Decisions, decisions...

I'm really torn. For a while now I've been nickel-and-diming myself to buy a new instrument of sorts. I've been playing guitar for 18 years now and bass for 16, and for a while I've been looking for a way to do both at the same time. Well, lo and behold, I have two options:

The Chapman Stick



or the Novax CH8 8-String Guitar .
I've known about one of these two instruments since high school, and the other since college. There is no question that I will own both of them someday, but which one to go for first...that's the question. Also, I don't nearly have enough cash to do so at the moment, so I'm on the verge of asking my entire family, "Hey, don't get me any presents for the next two or three years. Just chip in on this if you want to buy me anything."

I figure the best way to go about this is to list some pros and cons...I'm particularly interested in commentary from players of these instruments, because while it may not make my final decision, it could certainly help guide it.

Stick pros:
1. Costs about a third as much (reconditioned) as the CH8
2. Greater low range
3. Potential for musical expression and usage in different styles might ultimately be greater
4. Melody strings tuned in fourths just like my basses; easy to learn that side.
5. All tapping: new, interesting sounds

Stick cons:
1. Reversed bass strings on bass side (lowest in the middle) means a serious learning curve, and some serious practicing will be needed before I can comfortably gig with it.
2.Different tuning than I am used to on my other instruments; will need to learn.
3. New technique of the instrument means parts will have to be slightly different than standard bass or guitar parts.
4. Have to get on a waiting list to get one, that could take a year to get one at all, not even specifically the wood, etc. I'd like

CH8 pros:
1. 3 bass strings, 5 guitar strings; standard tuning I'm already used to.
2. Technique very similar to instruments I'm already familiar with; could probably gig with it after a month of practice.
3.Novax Guitars has one in the shop right now in exactly the wood, finish, etc. I want. Novax usually takes a year to get you a guitar when you order. This one's ready to ship.

CH8 cons:
1. Would the fact that I can only play as many things as five fingers of my right hand will allow ultimately limit what I could do contrapuntally?
2. Costs 3 times as much as a Chapman Stick

I don't know what to do here. I'm looking for the next big leap in my musical life, and it's one of these. I just can't figure out which one...