He only has 12 because he's not done yet.
Actually, there's a term for his "affliction", which is quite common: G.A.S. = Guitar (or Gear) Acquisition Syndrome
It's not harmful but it can look scary.
Justmom,
My 17-yr-old 06 (who will major in classical guitar in college next year) has his small bedroom pretty much filled with his guitar collection, except for several amps which are kept at the home of the drummer in his rock band. I just went up and counted, and he "only" has 7 guitars here. Now that I think of it, he probably has 2 more guitars at the drummer's house. Believe it or not, they are all "necessary". Three that he uses every day are for totally different music styles: A handmade classical, a Gibson Les Paul (rock band), and a cutaway acoustic-electric (solo folk/ballad). Then there's a Fender strat which has a different sound from the Gibson, and a Fender dobro (the kind with the metal discs on the front, played mostly with a metal slide tube on his finger), an old Martin Stinger with Floyd Rose system... The list goes on, but he actually uses each of them for different types of music, and within any given month he uses most of them. I can't say much about it, since I own about 20 violins.
We gave away three of his less-used guitars a while back to my nieces who are starting to play (including the first Fender acoustic I ever owned). My brother and his wife both play guitar and have FIVE little girls who now all play, and they sit around strumming seven guitars together with my brother calling out the chords - "okay, ready for A? switch". Can you imagine the collection they could have before long?
My 17-yr-old 06 (who will major in classical guitar in college next year) has his small bedroom pretty much filled with his guitar collection, except for several amps which are kept at the home of the drummer in his rock band. I just went up and counted, and he "only" has 7 guitars here. Now that I think of it, he probably has 2 more guitars at the drummer's house. Believe it or not, they are all "necessary". Three that he uses every day are for totally different music styles: A handmade classical, a Gibson Les Paul (rock band), and a cutaway acoustic-electric (solo folk/ballad). Then there's a Fender strat which has a different sound from the Gibson, and a Fender dobro (the kind with the metal discs on the front, played mostly with a metal slide tube on his finger), an old Martin Stinger with Floyd Rose system... The list goes on, but he actually uses each of them for different types of music, and within any given month he uses most of them. I can't say much about it, since I own about 20 violins.
We gave away three of his less-used guitars a while back to my nieces who are starting to play (including the first Fender acoustic I ever owned). My brother and his wife both play guitar and have FIVE little girls who now all play, and they sit around strumming seven guitars together with my brother calling out the chords - "okay, ready for A? switch". Can you imagine the collection they could have before long?
Well, it's done. I was all set to order online, but decided to try and negotiate the huge musical instrument market in Seoul. I don't soeak the language, and I know that place is full of impostor products, but I'd also heard you can find reputable dealers and certificates of authenticity if you nose around a bit.
So, two of the kids and I waded into the mayhem (and it really is like the scene from The Grinch cartoon version, when all the little Who's of Who-Ville are going around blasting away at all their various instruments). Per a recommendation from one of our esteemed posters, Rifles-It-In, I was looking for an Epiphone G310-SG (similar to the guitar that started this thread). I found a higher-grade GS400 in a little shoebox of a shop right away. It was slightly scratched, so the salesman said he'd give me a great buy (about $200) - less than half what I'd pay in the States. But, hey - what's this? I don't see a serial number on the back of the headstock and when I ask about it the salesman has suddenly lost all ability to speak basic English. Hmmm.....the guitar sounded great nonetheless and, as a deal-fiend, I was really tempted. But, this being the first shop I'd come to, I decided to move on.
Went to a few more shops - finally found a bright young guy, fluent English, who wasn't trying to 'sell' me. He obviously loved his job, and loved getting out all kinds of guitars and playing away. He proceeded to plow through all sorts of songs and genres - really an amazing player -- but never once did he ask me which one I wanted to buy. It was nice for a change!
Anyway, they had a solid mahogany GS400-SG, just beautiful (no scratches on this one), certificate of authenticity, serial number, Grover tuners added on, full set-up and adjustment, case, strap, picks, electronic tuner, and cable -- and gave me an amazing price on it. I will eventually switch out the pick-ups, but for now they're just fine.
One great thing about being in Korea is that export products (electronics and guitars especially!) are dirt cheap! Just have to be careful of the knock-offs!!
Now, from what I understand, I need to go out again tomorrow and buy my second guitar, and then ask for a third for Christmas, then one for Valentine's Day, and............
So, two of the kids and I waded into the mayhem (and it really is like the scene from The Grinch cartoon version, when all the little Who's of Who-Ville are going around blasting away at all their various instruments). Per a recommendation from one of our esteemed posters, Rifles-It-In, I was looking for an Epiphone G310-SG (similar to the guitar that started this thread). I found a higher-grade GS400 in a little shoebox of a shop right away. It was slightly scratched, so the salesman said he'd give me a great buy (about $200) - less than half what I'd pay in the States. But, hey - what's this? I don't see a serial number on the back of the headstock and when I ask about it the salesman has suddenly lost all ability to speak basic English. Hmmm.....the guitar sounded great nonetheless and, as a deal-fiend, I was really tempted. But, this being the first shop I'd come to, I decided to move on.
Went to a few more shops - finally found a bright young guy, fluent English, who wasn't trying to 'sell' me. He obviously loved his job, and loved getting out all kinds of guitars and playing away. He proceeded to plow through all sorts of songs and genres - really an amazing player -- but never once did he ask me which one I wanted to buy. It was nice for a change!
Anyway, they had a solid mahogany GS400-SG, just beautiful (no scratches on this one), certificate of authenticity, serial number, Grover tuners added on, full set-up and adjustment, case, strap, picks, electronic tuner, and cable -- and gave me an amazing price on it. I will eventually switch out the pick-ups, but for now they're just fine.
One great thing about being in Korea is that export products (electronics and guitars especially!) are dirt cheap! Just have to be careful of the knock-offs!!
Now, from what I understand, I need to go out again tomorrow and buy my second guitar, and then ask for a third for Christmas, then one for Valentine's Day, and............
"Sounds" like a great purchase and you are right that you'll be going out soon to add to the collection. My son started out with a very low end (pricewise) Fender Stratocaster. Within a short time, it was a higher end Strat-the Hendrix model known as the Voodoo Stratocaster. Soon to follow over the years were a Fender Telecaster, a Rickenbacker and several Gibsons.
Our "motto" has become baseball, cars and guitars... lots of fun stuff to share with your kids.
Going back a page or two on this thread as to the greatest guitarist, I'm still sticking with Hendrix, but Mike Bloomfield and Stevie Ray Vaughn deserve some mention as well as Duane Allman. I also think Eddie Van Halen and Alvin Lee don't get serious enough consideration as "real" guitar players-mostly just known for playing real fast. I'll give George Thorogood a nod too, but mainly because he is a HUGE baseball fan.
Anywho, have fun with the new axe.
Our "motto" has become baseball, cars and guitars... lots of fun stuff to share with your kids.
Going back a page or two on this thread as to the greatest guitarist, I'm still sticking with Hendrix, but Mike Bloomfield and Stevie Ray Vaughn deserve some mention as well as Duane Allman. I also think Eddie Van Halen and Alvin Lee don't get serious enough consideration as "real" guitar players-mostly just known for playing real fast. I'll give George Thorogood a nod too, but mainly because he is a HUGE baseball fan.
Anywho, have fun with the new axe.
Link Wray just passed away a few days ago - a very influential guitarist, one of the genuine 'originals'.
KRAK
Link was an innovator--had the opportunity meet him in the studio--great man--he will be missed
QUEEN with Brian May has anew album out " Night at the Opera"--- May's guitar is ll over the great tracks--can hear it free right now on AOL and I am sure MSN will follow suit
Link was an innovator--had the opportunity meet him in the studio--great man--he will be missed
QUEEN with Brian May has anew album out " Night at the Opera"--- May's guitar is ll over the great tracks--can hear it free right now on AOL and I am sure MSN will follow suit
I still have my original Night At The Opera album, from, I believe, 1976? I think I was a freshman or soph when it came out. This new one is the 30th anniversary remaster. One of my favorite albums.
What i really would like is a QUEEN 'Bicycle Race' poster. Had it up on my dorm wall until somebody stole it!
What i really would like is a QUEEN 'Bicycle Race' poster. Had it up on my dorm wall until somebody stole it!