Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

[uOpt]

Took some ****, got a bonus. I want to get something that is memoable so that I don't snap on new ****.

I have a list of different things that I wanted to try in my (useless) tone quest and shied away because you can't get it used and it is obviously overpriced. I wonder what you guys would think is the most useful, the most interesting to try out.

• Callaham ABR-1 and tailpiece
• Zephyr Stratocaster pickup
• Zephyr humbucker (probably neck in zebra)
• Analogman beano boost (I already have a BSM HS, though)
• Assorted pickups that are too new and that I will take a hit on when flipping, namely the Slash set and the Steve Harris for P bass, maybe black winter
• SD CS pickups that I'd have to order. 78 neck. Or the 3+3 split style in a humbucker case
• Birdseye maple Precision bass neck. Hard to control how that sounds, though

Must be something that burns itself into the brain so that I easily recall it in meetings.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

I might be willing to part with my Zephyrs if you don't mind black ones. I might be needing some cash for school very soon.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund - Rather than waste it on crap get your money working for you, so you can stop working. Retire five years early and take the time to slowly build the most awesome guitar/amp/pedal that you've always fantasized about.

 

[jon the art guy]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

I'd suggest a Stetsbar if you want a trem on your stoptail. It's ugly enough to never let you forget about it either.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund - Rather than waste it on crap get your money working for you, so you can stop working. Retire five years early and take the time to slowly build the most awesome guitar/amp/pedal that you've always fantasized about.

I did some stock trading with good results, but it is clear to me that it only works if you can dedicate full-time class hours. That means I have to retire first I'm not ready for that, since going back to software engineering would possibly be difficult and I can always move to trading.

I generally don't have a problem with a huge difference between my "dream gear" and what I can have, the major reason being that I don't believe that the very expensive stuff (guitars and basses) is actually better. I have absolutely no excuse for bad playing or bad sounding, in other words.

I am just trying to psychologically trick myself here.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund - Rather than waste it on crap get your money working for you, so you can stop working. Retire five years early and take the time to slowly build the most awesome guitar/amp/pedal that you've always fantasized about.

That's what I was thinking too! Stick it in there and watch it grow... When you're pounding sand in a meeting just log in to check the latest balance...

However I see where you are coming from. When I get home from a stressful day my Martin really relaxes me and I've never regretted spending that cash. I'd make sure your big purchase is something similar, not a little part that may or may not show large improvements in tone. A sweet pedal would probably be my choice.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

That's what I was thinking too! Stick it in there and watch it grow... When you're pounding sand in a meeting just log in to check the latest balance...

However I see where you are coming from. When I get home from a stressful day my Martin really relaxes me and I've never regretted spending that cash. I'd make sure your big purchase is something similar, not a little part that may or may not show large improvements in tone. A sweet pedal would probably be my choice.

I dunno. I discovered that getting more guitars isn't an effective way to improve my playing

I actually get more satisfaction out of microoptimizing the heck out of something (that's why I got the bonus at work, too). I play/practice more that way, too. Something you tinkered to be really good is more attractive. But there are some microoptimizations that I haven't tried so far because I would have to be willing to take a financial hit for trying them. You can flip used pickups all year long leaking little money, but these items resist.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Well if you have the time what about spending it on music classes? Sure you can't sell the knowledge you obtain but it's something that you will remember and always have and it will make you a better player.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

I did some stock trading with good results, but it is clear to me that it only works if you can dedicate full-time class hours. That means I have to retire first I'm not ready for that, since going back to software engineering would possibly be difficult and I can always move to trading.

The beauty of a broad based index mutual fund with low MER is that there's not really any trading to do. You park money in it, and come away with more money 10 - 15 years later. It's like a bank account that doesn't have **** returns.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

I dunno. I discovered that getting more guitars isn't an effective way to improve my playing

I actually get more satisfaction out of microoptimizing the heck out of something (that's why I got the bonus at work, too). I play/practice more that way, too. Something you tinkered to be really good is more attractive. But there are some microoptimizations that I haven't tried so far because I would have to be willing to take a financial hit for trying them. You can flip used pickups all year long leaking little money, but these items resist.

Gotcha! Well I'd love to find out what the Zephyrs are all about...

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

If i had money to spend i would buy more tools. :fest7: Thicknesser, jointer and a band saw please.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

I wouldn't call it overpriced or useless, but if I had the same idea of blowing some cash on something I normally wouldn't buy, it would probably be an amp kit......something relatively simple like Mission Amps Tweed Deluxe kit.
http://www.missionamps.com/5E3kit.shtml

 

[uOpt]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Well if you have the time what about spending it on music classes? Sure you can't sell the knowledge you obtain but it's something that you will remember and always have and it will make you a better player.

No time. It's pretty bad. I can find random pieces of time to try another pickup but a predictable class - no way.

The beauty of a broad based index mutual fund with low MER is that there's not really any trading to do. You park money in it, and come away with more money 10 - 15 years later. It's like a bank account that doesn't have **** returns.

Riiight... I'm afraid I'm a bit more pessimistic about this.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Large cash gifts to forum bros. You'll never forget doing something that stupid.

 

[LReese]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Write each item on a piece of paper and put it in a hat, then have a 'drawing' to decide which one you will buy. Gotta live a little - Spend it like it was burning your pocket!

Sounds like the likely amount won't meet minimums on a mutual fund. That index fund is 3K minimum based on a quick search. But I understand the ETF is a more efficient vehicle tax-wise.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Yeah I'm thinking $300 for this morale-building project, for something that brings $150-$200 when selling it off later. I'd be interesting to trade for somebody's free time, though. 168 hours in a week are just maxed out for me right now. I need to turn this to 11 somehow.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

The coincidence and timeliness of this thread is hilarious. I have GAS *and* two Vanguard funds (VGTSX and VGSIX) whilst saving for VTSMX.

The posts above were right. No trading needed with a mutual fund, and if you do it in a Roth, no taxes. The only drawback is Roth limits are still relatively low ($5500 annually). Due to the low limits, if you don't start today it will be hard to catch up later.

I recommend VTSMX for domestic stocks and VGTSX for foreign stocks. The all world stock fund has both in one fund, but not quite as many companies as combining VTSMX and VGTSX.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Other good choices are their gold, mining, and commodities funds, their healthcare funds, and their energy funds if you're into active trading sector funds.

 

[Inflames626]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

To my knowledge, ETFs are a bit riskier and more volatile than mutual funds, though it might not matter in a tax free account like a Roth. And they're a fairly new investment vehicle. Remember how those credit default swaps were hot before 2007? Well we learned the downside of that, didn't we?

I'd stick with indexed mutual funds with the widest exposure to stocks possible. Pick up bonds later. In lean years when you can't contribute, rebalance the funds by exchanging shares from overperforming stocks into new funds you wish to acquire.

 

[LReese]

Re: Overpriced, useless stuff - what to pick?

Well - we're straying from the subject... ETF is like a mutual fund, but trades like a stock. Heck Vanguard has ETF's that mirror their mutual fund offerings. Risk depends on what holdings are in the ETF or mutual fund. You can do indexing type investing with ETF's.

One advantage of ETF is you can sell it anytime of the trading day and get whatever the price is at that point in time. Mutual funds the price is set once daily sometime after the exchange closes. Disadvantage is you pay the brokerage fee when you buy and sell, but these days, that's peanuts.