Extra cash + cool stuff = happy/broke

i n c u b u s

So heres my situation PA: I currently have a really great job that pays really well so I'm coming into the most money I've ever had. I do put half my paychecks in savings automatically so it's not like I just blow all of my money but after buying everything I need I still have some money left over to do what I want with. My problem is that I've decided to buy myself something nice just for the hell of it but I'm stuck between a few things. What are these things? Well I'll show ya!

Option 1

The MSI Wind, a mini notebook that has recently peaked my interest. Its less than $500 and I can take it anywhere.

Option 2

The Marshall Half stack. I'm an avid guitar player and Im in desperate need for a better amp thats up to caliber with my guitars (My current amp just doesn't fit the bill). Somewhere around $600-700

Option 3

The Gibson SG-X, They stopped makin this baby in 98 and I really want one. It may not be the best equipped Gibson out there but its got what I need and I dig the look. This is anywhere from $500-1000.

Option 4

The Fender Jazzmaster, I've loved this guitar ever since my favorite band Incubus started using them. The old surf sound is great! $799.99

Option 5

The apple Macbook, at a whopping 1k this is one that might be a lil out of my price range but I really need. I'm a graphic designer and I'd really like this to help me out with my work. I just kinda don't want to pay that much for it.

Decisions decisions. Care to vote for what I should get or express your opinions? I'd appreciate it! NOTE: I can only get one of these options.


EDIT: So turns out I ended up buying the Macbook after all. I can't wait for it to arrive. Although I was pretty damn close to buying a Fender Toronado at my local music shop for $300.

Dman

If you're a graphic designer and need the macbook for work, I'd have to suggest you buy it.

Also, if you need it for work, can you claim it on your tax return and get some cash back next year?

-Phil-

Dman wrote: »

If you're a graphic designer and need the macbook for work, I'd have to suggest you buy it.

Also, if you need it for work, can you claim it on your tax return and get some cash back next year?

DAMN YOU! :P

I was just going to write the exact same thing.

Monolithic_Dome

That half stack is gonna be a little impractical if you live in the vicinity of, say, other humans.

In other words,

Get the half stack.

What can you do on the macbook that you can't do on the wind (or wind+external monitor)?

i n c u b u s

My work supplies me with the tools I need (computer, big ass tablet, software etc etc). The thing is that I'm not working as a graphic designer in this job I just do it for some of our employees occasionally when they need something. I'm actually just going to college for it and have another 2 years before I actually get a design job where I'd need the Mac. Although by that time there will be new and better models/software so I should probably wait.

Dman

Hmmm
If you're going to be needing a computer in 2 years i wouldn't bother spending 1k on a macbook now then. Just get a good computer when you need one 2 years from now.

I don't know anything about guitars or amps, so I will leave the decision to my betters:P

i n c u b u s

Thats exactly what I was thinking, thanks!

Reckless

As I fellow guitarist I say go with the halfstack. It's kinda silly to be buying a whole bunch of guitars if you're not gonna be satisfied with the sound you're getting out of them because you have a crappy amp.

i n c u b u s

I mean its not crappy really, it gets the job done. Its just tiny and the sound isn't big enough.

Monolithic_Dome

Agreed.

Seriously, though, unless it's something that's gonna sit in it's own sound-isolated practice space I think you'll be happier with a 1x12 tube combo. Fender blues junior or similar.

Having all that power and have to keep the volume on "1" is totally

i n c u b u s

That's a good point, I was looking at a few Fender 25-60w amps that would suffice for about half the price too. Any suggestions my friend?

isaac17

As far as the half stack goes, don't buy a solid state amp. Ever again. That pictured JCM 2000 is a great amp if that's the tone you're going for (all tube), but I'm not sure where you can get that for under 1.3k, perhaps ebay? Otherwise I'd try vox amps, they're the most incredible amps for the most incredible price range ever (ac30 combo for around 1k).

Jazzmaster is a beautiful sounding guitar, but I'd stay away from gibson guitars if you're not loaded. The lower end ones just don't sound as good as Fender guitars of the same price range (like the Jazzmaster).

I've never regretted purchasing my first macbook 2 years ago, and honestly, I upgrade to a new macbook every 6 months to a year, by selling it on eBay and buying a newer better one either on ebay or on apple's refurb page (or new if there's a deal like the one going on now: free 8gb ipod touch & free printer of 100$ value with macbook purchase for college students/teachers). So if you're a student, the macbook thing comes with enough free stuff right now to really make the purchase worth it, and it usually only costs me around 100-200$ every time I upgrade to a newer one.

edit: if you're stuck somewhere quiet, a vox AC15 combo might be exactly what you need, I own one and it sounds incredible, especially at low volumes. I can get any tone out of it I want. Runs 600 new. Also check out the Orange Tiny Terror. Goes for like 400 on ebay for the head, and it has the best distortion I've ever heard. It has a switch on it to half the amperage for when you need it to be quiet, and the tone doesn't take a hit at all.

i n c u b u s

Ya know I was actually looking to buy a Vox DA15 a little while ago because of its built in effects. I have a few pedals now so I'm not so sure I really need the effects on the Vox anymore.

Monolithic_Dome

Yeah don't buy a solid state amp. As far as the small tube combos go, this one is going to be very dependent on personal preference. Go and play a bunch of them and see what you like.

If you want my opinion This is pretty great as far as bang-for-the-buck is concerned.


You also have the option of a hybrid amp. These use some combination of a tube and digital circuitry to amplify the sound. For example my VOX AD50VT has a tube that's run in a dummy circuit to simulate various amp models. I think it sounds fantastic, all the benefits of a modeling amp with some real tube sound. Some people think it sounds like shit. They make them in various sizes.

SatanIsMyMotor

Here`s something to consider as well - and I`m speaking from experience. Over time you always up the cost of your lifestyle according to your financial means. What I mean here is that even though you have an excess of cash right now - a year from now that might not be the case. You may move in to a better apartment, buy some nicer clothes, spend that extra $20 on better quality food, etc.

I`m not telling you not to treat yourself. Just make sure you do it very sparingly as other cost tend to creep in to life here and there.

i n c u b u s

SatanIsMyMotor wrote: »

Here`s something to consider as well - and I`m speaking from experience. Over time you always up the cost of your lifestyle according to your financial means. What I mean here is that even though you have an excess of cash right now - a year from now that might not be the case. You may move in to a better apartment, buy some nicer clothes, spend that extra $20 on better quality food, etc.

I`m not telling you not to treat yourself. Just make sure you do it very sparingly as other cost tend to creep in to life here and there.

See my view on that is this. I'd much rather buy the things I want now when I have the extra cash and can afford it as opposed to say two years from now when I'll a lot more to pay for (car, living, food, etc) and couldn't afford it otherwise. So saying that, its probably wise to buy something now that'll last me a long time to I'll have it to enjoy even when I'll be a lil tight on cash in the coming years. Make sense?

SatanIsMyMotor

Totally. Like I said, I`m not trying to deter you from buying stuff. Just making the issue known as it has hit me in the face just recently.

i n c u b u s

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

i n c u b u s

Problem kinda solved for now.

illig

i n c u b u s wrote: »

Problem kinda solved for now.

so what did you choose?

you're living well below your means, so you deserve to treat yourself

I just bought myself a 24" monitor :drool:

My internets have never looked so wide before

i n c u b u s

illig wrote: »

i n c u b u s wrote: »

Problem kinda solved for now.

so what did you choose?

you're living well below your means, so you deserve to treat yourself

I just bought myself a 24" monitor :drool:

My internets have never looked so wide before

I got myself a Macbook, I'm still waiting on it to come in but I'm really excited to use it =].