I think the number can be much higher for those who gig or record, especially if you do an eclectic mix of genres. In that case, you have a need for more tones to suit the current project. If you just play one style, just play at home, etc. then just one or two instruments can be enough.
For example, I am an accompanist at a school, play occasional gigs either solo or with others that might need various acoustics or electrics, record varied music from acoustic fingerstyle to whatever is needed for a video backing track. So I have about a dozen instruments, various styles of acoustic, different electrics, bass, mandolin around. Some won't get played for months but then come out for a while for a particular piece or gig. I wouldn't want to not have them available.
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