So what had happened was...Rickenbacker content

[bassstrangler]

This one. Definitely this one. GOODBYE FOREVER

You’ll be missed!

 

[Phil508]

That fact that you're asking here , answers your own question. Hows that shed?

 

[diegom]

Do you realize the kinds of things you could've received for a "Wood" Anniversary? A Ric is above and beyond!!

Just curiosity, what did you get for her?

 

[JoshS]

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.

Reminds me of a story early on in dating my wife. I hate mustard. Cannot stand it. She knew this. But, in college, wanted to make this nice meal with honey mustard. (Edit: She didn't think it would extend to honey-mustard. absolutely does). As she tells the story now, it was one bite and I was gagging. It thought I held it together a little better than that, but that's her perception 20+ years later.

Which might make me a hypocrite here...

Good suggestion. After our talk on this, she showed me all of the bass brands she considered. She knows I currently own Peavey, Fender, MusicMan and I make my own Warmoths so to her, those brands were out of consideration. I told her which ones I liked from her list and ones I didn't. TBH, it's difficult to give her an answer about which bass I would buy for myself right now because for once in my 25 years on bass I'm actually satisfied with my current lineup and have been for about 1.5 - 2 years. So it kinda feels like eating 4 meals in a day when you only hunger for 3.

I love Rics. Own several. My wife was gracious enough to let me buy 2 of those mentioned. She knows I love Rics. So there's that caveat. There are things I probably need worse than a new bass. I don't know which bass right now I'd dislike or have no need for, but if she did the research, I'd be stoked by the gift enough to try and keep it and play it forever.

I'd be curious what her taste is truthfully. Closest I can say is her initial reaction to the pearloid PG on the Geddy was not positive, and when I suggested wanting one of those Rics, she suggested FG. That would've been my last choice. Now I love it. It grew on me, but I'm pretty sure she's the reason it did. And, it is classic Ric even though I prefer "wood" myself.

Happy Anniversary. I know I've made a lot worse mistakes than you just did, but somehow coming up on 18 here soon. (I'm very lucky!)

 

[lfmn16]

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

No, but it's hard to imagine a more offensive way of reacting to the gift.

 

[diegom]

Reminds me of a story early on in dating my wife. I hate mustard. Cannot stand it. She knew this. But, in college, wanted to make this nice meal with honey mustard. (Edit: She didn't think it would extend to honey-mustard. absolutely does).

Does it extend to a Mustard-Glo ric???

 

[M.R. Ogle]

I was going to write my response to the OP... but, it's un-necessary seven pages in... you've been sufficiently ROASTED for your reaction.
And you did the right thing accepting it.

 

[fishdreams]

My wife gave me a Danelectro Longhorn. Def. not a bass I play everyday. It's great for certain things though, and I play it sometimes, and always am reminded when I do that she gave it to me. It's on the no-sell list.

 

[Element Zero]

Rics are terribly unattractive and are near the most uncomfortable basses I’ve ever played. But that slightly overdriven tone is the stuff dreams are made of. I voted NO you’re not crazy. I’m a bit biased because my wife is also a player so she understands... to an extent.

 

[dangevans]

Take it! They are pretty versatile basses if you know what you are doing with them.

 

[TrevorR]

I bet your wife was super excited that she had come up with such a great idea for your 5th anniversary.
I'm thinking you probably should have loved it (at least for a while) and they maybe down the road "thinned the herd" so to speak.

Yup, think about what just happened from your wife’s POV, @JZQuantum . She knows there’s a special anniversary coming up and wants to organise a REALLY special surprise for you. Something really, really special and YOU that will touch your heart and melt your soul. Then she plans and organises the big surprise all by herself (hoping, hoping hoping that she’s really found the perfect thing) to make sure that it’s ready for the big day, shelling out a couple of grand in the process because, frankly you’re such a great hubby and in her eyes you’re worth it... And then the entire planet conspires to completely mess up her carefully worked out plan to give you an amazing treat.

How does that make her feel?

So she tells you “Here’s what I had planned... but now it won’t arrive until Christmas”. What’s the thing she hopes to hear from your mouth?... “Oh sweetheart that is just so wonderful. I can’t believe that you’d do that for me... I love you soooo much. And, hey don’t worry about the delay let’s just say it will make the most wonderful joint Anniversary AND Christmas present!”

In her mind what does she hear coming from your mouth? “Meh, it would have been a rubbish present anyway... not keen on those basses. Hey, just given me the cash and I’ll buy myself this thing that just looks like a blu-ray player.”

Way to go Casanova!!!

 

[Swerve]

My wife comes from a culture where people are very blunt and honest about things that would shock most Westerners. Things like telling your parents you don't like the meal they prepared, directly calling people fat, asking how much a gift costs, etc. All considered very rude and taboo by my standards. All these years later and I'm sometimes still not used to it.

Anyway, so even though my wife wouldn't buy me something like a brand new Rick in a million years, if she did and I had the same response as OP my wife would be very practical about my suggestion of using the money for something else and not be offended at all. I of course would graciously take that bass and love it to death even if I don't care for Rick's personally, but relationships and how people navigate them can differ drastically from family to family.

We only buy gifts for our kids and family members. With my wife and I when we want to do something for each other, besides going out to dinner, we just give each other a budget and say get that thing you really want. Maybe not as romantic but it works well for us.

 

[JoshS]

Does it extend to a Mustard-Glo ric???

View attachment 3839270

This one I'd make an exception for to run, not walk, towards!!
I love that.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

With respect, I'm with the "you callously burst her balloon" crowd. Put yourself in her mind. Wouldn't you feel bad if that happened to you? And if the answer is "no", you're doing it wrong.

 

[Adjectives]

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.


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

Sometimes you have to graciously accept a less than wanted gift. Give it 6 months, and ask for permission to trade it citing,

"It's a great bass, but the feel just isn't for me. Thanks for thinking of me, I really appreciate it."

 

[40Hz]

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.

Good man! You did the right thing. At least IMO.

A Ric can always find uses in a studio. It’s a unique sound that works well with a variety of genres. I don’t think you’ll regret having one around even if you are one of Leo’s eternally faithful. Who knows? You may even grow to like it a lot more once you get a little more familiar with it.

 

[tpaul]

Look at the poll results. it's pretty obvious that you made a serious error and probably cannot correct it.

The proper response was "Wow, honey, you are the most thoughtful and beautiful and kind and generous and beautiful woman in the world. I am so lucky to be married to you. I can't wait to get that bass, but more importantly I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Good luck.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Aside from your wife’s initiative, which has to be appreciated, I’m a Leo man too but I’ve always wanted a Rick also, because its peculiar tone is unbeatable and it’s a much more versatile bass than what we may think of, although not very ergonomic

 

[casualmadness]

Man your wife bought you a Rickenbacker??? My wife gave me a wooden beard comb.

 

[beatlebass64]

Reverse the roles.

Imagine you wanted to buy something special for your wife and you researched it and thought you found something that she would love, only to be told "Nah, that ain't it, but could I have the money for something else?"

Forget the "was I wrong?" question. I'd feel pretty crappy if that happened to me...

At the very least you could have approached it a little more thoughtfully. Your post makes it sound like you turned it down without any consideration for what she was trying to do.