I have a conundrum on my hands.
Friday I get paid, and I'm completely out of patience. It's goin down, I'm buyin an SP. Thing is I can't really go over like $200 or so. Which should it be?

SP-202 (about $100) and a couple 4mb cards (found a 5 pack of em for $20). It's limited as hell but I love me some lofi, and it's cheap as hell.

SP-303 (found one for $200 maybe play the field for cheaper but not likely) and a get a couple 32mb cards next pay day($25 or so). Moderately cheaper than a used 404 and it lacks some of the 404's functionality but I could buy it outright. NO PAYMENTS

C) Buy an SP-404 from zzsounds.com (4 payments of $100) the cheapest I've seen a used one go for is $250 which isn't common and outta reach. I CAN NOT WAIT ANYMORE.

Help me weigh out the positives and negative for each here peeps. I'm gonna fuckin buy one and would rather just own it outright but I'd like to get the most outta my money. I'm pullin my fuckin hair out, help me make a decision.

404 all the way homie for many many reasons

i say the 404. The 303 sounds like a cool deal too. The 202 is too limited, i dont think it even has a sequencer

I'd say go with the 404 but the deal you got on those 202 sm cards is awesome!!
I think that the 404 is more versatile and the best purchase of the 3 imo...

In my opinion the SP 404

+ 1

i think the 404 will be the most useful option, with the fewest drawbacks

but i am biased

hey hema, where do you live? would you be interested in an 808? i don't know how much shipping would be from here in Japan but if i could get it to you in a few weeks for the two bills would you be interested? i paid a bit over a bill and my guess is shipping would be 70/80? so i wouldn't lose/gain $ but i'm just not using it. And i can get another pretty cheap cuz i sees 'em here all the time for about $150 on the local auction site.

i'll throw in a few zips.

but otherwise i'll go 'head vote for the 404 as well.

i just checked ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLAND-SP-808-EX-e-MIX-STUDIO-CLEAN-ORIGINAL-BOX_W0QQitemZ280276268721QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280276268721&_trkparms=72%3A1209%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

that might be cheaper and it's an ex. or maybe not he's charging 100 for shipping, which i really don't know if that's fair or not, but at least you ain't got to bid for mine. i've edited this post three times, damn whatever. pm if you're interested. i can either way. i just would rather have this being used than chillin' under a towel in bedroom while i can't make time to learn it.

Damn Jbl that's tempting. Anyone got any opinions on the 808?

I voted 404. the 404 is just so fresh and now that the weather is real nice in most places its sooooo fresh to be outside makin beats.

I'd go 4 the 404 =)

let me say one thing about the 808. if you don't have free time to learn it, it may not be for you cuz the manual is dumb ass janglish. the 404 is eaaassssssssssyyyyyyyyy to have a non-commited relationship with while that 808 needs some butterin' up and the 808 only has song mode but no pattern mode(wtf right?). anyway, like i said it's no biggie either way and i bet you would get the 404 quicker.

PM sent about an SP-606

Cosign on the 404 vote. The 303 definitely is very cool as well.

I think having more features on the 404 give it a clear advantage over the 303. That 808 deal sounds great also, I'd consider that as well.

i say you go all out and get the sp-555 evryone wants one look haha
haha even the mpc headz !
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/874040674.html