So what had happened was...Rickenbacker content

[braud357]

I did some home improvements for my lady about 10 years ago, and she wanted to buy me something in gratitude. I had recently lusted after a candy apple red Jazz Bass, so she secretly ordered me a Squier Standard Model Jazz in candy apple red. I kept my "gear-snobbery" to myself, and gave it a chance. It remains my #1, and it is something I will NEVER sell. Like the old advertisements state - "it is the thought that counts !" Sorry, but I have to think that you played this one wrong !

 

[Yellow Bang66]

My 5th wedding anniversary was earlier this year. It's the wood anniversary for those keeping notes.

Anyways, my wife bought me a brand new Rickenbacker from MF. She didn't know which basses are good or bad, so she googled it and Ricks came up then she ordered one.

She wanted it to arrive on our day, but was told it is a special order, and due to the COVID-19 it wasn't going to arrive until December.

Well the bass obviously wasn't going to be ready in time to hit our anniversary, so my wife's plan was to tell me about it on our anniversary and then I'd wait for it to arrive.

So I told her, no that's ok I don't like the looks of Ricks and you can give me the money instead and I'll put it towards a nice rack EQ I have my eye on (I'm trying to get my freelance mixing and mastering gigs off the ground).

She was disappointed in that decision a little bit, but honestly I have all the basses I need and no GAS for basses right now. I'm a Leo guy anyway...p bass, j bass and musicman right now.

So am I nuts for turning down a brand new Rick?

Doh! You were lucky, I once painfully researched for gift for my SO one Xmas, after weeks of grueling shopping& investigating. I found a nice gift for her, hoping she would at least appreciate the effort, so on that morning she opens her gift ( a new Cell Phone, a suggestion from her friend)her reaction was kinda Meh. Made me really rethink our relationship! my gift was a hefty box, it felt oddly familiar, upon opening I found the same gift she gave me the year before! it was a big deluxe "day planner" (remember those!) it was nice Leather bound better than the standard issue ones, the problem was it was the exact same one she gave me the year before! I acted surprised, but it was hard to hide my disappointment(I figured she got it as a work gift,because it was the deluxe version, it had a lot of bells & whistles) only problem I already had one, "thanks" i guess its the thought or after thought, i'm not easy to shop for, but I wish it just showed some thought, especially after I had at least did a little investigating for hers! I had that i'm a big sucker feeling, not long after we broke up, good riddance,I would rather have gotten something that showed she cared, but I got a "regifted" work/company gift! You are lucky your wife thought some much of you!! I 'd apologize immediately, and cherish that bass! I have a cousin that wanted her BF to give her an expensive watch, she'd been dropping hints about it for days before her BD. He bought her a nice charm bracelet, she came to the family dinner in tears! sheesh!I thought good thing she didnt want a car or something!! some times you just can't win! Take the small victories when you can, and appreciate the ones who show they care! There isn't a more empty feeling than admiration not reciprocated!! A simple heart felt Thank you is sometimes all you want! not a kick in the pants "ill take the money!"GL I hope she can recover from this!!

 

[svlilioukalani]

I don't think what you did was a bad thing. And as in the case above, you did not drop hints. If you have good relationship with good communication she will understand. I guarantee you if you bought her a $2000 pair of shoes she don't like, they would go back. I am concerned for my fellow bass players here who can't be honest with their wife's. Choosing to lie and say you love something is not right either.

If she would have checked prior to buying it would have been better. I got a Ric that I like. I played 100 of em to find the one that felt right to me. They all have different shaped necks. They feel and play in their own unique way, and that's not everybody's bag.

 

[Fialka]

Perfect wife doesn't ex... Ah, never mind.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

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.

Saw your follow-up after I posted. Well done, glad she responded well.

 

[Chapster]

So if it's the "S", he should tell his wife he's changed his mind again, and she should just give him the money?

I see your point. I guess I meant more for informational purposes.

 

[Fishheadjoe]

My wife bought me this for my 50th b-day. I had been gassing for quite some time.
It went back as there were a number of issues with the bass. The replacement also had issues and was gone within 6 months of receiving it.
OP, I hope your RIC experience will turn out better than mine. My wife disappointed in the final outcome, but I was happy as I was able to sell the RIC easily and used that money to buy a Moon Jazz bass that is definitely a keeper.
Fishheadjoe

 

[superdick2112]

Universe tries to place beautiful new Ric bass in man's hands.
Man rejects Ric.
Man spends the rest of his days on earth wondering why he still hasn't found "The One".

Yes, you are crazy.

 

[bizzybass]

No, guys wait up a minute! If it was the wedding ring then either side would graciously put it on their finger as it's not about the type of ring it's about the symbol. Whether he's to graciously accept this bass for me would depend on their income bracket. If they were very well-off then I would at least bring it through the door and try it out and if you weren't feeling it just let her know that it's the difference between IBM an Apple. Knowing she may have spent about $2,000 on this one and again if they're not rich as far as I'm concerned this guy's decision was fine. In marriage finances are something that need to be a realistic discussion without unnecessary emotion. Lastly, I'll say this. If you guys are doing well try the Ric out, you'll love it! If it's a regular 4003 and the binding doesn't agree with your forearm then ask her if you can trade it in for an 4003s(same color she chose).
..my 2 cents

 

[TheArchitect]

My 5th wedding anniversary was earlier this year. It's the wood anniversary for those keeping notes.

Anyways, my wife bought me a brand new Rickenbacker from MF. She didn't know which basses are good or bad, so she googled it and Ricks came up then she ordered one.

She wanted it to arrive on our day, but was told it is a special order, and due to the COVID-19 it wasn't going to arrive until December.

Well the bass obviously wasn't going to be ready in time to hit our anniversary, so my wife's plan was to tell me about it on our anniversary and then I'd wait for it to arrive.

So I told her, no that's ok I don't like the looks of Ricks and you can give me the money instead and I'll put it towards a nice rack EQ I have my eye on (I'm trying to get my freelance mixing and mastering gigs off the ground).

She was disappointed in that decision a little bit, but honestly I have all the basses I need and no GAS for basses right now. I'm a Leo guy anyway...p bass, j bass and musicman right now.

So am I nuts for turning down a brand new Rick?

You are nuts for disappointing your wife..... Its not about you..... There is no going back now... bridge is crossed and burned.... Asking us about it after the fact isn't going to help you

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Bad form dude.... Buy your own frickin EQ....

 

[TheArchitect]

Anybody want to start a pool on the OP reaching a 6th anniversary?

I wouldn't take a bet on him living until Saturday

 

[MMiller28]

I believe this would qualify as a boneheaded move and it has nothing to do with the type of bass.

 

[TheArchitect]

You were nuts for not accepting a gift from your wife, regardless of what it was.

Exactly... If she gives you a flaming pile cow dung, you say thank you dear, that will look lovely on the porch!

 

[JW56789]

I can appreciate you'd rather use the money for something more in line with what you want to do.

I can appreciate what a wonderful thing it was for her to do that for you.

But above all . . . . . I learned a long time ago there are only two people who know what goes on in a marriage, and I'm not one of them, so I would not offer an opinion, and I wish both of you the best.

 

[rohi]

Wrong way to receive a gift, IMHO.

 

[franvarin]

Here's a read for you...my personal experience:

The Rickenbacker Club Part Twelve

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

facepalm

 

[primussucks9126]

My (ex) girlfriend once bought me hazelnut filled chocolates. I'm allergic to nuts (she knew). I guess I should've eaten them and smiled while I broke out in hives and puked my brains out. I guess that's why it didn't work out.

 

[Altitude]

Spectacular mistake.

This has nothing to do with whether you like Rickenbacker basses or how much you need an equalizer. This kind of thoughtfulness in gift-giving should never under any circumstances be spurned. Certainly not with a spouse.

You aren't nuts for turning down a brand new Rick - you're nuts because or how you mishandled a sensitive situation with your wife.