I'm evaluating several guitar overdrive pedals right now. I did my usual research and purchased 3 of them used, so that I can sell back the ones I don't like without losing much money.

One downside of evaluating tools is that you can get really hang up on them -- they are just tools, after all, they don't make or break you. Also, the idea that I have to find the "best there is" is also dangerous. Making music is all about being "good enough." I've been playing the same guitar for over 10 years now, and I know its strengths and limitations well. I've tinkered with it to expand its limitations but every time I have to trade in one of its strengths to fix one of the problems, I back up -- I'd rather have the limits and strengths I know well than to trade in a new set.

I really feel that too many options get in the way of life and music. Right now I'm sujecting myself to too many options -- way more pedals than I need, each with its own idiosyncracies and lots of switches and knobs to twiddle with. It's distracting, and taking time away from genuinely practicing.

As you can see, I have a love/hate relationship with shopping. I hope I get done soon so that I can move on and make music with my tools.