
Tough question. I've always played instruments when available, like my grandmother's piano, the band instruments at her church, keyboards, harmonica, etc. I sang in bands during the 80's because all I could afford was a cheap microphone.
I remember when I was 12 trying to decide whether to save up money for pursuing guitar or bass. I built my first guitar from scrap wood. I found the second in someone's garbage. My dad bought me a cheap Mexican one at a flea market for my third. I later cannibalized the best parts from it and the garbage find to make a Frankenstein guitar. I kind of decided to go for BOTH guitar and bass by the late 1980's. I bought a 70's Gibson Ripper for $75 dollars at a music store. Someone added a P-Bass P/U in the middle. 1960's Guild Thunderbass Head for $100 and a Crate 4x12 cab w/tweeter. The beauty of that amp was it had inputs for BOTH guitar and bass. Later, I tried 70's Hagstrom and Fender Tele Deluxe guitars. Got a brand spanking new Fender Strat "Floyd Rose Classic" in the 90's. Got an AMAZINGLY good deal on a Rickenbacker 4001 bass about the same time. I think I only paid $175 for it! I eventually had to sell all my music gear and most of my record collection a couple years ago, to stave off homelessness. I have gradually been rebuilding my arsenal, even adding trumpet and drums.