I am in love but don't have the cash....

ScottM

ScottM

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iBazinga!
....to get the two things I would like.

Ok I have been lusting after a new GPS for sometime and I think I am just not going to spend the money to upgrade the KLN90B IFR GPS to a 430W and instead will opt for a 496 with XM. My delima is that there is another passion in my life and a rare but wonderful item has become available. She is a little older and that is what endears her to me plus here beauty.

I am talking about a 1923 Vega Model #9 banjo with a tubaphone tone ring. http://www.elderly.com/vintage/names/vega-tubaphone-style-x-no.9-conversion-(1923)--60U-2209.htm

It has a repro-neck on it and that is keeping the price down to only $4000 instead of the usual $7-$10k. It is a good price and a great, great banjo. I can't get both, which would you get?
 
As a musician I would go for the Banjo. The 496 or better will be there for the foreseeable future. The 496 or equivelant will go down in price probably not the Banjo.
 
I'm not a musician so I probably couldn't tell the difference between a $20 or $20,000 banjo.

I also like to fly cross country--and after having used XM weather--I wouldn't want to continue without it. Without a doubt XM for me.
 
smigaldi said:
....to get the two things I would like.

Ok I have been lusting after a new GPS for sometime and I think I am just not going to spend the money to upgrade the KLN90B IFR GPS to a 430W and instead will opt for a 496 with XM. My delima is that there is another passion in my life and a rare but wonderful item has become available. She is a little older and that is what endears her to me plus here beauty.

I am talking about a 1923 Vega Model #9 banjo with a tubaphone tone ring. http://www.elderly.com/vintage/names/vega-tubaphone-style-x-no.9-conversion-(1923)--60U-2209.htm

It has a repro-neck on it and that is keeping the price down to only $4000 instead of the usual $7-$10k. It is a good price and a great, great banjo. I can't get both, which would you get?
Click to expand...

I suppose $4k for the banjo is a relative bargain when you look at their prices on '60s P-basses and J-basses, holy cow! The weather's going to be turning soon, so more time inside, and more time to play the banjo...by the time spring rolls around you could buy the 496...


Trapper John
 
Don't have the cash? What about those multiple $100,000 FDIC insured bank accounts?
 
For a second, I thought you were in this dilemma: (you have to get to 0:53ish to get the joke)

 
I agree with Ray: get the banjo. You can ALWAYS get a 496. You cannot always find a deal on a collector's item. And this is coming from a 496 owner who is darn close to thinking loss of XM weather is almost a no-go item for business-oriented cross-country flying.
 
Surprisingly fair and balanced replies thus far. I'd be shocked if you are getting the same balance from your friends at the Banjos of America forums:

"You want to buy a Gee-Pee-whaaaaa??? . . ."

:D
 
Buy both. Life is short, eat dessert first... :D

Really, I can see both sides. The 496 would be more practical but will be obsolete in a few years, superseded by the next newest gadget. I'm not a musician, but I don't think that will happen with the banjo.
 
I don't think that 496s are going out of style.

Besides, in a year or so you may realize that you really do want that IFR GPS, and so you'll then upgrade to a 430. :)
 
CJones said:
For a second, I thought you were in this dilemma: (you have to get to 0:53ish to get the joke)
Click to expand...
Next time I see you remind me to tell you about the couple that was sitting next to us at dinner at a pretty nice restaurant. I think the dude had this problem and it was his date. Lets just say there was lots of inappropriate public displays of affection in the restaurant.
 
Re: I am in lust but don't have the cash....

There. Fixed the title of the thread for you.
 
How much will the banjo cost if you defer the purchase for 5 years?

... and the 496?

One is probably appreciating, one is depreciating.

-Skip
 
Skip Miller said:
How much will the banjo cost if you defer the purchase for 5 years?

... and the 496?

One is probably appreciating, one is depreciating.

-Skip
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It could be as much as double, that is if I could even find one for sale. These are rare enough and in this condition even rarer. There is one with an original neck up in Madison, WI going for a little over $7k and it is only in good condition where this is in excellent condition.
 
smigaldi said:
It could be as much as double, that is if I could even find one for sale. These are rare enough and in this condition even rarer. There is one with an original neck up in Madison, WI going for a little over $7k and it is only in good condition where this is in excellent condition.
Click to expand...


Get the freakin banjo already...
 
You obviously have your mind made up and are just looking for validation. Just get the one that will mean the most to you.
 
Banjo, for sure, Scott.

As a musician I can see the importance of having something that important in my collection.
 
Scott, get the banjer. As one who has sold antique string instruments, it will most certainly ascend in value.
 
To quote a famous movie line,
Sometimes you gotta say "What the ****", make your move. Scott, every now and then, saying "What the ****", brings freedom. Freedom brings opportunity, opportunity brings freedom.
Click to expand...

So, just say "what the ****" and go buy the banjo.
 
smigaldi said:
Ok I have been lusting after a new GPS for sometime and I think I am just not going to spend the money to upgrade the KLN90B IFR GPS to a 430W and instead will opt for a 496 with XM.
Click to expand...

Scott,

Buy the banjo, and don't upgrade the panel in your plane until you have the dough to do BOTH Garmins.

The 496 is a lifesaver because of the weather, and because the combination of the AOPA directory with the rest of the info makes it an excellent tool to decide where to divert if you need to.

The 430W, however, will do something very important that the 496 never will: It'll give you a glideslope all the way to the ground at any airport with a GPS approach. When the poop hits the prop, that gives you a LOT more options. (Lots of other nice stuff too, especially if you have an autopilot.)

But, I thought you were wanting to get a new plane fairly soon, so I guess that's two reasons to not upgrade your panel yet. :yes:
 
flyingcheesehead said:
The 430W, however, will do something very important that the 496 never will: It'll give you a glideslope all the way to the ground at any airport with a GPS approach. When the poop hits the prop, that gives you a LOT more options.
Click to expand...
Actually, the 496 will, too, if you're really talking about the poop hitting the prop.
 
Give up women, buy the 496 then the banjo. Mount the 496 on the banjo so you always know you're strummin'.
 
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