Help! Been offered a gift by my employer. - Page 3

paradog · #41 12-14-2012, 04:47 AM

First - It's great to be apprechiated and your boss must really like having you around!

Second - You could always ask him if you could go to CHicago and get a Lakland! (shameless plug for something I can't afford!)

Seriously though, I have no advice for you. Enjoy the moment!

northernmonkey · #42 12-14-2012, 04:49 AM

This...

Quote:

Originally Posted by neebs

I think you should stay, tell him "I don't play guitar but play bass. But I do appreciate the gesture. And I would be honored to receive a gift like that."

If he sees you as worth keeping, he likely sees you worth getting a gift of that expense.

Let him make the call, this way you won't offend

SoVeryTired · #43 12-14-2012, 06:19 AM

I'd say something, or it's going to be embarrassing when the boss asks to hear a tune on your new guitar...

johnson79 · #44 12-14-2012, 07:07 AM

I think the gentlemanly thing to do is accept his gift, which is clearly more than just "buying a guitar" for you. This sounds like he is putting some serious personal thought into this (aside form the fact they don't have basses). If he wanted to he could have just given you a gift card to GC.

Selling the instrument off while you are employed there would be very shady.

DWBass · #45 12-14-2012, 08:37 AM

I thought they made Les Paul style basses? Have them spec out an all white one with gold hardware.

placedesjardins · #46 12-14-2012, 09:07 AM

Just quit and go with the other company.
You do not owe him your life just because he wants to offer you a gift you don't even want.

DwaynieAD · #47 12-14-2012, 09:12 AM

I never get this. "what should I tell him?" people are always asking that.

here's a new one. try the truth.

kbakerde · #48 12-14-2012, 09:17 AM

Ok, it pays to read through all the messages. So you put in your notice to move to another company for whatever reason. In the interim, the company you work for gave you the promotion, money, recognition, or appreciation you were looking for. Long story short, you decided it was in your best interests to stay with your current employer.

On top of all else, the owner of your company has offered you a gift which boils down to time with your ultimate boss, a trip that he felt you would enjoy, and a custom made memento in the form of a fully custom made acoustic guitar.

So first off, I would NOT suggest passing up a weekend with the boss. He is trying to show you what you mean to him because of what you mean to his company. Let's face it, you have a skill that makes him money, he wants to say thank you and I appreciate you.

Step one - Go on the tour with him. This is actually a pretty rare opportunity for a layman to get a intimate personalized tour of a Gibson facility, very cool.

Step two - Make your custom guitar. Make it nice to look at, ask the guys questions if you don't know what you would want in an acoustic. Don't go crazy on specials, custom is Ok, personalized is not.

Step three - accept the acoustic graciously and say thank you.

I would not suggest selling the guitar, at least not until one or both of you leave said company for some reason. As long as it isn't too personalized (like your name inlayed into the fretboard) it will hold a pretty high value, certainly higher than you personal paid for it (see $0).

Another option, see if they can make you an acoustic bass guitar. At least ask.

kenny ames · #49 12-14-2012, 09:24 AM

Show your boss this thread. Shows that you're trying to do the right thing by him AND being true to yourself. Honesty and openness I find work wonders.

preside · #50 12-14-2012, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheEmptyCell

Tell him to donate money to people that actually need it, because clearly this asshat doesn't.

If you don't like your job, and know theres one out there you'd be happier at, why would you let a f***ing bass guitar tell you to stay at a job you're displeased with?

Sounds like greed all around, sorry dude.

Asshat?? Greed all around?? What are you on?

placedesjardins · #51 12-14-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbakerde

Another option, see if they can make you an acoustic bass guitar. At least ask.

Interesting.
Since it's the Gibson custom acoustic guitar factory with all the tools and equipment to make a guitar, they could make an electric bass guitar if you think about it.

We all know, or at least most of us, see that in the Luthier's section, making a bass requires guitar-making carpentry tools that could also be used to make an electric guitar or acoustic guitar.

funkinbottom · #52 12-14-2012, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbakerde

Another option, see if they can make you an acoustic bass guitar. At least ask.

That ^

**mjac28** · #53 12-14-2012, 09:47 AM

I don't see wasting his time and money getting you something you don't want if your skill is so specialized you have people almost fighting over you I don't think you're going to get fired? I don't understand why you didn't say at the very beginning " That's really nice I'd love the tour but I really play bass so I'll skip getting the guitar made but thank you that is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me" I think it's silly to take something very expensive that you really don't want and you already said you don't want to get it and sell it so that option is out and if you are talking here chances you will be talking at work as well and the boss will find out and you will be embarrassed and he will surely loose trust in you I know I would.

DigitalMan · #54 12-14-2012, 09:49 AM

This is cut and dry. Move on.

Statistics show that the average length of employment for someone who declares their intention to leave and are convinced to stay on is nine months.

Most of the time, that nine month period ends at the choice of the employer. You may be hard to replace. But from this day forward your employer will be looking to do just that.

sacobass · #55 12-14-2012, 09:50 AM

Take the tour, say THANKS and spend some time learning to play the acoustic. Good bass players are so underrated as it is. I believe we gain respect and can communicate better through knowledge and familiarity of other instruments.

I would order a J-45 or an L-1 (Robert Johnson signature). They both have a shorter scale (i.e. looser string action) so it would be "more like a bass"(which I say with a huge amount of hesitation) and they would both sell very easily because they are highly desirable guitars. They are also more appealing to look at. The jumbos and hummingbirds look a little over the top; more aesthetics than practicality.

wolfmancharlie · #56 12-14-2012, 10:09 AM

Just use common sence. DO NOT show him this thread.Go on the factory tour with your boss.Enjoy the fact that few get this chance. Im sure there is or will be an acoustic there that will speak to you.,Except the gift. There will be a time when you may want to learn or play a top level instrument and expand your love of music. Why would you do anything else? Do not sell it to get yet another bass. Some day down the road a close relitive may be given a wonderful gift if you truly never try to love ii yourself.

Wyattsgroove · #57 12-14-2012, 10:44 AM

I would like to thank everyone for your input.
I'm gonna get the guitar and see where that goes. I do have a few really nice fenders that I can play and do. I'm a bassist at heart though and always will be.
As far as them getting rid of me in nine months? I don't think so. Why would they invest so heavily into me with schooling, better management training, and then there are the other Percs. The guitar is coming by way of a private individual as a gift for a job that I've done and continue to do making products that no other company in my field will even touch.
We have already discussed "gifting" so I'm safe from taxes.
My line of work is highly specialized and unfortunately if you have the skill to do what I do, you are a hot commodity. I backed out of the deal with the other company only because of issues with the wife, and after reading the news in that area it became evident that a border town in texas is not the place I want to move my family to right now.

So, I'll get me a nice Gibson, nothing to personal, and perhaps one day down the road I may sell it or trade it off on a bass. I'm not ungrateful, nor do I want to insult a person who on a whim, offered me something out of the ordinary, as gesture of thanks for a job well done.

Again I'd like to thank everyone and posting this has helped me make the final decision.

Hi ho its off to Montana I go!

Peace.
WG.

HolmeBass · #58 12-14-2012, 11:08 AM

I think you'll learn to enjoy plinking around on a guitar, especially a really nice one that sounds great, is pretty easy to play, and looks beautiful.

AltGrendel · #59 12-14-2012, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyattsgroove

In short he says that in appreciation of the job I've done he wants to take me to the Gibson plant in Bozeman and build to my specs anything I want.

So ask if they can make an Acoustic Bass Guitar. Gosh, even if it sucks, you'll have a one-of-a-kind Gibson bass. Who can say that?

Also, we're presuming that they wouldn't build a solid body, if you don't ask you'll never know what the limits are.

Buster Brown · #60 12-14-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by preside

Asshat?? Greed all around?? What are you on?

My thoughts exactly. I have worked and "toiled" if you will, since I was 14. NEVER in all my time on this earth (now in my 60s) have I EVER had an employer as nice as this gentleman seemingly is. Never once, and I have worked for really, good and decent individuals.

Apparently, this "greed" thing that is being propagandized about so much lately includes even those who are generous with their money....

Lordy, Lordy.....