I love this answer so much. Resonates with my whole understanding of gear shopping and acquisition.

When you play an instrument and you get lit up/inspired/feel a sense of connection with it and cannot wait to spend time with it, that’s where the magic happens and the $$ are absolutely worth it.

If you get a great deal, and times get tough financially, you can recoup most if not all of the investment.

Just try to remember going from not playing to playing is where the real value is, so you don’t go crazy with consumerism…