At what point do guitars go from being guitars to being a collection?

It's just a word. Seems to get people's backs up though for some odd reason. You call it what you like and I'll call it what I like. Yes I call it a collection and yes I actually know how to play and yes they all get played.

[nightchef]

I think it becomes a collection at the point where, if I pointed to a particular guitar of yours and asked you to tell me about it as a musical instrument—how it sounds, how it feels, what its unique role is in your music-making—you wouldn’t be able to give me an immediate and detailed answer.

[Glennwillow]

At what point do guitars go from being guitars to being a collection?

I don't know...

I have a lot of guitars, both acoustic and electric. And some people refer to my guitars as a collection. I never do.

I think of myself as a player. I would never kid myself that collecting guitars is a good investment.

- Glenn

[zmf]

Probably a collection when you're on your second roll of painter's tape.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by nightchef

I think it becomes a collection at the point where, if I pointed to a particular guitar of yours and asked you to tell me about it as a musical instrument—how it sounds, how it feels, what its unique role is in your music-making—you wouldn’t be able to give me an immediate and detailed answer.

Believe me, that's just old age.

[FLRon]

Originally Posted by aeisen93

I'm not sure. I own 5 acoustics but I don't really consider it a collection.

I too own 5 acoustics,but I consider them a collection because I only play one of them,and have for some time now.

[pianissimo]

More than one. Very few people actually need more than one acoustic guitar.

[wguitar]

"Collection" is a good word to justify to your wife why you need another guitar. Collections are meant to be added to.

[LakewoodM32Fan]

Guitars (more than one) are by definition part of a collection.

The question I think you're trying to ask is: when are you no longer a guitar player and more of a guitar collector.

And the answer is: when you stop playing them with any regularity.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by LakewoodM32Fan

Guitars (more than one) are by definition part of a collection.

The question I think you're trying to ask is: when are you no longer a guitar player and more of a guitar collector.

And the answer is: when you stop playing them with any regularity.

I think he's got it. "Collection" implies acquisition with a purpose, a purpose which interacts with others under the same ownership. I don't think of my herd as being a collection, but it is - I am looking for different sounds produced by different kinds of guitars. But I play them, mostly regularly though a couple only see daylight when there's a particular sound I want to hear.

[Mr Bill]

If I still had every guitar I've ever owned, THAT would be a collection.

Not Vince Gill or Joe Bonamassa caliber, but I'd be impressed. My wife, not so much.

[JHey!]

I agree with the earlier post that it’s just a word. To different people it can have a more or less specific meaning when applied to guitars. It’s technically correct (or at least not wrong) to call any group of things a collection. I’m sure I’ve referred to my guitars as a collection but didn’t give it much thought. I currently have 4 acoustics and 1 electric. I seem to remember an earlier thread where we discussed fun and appropriate collective nouns for guitars. There’s an interesting book called “An Exaltation of Larks” on the subject of collective nouns.

[blindboyjimi]

When you need a separate musical instrument insurance policy, it becomes a collection.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

...I have four very nice acoustics, a modest 12 string (just to scratch that occasional itch), a modest classical (same occasional itch) and a Tele. Do I consider it a collection? Heck no!

Yes, that's a collection! Or you certainly could consider it as one if you wanted to!

[Coler]

Originally Posted by Slothead56

At what point do you consider your guitars a collection rather than just a bunch of guitars? And why?

Can you play 'em?

If not that's a collection.