Sneaking New Gear Into the House

sneha1965 · #1 09-02-2010, 12:06 PM

OK, whose done it and how did you explain your newly acquired gear? I brought a new Mesa Engineering Walkabout Scout home two days ago and I have been putting off telling the wife. I already had a amp and cab so she hasn't figured it out yet.

I know... So what do you guys do?

FL Knifemaker · #2 09-02-2010, 12:10 PM

They key is to have so much gear they cannot keep track of it. I'm always packing, shipping or recieving bass gear, Harley parts and RC heli stuff, nothing new coming in raises an eyebrow

Honk'n_down-low · #3 09-02-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

OK, whose done it and how did you explain your newly acquired gear? I brought a new Mesa Engineering Walkabout Scout home two days ago and I have been putting off telling the wife. I already had a amp and cab so she hasn't figured it out yet.

I know... So what do you guys do?

Tell her the current one is acting strange cutting out and you needed to get something until you can figure out what is wrong with it. Or just Man up and say look, I bought another Amp cause I wear the damn pants here

(on the inside). On the outside, Honey? Just wanted to let you know I got a great deal on one of the best Bass Amps made - come take a listen!

Also, when purchasing from GC you can have it shipped to the store, then pick it up and sneak it in, so know package showing up at the door. How do I know this, well, there just happens to be a new GK Cab that sprouted up in my studio yesterday, she has not even noticed it yet : ) Good Luck!

sneha1965 · #4 09-02-2010, 12:15 PM

I think my next amp/cab will be made with flamed maple and look like a piece of furniture. It will just have some speakers in it to rattle the china.

sneha1965 · #5 09-02-2010, 12:17 PM

Thanks man. Sounds like we do the same thing. I figure since about $2750 a year of my money goes to pay off her student loans, I can buy a little something here and there on the group dime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

Tell her the current one is acting strange cutting out and you needed to get something until you can figure out what is wrong with it. Or just Man up and say look, I bought another Amp cause I wear the damn pants here

(on the inside). On the outside, Honey? Just wanted to let you know I got a great deal on one of the best Bass Amps made - come take a listen!

Also, when purchasing from GC you can have it shipped to the store, then pick it up and sneak it in, so know package showing up at the door. How do I know this, well, there just happens to be a new GK Cab that sprouted up in my studio yesterday, she has not even noticed it yet : ) Good Luck!

MatticusMania · #6 09-02-2010, 12:20 PM

I dont have this problem. I buy stuff and say 'Hey babe, look what I just got!'

wee-loo wee-loo wee-loo wee-loo weeeeeeeeeeee

blendermassacre · #7 09-02-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

I dont have this problem. I buy stuff and say 'Hey babe, look what I just got!'

wee-loo wee-loo wee-loo wee-loo weeeeeeeeeeee

+1 looks like it's time to swap the wife for more gear, if you have to hide it.

I'm spoiled though. My wife books shows for out of town bands, and is the band wife. When my singer got punched in the face on tuesday, she ran to walmart right afterwords and brought back crazy glue for his glasses and a bottle of advil. She's awesome.

warwick.hoy · #8 09-02-2010, 12:27 PM

I don't know, maybe instead of being sneaky and deceptive you could actually have a conversation with your wife before you make any large purchases.

Here is how the pre gear acquisition conversations go with my wife:

Me: Can I buy this piece of gear?
Her: Yes, can I buy this piece of clothing?
Me: Yes, are we gonna be able to put food on the table?
Her: I don't know, check the bank account
Me: We have plenty of money till next payday.
Her: Do it.

Of course the conversation can go this route as well:

Me: Can I buy this piece of gear?
Her: No, we can't afford it, maybe next month.
Me: will you make me a grilled cheese sandwich?
Her: I'll get in the shower.

Phalex · #9 09-02-2010, 12:32 PM

A real man waits until his wife goes grocery shopping to sneak a new piece of gear into the house.

MatticusMania · #10 09-02-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

+1 looks like it's time to swap the wife for more gear, if you have to hide it.

I'm spoiled though. My wife books shows for out of town bands, and is the band wife. When my singer got punched in the face on tuesday, she ran to walmart right afterwords and brought back crazy glue for his glasses and a bottle of advil. She's awesome.

She certainly is awesome!

Once my roommate moves out and we have the house to ourselves again we'll do something like that again. In the month interim between roommates we let some out of town bands crash at our pad. It was a lot of fun!

sneha1965 · #11 09-02-2010, 12:45 PM

I knew this would get a rise out of someone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I don't know, maybe instead of being sneaky and deceptive you could actually have a conversation with your wife before you make any large purchases.

Here is how the pre gear acquisition conversations go with my wife:

Me: Can I buy this piece of gear?
Her: Yes, can I buy this piece of clothing?
Me: Yes, are we gonna be able to put food on the table?
Her: I don't know, check the bank account
Me: We have plenty of money till next payday.
Her: Do it.

Of course the conversation can go this route as well:

Me: Can I buy this piece of gear?
Her: No, we can't afford it, maybe next month.
Me: will you make me a grilled cheese sandwich?
Her: I'll get in the shower.

DigMe · #12 09-02-2010, 12:49 PM

It sounds more like a logical statement than a "rise"

bc

shadowtippy · #13 09-02-2010, 12:58 PM

I feel sorry for you guys. I know I will not get much sympathy for this, but my problem is more along the lines of: "Honey, I really don't need a new bass. It is 'cute' and goes with the shirt you just bought me, and another amp is not something 'we' really need right now, so, why don't we hold off for a while?" You guys have no idea how hard it is to say those things, but I am happy with what I've got (the gear, too).

warwick.hoy · #14 09-02-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

I knew this would get a rise out of someone.

"Rise" Ha, I see what you did there.

I know everyone is different but with the right kind of woman,...you can always get what you want,...even if it isn't the thing you set out to get in the first place.

PSPookie · #15 09-02-2010, 01:23 PM

If it stays in the house for more than a week without her saying anything then you're in the clear.

One strategy I heard was to make it a point to take some piece of gear with you whenever you leave the house. That way she gets used to seeing it and doesn't notice anything when you com back with something new. This works especially well if you leave the house with an empty case and come back with a full one.

Of course, I don't do either of those things. We both work hard for our money and do our best to be responsible with it. If I spent a healthy chunk of change without talking to her I think I would feel to guilty to enjoy my spoils. It can be damned inconvenient at times but I also have the peace of mind of knowing that she won't make any big purchases without talking to me first. Then again, I almost always say "yes"

Honk'n_down-low · #16 09-02-2010, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phalex

A real man waits until his wife goes grocery shopping to sneak a new piece of gear into the house.

That cab that was delivered to GC still had to come home and make it inside, and yes you are correct sir, timed exactly to coincide with the grocery shopping, unboxed, box up in the attic, Amp connected, looks like it has been there forever - LMAO!

Honk'n_down-low · #17 09-02-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sneha1965

Thanks man. Sounds like we do the same thing. I figure since about $2750 a year of my money goes to pay off her student loans, I can buy a little something here and there on the group dime.

Then you my friend are on solid ground, I have not heard a peep after she ran up $8000 on a credit card I did not know she had...

Another few tips of conflict avoidance, use Paypal when you can, I transfer money into Paypal and if I sell something the funds go into paypal and stay there for my next purchase.

GC Credit Card, paperless invoice, 12 months no interest. Purchase goes on that card, statement comes to my e-mail only, pay it off before the end of 12 months and u r Golden. If you don't like it, sell it, pay off the card or return it within 30 days. My work is done here

Phalex · #18 09-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low

That cab that was delivered to GC still had to come home and make it inside, and yes you are correct sir, timed exactly to coincide with the grocery shopping, unboxed, box up in the attic, Amp connected, looks like it has been there forever - LMAO!

mrpackerguy · #19 09-02-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

They key is to have so much gear they cannot keep track of it. I'm always packing, shipping or recieving bass gear, Harley parts and RC heli stuff, nothing new coming in raises an eyebrow

+1

D.Don · #20 09-02-2010, 02:41 PM

Easy, save your graces..

There's always something she wants, isnt there (after all, I assume you're married to a woman) ..

And short after that fancy dress, shoes or yoga equipment purchase or whatever, you simply say "Oh, I found a real bargain here (but of course it was planned since weeks or months..), I think I'll go have a look at it" - silence...

Then when you come home, she may say "but it looks just like the one you have honey", and you answer "don't they all do??" ... - silence...

D.Don