How would your friend feel if he later found out that his wife did some "creative accounting" and dropped $1000 of their money on shoes/clothes/etc. behind his back? Don't you think he'd be a
little ticked off?
Tell your friend to be a man and discuss it with his wife. If they're okay financially and can afford it, and there's no other personal reasons why he shouldn't have the rig, then it should be fine! Your friend should think thoroughly.
Does he
really need the setup? Why would his wife not be happy about spending the money? Can they really afford it? Is there any other reason why she wouldn't be happy about it?
For Example:
My Fiance let me drop $800 on my 55-02, even though she knew I could have bought a much cheaper 5 string. She also knows that I've bought all used gear, that way when I "liquidate my stock", which I most likely will have to get rid of a lot, I can resell without losing too much money. The point was, I had the money, we didn't have any outstanding bills, and we have about a year until money will be really tight (college, getting married, and babies as soon as possible!

) and I should spend and enjoy the money now. There was no real reason for me NOT to buy the 55-02, and she let me because she knew that I'd enjoy it.
Sometimes, when I see something here on Talkbass that I have GAS for, the first thing I'll do is mention to her that I saw the item and explain what it is and what it does, and then I'll say that I'd like to buy it. She'll ask, "Do you REALLY need it?" and 9/10 times I had to honestly answer no, that's that. It's really not that hard.
Husbands need to start streating their wives like wives, not like someone to "go around" and "sneak things by." Sometimes, because of stuff like this, I'm ashamed to be a male....:scowl: