I dont know if I have room to talk here given my collection of Vintage amps. I too have a hard time justifying a 2-3000 booteek amp. I did try the little Swart since I got a good deal on it, used it then sold it at a profit. I do have a bug for the oldies though. Its the getting them and restoring them to their original condition then the enjoyment of playing them! Something magical fixing up an amp and seeing a guys signature of his work from 40+ years ago. I kind of feel like Im keeping a torch lit.....may sound corny but I find it rewarding.
Another aspect I like with the Vintage amps over the Booteek are the Vintage often times is what the BooTeek is emulating, the Vintage amps historically hold and or appreciate in value which is nice. I can sell anyone of my Fenners right now and turn a profit. After I built my 5E3 tweed and restored these other amps I wont be buying any Booteek amps due to the fact I know what it costs to build one and I have the skills to build it myself if I wanted to.
One truth is timeless the gear isnt gonna make you a better player, it may cause you to play more helping to that end. We all have seen people with low end stuff ripping it up. The tone is in the trousers for sure.
Also thinking about it people also get to a stage in life where it isnt a financial hardship the enjoy the things we dreamed of. I know for me this is very true at this point in my life Im blessed with good health and good fortune. The kid is growed up the bills are all paid and we worked many years to get here. Life is short and you should stop to enjoy the flowers along each part of your journey. Im still not forking over $3000.00 for a booteek amp but if it floats someones boat and they can afford it have at it.
Git-tires EC Custom Strat, Gibson ES-335, Custom built Tele, Fender Highway 1 P-Bass, Martin 000-28EC Acoustic, Gibson SG Classic
Hearin aids-AmphsCustom hand built 5E3 Magic Markie Mojotone Amph, Fender Blackline dripedge 69 Princeton Reverb, 69 SF/DE Vibro-Champ, 64 Blackface Deluxe reverb, 64 Princeton 6G2 Fender, D'Lite ODS 22, Rumble 60 Bass amph
EffectsBoss CH1 Chorus, Boss DD-3 Delay, Vox wah, Tonebone Classic, TS-9 modded, Bad Bob,Sweetsound Mojo-vibe, Boss RC-20XL Loopstation, Peterson Strobstomp, ZYS pedal, Keeley Comp, Boss LS-2, Zendrive, Menatone Howie