Ok, so I was at a music store purchasing odds and ends and this Gibson RB was in the corner and whispering my name. I gave it a look over, and just for the hell of it, tuned it up and had a little go. It is worlds better than the Asian rig I am playing now. I've had my banjo for 30 years but only started playing 6 months ago. I am having a blast and don't think there is any doubt I will stick with it. I can't wait to get home from work and practice.
Anyway. This RB has been in that shop for a LONG time and they have sharply cut the price. I can't find a used one for the cost they are selling this new one at. Still, it's a lot of money for me and I would have to raise the funds by selling other stuff I have. I am wondering if this is too much rig for me as a beginner. It sounds so much different from my current rig. I like the taller frets, they work better for me from what I can see. I would avoid putting any more money into my current banjo, which I am working on as funds permit. Next would be a fret job (poor original work with the top frets being too short), then some decent tuners and a new head. I can't even believe that I am seriously thinking about spending this kind of money, or that my wife didn't outright shoot me on the spot when I 'casually mentioned it'.
While I wait for my instructors thoughts on this I thought I would put it up to this group because I often hear new thoughts which would never occur to me. What do you think, am I spending too much, too soon? I don't think I'll ever see a deal like this again, and you notice I haven't mentioned the price, because frankly I don't want anybody here to whisk it away while I am collecting the funding.
If I do move forward, I have asked my instructor if he would come take a look at it before I buy. It just seems like good sense to me. That's a lot of money.
Tom