My Wife Poses the Ultimate Question

[cnltb]

My Wife Poses the Ultimate Question
You mean the popular but irrelevant question, surely?
MY take: You got the money, you got the space you got the Gas you go buy whatever you want to buy.

 

[herndonbassist]

I haven't read all of the posts, so my comment may be redundant at this point but:

I've been with my wife for 26 years, and we have never (really) had an argument about money. I should note that we started with barely enough money to survive on Top Ramen and saltines. That said, I was recently faced with the exact same question, and my response was "Well, of course I don't NEED another bass, but simply put I WANT another bass, and we have the money right now, so why not." I think my honesty went a long way, she is VERY aware that I will gladly sell anything I own if she or our kids need ANYTHING and we don't have the money... I hesitate calling them investments, but they kinda are if you can get close to what you paid for them at a later date.

*edit* I should add that we have always pooled our money, and don't really approach spending with needing permission as much as discussing big purchase timing.

Just my $.02

 

[GoesThump]

I never ask permission. My cash, my rules.

With her money, her rules. She buys what she likes, I buy what I like, bills are paid, no hassles for either of us. Joint things for the house we discuss & split. And no, we're not loaded either, both of us are responsible with money. As a result, we never argue about it.

So I recommend answering the question with a question : "Why do you ask? What are you really concerned about?" Perhaps there's a deeper reason at work here.


Then again, my wife has encouraged me to buy at times, so perhaps I'm no help here. I think she was more enthusiastic about me buying a Ric 3000 a few years back than I was.

Yeah, she's that good.

GT

 

[groooooove]

we don't "need" anything. food and shelter.

if you can afford, and want something, and decide it's worth it, you certainly can buy it - but defending anything as a need is kind of odd in a way - that being said, i make a living with my instruments, so in some cases i do "need" things. but in reality, even as a professional, your "need" is often not as glamorous as your "want."

nobody needs a $12,000 rolex that will never (ever) challenge the accuracy of a $100 G shock, never mind your smartphone - but they're beautiful items that people decide are worth it. that's okay isint it?

 

[wizerd]

Basses are cheaper than therapy. Best of luck in your quest.

 

[murmur70]

I have decided I need to be satisfied with what I have. I am trying not to get sucked in the materialistic culture we live in. I am not saying I will never buy another bass but I don't think constantly looking for and desiring the next "thing" is good for my soul.

FYI, I am not trying to impose my thoughts on anyone else. This is just where I am.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

My favorite meme of all time!!

 

[basscapes]

So after several purchases over the past 18 months, my wife finally said those words that we all really dread, "Do you REALLY NEED another bass?" Now I know this is a running joke for those of us with chronic GAS, but now I actually have to defend myself with a foolproof response (I am in the process of ordering a custom made J-Bass). I am seeking the ultimate stone cold, show stopping, mic drop answer to this question. I like creativity and thoughtfulness with perhaps a sense of humor.

SOOOOOO TBers, lets have it

 

[basscapes]

I am of no help either! I have a P-bass and a Yamaha with J-style PUPS. They both cover a LOT of sonic territory, but I still ultimately want a 70's era J-bass.

Sorry. I'm in the "just one more" camp...

 

[Antman3820]

I usually respond with "Choose one pair of the 80+ pairs of shoes you have...."

 

[Phil508]

1. Ask her how many shoes she has, you can only wear one pair at a time. If you survive that go to #2

2. Start high like $5k and when you find one for $500-$1000 , she will breathe a sigh of relief.

3. If that doesn't work start buying LeVian Diamonds (Or equivalent) but not right after the bass purchase, get them at different intervals (and get at least 50% off). I'm on the 3rd ring, but I also spent $30k on basses and gear in the last 3 years. (also because I have a day job that allows me too).

4. Finally if none of that works , re-evaluate your need of a new Bass or keeping your Wife.

5. Just remember Happy Wife, Happy life.

 

[dbase]

i tell her... life is short, Id like to play thru a Mesa tube amp before I die. she says, your not going to die. she now wants to replace both bathroom marble vanities and faucets. nows my chance to challange her with the cost. Ill agree if i can get my Mesa... fight fire with fire.

 

[iiipopes]

If you are a gigging musician, instruments are your tools. Would the OP's wife ask the same question if he were an auto mechanic purchasing a new tool to work on a new model of automobile serviced by the shop? Even though music is my avocation, not my vocation, every one of my instruments has earned its keep with gigs. If an instrument does not, no matter what it is, it gets sold. It is essentially a business cost/benefit analysis. I admit that over the decades I have had the opportunity to acquire some nice instruments that helped me get gigs.

OTOH, if a person is merely a hobbyist, albeit a good hobbyist, then it becomes an issue of disposable income that the OP's wife should have input on as an equal member of the household.

 

[Big Hoss]

So after several purchases over the past 18 months, my wife finally said those words that we all really dread, "Do you REALLY NEED another bass?" Now I know this is a running joke for those of us with chronic GAS, but now I actually have to defend myself with a foolproof response (I am in the process of ordering a custom made J-Bass). I am seeking the ultimate stone cold, show stopping, mic drop answer to this question. I like creativity and thoughtfulness with perhaps a sense of humor.

SOOOOOO TBers, lets have it

You probably don't "need" another bass, but need isn't the question. If the purchase doesn't negatively impact the family budget, and responsibilities, why would it be a problem?

 

[madbass6]

So after several purchases over the past 18 months, my wife finally said those words that we all really dread, "Do you REALLY NEED another bass?" Now I know this is a running joke for those of us with chronic GAS, but now I actually have to defend myself with a foolproof response (I am in the process of ordering a custom made J-Bass). I am seeking the ultimate stone cold, show stopping, mic drop answer to this question. I like creativity and thoughtfulness with perhaps a sense of humor.

SOOOOOO TBers, lets have it

yes I do honey,
& the good news for you is , now you know what to get me for my ? (you fill in the blank)

 

[Liam Wald]

I think that your wife is probably right. If you have more than two basses you probably don't really need another one.
One the other hand, need and want are two entirely different things.
There is nothing wrong with satisfying a desire unless you don't really have the money to be self indulgent.

 

[john_g]

"You're right honey. I don't need another bass. I've been thinking of getting a motorcycle instead".

Or, a sister wife...or two. Bah, Im lucky to have one. Anyhoo, i usually say, "do you need another pair of shoes or purse or dress...did I mention you are more beautiful now than when I married you?"

 

[QweziRider]

So what's this quilting machine? .... How much are they? Maybe I should be encouraging so me getting yet another bass or guitar will only seem fair...

Oh, it can be a worse rabbit hole to run down than basses. This is the one she got. Like getting your favourite bass (you'll always be happy with the best quality tool)...or ten of them. You could buy the small corner of a local music store and still be on the side of fair.

They do go down in size, price, quality. But then she'd be grumbling about making full sized quilts in her lap.

 

[QweziRider]

My wife has a high end sewing machine, a quilting machine and a serger (wharever the hell that is).

I think our wives are keeping the sewing appliance industry afloat.

 

[Vooter]

I don't question what she buys, and she doesn't question what I buy. We also have separate bank accounts when it comes to almost everything except our retirement accounts. It's worked for a couple of decades...