Trying to Reason-out a guitar purchase

[The_Active_Conundrum]

So I find that there is a 7 string for about $200 shipped.

I want to state that this is isn't just a "talk me into/out of buying this", though it is part of it.

I am unfamiliar with the brand (Douglas), but they're supposedly made by Agile, or in the same factory as Agile. Makes me think of those ultra cheap Samicks and Epiphones. Though I hear Agile is great with 7+ string instruments.

The selling point to me is the 27" scale length. It is the same as my favorite guitar, the Buckethead Signature, which is the only guitar that has ever "fit" me in that it doesn't feel like a Guitar Hero controller.

Being a cheap guitar, I know it won't be "perfect". I have a Sam Ash gift card and have just enough on it to order replacement pickups and parts, except for locking tuners.

So, being that the guitar is cheap, has the right scale for me and upgrades are essentially free, seems like a no-brainer.

The problem is I've been trying to not spend any money on music equipment. The feeling is, until I start seeing progress in being able to music for income then its just a hobby. A hobby I've spent way, way, way too much on.

ILF, how do y'all dig yourselves a new grave when a ridiculous deal comes along? How do you justify your actions? Where does the line get drawn between mindless GASing and trying to have a toolset that works for/with you?

If it weren't for my personal issues and realizations that I'm by definition a hobby player, it would have been purchased on the spot.

Also, how to get out of the "shit, I'm a hobby player" rut?

THanks in advance!

[skullservant]

It sounds like you've really thought about this purchase. Honestly, if you're looking at buying it, there is something your current setup cannot do that is making you want it.
I've talked myself out of stuff more recently because of lack of funds, lack of need, etc etc. And I realized when I was actually recording stuff, I, at the end of the day, only use about 3-4 pedals. I've really started asking myself before I buy something do I 'NEED' it, and will I 'USE' it. Sometimes we get a little caught up on what's cool or going around, but at the end of the day when it comes to your house and plug it in and go wtf did I buy this for, it has no use in my setup at all, you start to realize that impulse isn't the best way around everything.

[rfurtkamp]

Start by writing songs/recording/etc. to break out of the 'hobby player" rut.

As far as money, well, having stuff you want isn't a bad thing. I don't *need* eight guitars and enough effects to kill children (Think I'm over 50 units now, but I'd have to check).

At the end of the day though, I've never sat down and gone, "Damn, I wish I could get that sound but don't havfe the stuff" in a long, long time - which means I can focus on the hard part: doing the work and clearing time to make it so.

[AxAxSxS]

So I find that there is a 7 string for about $200 shipped.

I want to state that this is isn't just a "talk me into/out of buying this", though it is part of it.

I am unfamiliar with the brand (Douglas), but they're supposedly made by Agile, or in the same factory as Agile. Makes me think of those ultra cheap Samicks and Epiphones. Though I hear Agile is great with 7+ string instruments.

The selling point to me is the 27" scale length. It is the same as my favorite guitar, the Buckethead Signature, which is the only guitar that has ever "fit" me in that it doesn't feel like a Guitar Hero controller.

Being a cheap guitar, I know it won't be "perfect". I have a Sam Ash gift card and have just enough on it to order replacement pickups and parts, except for locking tuners.

So, being that the guitar is cheap, has the right scale for me and upgrades are essentially free, seems like a no-brainer.

The problem is I've been trying to not spend any money on music equipment. The feeling is, until I start seeing progress in being able to music for income then its just a hobby. A hobby I've spent way, way, way too much on.

ILF, how do y'all dig yourselves a new grave when a ridiculous deal comes along? How do you justify your actions? Where does the line get drawn between mindless GASing and trying to have a toolset that works for/with you?

If it weren't for my personal issues and realizations that I'm by definition a hobby player, it would have been purchased on the spot.

Also, how to get out of the "shit, I'm a hobby player" rut?

THanks in advance!

Once I got to the point with my rig where I was happy with it, I started getting a LOT more picky about purchases. Some of the gear I was using at that point were not "good purchases" in that there is no point in me selling it as it would be for a loss. But I'm glad I got a few of those things because it put me at a point where I started to look at new gear VERY critically. will it really make me sound better? If I decide it is not for me, can I sell it and break even or better? Is this item going to come around again? or is this a rare chance at getting it?

Based off that, It sounds like you have a very specific want (27', 7 string) and this would fill that.
On the con side, I very much doubt that you will be able to sell it at a profit once you have added all the choice parts on there. I would recommend you keep all the stock parts, and if possible buy used upgrades, then if your taste changes down the road you can sell the parts individually and return the guitar to stack and sell at a $200 price range.
Once you get your setup to a happy place it becomes easier to buy higher quality things less frequently. Currently if I sell something it's generally because I have something better that I picked up and I tend to make a little off the transaction. I have a permanent gear fund that exists separate from my other finances and I buy and sell things only when convenient to me. So if i see a sweet piece of gear come up at an excellent price, I grab it, even if I might not need it. If it ends up better than what I have, I keep it and sell off what it is replacing. By never buying in a hurry or at above market value, when I do sell things I tend to add a bit to the fund. I use ebay completed listings when possible to determine what the going rate for whatever it is.
full disclosure: I buy broken amps. this has really helped me out. When you get an amp for a fraction of the value and repair it by replaceing some caps and tubes, you make out like a bandit. This requires some serious effort and patience though.

So my "Hobby" has become more than just playing, but the search for gear, Good gear. Rare gear, how to maintain and improve said gear, and do so in a way that does not drain or stress the family finances. Learning how things work has had the added benefit of imparting an understanding of how the sounds are affected by well maintained equipment.

Big thanks to a bunch of people here who have helped me learn more about the technical side of things. Good peoples here

[whiskey_face]

get outta here with that hobby player bullshit. im AWFUL but I have FUN

FUN MOTHERFUCKER DO YOU HAVE IT?! (:lol: )

you cant put a price on coming home after a shitty fuckin day, turnin on the amp, guitar over shoulder low whatever powerchord and bam

fuck yea, lifes good. have fun motherfucker, don't worry about the price of shit. if you don't fly first class, your heirs will.