Had basically the same idea, Arons said he doesn't really like the site to be run on donations and would much rather sell stuff to finance it. My idea was to have all or most of the entry fees be given as "store credit" prizes, quite possible to more than the winner. I think we should start with a "best build yet competition", say max five entries per person and a dollar or two for each build entered.
The only downside to the "best build yet" competition is that it would literally drag on for months and months. Cranking out say 3-5 quality builds just takes too long. The option I am proposing has no real changes to the 1000 competition other than:
1) ALL of the profit goes to the site (the current winner gets bragging rights and a new pedal OR store items

)
2) The deadlines will be SET. Not determined by page numbers.
It would/could almost mimic the Xmas re-gifting theme. If the builder wins, they have 2 options. They can offer up their winning build OR they can offer up the prize they won.
This process would ensure that there are no "lame" builds offered which would decrease the interest in entering. If you win, you either offer up YOUR best build for the competition or you offer up the LAST GUY'S best build!

For say... $5 entry, you get 10 people to enter, that is $50 to the site and the winner gets a cool new pedal! And so on... and so on...
If Aron prefers it, you could even use the forum's take and award the winner that much in store credit! So, if its $5 entry and you get 12 people, the winner would get $60 in store items

If the winner decides to offer up their store credit, then so be it!
I am not good at thinking about the finer points of this. I would just like to keep the site funded and get some friendly competition going. Plus it is always cool seeing what people come up with!!
