How many is enough?

Matthew Keon · Post by **Matthew Keon** » 6 Jan 2011 12:03 pm

Am I crazy? Do I really need a 2nd steel guitar? My #1 is all I ever dreamed of - but, for some reason I want another. Something a little different - metal neck, TrueTone pickup and a wide bodied S10..

I play out a fair amount - any the future looks like it'll only holds greater opportunity for more playing time.

What say ye?

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 6 Jan 2011 12:07 pm

Matthew,I have to have two,One to leave at home to work stuff out on and one ready for gigs and sessions,I keep busy up here,very fortunate.I would like to have about 5 one day.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 6 Jan 2011 12:20 pm

I used to think, that, one had to justify the purchase of an expensive item... i.e. steel guitar, cars, tools, clothing, etc. But, not to long ago, I'd changed my mind about that. Life's too short to not enjoy yourself with a little enhansement. You know, "Boys and their toys". If you can afford something new and different, then, go for it. I wouldn't put myself in financial jeopardy over something, but, I'd try to find a way to get want I wanted. If you feel a new steel is in the works for you, then, by all means go get it. If it doesn't work out, then, you can always sell it.

Robert Harper · Post by **Robert Harper** » 6 Jan 2011 12:47 pm

This may a little off the subject, but if you were considering another guitar. Would you consider a new new or would you think old. I guess the real question is, I love the sound of a Emmons Push Pull. So is there a new comparable guitar. I realize the old PUS Pulls are old, but the sound

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 6 Jan 2011 1:06 pm

One's too many and a hundred ain't enough.

With that said, if you gig, it makes complete sense to have at least one set up at home to practice and one in the case ready to rock and roll. I think a serious logical argument can be made along these lines to any reasonable person.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 6 Jan 2011 1:10 pm

It's a sickness

It can get out of hand quickly if you're not careful.

Like an old lady with a house full of cats.

Seriously, I think 2 guitars is not too many, particularly if you play out. You can keep one for recording, set up at home as mentioned or jic you need service for the other one. JMO.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 6 Jan 2011 1:51 pm

I have two Emmons - one is set up here and the other is near the door and ready for work. There are times when a third steel would be useful, but I'm okay for a couple of months.

That's the pedal steels accounted for. Now - how do I rationalise all my Martins, Gibsons and Fenders? Way more than I need, yet I don't think I can part with any of them! Surely I must be meant to have them?!

Rene Brosseau · Post by **Rene Brosseau** » 6 Jan 2011 1:52 pm

I use to say to people "I don't golf"(big expense)...:I don't fish" "I don't play Hockey"...all expensive hobbies...I get paid to do my hobby...go for it

Michael Pierce · Post by **Michael Pierce** » 6 Jan 2011 2:32 pm

That's funny. I used the line "my only other hobby is fishing" as a justification for buying a pedal steel. I guess whatever works!

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 6 Jan 2011 2:33 pm

I have 6 right now, they all have different voices and uses and I'm pretty happy with my little flock-o-steels, but if another one of those "been-in-the-case-under-the-bed" guitars was to come along, well......

JE:-)>

Michael Maddex · Post by **Michael Maddex** » 6 Jan 2011 5:23 pm

I have always said that "Every house should have at least one more guitar than guitar players." I don't know why that shouldn't apply to steel guitars as well, with or without pedals. Carry on.

Jay Jessup · Post by **Jay Jessup** » 6 Jan 2011 5:32 pm

Mathew,
It's called 'Guitar Aquisition Syndrome' or GAS for short! I doubt it's taught in many psychiatry classes in college but any instrument oriented site like this is rife with examples. Far be it from me to pass judgement on those afflicted because there are many examples of it in my house but I don't think there are any serious long term affects as long as you have the room and the $$!

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 6 Jan 2011 7:05 pm

How many are enough? the answer is "Just one more Honey. I promise."

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 7 Jan 2011 3:39 am

I think 142 is a good number... (of course, that is my age

)

Ken Byng · Post by **Ken Byng** » 7 Jan 2011 4:45 am

I have 3 currently, with a D10 Zum on its way. Wifey is not happy about having 4 pedal steels in the house.

Anything over 2 guitars is GAS.

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 7 Jan 2011 7:57 am

After purchasing a guitar at one point my wife asked me "Don't you thing you've got too many guitars?" and I replied "There's no such thing!"

I only have two pedal steels (MSA and a BMI), three lapsteels (Chandler, Supro, Regal) but I have at least 30 or more six stringers of which I could use as the only guitar at a gig, plus some "junkers" in various stages of repair...........JH in Va.

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 7 Jan 2011 8:00 am

How many is enough?

When you run out of money or room - whichever comes 1st!

Adam Sorber · Post by **Adam Sorber** » 7 Jan 2011 8:02 am

I have 2 guitars mainly because I play live alot and do alot of session work. I use my Magnum Pro Select live and keep my Sho-bud ProII setup at home to play.

Roual Ranes · Post by **Roual Ranes** » 8 Jan 2011 4:46 am

This depends on your age and station in life. For most it is one for gigging and one for practice at home. Then there is the case where one might be able to practice in his office. Then there is the guy that has a practice room in his limo and his Lear Jet.............oh well, old men can dream..............

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 8 Jan 2011 10:29 am

Right now I have three pedal guitars, each one magnificent in it's own way. Different voices and feels for sure, and each brings out something different from me when I play. Unfortunately, I really need to sell one to help finance the latest one, and as I said, they're each wonderful.
Grrr. I really wish I could afford to collect them, but that would probably mean going back to Vet school.

Steven Welborn · Post by **Steven Welborn** » 8 Jan 2011 11:15 am

two is minimum. one to be playing/practicing while the other is upside down on the work bench.

Eric Philippsen · Post by **Eric Philippsen** » 8 Jan 2011 11:31 am

Truth be told, having two pedal steels is just a good practical thing. One set up at home and one in the case, always ready to go for jobs.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 8 Jan 2011 11:49 am

I've got three pedal steels, the first one is the Emmons I started out playin' on in 1999, and in 2004, a GFI Ultra D-10(Redgold Beauty) was added, and I now play a Jackson BlackJack Custom with a pad and if you were to ask me what my best steel is, I'd tell you it's the Jackson. It gets the best tone onstage at steel guitar shows and offstage when I'm playin' at home. The Jackson is known as "Black Diamond".

Brett

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 9 Jan 2011 9:25 am

I thought you had to keep buying new ones until you found one that sounded like Buddy Emmons.

On the other hand, there are those who say that talent and practice are the way to go.

Nah ! I'll just keep buying new instruments...

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 9 Jan 2011 10:17 am

If it's something you love to look at, touch, listen to, play with, get whatever type of enjoyment you can from it, then go for it. Somehow you'll "know" when "enough is enough."

Ultimately, it's all just "stuff" that we use to make our lives more pleasant and to anesthetize ourselves briefly from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that inhabit much of our everyday existences.

The Steel Guitar Forum

How many is enough?

How many is enough?

Enough

guitar #2