Joe Bonamassa: “They Don’t Need to Be Disturbed”

Why Joe Bonamassa Rarely Plays Most Guitars From His Legendary Collection: “They Don’t Need to Be Disturbed”

“Some of them still wear their original strings”

Joe Bonamassa has revealed why the majority of guitars in his enormous collection rarely see any playing time. The reason is simple yet deeply rooted in respect for history: many of these instruments are museum-grade pieces, and the blues-rock icon believes they deserve preservation rather than wear and tear.

As a lifelong and highly dedicated collector, Bonamassa owns enough rare guitars to populate several museums. In fact, his famed Nerdville collection already operates much like one — most instruments inside are admired, documented, and protected rather than played regularly.

Speaking on a recent episode of My Weekly Mixtape, Bonamassa explained that a significant portion of his roughly 650 guitars are completely original, untouched, and in mint condition. These instruments have never been modified, repaired, or altered in any way. Some are so well preserved that they still carry the factory-installed strings.

“Some guitars still have the original strings on them. Those instruments don’t need to be disturbed or beaten up,” Bonamassa explained. “That said, I absolutely have guitars that I do play — the ones that go out on the road. And then there are guitars that aren’t mint anymore, the ones you just grab, and instantly know they’re going to sound incredible and feel right.”

So why own such a massive collection if many of the instruments never leave their cases? According to Bonamassa, the answer lies in the mindset of a true collector.

“If you’re a collector, you want the cleanest, most original example of whatever you’re collecting. That’s what holds value over time. If you’re a player, you don’t want to drive a race car with worn-out tires.”

Bonamassa admits he constantly walks a fine line between preserving history and making music. He can’t simply identify as a collector and never play his guitars, so a portion of his collection is carefully maintained for performance use. These guitars may receive new frets and regular servicing to ensure they function perfectly while still retaining their character.

At the same time, Bonamassa is quick to point out that incredible tone and musical expression don’t require ultra-rare vintage gear.

“A Peavey Classic 30 will absolutely get the job done. It doesn’t have to be high society.”

Known for his deep knowledge of gear, Bonamassa jokingly refers to himself as “the king of cork sniffers,” yet he emphasizes a powerful truth:

“I’ve seen Robben Ford play rented Fender Twins and still sound exactly like Robben Ford. You’re always going to sound like you. I’ve heard him play a Dumble, and yes, it sounded amazing — but he also sounds amazing through a rented Twin. He’s Robben Ford. That’s the bottom line.”

Bonamassa’s perspective is a powerful reminder for musicians and collectors alike: while rare guitars are incredible pieces of history, the magic ultimately comes from the player — not just the instrument.