“Why do you need so many guitars?” — Joe Bonamassa on true collecting, preservation, and musical heritage

When people ask, “Why do you need so many guitars?” they completely miss the point of what it means to be a collector. For Joe Bonamassa, collecting isn’t about excess — it’s about responsibility, preservation, and respect for musical history.

One of today’s most celebrated blues guitarists openly admits that his passion for vintage gear has grown far beyond a casual interest. In fact, he freely acknowledges that he’s addicted to buying rare instruments — and he wears that label with pride.

Bonamassa’s home, famously known as Nerdville, has become legendary in its own right. It’s essentially a museum — the only difference being that fans can’t buy tickets to walk through its halls filled with ultra-rare guitars and amplifiers.

“I live in what’s basically a museum,” Bonamassa tells CBS Mornings. “I can make coffee in the morning right next to a tweed amp. To me, that feels completely normal.”

His high-profile purchases often light up social media feeds. Recent additions include Gary Moore’s iconic SLO 100 and Lowell George’s famed Dumble Super Overdrive — both extremely valuable pieces. Yet for Bonamassa, the real value lies in the stories each piece carries.

“Every instrument is different,” he explains. “When people ask, ‘Why do you need so many?’ they don’t understand what being a collector truly means. As a collector, you’re a caretaker. You preserve these things and you use them.”

That philosophy is exactly why Bonamassa loves guitars and amplifiers so deeply. They aren’t static display pieces — they are living tools. He plays them live, records with them, and celebrates the fact that gear approaching three-quarters of a century old can still sound relevant, exciting, and powerful today.

“When I look at a Gibson Les Paul Standard from 1959, or a Fender Stratocaster from 1954, I just think, ‘Wow,’” he continues. “Every single part — from the screws to the capacitors inside — was made here, with craftsmanship you can feel.”

Calculating the total amount of money Bonamassa has spent on his collection over the years would require an extraordinary mathematician. But one thing is certain: Joe Bonamassa has no intention of slowing down or changing his ways.