[quote name='BottomE' timestamp='1337432775' post='1659854'] [/quote][list]
[*]Guitarists idea is that we all pay an equal share and if someone leaves they don't get any money back. He retains the gear. [b]This is the worst idea possible, very selfish.[/b]
[*]Keys player wants everyone to chip in and then get money back when they leave. [b]This is more fair, but still [/b][b]doesn't address the multiple usage or the depreciation of the gear.[/b]
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The real problem here is that there is not equal usage of the gear and nor is there to be expected to be in the future. I don't understand how the guitarist feels he can claim sole ownership of it despite EVERYONE technically being an equal owner.
An alternative - it is paid for directly from the band kitty? Or are all proceeds from gigs split directly between the members?
Clearly the guitarist expects to be in sole ownership of the gear at one point or another. Bit of a problem here because everyone else is thus effectively renting the gear from him. On this basis alone you shouldn't be expected to pay an equal share because when/if you part company then he will still have the asset, which he can then sell if needs be and recuperate costs. From a purely economic perspective, each band member should pay an amount which reflects their perceived future usage, including of course depreciation of the PA - but I'm guessing the problem is that you need to find the funds between you in the first place to actually buy it. Thus the guitarist and singer would pay by far the most as they have double the interest (assuming usage is constant between the covers and their duo thang), and overall the guitarist would pay the most (considering his "ownership" of the gear).
Breaking this up into separate pieces also seems a bit silly, I mean the singer can't do much with just a set of monitors without the rest of the system to run them with.
I once had this problem myself with a band: our mixer broke and we had to fund a new one ASAP. Did my bass go through it? Nope. So did I contribute? Only a small amount relative to everyone else.
My response isn't really that much help. I thought about making an equation to try and work out an equitable solution but my brain is tired and I've got Russian Economics to revise. All I'll say further is that your Guitarist has the most to gain by the sounds of it, so don't let him take you for a ride.