Guitars and Greats: Exploring the Guitar Collections of Musicians and Collectors
When it comes to guitar collections, many musicians and collectors take great pride in expanding their selections. Whether for personal enjoyment or professional use, the guitar can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression and artistic innovation. In this article, we explore the diverse collections of musicians and guitar enthusiasts that stand out for their size, variety, and artistic significance.
Steve Howe: A Multifaceted Guitar Legend
Steve Howe, a renowned rock guitarist, exemplifies a guitarist with a diverse collection and extensive use of guitars. Beyond the typical electric and acoustic guitars, Howe’s preferred instrument is a semi-acoustic Jazz guitar. However, his talents extend beyond this, as he has been known to play pedal steel and various exotic stringed instruments such as mandolins, banjos, harps, and basses. Howe’s diverse collection reflects his willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles, making him a true guitar virtuoso.
David Gilmour’s Impressive Collection
David Gilmour, the iconic guitar player for Pink Floyd, is another figure whose guitar collection is notable for its size and variety. In just a few months, Gilmour revealed that he owns around 125 guitars. This impressive collection, which includes high-profile instruments like the D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe, the Benedetto La Cremona Azzurra, and the Monteleone Rocket Convertible, has been featured in various exhibits, including the “Guitar Heroes” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2011. It might come as a surprise to many that these guitars have been auctioned and the proceeds donated to charity, further highlighting the wholesome nature of Gilmour’s passion for guitars.
The Blue Guitar Collection
The Blue Guitar Collection, a display that spanned from November 11th, 1997, to October 1998, at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, was a testament to the cultural significance of guitars. Notable instruments like the D’Aquisto Centura Deluxe, Benedetto La Cremona Azzurra, and Monteleone Rocket Convertible were featured, preserving the history and craftsmanship of these instruments. After Scott Chinery’s passing in 2000, the guitars were passed to the Chinery family and eventually to The Archtop Foundation, which aims to share these treasures with the public, ensuring they are not lost to history.
Famous Collectors: Insiders and Outsiders
Some guitar collectors are well-known within the music industry, while others are more camouflaged. The contrast between these collectors is stark, and it often reveals a great deal about their motivations and backgrounds. For instance, Steve Vai, another famous guitarist, has a extensive collection of rare and exotic guitars, contributing to his reputation as a guitar innovator. However, there are also those, like Richard Gere, who have ventured into guitar collecting on a grand scale. Gere, a well-known actor, assembles a collection that rivals top-tier musicians, raising questions about the primary driver behind such collections.
Richard Gere, often referred to as Gear within the guitar community, is a great example of a celebrity collector. His collection, which includes a variety of expensive and high-end guitars, is akin to a common hobbyist’s stamp collection. Gere is seen holding a Gibson L-5, a coveted guitar that many professional jazz guitarists have to work hard to own. This stark contrast highlights how wealth can influence the scope and scale of a guitar collection, but does little to indicate a deeper passion or skill level.
Similarly, Al Di Meola, a renowned jazz fusion guitarist, has a well-deserved reputation for his extensive collection. However, it is interesting to note that his collection is not even close to the size of Richard Gere’s. This comparison brings into question the perceived value and significance of collections that are built more for show than for musical expression.
In conclusion, the diversity and size of guitar collections can tell us a lot about the collectors, their musical interests, and their financial backing. While some collections are born out of passion and innovation, others serve more as symbols of wealth and status. Regardless of the motivation, these collections continue to shape our understanding of the guitar’s role in music and culture.