Some people buy practical vehicles. Others buy tube amps, vintage guitars, studio monitors, and pedalboards that require their own zip code. This section celebrates the beautiful, glorious, financially irresponsible gear that musicians and audio nerds convince themselves is “absolutely necessary.”
- Axe FX / Fractal Touring Rigs — $15,000–$40,000
https://www.fractalaudio.com - Boutique Signature Basses — $10,000–$50,000+
https://dingwallguitars.com - Concert Grade Grand Pianos — $100,000–$250,000+
https://www.steinway.com - Custom Arena Tour Drum Kits — $25,000–$100,000
https://www.dwdrums.com - Custom Stage Lighting Rigs — $100,000–$1M+
https://www.chauvetprofessional.com - Dingwall John Taylor Signature 6 String Bass — about $3,800
https://dingwallguitars.com - Dumble Overdrive Special Amplifiers — $60,000–$150,000+
https://dumbleamplifiers.com - Fairlight CMI Systems — $100,000+ adjusted historical value
https://www.fairlightinstruments.com.au - Full Professional Pro Tools HDX Studio Builds — $50,000–$250,000
https://www.avid.com/pro-tools - High End Mastering Speakers — $40,000–$200,000 per pair
https://www.focal.com
https://www.bowerswilkins.com - Kemper Touring Systems — $15,000–$40,000
https://www.kemper-amps.com - Klon Centaur Pedals — $5,000–$15,000
https://klonpedal.com - Laney TI100 Tony Iommi Signature Tube Head — about $4,999
https://www.laney.co.uk - Ludwig Vistalite Drum Kits — $100,000+ for artist owned kits at auction
https://ludwig-drums.com - Mesa Boogie Mark VII 90W Tube Head — about $3,549
https://www.mesaboogie.com - Moog Modular Synth Walls — $50,000–$500,000
https://www.moogmusic.com - Neumann Vintage Microphones — $10,000–$30,000 each
https://en-de.neumann.com - Neve Recording Consoles — $100,000–$500,000
https://www.ams-neve.com - Original Roland TR 808 Drum Machines — $8,000–$20,000
https://www.roland.com - Pre CBS Fender Stratocasters — $50,000–$250,000
https://www.fender.com - Touring Grade In Ear Monitor Systems — $20,000–$80,000
https://www.shure.com - Touring Wireless Systems for Stadium Acts — $10,000–$50,000+
https://www.sennheiser.com
https://www.shure.com - Vintage 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standards — $250,000+
https://www.gibson.com - Vintage Mellotrons — $15,000–$50,000
https://www.mellotron.com - Vox AC30 Amplifiers — $1,500–$5,000 depending on vintage/model
https://voxamps.com