As a beginner, picking just one guitar to get started on your guitar lessons can be challenging, so why do people have more than one guitar? 

That’s because, as you start gaining expertise, one guitar may just not be enough! Even if you don’t plan on making a career out of your guitar skills, you may still be tempted to buy more than one of these amazing instruments. 

In fact, many end up succumbing to GAS! GAS is a short form for Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, a term used in the guitar community for people who just can’t resist adding guitar (and other music gear) to their already large collection.1  

There are, however, some acquisitions that are justified, especially if playing the guitar is a serious hobby or profession; some of these reasons are listed below.

1. Humans Love Variety

It’s rare to come by an individual who likes to listen to just one song over and over again. We usually have a long playlist of different types of songs from different genres and categories of music. Our taste in sound and music is so diverse that it is obvious that this need and preference for different kinds of tones will crop up as we keep improving our guitar skills and knowledge. Some songs are meant for acoustic guitars and others for electric guitars. Similarly, some days you may want to practice with a different instrument. In such cases, it is best to invest in an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar.2

2. Professional Requirements 

Teachers, artists, students preparing for a career in the music field, and other people who are a part of the music industry need more than one guitar. 

Artists usually have a large collection of guitars and also carry a few with them to deliver a precise performance. They may have many guitars and lots of other music gear on standby with different tunings and tones accompanying them to their live shows, as tuning instruments on the spot during such events can be time-consuming. Musicians also own several guitars to achieve a certain sound or feel in their compositions.3

Guitar instructors usually have several guitars in their possession as it helps them demonstrate techniques and skills, provide their students with a good collection of guitars to practice on, or expose students to various tones to enrich their sonic accuracy and experience. Students who are serious about pursuing a music career may also buy several guitars to gain the required experience to qualify as experts.

3. Guitar Enthusiasts 

Some people just keep acquiring guitars because they are collectors. Vintage guitars which were owned by music icons, early versions of popular guitar models, guitars built out of expensive materials, guitars designed by well-known designers, etc., are all frequently auctioned and are acquired by collectors for considerable amounts of money.4

4. Backup Guitars

Music professionals who have to travel with their instruments may not want to risk any damage to their guitars. In such situations, they replace their primary instruments with backups during travel or if they need to transport the instrument to different locations constantly. It is also safer to have a backup ready in case there are any issues with the guitar that was meant to be used at an event or a performance.

If You Decide to Have More Than One Guitar

If you find the perfect guitar to match all your musical tastes and needs, count yourself lucky because the stars align this for very few people! However, if one guitar doesn’t satisfy your creative needs, here are some things to keep in mind about acquiring multiple guitars. 

  • Two or three guitar types can usually cover numerous music tastes and preferences.
  • Try to have different types of guitars with different types of specs. For example: electric and acoustic guitars, guitars with single and double coils, a solid body and a hollow body guitar, a guitar that sounds bright and a guitar that sounds dark, etc. 
  • Do your research on some combinations such as a Stratocaster and a Les Paul, a Gibson ES-335, and a Fender Telecaster, which are tried and tested combinations that can cover many different styles of music. 
  • If you’re a beginner, wait for your music knowledge and skills to develop to know what your preferences are before investing in too many guitars.

Finally, Why Having More Than One Electric Guitar Can Be Unnecessary? 

Owning two guitars is common for most people who take at least a serious interest in music. Owning more than two guitars if you are not planning on making a career out of playing a guitar may be unnecessary in most cases. In fact, one guitar should be enough if you are not sure about how far you are planning to take your skills. While you figure that out, you can always play your friend’s guitars or try them out at a store if you feel the need to get your hands on a different instrument instead of buying it.

BYJU’S FutureSchool 

You don’t even need a guitar for your first trial class with BYJU’S FutureSchool! Book now for a one-on-one guitar lesson with some of the best music instructors who make learning music effortless, fun, and focused at the same time! Read more such interesting music articles on BYJU’S FutureSchool blog. 

References

  1. How to Cope with Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022, from https://www.roadiemusic.com/blog/gear-acquisition-syndrome/
    2. 5 Key Reasons Why You Should Own More Than One Guitar – GuitarMeet. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022, from https://www.guitarmeet.com/5-key-reasons-why-you-should-own-more-than-one-guitar/
    3. Why Do Guitarists Need More Than One Guitar? (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022, from https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/blog/2014/11/10/why-do-guitarists-need-more-than-one-guitar/
    4. Is One Guitar Enough? A Guide to Determining (and Justifying) Your Need for Multiple Guitars | Acoustic Guitar. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022, from https://acousticguitar.com/is-one-guitar-enough-a-guide-to-determining-and-justifying-your-need-for-multiple-guitars/
    5. Pros and Cons: Bringing Multiple Guitars to the Gig. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2022, from https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/pros-cons-bringing-multiple-guitars-gig/
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