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[mat666]

Again it all comes down to $$$.

What is your position in the relationship? Is it a longer term relation? Do you have your own income? I feel like if he's stressing about saving for a dishwasher it means you guys don't have much money to throw away. (you already have a bass)

What I would do is deal the bass for dishwashing most of the time while saving for the dishwasher or something like that. What your asking is not unreasonable (you're not acting like a princess) it depends on how much he wants you to be happy

 

[3rdpath]

i bought a washburn ab-20 acoustic bass in 92 and for 15 years it was my main writing, couching, recording and touring bass. it was my 2nd bass and i probably made more return on investment on that puppy than any other piece of gear i've ever owned. so no need to think of an inexpensive second bass as a throwaway purchase. as others have said, ABs are not loud enough to be heard over most acoustic guitars but there is something magical about their tone and resonance. as with all GAS, maybe give it a couple of days and see how you feel ( both musically and financially ).

 

[pcake]

hey, it's all about priorities. ours are clear - our dishwasher pretty much works. it's old, it was crappy new (it came with the condo when we bought it), and yeah - we could use a newer one. we also bought the cheapest fridge possible (which turns out to need warranty repair and is noisy), but at least my husband was able to get his randy rhoads V and i was able to get my SR500, bronco 40 and my 5 string RB

That does indeed sound like a reasonable compromise. Almost *too* reasonable for TB

FWIW, I'm the bass player in my family. My wife is a guitarist (and is so many levels above where I am with the bass that it shames me), but that's pretty much what we do. We've been putting money aside for both a new fridge for the house, and a new PRS custom for her. That we'll be getting both at essentially the same time when all is said and done makes it even better.

sounds good to me

 

[vmabus]

O.K., try this:
get the bass, get a battery-powered amp, raise money for the dishwasher by bass-busking!

 

[Shaunpski]

Save for dishwasher. Buy dishwasher. Save for bass. Buy bass. "Need" is a subjective term anyway. While you're saving/waiting for the acoustic bass (the anticipation is half the fun anyway), you might just decide you need a P Bass instead. Good luck!

 

[Muddslide]

How much for that cat with the bow tie? and would you have any objection to changing the cat's name to Mr Worthington A. Peabottom III

I'm fond of Buttoxly Smythe-Hyphen-Blitherington VI.

Rolls off the tongue.

 

[friendlybass]

Want it? Check
Bass is available? Check
Got the Cash? Eh?
Check all three then buy it.

 

[JollySpudd]

So do I need an acoustic bass?

I got one used last year, I've only gigged with it once, but for enjoyment and personal practice, I play it constantly unplugged - I'm so glad I have it; only paid $100 - an Ovation Celebrity.

If you love it, save your pennies, as well as consider keeping an eye out for used ones. For a while I saw several of your Ibanez model on local craigslist for $200 or less, but they went fast.

It seems a few players go through the same feelings and usage, getting one for the vibe, but end up not using them as much as their electrics, so they sell - But, to me, it's a different tool, love it for late night play and 1-on-1 acoustic guitar / bass rehearsal and jamming, even just using a tiny amp to boost the unplugged volume a shade - they're typically not super loud unplugged - but that's something I like about it for personal practice.

yes, it is a different instrument; you have to meet them on their own terms - sounds like you already have, from your affection for the Ibanez Groovy

 

[joshuasanders]

My wife and I have an agreement . . . my guitar collection is not allowed to go into double digits . . . so, a Steinberger XL-2A, a Hohner Steinberger Copy (for gigging when taking the Steinberger is not advised), a Hohner Steinberger fretless copy, a Fender P, a German-made Warwick Corvette (fretless), a Gibson SG guitar, a Gibson Acoustic guitar, a Taylor Acoustic guitar, and my deceased father-in-law's old Cortez acoustic. They all have their differences and their unique pleasures when playing. Our compromise is that, if I want something else, I have to sell one of the "herd" (with the exception of the Cortez and Steinberger as they have lots of sentimental value). So, our compromise is a total of nine instruments . . . Work something out with your husband, but, I send what has already been said . . .

Buy what inspires you to happily play more.

 

[Humbled]

...In other news, I told him about it when I got home and he says "saving for a dishwasher is our first priority right now." But, see, I could just serenade him with my beautiful new bass while he hand washes the dishes. I think that's a wonderful idea...

It's a great opportunity to work on your sales skills. I don't want to tell "uphill-in-the-snow" stories, but there wasn't a dishwasher-machine in my house until I was over 40 years old.

IMO, When you're young, It's MUCH more important to convince those around you that having "a-playing-and-a-singing" in your house is not only good or great, but really Absolutely Essential.

That's how we rolled at Chez-Humbled, anyhoo...

Follow your dreams, drag everyone else along with you, and never say no to an opportunity to make better music...

 

[Blueinred]

You need to do the old "bait-n-switch"on your man. Go to any store carrying luxury goods (jewelry, designer clothes/accessories), fall in love with something, and then tell him you can't decide whether to get the $800 (fill in the blank) or the $400 acoustic. If he brings up the dishwasher, tell him you'll do the dishes until you can afford the dishwasher after getting luxury item or bass. And then re-ask him which you should get and most likely he will pick the less expensive item, and viola!, NBD!

I have an ABG I bought in '97 (Alvarez) and I play it way more than any of my three electrics just because it's always sitting right there all the time. It doesn't offend anyone because it sounds good but is low volume. You will improve your chops just by grabbing it during commercials on TV, and playing along with the commercial tunes, in 2 minute intervals. And if it's a decently made bass, it will last a long time. He, hopefully, will get enthused watching you get better. (In full disclosure, I think automatic dishwashers are over rated and haven't had one in over 20 years. Truth) Your ABG will NEVER leak water all over the floor, either. That bass is WAY more life enriching than any damn dishwasher, and when you finally have both, the one really worthwhile advantage of the dishwasher is in getting a few more minutes to play your bass!

 

[Forty-Thirty]

You allow your husband veto power? What sort of crazy, upside-down world is this?

You stand over that man with a riding crop. Give him a taste of it now and then if need be, to underscore your point.

Then tell him how it's gonna be like you are THE BOSS, and tell him to get in the kitchen and make you dinner. Then make him clean up after while you enjoy your new acoustic bass.

I have some veto power on him, too. And if I want to eat well (and I do), I had better keep doing the cooking. That's why he does the dishes--I cook, he cleans up. We have a deal.

 

[Forty-Thirty]

How much for that cat with the bow tie?

I wouldn't take a million dollars for him. He is my best buddy. His brother from another mother, though...

 

[Forty-Thirty]

Ok, y'all: you're amazing! I knew you could help! A combination of your posts has given me my hook!

See, the husband and I are doing a long-distance thing right now while he finishes his PhD. We swap weekends visiting. When I travel up there, it's so hard to lug Charlie (the Jag) and my amp out of the house, into the car, out of the car, up the stairs, and into the apartment, and then over again two days later. But I don't want to lose that practice time. THIS CAN BE MY TRAVEL BASS!! Perfect!

This one really did speak to me. I am excited about the different sounds and playing styles it'll give, but I think the above will be more compelling for negotiation purposes. If we had all the money in the world, he'd not hesitate in saying "get it!", but we are running two households at the moment so we have two sets of bills.

Thanks for making me feel like I deserve to have it, too.

On a slightly tangential note, is there a "Pets of TB" thread anywhere? I'm so enjoying seeing everyone's cats!

 

[wintremute]

See, the husband and I are doing a long-distance thing right now while he finishes his PhD. We swap weekends visiting. When I travel up there, it's so hard to lug Charlie (the Jag) and my amp out of the house, into the car, out of the car, up the stairs, and into the apartment, and then over again two days later. But I don't want to lose that practice time. THIS CAN BE MY TRAVEL BASS!! Perfect!

Good angle!

 

[avocado]

Joking aside, I went through some serious ABG GAS when I started playing folk/Americana/bluegrass with some folks that I'd previously played punk/hardcore with. It just felt really lame to be the only one who had to plug in, and also limited informal campfire/busking/just hanging around situations.

However, the ABGs in my budget couldn't hold a candle to the volume of a single acoustic guitar, let alone louder instruments like banjos or violins/fiddles (let's table that distinction for the moment). I hear there are some that are louder, but they're rather more expensive.

In the end, I ended up getting a student-level upright, which was something I'd always been interested in anyway. This came with a steep learning curve, but satisfied the volume issue and allowed use of a bow when appropriate. That doesn't exactly help your transport issue, though... an upright takes up much, much more space than a bass guitar and small amp.

However! If I wanted a bass to play at living-room volumes with one or (at most) two musicians who are conscientious about their own loudness, an ABG would be a good move, and they have their own timbres, which can be appealing.

The household budget issue is a real part of life for any non-wealthy musician who also enjoys being sharing a life with someone they love. No need to feel band about it. Since this particular instrument really speaks to you, I would try to prioritize getting it as soon as possible, and working out a savings plan that makes sense for everyone. Speaking from experience, if you have items in your budget that are creature-comfort for you but not strictly necessary, making plans to cut those is a good-faith statement that buying the larger item is important.