I'm looking for suggestions about what you think constitutes a well-rounded, conservative (in number and $$) guitar collection. Here's what I currently have:

- Am Deluxe Strat HSS
- CP 50's Strat
- MIM Strat SSS w/SD pickups (SSL's)
- Am Std Tele
- Taylor acoustic

I had an Epiphone 60's Tribute Les Paul on order but put that on hold 'cause I was having seconds thoughts. I still want a low-budget LP type guitar but now I'm considering a PRS SE 245 instead of the Epiphone... haven't ruled out the Epi yet, though... still trying to decide between the PRS and the Epi.. I looked at the low-end Gibson LP Studios (satin finish) and, while they might sound great, I just can't get past that unfinished look...

Anyway, my musical interests are surf instrumentals, 50's through 70's classic rock, and blues. So, what do you think would be good additions to the above list, without spending more than, say, $900 on any single new guitar? One other consideration -- I'm thinking that 3 Strats may be overkill and I'm considering selling the Am Deluxe...

I'd hold on to that strat. From your list you've already got a fine collection. Why get rid of the Strat with a humbucker to buy another uitar with a humbucker? I can see if you had to sell one to buy another, but seems like you have the money already. I would imagine you could find a very nice used LP for What money you say you have if you are looking to go that route.

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"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"

Well, if it were my project,

Keep the best Strat.
1 Tele
1 Prs or Epi or Gibson
Taylor Acoustic
One other acoustic instrument such as a dobro.

3 electrics and 2 acoustics... Five could be the lucky number!

Happy Trails!

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FIGHT!

Easy!

A tele.

A strat.

A Les Paul.

An SG.

A Gretsch.

A CS-336.

We're talkin' REAL versions, no Epiphone/MIM stuff.

That, imho, is the minimum. Throw in a lap steel, resonator, uke, mandolin, banjo, and several other guitars (acoustic, maaaybe Ibanez) and you're good to go.

I'd say 10-15!

To quickly add to my post.. I'm a long, LOOONG way off from achieving the goal I just set, bahah. I have 4 guitars now, 2 of which are strats. My next purchase is either a tele or a deluxe reverb, and I'm shooting for the reverb. I'll get there!

Everyone should have a Resonator.



Goodonya ...Mark.

If you were thinking LP, this is as close as I could get in price for something new though I think you could get them to throw in the case for 9 c-notes

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I wouldn't sell any of your Strats or the Tele, especially for an offshore guitar. Selling a Strat is a no no where I come from. They're too personal.

You could find a used Gibson Les Paul Studio with a nicer finish for $900. The older wine red ones are nice, and are priced at about what you have to spend.

Another thing to think about is you being used to quality. You're gonna want something better than a new Epiphone, soon enough. Why not just skip that phase and save for a Gibson?

Well, your question will arise a lot of different answers, since everybody thinks different about what a perfect collection would be.

I'll try to answer as objective as possible.

Taking your musical interests as a basis, I would suggest the following, to have the most versatile collection with the least money and number of guitars required:

1. A strat, which would cover all musical interests, preferably SSS. I would keep the CP 50s!
2. A Humbucker equipped guitar for that little more bottom punch for the rock sounds.
I would seriously stay away from Epiphone and Gibson Studio models. You won't be satisfied for a longer period of time. The better LPs are exceeding your budget (unless you sell others of your collection). A PRS SE would be a very good alternative. They are of very good quality, they sound fantastic and as far as feeling is concerned, they're between LPs and Strats. I would check out a Gibson Firebird as well, they're perfectly suited for Blues and Rock!!
3. Keep your acoustic!

So, with your musical interests in mind, you would end up with:

1. CP 50s (Blues, Rock, Surf) alternatively an American Standard SSS or your Tele.
2. Gibson Firebird (Blues, Rock) alternatively PRS SE or used LP above Studio level.
3. Taylor acoustic

DONE! Sell the rest, given that you want to cover your interests with the least amount of guitars/money involved.

To me, personally, it wouldn't be complete. I personally would add two more:

4. Ibanez RG or Ibanez JEM or aquivalents (modern rock a la Vai, Satriani) because of Floyd Rose and 24 frets
5. A resonator guitar for blues slide.

Besides the fact that there are many more great sounding guitars on the market which seem to be a MUST HAVE, I personally would be complete with these 5 guitars, in your case it might be just perfect to have the first 3.

There's only one more I could think of: a hollow body jazz guitar (but you didn't mention jazz and I personally don't like it). A strat can be used for jazz as well, so the hollow body guitar wouldn't be absolutely necessary.

With a collection of these 5 (6) guitars, you can cover EVERY genre, including sound versatility as well!

Of course, just one strat would do the job (+ one acoustic) but I'd feel kinda limited in sound (personally), that's why I would add a Firebird or PRS SE.
The Firebird Vs can be found used for around 900 to 1100 bucks.

Now, this was all suggested having in mind that you might wanna sell the rest.

If not, I would go for the PRS SE or a Gibson Firebird V to be added to your already owned collection. I would NOT consider buying an Epi or a LP Studio.

My own personal choice would be the Firebird V, a used one, not any younger than 2006.
I don't know exactly when, but they changed the pickup magnets somewhere between 2006 and 2010. Those new Firebirds don't sound vintage anymore (my personal taste!).

Now .... if I just could decide, which ones of my collection I could part from to have just the 5 guitars I just recommended for you! *sigh*
It's so hard to be reasonable and to part from guitars one doesn't necessarily need but which are here already.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

One of these...



And the old AS stand-by...



A couple of these...





One of these...



One of these...



At least one of these...



And one of these...



And when you're feeling crazy...



And for a little bluegrass...



And a little bottom end...



And a hint of garish...



And electric with acoustic vibe...



And a hint of oddball vintage...



Man, I could just go on and on and on... In the end, there's no correct answer.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Myself, I see a well-rounded collection as having the following:

A Stratocaster

A Telecaster

A Les Paul

An Acoustic

A Classical or Nylon-Strung

I tick this off with:

A Mexican Standard Strat (Single coils)

Mexican 72 Telecaster Deluxe RI (Humbuckers & Telecaster, for the moment it also covers the les paul base well enough )

Taylor Big Baby

Alhambra Classical

In total, this is just over £2100 of stuff, including my blackstar, so it is good value for money, sounds and plays great, covers most bases... It works really well for me

I think everyone should definitely have a nylon-strung acoustic, or a classical

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"reach for the sky and aim for the moon, for if you miss you will end up among the stars"

Zoom MS50G
72 tele dlx RI
2011 standard strat
Blackstar HT-5R
Taylor Big Baby

http://www.youtube.com/user/Almungo/videos?flow=grid&view=0

What about amplifiers?

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Something semi-hollow and 335ish

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I've got a DRRI and a modeling amp (50W Johnson JT50 Mirage, which has a bunch of amp models plus onboard effects such as reverb, delay, etc.). I also have an FSR Blues Jr on layaway... Oh, and I also picked up a VOX headphone amp for practicing away from home..

+1

....and a lapsteel

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A-man