Every instrument I've purchased with the intent of using it.

I generally won't pay too much for an instrument. Part of that is budget, but the other factor is that instruments are meant to be used, which means they'll get dinged up and damaged. I don't have the interest or the space for a collectible.

Having gear that doesn't get played is irritating, in the same way I feel about going to a house with a grand piano that's only used as a decoration.

I'd had the good fortune of being able to borrow instruments when I couldn't afford them, in some case being given them permanently. I've also been able to slowly build up a collection of instruments that I'd always wanted over time.

So instruments that don't get played go on my "sell or loan" list. It's especially gratifying when someone takes an instrument that was gathering dust, and gigs the hell out of it. laugh

There are a number of instruments I've currently got (banjo, mandolin and a solid-body nylon string guitar) that really ought to be sold off, but I'm not quite willing to give up on the idea that someday I just might learn to play them compentently. wink

-- David Cuny
My virtual singer development blog

Vocal control, you say. Never heard of it. Is that some kind of ProTools thing?