My wife doesn't believe there is such as thing as MAS

[bbaker2050]

Please inform her Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome (MAS) is for real..........she doesn't understand why I just bought a mandolin and already want another one.

[David Smith]

Looks to me like you are well on your way to proving it yourself! Well done!

[Steve VandeWater]

Oh it's real. In a little over a year of playing I've bought 5 mandolins, borrowed another, and built one. And I still look at the classifieds and at Craigslist several times each day. It's a sickness for which I don't even want to be cured.

[CelticDude]

I'm pretty sure MAS is listed in the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5, although it doesn't seem like a disorder to me...

[bigskygirl]

How many pairs of shoes does she have in the closet.....that you know of.....

[Astro]

I do think MAS is more addictive than GAS. There is just something about that little pop you get from noting a nice mandolin that is highly addictive.

[Jackgaryk]

well Mrs. B, I have MAS. I been playing for about a year and before that I never held a mandolin. Now I have 4 at my house, 3 at my grand kids house, and 1 at my sisters house. Like Van (post #3) I'm lookin for more....every day. I suggest you take up playing the mandolin also.

[bigskygirl]

This equation works equally well for mandolins....

[darrylicshon]

It is something whp knows what, in 2000 i had 52 guitars and 3 mandos now i have 20 guitars and 17 mandolins, give me 5 more years and who knows what numbers i will be at

[Robert Smyth]

How many pairs of shoes does she have in the closet.....that you know of.....

Big Sky Girl must be a carpenter because she NAILED it. How many pairs of shoes does she really need?

[Timbofood]

As cruel as it may sound, she is wrong. She must be taught the significance of MAS! Gently and sweetly, however.


I get the shoe argument but perspective must be taken, the shoe is the accessory. Like picks, tuners, and any other gizmo deemed necessary for proper mandolin appointments. It's more like how many "outfits".
Not that I actually suffer from the malady, I'm too broke now but, have had a few go through my hands. I can only play one at a time no matter how hard I try!

[Wynning13]

I'm a life long musician, and never in my life have I had this feeling (MAS). That is until I started playing mandolin in October 2014. I now have an Eastman 515, Kentucky 505, and a new Gibson F5G. The Gibson will satisfy my urge for a while, hopefully. LOL

[Al Trujillo]

Some men acquire mandolins...some acquire wives. She should be happy you're with the former group.

[bratsche]

How many pairs of shoes does she have in the closet.....that you know of.....

Big Sky Girl must be a carpenter because she NAILED it. How many pairs of shoes does she really need?

Holy cow. Stereotype much? Not all of us women are into shoes. I don't even have all that many instruments, compared with some (many) here, but I've got way more of them than I have shoes... just sayin'!

bratsche

[Bill Snyder]

I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way but I am pretty sure that MAS is spread through contact with other mandolinist. This can be in jam sessions or through online contact, ie. forums like this one I am about to post on.

[zedmando]

Please inform her Mandolin Acquisition Syndrome (MAS) is for real..........she doesn't understand why I just bought a mandolin and already want another one.

It doesn't matter what we say--she won't believe us or get it--even if she sees it run rampant in you.
As excited as Iw as to get my first guitar--I was quickly planning my second.
With each instrument or piece of gear I start planning another one almost right away--and I have a lot less than most.

To understand any sort of Acquisition Syndrome you need to have a desire for that item.
So I use GAS for Gear Acquisition Syndrome to cover all sorts of gear.

Even though I am content if I never get any new stuff (Or new to me stuff)--that doesn't mean I can't think of other stuff.

And wanting another mandolin is much better for her than you wanting another wife.

There may be a mando version of this:

[Timbofood]

MAS is a common strain of the deeper MTD (Musician Transmitted Disease). The most troublesome aspect of this disease is it does not require ANY physical contact, merely seeing another instrument may cause infection! Be careful what you listen to as well, auditory contact is equally infectious.

[Marty Jacobson]

Just tell her you don't have a problem and you can stop any time you want. That's always a good approach. ;-)

[bbaker2050]

When she wakes up, I will have her read all of the comments. If she still doesn't believe, then maybe she will after I buy my next mandolin

[Bertram Henze]

Some are immune (I play the same instrument for over 10 years now), but who has it has it bad. You can tell her that at least you didn't bring a banjo (you didn't, did you? )

[Bill Baldridge]

This is simple; divorce her.

[Timbofood]

Bert, you may be immune but, you're still a carrier, just like me!

[bbaker2050]

This is the wife. If there is such thing as MAS, then I think I can justify my illness. HDAS. (Home Decor Acquisition Syndrome) Something Brad doesn't seem to understand....

[Mandoplumb]

Hello my name is Rick and I have MAS. It can be spread by association with other mandolin players but mine is most active if I go into a music store that has a selection of good mandolins. The last 2 I've acquired was when I went into said store to buy a set of strings, that set of strings cost a couple thousand dollars!

[bbaker2050]

Wife again...That's not nice Bill Baldridge.