Going into Debt for Gear....

[01010111]

So, I've decided on what I want to get for an amp setup. It'll cost a total of $4400 the question is, do I take out a loan and pay off the loan, or do I save up over the course of a couple of years and pay for the amp that way? Economist Willy says save up and buy it later without any debt, but impulsive Willy says two years is a ridiculous amount of time to wait.

If I want to try the loan option I have to ask myself whether having it now is worth the extra $2-3k I'd end up paying in interest by the time I've finished paying it off (I'd probably try to find out information on interest rates and figure out exactly how much I'd end up paying). Another way I could do this is buy it piece by piece over the years, it is a modular system after all. The anticipation of the finished product might be too difficult to resist, though...

Opinions? Thoughts? Suggestions? Insults?

[space6oy]

WTF is racking up $4400?

[univalve]

Save the Money and then buy it.

[space6oy]

if you do take out a loan do what i did if you can, set up automatic weekly payments as a cut of your paycheck.

[Haki]

Take out the loan! That way you'll enjoy the amp until you want something else rather than failing to save up for it because you keep buying other stuff.

[bronzetalon]

Dude do the responsible thing save and buy it when you can. That's the correct answer. Is there anyway you could break up the process like buy one part at a time. What are you getting maybe you can save a fine a interest free venue of financing to get it within a year.

[skullservant]

I would DEFINITELY advise to save for it. Put it in a different account that you don't have immediate access to or that you cut yourself off from, and like mentioned above, just take a comfortable part of your paycheck and deposit it each time you get paid.

I've done the whole loan thing to pay off my guitar and it wasn't a whole lot of fun. It just feels like a burden each time you have to pay the bill. Then you tack on interest, etc.

I know it's hard because we all get crippled with GAS, but it's totally worth it to be able to afford it when you buy it.

[rfurtkamp]

For $4400 it had best be the world's only vintage dubstep controller rig and amplification setup, able to wow millions while you do nothing, and earn its keep per day what it cost.

[bronzetalon]

I've got to know what are you looking at.

[Ancient Astronaught]

I've got to know what are you looking at.

Agreed, I've got less then that in a custom made 200w Dunwich Head and my big emperor cabinets (6x12+3x15).

[skullservant]

Meatsmoke stack and an extension cab??

[goroth]

4400 bucks = Mesa Triple Rec and two matching 4x12 cabs. Ok, it's lots of money, but depending on your set up you could easily blow that much.

Don't get a loan. Save that for something you need, and regardless of GAS no-one NEEDS gear. You want gear. That's a different thing. And if you're paying off a relatively small loan that slowly, then just no . That additional 2k in interest rates is a nice guitar, or 8 Dr Sci pedals down the gurgler.

Save up with an auto bank transfer as has been suggested, and buy it modular - that way your reward system gets activated every now and again and a far off goal appears closer. Humans (much less ILFers) aren't designed to cope with something as abstract as saving a pittance every month for a number of years to get gear.

[01010111]

I'm planning on getting a custom Verellen Meatsmoke, modded for maximum width in frequency response, with all the accouterments: amp, 4x10, 1x18, and preamp (preamp's for home practice without waking the neighbors).

Take out the loan! That way you'll enjoy the amp until you want something else rather than failing to save up for it because you keep buying other stuff.

This is why I'm seriously considering the loan. With that amount of money just sitting in my bank account, I could very easily see myself getting side-track by a moog voyager or arp odyssey. If I do go this route, I'd definitely set up an automatic payment system, and investigate interests rates to see exactly how much I'd end up paying in the end before taking out the loan.

I've got to know what are you looking at.

Agreed, I've got less then that in a custom made 200w Dunwich Head and my big emperor cabinets (6x12+3x15).

How much is emperor stuff? If it's much cheaper I could definitely see myself going with that, I just love the idea of having the matching head and cabinets

4400 bucks = Mesa Triple Rec and two matching 4x12 cabs. Ok, it's lots of money, but depending on your set up you could easily blow that much.

Don't get a loan. Save that for something you need, and regardless of GAS no-one NEEDS gear. You want gear. That's a different thing. And if you're paying off a relatively small loan that slowly, then just no . That additional 2k in interest rates is a nice guitar, or 8 Dr Sci pedals down the gurgler.

Save up with an auto bank transfer as has been suggested, and buy it modular - that way your reward system gets activated every now and again and a far off goal appears closer. Humans (much less ILFers) aren't designed to cope with something as abstract as saving a pittance every month for a number of years to get gear.

The piece at a time seems to be the only way I could do this reasonably without taking out a loan. Saving up to buy it all at once is impossible. I'd be too distracted by my incessant (and unrealistic/unnecessary considering a rarely play the synth I do have) synth-lust to save the full 4400. Your arguments about interest payments are exactly why I haven't already taken out the loan; 8 Dr Scientist pedals But still the GAS eats at me. A feeling everyone here knows all too well

[skullservant]

Emperor stuff is less expensive than Verellen as far as cabs go

[Ghost Hip]

Debt sucks. Being ale to play music through what gear you have now sucks much less... way way less. Thats how I see it.