Most of us are musicians on here...

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 4:18 am

...so has the economy been a factor in your gear purchases?

Are you more careful or hesitant in making those big purchases?
Have you been holding off on making any at all?

I tend to buy more used gear than new because I do alot of building and modding as opposed to some who are a 'plug in and play' type, so I guess aside from my Jackson DK2, I really haven't bought any brand new items this year that would be considered "big purchases"
Now I have and always will buy parts such as pickups and necks etc...

I have noticed that alot of the prices have gone up on guitars for an example since last year. For example:
I was thinking about an Epiphone Les Paul Custom which was $664.00 just 6 months ago, and now it is $814.00!! And it's still the same model year!
But that is normal and goes with inflation, and market increases etc..but it just seemed out of place and it really jumped up in price more than the usual yearly rate. It was within a 6 month period and still the same model year, not even an 'updated' or new design!

I guess I am 'shopping' more and being cautious/hesitant about new purchases more so than I was.

Any thoughts or input on this?
Anything else like fuel prices or other priorities and neccessities hindering your hobby?

Feelgood · Post by **Feelgood** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:07 pm

I think fuel prices do have an effect on my purchases, because up until recently I have not purchased anything new for, I believe, the entire 2008 year. This past month though, I picked up a new Tama 14" Metalworks limited edition snare and a set of Sabian 14" APX hihats.

I have noticed inflation on drum equipment but nothing to the extent of your example. I have spoken with numerous shop owners outside of the region and they all are pretty set on downsizing their cymbal selection because new cymbals are so expensive and horrifically overpriced. Little shops are getting killed by cymbals.

Luckily, I have been shopping at a place called Alpha Music in Virginia Beach where they have incredible deals. I received my new hihats for $199. Music 123 and Musicians Friend, even Mass Music are all around $260. Sabian, Additonally, I even offering a rebate deal where anybody who buys a new cymbal in the APX line gets a rebate for a free 12" APX splash, remo snare head and a pair of vic firth sticks. Maybe that is an attempt to offset increasing prices?

All in all, I try to make purchases only when I need to to avoid having an abundance of gear I do not wan or need. I do intend on ordering my new kit in the very near future. Then once that kit is ordered and I construct the new hardware layout for it, I will be done with purchases for a long time except for upkeep charges such as new heads and sticks.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:21 pm

Whenever I was in college and living with fewer bills, I made a conscious decision to get my gear to the point where I was extremely happy with it. The reason being that I knew I would have to live more ascetically in grad school. That has been the case as I have more financial obligations. It really has nothing to do directly with the economy for me, pe say. However, I really need to make strings last, so I've been soaking them in denatured alcohol quite a bit.

It was a good decision to get my rig where I needed it to be when I could. I'm pretty happy with my setup, and I really don't need anything else. However, I would like to purchase some sort of rack-mounted overdrive unit, such as an Agro. Perhaps I will treat myself around Christmas.

JackANSI · Post by **JackANSI** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 6:30 pm

Actually I'm spending on some new gear while I have a few extra bucks. I usually have extra dough available in the spring and fall which is absorbed by heating/cooling otherwise. This seems to be the last month for that, sadly... (I hate seeing summer go away)

I try to keep living costs below $500/month. What I consider living costs: Car, House, Food, Gas/Elec/Water, and insurance on it all.

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:02 pm

I think that not playing like an idiot has been my biggest money saver. I don't hit nearly as hard as I used to, there really is no need. I still get a lot of power using good technique instead of pure force.

On the topic of the economy, I actually have gotten a good job in recent months, one that won't change with the economy.

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:26 pm

RobTheDrummer wrote: I actually have gotten a good job in recent months, one that won't change with the economy.

Yeah, it's been documented pretty well that male escorts are generally unaffected by fluxations in the economy. It also helps that your industry is pretty price-inelastic.

MOONDOGGY · Post by **MOONDOGGY** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 11:04 pm

Lol! It also helps to be part Walrus huh Robbo!?! (Don't ask how I know that)

I usually buy used gear. I have held off buying recently because of moving, buying a newer car, and saving for a house. I wouldn't say the economy is controlling my buying, just my current living situation.

This sucks though because I've noticed not just deals, but STEALS on a ton of nice basses and other gear. Most of them on Talkbass or other outlets. EBay prices aren't exactly getting lower on used gear, but used stuff in general just isn't selling for what it should be.

If I were single and still mooching off mom and dad, I'd be spending every last dollar on gear for investments. It sure beats the stock market!!!

RamRod 1 · Post by **RamRod 1** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:29 am

Not a lot. I've kept almost everything I've ever bought so I mostly only buy strings and picks. I keep a little stash for repairs.

Merge · Post by **Merge** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 1:34 am

I'm the same way. The rig I have now is pretty versatile, so I don't think I'll be needing anything any time soon. I'm just buying strings and picks right now.

lonewolf · Post by **lonewolf** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:50 am

metalchurch · Post by **metalchurch** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:22 am

Nice shirt Jeff, can I get one in a Medium?

I sometimes buy in spurts, where I'll buy one thing after another until I'm satisfied for a little bit, and then I'll sell it off and trade it and then go at it again.

Maybe I titled this wrong and worded it the wrong way?
I guess maybe that it isn't the economy as much as it is the market value for some things. It just sucks that the prices go up but the quality remains the same or worse in most cases.

BassFinger · Post by **BassFinger** » Wed Oct 29, 2008 12:03 am

MOONDOGGY wrote:Lol! It also helps to be part Walrus huh Robbo!?! (Don't ask how I know that)

Coo coo kachoo ka coo coo kachoo

MOONDOGGY wrote:I usually buy used gear. I have held off buying recently because of moving, buying a newer car, and saving for a house. I wouldn't say the economy is controlling my buying, just my current living situation.

This sucks though because I've noticed not just deals, but STEALS on a ton of nice basses and other gear. Most of them on Talkbass or other outlets. EBay prices aren't exactly getting lower on used gear, but used stuff in general just isn't selling for what it should be.

Yeah... some knucklehead just sold his Spector NS-5CRFM on TalkBass for under $800.