How much would you sacrifice...

[JSett]

...if the ONE bit of gear you'd been working up towards, or had been in the back of your mind for a long time, came up for sale?

I have the opportunity to get my hands on something, that will remain as unspoken for now, that would tick every box in the offset planet (for me at least). It's fucking expensive - as all the good vintage offsets have suddenly become - but it's doable with a certain high level of personal and gear-related sacrifice.

I'd have to sell all bar a few guitars. I'd be able to keep my '64 Jag, MIJ Jazzmaster and my acoustic. I'd be able to keep my VibroChamp and Bassman. Pedals are safe (I think). Everything else would need to go. Definitely wouldn't be able to change my mind in selling it all either.

Gear-aside, I'd definitely start having to take a lunch to work with me instead of buying out each day for the next 6-12 months. I'd have to sacrifice one or more of me and my wife's trips away next year. I've already sold my motorcycle so that's been put to the slaughter.


So, does this seem unreasonable? Have you done similar before? Was it worth it? Etc, etc

*proceeds to tear insides apart with worry*

[Jonesie]

That all seems to be a bit much. It's a guitar, not a cure for cancer.

[PorkyPrimeCut]

I find it hard to relate to a situation like this. Where, even after offloading several guitars (that probably mean a bit to you), you still have 3 incredible guitars, 2 incredible amps & a whole bunch of pedals.

But, judging from all that I just said, go for it!!

[JSett]

That all seems to be a bit much. It's a guitar, not a cure for cancer.

Well, I'm talking in the context of guitars, not 'big-picture' phycological debate. In the context of cancer cures/world peace/wealth disparity/institutionalised racism/broken governments/etc...sure, it's a bit much That's why I didn't put this in the 'Misc Discussions' section.

[GreenKnee]

It's a tough one and only one you and your partner can really decide upon.

If it was purely gear that I needed to sell in order to fund my dream guitar then I would probably go for it if it didn't mean getting rid of anything sentimental that I cannot buy back in the future.

If it's impacting your day to day and holidays next year then that sounds a little more serious. I make my own lunches every day anyway and it saves a crazy amount of money. I can make 5 days of lunches for the price of just over 1 meal deal which is a no brainer for me. I would recommend this anyway not just to save money for a sweet guitar.

To sacrifice one get away isn't too much I suppose, although I guess you're in the same boat as everyone else and haven't had a 'proper' holiday in the last couple of years. As I am writing this from Budapest airport on my way home after a week away with my partner I wouldn't swap the experiences and time off relaxing for anything, it's really important to have that time to switch off from every day life and reassess life away from the daily grind.

I am also writing this already owning my dream guitar ('62 Jaguar) that I bought before the insane price rises.

Good luck with the decision, can't wait to see the unveiling of what it is.

[Chippertheripper]

You lost me at canceling a vacation. It’s one thing for you to do your own thing and clean house and brown bag it.
It’s over the line for me personally to drag a spouse down with the ship.

[JSett]

We'd still be going away. We're in a fortunate position that we usually do a couple of overseas and a handful of domestic trips a year (outside of the covid madness) so we'd still spend that time, just a little less of it. I eat out every day for lunch really out of sheer laziness, and it's something I've been meaning to address for quite some time. This would be some semblance of motivation to actually get on with it.

I've asked her if she'd be cool with it, which she is.

[GreenKnee]

If everyone involved is cool with it, and you're 100% set on it, then go for it!

Have you played this dream bit of kit yet?

[JSett]

Have you played this dream bit of kit yet?

Well, no. It's on the other side of the world

The plan was to, if I go for it, buy it from savings then (providing it lives up to expectations) refill the savings pot from gear sales

[PorkyPrimeCut]

I overlooked the bit about sacrificing trips away with our wife.

When big purchases like this impact on others it can get tricky. Have you run it by her yet?

[fever606]

our wife

[sal paradise]

our wife

HELLO

[sal paradise]

I know myself: the dream guitar is no longer a dream guitar once I have it.

So I’d look at the process, not the outcome. If shifting gear & making sacrifices to get that cool ass thing seems like a fun thing to do, then do it.

[Dr Tony Balls]

If said guitar is worth that much is it gonna prohibit you from playing it out? If so, not worth it, imo. I'd love a 60's Jazz Bass, but i'm not gonna put it in a gig bag and walk to a dive bar to play a show with it.

[Embenny]

I've never found a guitar to be worth that level of sacrifice. I guess you have to ask yourself if it'll truly make you that happy.

I've been faced with similar choices in the acoustic and electric guitar world. And every time, I find myself preferring to have multiple really good guitars instead of one insanely expensive one.

Be careful to ask yourself whether it's the chase that excites you, or the guitar itself. There's a distinct possibility that, after going through all those sacrifices, you'll find yourself realizing that this rare, expensive guitar isn't actually all that much nicer to play than other guitars you've either owned, or could have owned for a fraction of the price.

Plus, when you've got a guitar that's that expensive, think of the practical challenges. Will you actually take it out to gigs, or will you hide it away at home? Will you insure it? What happens if it's stolen or there's a fire or something?

I don't want that much of my money tied up in one fragile, mobile item like that, personally.

Edit: Sal and Tony brought up my main points as I was typing this. Smart guys