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In lieu of getting a credit card, which I think are scams, I may take out a smallish loan or two for new instruments to build credit and personal satisfaction in tandem.

As an amateur I would never be able to justify going so far out of my means to buy a musical instrument. This doesn't mean that I haven't in the past, but I'm older and more understanding of my limitations. Actually I had an old black power gun collection many years ago than I turned in to recorders and flutes. And my current violin was a 1961 Les Paul Junior.

Also souls are a dime a dozen in today's world so that is not an option either, though I remember a guitar in the '70s where I thought about it (an HD28 and a particularly nice one).

I believe a professional musician on a $20K violin would sound better than me on a $15M Strad or Guer... so I would not take a loan out to buy something that I could not make sound well yet. I just bought a $2K violin set that I feel is more than enough violin for me and was within my budget.
I'm in agreement with Patrick. As an amateur I could not justify spending more than I could have to hand on an instrument. If I were a professional that would be another matter, you need to do what is necessary to have the tools of your trade.
It all depends.
Say you are a very talented product of a Conservatoire. You have maybe gotten through the stiff exams by using a top instrument lent to you by your college. This has to be returned.
Now, on the strength of your auditioned performance on thiis borrowed instrument, a major orchestra has offered you a job, right up the front amongst the big-time guys'n'gals.
In this situation, and in view of the HUGE salary you are going to be getting, I'd reckon going into hock might not be an entirely bad move.
Otherwise, forget it !!
Definitely not at the level of even inquiring about this notion. But if someone was good enough why not invest in oneself. Plus unlike other things that can depreciate, your talents can only get better. That is priceless.
As an amateur, no, I would not take out a loan for a violin. However, I imagine that a professional, or aspiring professional, might need to do so in order to advance their career.
What is eye-opening is to hear a fine professional play on your own inexpensive instrument. There is such a thing as a fine violin but it's only a fraction compared to a fine violinist.
If reasonably possible, I would save up for a viola in order to avoid debt. If not, I would take out a loan. Of course, professional-quality instruments are EXPENSIVE, so realistically I probably would end up taking out a loan.
Like some others, I would not take out a loan to buy a violin simply because I am not a professional and cannot justify that.
No, I would not take out a loan. I agree with Corwin. I would love to hear my own 2008 Capri in the hands of someone like Itzack Pearlman. Likewise, I'd love someday to try out a million dollar Strad. If given both opportunities, however, I'm pretty confident Itzack would sound no worse, nor I any better.
I think you have to balance where you are with where you are going - whether you are a professional or amateur. Thus, if playing is an intermittent pleasure and you don't plan for it to be any more, then a loan makes no sense. However, if you see it as a future career then you had better somehow get a violin that matches that goal rather than your immediate means. Unless the shop you buy the violin at guarantees 100% trade in, you will almost certainly loose money each time you trade - and that could be much more than the interest payments. And bear in mind if you do opt for the trade-in idea you have then markedly limited your choices for instruments down the line (not to mention if the business closes).

The amateur is the interesting case. I happen to think that if you see playing as part of your future destiniy - I mean something that you will spend a significant part of your life at - then I think you could justify a loan. Of course, its makes all the difference i you have a good salary and can pay it off in a reasonable time.

So I answered yes - though I have not yet done so myself.

Yes I would! But also would think this over discussing it with string savvy friends/teachers. It certainly would be a fun "Investment" but an investment that comes with quite the responcibility.