice.

[@jtguitartv]

Totally agree and thank you. :)

[@ilmisxx2]

The answer is very simple - all of them!!

[@jtguitartv]

😂

[@Wakemeup456]

I have about 6 electrics, and even though I don't need them, it's handy because I like to experiment with different tunings A LOT. And I like my Floyd rose bridges for cool dive bomb stuff. Even for fixed bridges, I have to completely change the setup of the guitar with thicker strings and set up the intonation differently. (I like to experiment as low as Drop A and then standard E) It's nice to just pick up a guitar and play in that tuning without completely changing the setup of it and taking more time out to setup rather than play for me. I just recently got the digitech drop pedal to try it out, but it starts to sound weird after two steps. Anyway, that's my 2¢

[@jtguitartv]

Much appreciated. I can totally see the appeal in that. I’d do the same in your situation. Thanks for watching and for your thoughts. :)

[@christopher_lp]

I'm the same way. I play in 5 different tunings, albeit mostly in just standard E. Part of me really would love to have just a couple, but at least I've gone from 12 to 9 😅😅😅

[@JoeAtClaricast]

I still only have two electrics! And 3 acoustics, and one bass. Lack of space mainly. They cover most bases though. Love the new space btw. The setup and videos.

[@jtguitartv]

Hiya mate! That's cool, two electrics are plenty! What do you do tmwith the three acoustics? Slide, DADGAD and standard or all sentimental like me? :D And thank you, it's a great space to work in and makes it much easier to keep making videos. :)

[@JoeAtClaricast]

@@jtguitartv I've wanted a third for a while but I think you're right. For the acoustics it's classical/sentimental, the main one, and the spare one when gigging lol. Yeah I noticed! What camera are you using? I'll be upgrade from my phone soon lol

[@jtguitartv]

The camera is a Lumix GH5. It's been great but it's also a big learning curve! I'm still getting used to it.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

@@jtguitartv Looks great! Thanks.

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks and no worries.

[@yetigoosecreature8682]

You need 10. Because my guitar stand takes up to 10. ;) Wonky logic, but it works for me. For many years I had 3 (lead, bass and acoustic), but then KZbin forced me to buy more. ;)

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, I can understand the “filling the stand” logic. 🤣

[@calyptratus187]

Hey we have the same preferences but I currently have it reversed! I have two acoustics and one electric. Kinda wished I started electric earlier to get familiar with it and know what I truly wanted!

[@jtguitartv]

Thanks for watching. You’ve got all the time in the world to get familiar with it. Enjoy the journey. 3 guitars is really nice. I don’t like to sound ungrateful but I would still like to cut down. I think when I have kids, I can at least give some to them. :)

[@lamontprospect9974]

Thank you for making this video. I learned the hard way having more guitars only creates stress and you end up chasing credit cards instead of practicing and creating music. It's sensible videos like this that make people think in the right way. How much is enough?

[@imJusta6stringguy]

Im just a regular home guitarist I don't gig i dont teach i dont record and if one day i should do any of those things it would be casually. Ive often wondered how many guitars i should get the desire is there for sure but is it wise? I currently have 3 electric all super strat style one with active pickups for getting clarity during high gain another with passive pickups but with a Floyd rose. One last one tuned to Eb and tricked out with a Killswitch mod. I also have an acoustic ovation guitar. I still want to get more guitars for alternate tunings extended range even little bells and whistles like a sustainiac. Also the metalhead inside me wants pointy guitars like V and explorer styles. I played a les paul style guitar at the store and i loved it but realized buying a thousand dollar guitar right now would not be wise. Im currently buying a nylon string guitar (ive been taking classical guitar lessons for over a year) but once the guitar road ends the gear road continues. Amps, speakers cabs, pedals, audio interface, amp sims ,IR packs. It really doesn't end. We all have have to be responsible and maybe learn the hard way. Gear acquisition syndrome is no joke and no quick fix. Also now i want a telecaster thanks a lot!

[@demayoexperience6646]

I have played for more than 30 days and I have own more than 30 guitars. I currently own 22, 8 of them I am ready to sell and another 5 more I will enjoy them a little longer and then let them go to someone else. I wouldn’t have tried the things I’ve tried if I had bought just one good, expensive new guitar. Thanks to buying and trying many different guitars I now know how to set them up, from fixed bridge to floating Floyd rose.

[@jtguitartv]

Yeah, owning so many can really help narrow down what works for you. I have a floyd rose strat once but I couldn’t live with it. It’s hard to know that without owning one. 👍🏼

[@thepatriot4355]

I have 7 guitars...6 Electrics and 1 Acoustic I'm happy and grateful with what I have

[@ChameleonHulk]

I have 4 electrics and two acoustics. I play them all. How else will I know what I like unless I learn on different types of instruments at the same time?

[@jtguitartv]

That’s a nice collection!

[@alexradsby]

I've been asking myself this question a lot. I currently own 10 electric, 2 acoustic, 1 bass. I could probably sell 1-2 electrics without any problems. It takes time to know what you like, that's the problem, you have to play a lot of them, and you can't find most of the ones you like in your local stores either, so you gamble a lot. It's definitely a problem.

[@jtguitartv]

I 100% agree with everything you said. It does take time and that is part of the problem. That’s and sentimental value of our instruments.

[@alexradsby]

@@jtguitartv Oh yes for sure. I can't sell gifted guitars or traded guitars with friends because I feel bad. 😅

[@jtguitartv]

Same! :P

[@domener9827]

Personally, I need at least 4 or 5, I currently have 4. The reason being that I play extremely diverse styles of music, from blues to death metal, depending on the mood. And I like to have my guitars tuned differently so that I cover a wider variety of styles and bands. I have a strat so obviously that's tuned to E flat, a LP for that juicy rock tone and the I have on at B standard. It's just so much more convenient for me and If I bought another one (which I will, eventually) I would probably tune it to like D standard or something. But if you play E standard exclusively, then yes, I suppose 2 or 3 guitars is plenty enough.

[@jtguitartv]

That's a cool set. I totally get having an extra guitar for heavy drop tuning. I have a couple of students that I teach songs in Drop A and it really messed with the setup of the guitar going back and forth. Now I use the "virtual capo" in the Line 6 hxstomp so that I don't have to retune between lessons.

[@domener9827]

@@jtguitartv That's very smart as well! :)

[@jtguitartv]

Needs must. 😅

[@matsgranbom5918]

I can not play guitarr! I am trying to learn though, I have 4 guitarrs. 1 (my first) that I will never sell, though it is crap. 2 epiphone high ends. And a HB aucustic that I love! I went on and did put the highe end epis for sale, and realized, that the one I got a buyer for I DO NOT WANT TO SELL! And the other 3 I am to much attatched to ever get rid of. And I can´t play them!!!! I do try and learn, and I do love them all.

[@jtguitartv]

I think we can all relate! 😂

[@lesmaybury793]

Some sound advice there (sorry about the dorkey pun 😁). A point I would say is that when starting out don't get a cheap charity shop thing that may not be possible to set up properly, having an unplayable old shed to learn on will be a put off. As for the right number of guitars to own, there is a mathematical formulae ... N = C +1, where N = the right amount to own, C = your current number of guitars. It's best to use the formula every pay day 🥴😉😁😂😂😂.

[@jtguitartv]

Lol, I'm all for a good pun! :P And I've heard of that equation before. I lived by it for a little too long! 🤣

[@aiyanaela6480]

I had three guitars, two electric and one acoustic but traded them all in for one really good Mikro electric, I think having travel sized electro acoustic and one mikro electric guitar is enough!

[@jtguitartv]

That’s really cool. :)

[@aiyanaela6480]

@@jtguitartv Thank you for sharing your guitar journey it was helpful

[@jtguitartv]

Glad I could help. :)

[@andyhamlett8814]

Who do you listen to? Do you need a humbucker or single coil? Do you need a hollow body/ solid body? Scale length? Coil split? It depends on what you listen to and want to emulate. Or get one and make it your own sound... through the amp you like... Aww bugger... new rabbit hole

[@compucorder64]

A good solution too having too many guitars, for sentimental value, is to lend them out to conscioutious students or close friends or family. Or the 21st birthday gift guitar to a family member that wants to learn. Puts the guitar to good use, gets rid of the guilt, but it's not just selling the guitar for cash - which feels wrong with a guitar you are attached to. I regret selling my first ever guitar, definitely never sell the sentimental ones. I would say don't sell, lend them out like a library, especially if they aren't worth that much. Rick Beato was talking about that, giving his first decent guitar away (a 12string) completely to a student in need, but then regretting it was gone forever. Lending is a good possible alternative.

[@jtguitartv]

That’s a good shout. I have done that with a few guitars as it happens. A guitar library is a very intriguing concept too!

[@compucorder64]

@@jtguitartv I watched a video about Blackbird studios in Nashville. And they do that, have a lending library of preamps, compressors, eqs, instruments, amps, maybe snares (they have 140+ snares). They charge, but it's actually damn reasonable

[@jtguitartv]

@@compucorder64 that’s amazing! I didn’t know. I wonder if there’s something similar in the UK. Thanks for letting me know!

[@compucorder64]

@@jtguitartv I'm not sure if there's anything quite like Blackbird, for that. You can see it in the Blackbird studio tour on Produce like a Pro, with the head recording engineer. It's mad, 62 Strat and Deluxe on loan for $100/day. Similar with 20k mics

[@rman2x16]

why do we need a backup? I like the idea of 1 elec, 1 acou, 1 bass :)

[@jtguitartv]

We don’t for the most part but as a full time teacher and part time performer, I’ve relied on a backup lots of times.

[@tonegrail650]

If you're a gigging musician you need a main and a spare in case you break a string. Changing a string onstage is a no go.

[@albadecca1505]

....err, all of them??

[@jtguitartv]

Lol

[@stevewarren4813]

...24 Fret Tele with humbuckers...

[@jtguitartv]

Noice!

[@GordonPavilion]

Where X = the number of guitar you own, the proper equation for how many guitars you need is always; X + 1

[@bluesman6873]

I think having lots of guitars is bad. It's not just superfluous, but it's actually a hinderance. The maintenance alone takes a lot of time away from playing. And also you never really get used to one particular instrument. How it feels and sounds. And you'll never really sound like you want to if you keep changing guitars. I think having an instrument that you know inside and out is about 40% of the tone and the performance. And it's no joke.