Would it be wise to switch form a nikkor 85mm f/1.8 to a 50mm f/1.4? - 1

Is the quality prty much the same [with the exception of focal length?]
i just feel that 85mm is far too zoomed and just isn't so practical

Why would you give up one for the other? They both have a use in the same situation. You could be by the side of the stage and 50 on the brass section then 85 on the conductors head. Both very fast you would do well to use both these nice primes.

If you can't afford the 85 and want to sell the 50 to buy it, don't buy it! Have you been asleep the past 35 years, where wanting things you can't pay for created credit card hell and made everyone poor?

Depends on what you want and what sort of camera you have (full frame or cropped).

85mm is not an "all around lens" - I'm surprised you didn't realize this when you got it.

If you want more of a wide angle and you have a cropped sensor camera, you'll probably want a 28mm or a 35mm lens instead of a 50mm.

If your camera is full frame, a 50mm would be fine (though many people still like to use 35mm as a 'walkaround lens').

If you can afford to have both, I personally would hang onto the 85mm.