You wouldn't get in the majority of places that I frequent wearing that!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
So what had happened was...Rickenbacker content
- Thread starter JZQuantum
- Start date
I played a late 60s P-bass for about 10 years when little things started to bother me: the weight, the way it hung on my shoulder and its lack of sonic flexibility. I got rid of it, got a new '79 4001 (viewable in the photo to the left) and I'm still playing it. I have other basses, but the Ric has far and away the most playing time of all my instruments. You'll love its punch and its perfect balance between lows and highs. And - - let's face it -- they look really cool.
These types of threads make me want to not renew my supporting membership TBH. Also, shouldn’t this be tucked away in some other actual topic (miscellaneous? off topic?)
Eesh that hurt my feelings and I don’t even really care.
“oh no honey I don’t want that thoughtful order. You can give me money instead” Can give you money? You’re allowing her to give you money out of the goodness of your heart.
What did you get her? Did she tell you she doesn’t like it and wants you to return it and give her money instead?
That said I do think of a certain Bob Newhart episode where his wife bought him a Rolex he didn’t like when he’d been dropping hints that he wanted a piano.
His main reply was “but I could’ve. I could’ve got a piano. “
I can see not wanting your wife to spend so much money on something you must hate. What a thoughtful extravagant gift she selected for you!!! But perhaps the execution was a little off. Make sure she knows you appreciate that and how grateful you are she would do that.
Here’s how it probably went in your wife’s head:
“Kids my wonderful wife, your mother, gave this bass to me Back on our 5th anniversary and it’s been a source of joy in our relationship since. Someday it will be yours.”
how it now goes: “kids, I Bought that rack eq myself. Your mother bought Me a Brand new USA made bass I promptly rejected, and The. I asked her for money. With that money I bought this EQ. She doesn’t care about it, never sees it in the rack and couldn’t tell it from the other rack gear if she wanted. But every time she sees ANY rack gear she remembers our 5th anniversary and what I did.”
“oh no honey I don’t want that thoughtful order. You can give me money instead” Can give you money? You’re allowing her to give you money out of the goodness of your heart.
What did you get her? Did she tell you she doesn’t like it and wants you to return it and give her money instead?
That said I do think of a certain Bob Newhart episode where his wife bought him a Rolex he didn’t like when he’d been dropping hints that he wanted a piano.
His main reply was “but I could’ve. I could’ve got a piano. “
I can see not wanting your wife to spend so much money on something you must hate. What a thoughtful extravagant gift she selected for you!!! But perhaps the execution was a little off. Make sure she knows you appreciate that and how grateful you are she would do that.
Here’s how it probably went in your wife’s head:
“Kids my wonderful wife, your mother, gave this bass to me Back on our 5th anniversary and it’s been a source of joy in our relationship since. Someday it will be yours.”
how it now goes: “kids, I Bought that rack eq myself. Your mother bought Me a Brand new USA made bass I promptly rejected, and The. I asked her for money. With that money I bought this EQ. She doesn’t care about it, never sees it in the rack and couldn’t tell it from the other rack gear if she wanted. But every time she sees ANY rack gear she remembers our 5th anniversary and what I did.”
Last edited:
If I were your wife, I'd be asking for a divorce
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Tell your wife you took a look at the photo and love how it looks, thought about it and can wait to get it, that you were just worried about her spending so much. Thank her.
She obviously thought this would be perfect. Telling her you would prefer the money probably hurt her. Tread lightly.
IMHO.
She obviously thought this would be perfect. Telling her you would prefer the money probably hurt her. Tread lightly.
IMHO.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I like how the OP said "she was disappointed a little bit". That's just what you saw, and I'll bet my not-quite-brand-new Rickenbacker that she was wayyyy more disappointed than she let on.
In all seriousness though dude, just take the bass. I know you said you don't like the looks (which is your personal opinion obviously, and I personally feel that your opinion belongs in the unpopular opinions section of Reddit), but just play the damn thing and you may end up really liking it, which would be your saving grace, relationship-wise. If she sees that you play it and warm up to it, you may be redeemed.
In all seriousness though dude, just take the bass. I know you said you don't like the looks (which is your personal opinion obviously, and I personally feel that your opinion belongs in the unpopular opinions section of Reddit), but just play the damn thing and you may end up really liking it, which would be your saving grace, relationship-wise. If she sees that you play it and warm up to it, you may be redeemed.
Anybody want to start a pool on the OP reaching a 6th anniversary? 
I wouldn't have returned it. It's a thoughtful gift
I've pondered this for a while, mulling over the pros and cons of your position. I've studied the emotional content that will result. I've run it by the smartest people I know. I've dug deep into the psychology of human interaction. I've meditated over it. I've now developed my theory on the matter.
You are insane.
You are insane.
Divorce papers are a type of wood.
Man, what a tough-love crowd...I didn't expect this response. It's cool! 
I'll rethink my decision...it's just that I am trying to get my mixing and mastering work seriously off the ground and she supports me on that too by letting me work crazy hours on clients work. This looked like an opportunity to get studio gear that I'll actually use for clients right now. I'll definitely rethink my decision on that bass.
Honestly, I forgot that Ricks are stereo, that might come in handy.
And we do have a very strong relationship, we both tell it like it is with each other good and bad. We are equals in that way. For example, I bought her some stupidly expensive makeup brushes...I mean movie star expensive...and she said she didn't like them. So I returned them and got her something else. No problem for me. I was glad I got her something she'll actually use instead of keeping in her drawer and not ever using them.
Don't take my remarks as defensive...I appreciate everyone's feedback, really.
I'll rethink my decision...it's just that I am trying to get my mixing and mastering work seriously off the ground and she supports me on that too by letting me work crazy hours on clients work. This looked like an opportunity to get studio gear that I'll actually use for clients right now. I'll definitely rethink my decision on that bass.
Honestly, I forgot that Ricks are stereo, that might come in handy.
And we do have a very strong relationship, we both tell it like it is with each other good and bad. We are equals in that way. For example, I bought her some stupidly expensive makeup brushes...I mean movie star expensive...and she said she didn't like them. So I returned them and got her something else. No problem for me. I was glad I got her something she'll actually use instead of keeping in her drawer and not ever using them.
Don't take my remarks as defensive...I appreciate everyone's feedback, really.
Wow, coolMan, what a tough-love crowd...I didn't expect this response. It's cool!
I'll rethink my decision...it's just that I am trying to get my mixing and mastering work seriously off the ground and she supports me on that too by letting me work crazy hours on clients work. This looked like an opportunity to get studio gear that I'll actually use for clients right now. I'll definitely rethink my decision on that bass.
Honestly, I forgot that Ricks are stereo, that might come in handy.
And we do have a very strong relationship, we both tell it like it is with each other good and bad. We are equals in that way. For example, I bought her some stupidly expensive makeup brushes...I mean movie star expensive...and she said she didn't like them. So I returned them and got her something else. No problem for me. I was glad I got her something she'll actually use instead of keeping in her drawer and not ever using them.
Don't take my remarks as defensive...I appreciate everyone's feedback, really.
I think discretion is the better part of valor in situations like this. I, personally, would never turn down a gift from my SO knowing she always puts a lot of thought into it. In your wife’s case I think she’s trying to show you she supports your interest and cares about your dream. (Crazy little thing called love, y’know?) Turning down a gift like hers could easily be taken as a rebuff - as in: “don’t try to involve yourself in something you know little or nothing about.”
It’s true you could also flip it later and use the cash for something you wanted or needed more. However that wouldn’t be an option for me since I’d never consider selling anything my SO bought for me.
But this is all just me. Your relationship may well be different.
FWIW I ran your post past Alex my SO for some gender vetting. She just looked at me and handed back my phone. (She has a extensive vocabulary of looks.) I won’t bother to translate her response. But it wasn’t complimentary. So…that’s all she wrote.
Luck.
It’s true you could also flip it later and use the cash for something you wanted or needed more. However that wouldn’t be an option for me since I’d never consider selling anything my SO bought for me.
But this is all just me. Your relationship may well be different.
FWIW I ran your post past Alex my SO for some gender vetting. She just looked at me and handed back my phone. (She has a extensive vocabulary of looks.) I won’t bother to translate her response. But it wasn’t complimentary. So…that’s all she wrote.
Luck.
I think the #1 Rule of gift-giving, especially regarding anything expensive, is that the handing over of the gift is immediately preceded or followed by, "Of course, if you don't like it, or there's something else you'd rather have, feel free to exchange it." I would feel terrible if I someone kept an expensive gift that they didn't like just to avoid hurting my feelings.
You all will be happy to know (or maybe don't care ) that I went ahead and told her I want the Rick. She smiled and said ok. I've never played one before in my 25 years on the bass, or even heard one live. I took a listen on YT and it is a sound I can use in my songs. The stereo output may come in handy for the studio too. Appreciate the replies from you guys.
) that I went ahead and told her I want the Rick. She smiled and said ok. I've never played one before in my 25 years on the bass, or even heard one live. I took a listen on YT and it is a sound I can use in my songs. The stereo output may come in handy for the studio too. Appreciate the replies from you guys.
Good Luck!You all will be happy to know (or maybe don't care
