Well, as it turns out, I ended up spending my small chunk of extra money on a purchase from my favorite music store. I got a new leather valve guard, some extra-heavy valve caps, a tone enhancer, and a new mouthpiece pouch. I also got two new Dixieland books! I still have my eye on the U2 though, although recently my interest has been piqued by the Benchmade Mini-Griptilian.