It's not always *all* about resale value, but the economic factor can't be ignored, particularly when the conversation is occurring among a lot of folks who change their signal path a lot. One of the arguments put forth by the computer-based crowd is that it's less expensive compared to dedicated hardware. Sometimes its not so easy to make that distinction. Amp modeling software still needs some form of amplification for public performance--does one factor that into the cost or hassle of "going software"? If the venues you play in always provide a great PA, then there's been all sorts of dedicated hardware boxes for tone shaping which cost less than a Powerbook, and so on. While it's possible to do a lot "in the box", somehow mixers, MIDI pedals and such keep on showing up in "laptop" setups.
How much have I spent on real gear in the last decade? Tens of thousands of dollars. How much has all that depreciated? Difficult to say, there's so much of it, but non-digital stuff holds its value very well, even appreciating. Heck, even the rack of Digitech Time Machines I used to use appears to be worth more than I paid for them, without getting into inflation. Plus I got to make heavy use of them for years, and they still work as well as the day I bought them. On the other hand, I have trouble booting my Powerbooks from 5-10 years ago. The batteries have died, the onboard PRAM batteries are dead, etc. They are pretty much paperweights. All my amps, guitars and effects boxes still work.
TH
On Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 11:31 AM, Mark Sottilaro
<sine@zerocrossing.net> wrote:
Why is it always about that? This argument is like when the jeweler tells you the diamond ring is an "investment." Is it really? Are you planning on selling it? If it's so good why would you sell it? I've got a beautiful old guitar that I love. Maybe it has a lot of value these days if I were to sell it, but I won't so I'll never know.
I also have a great sounding amp that uses amp modeling software. It's got a lamp and clock on it now. Makes a nice end table. I'd sell it but I doubt I'd get enough to replace it as a cool looking end table. So there's that.
Also, I find the progression of technology to be interesting and fun. It costs money, just as it would if my hobby was golf. How much have you spent on real gear in the last 10 years Travis?
