New Mandolin Stories

**R. Kane** · Dec-04-2005, 5:08pm

I'm days away from getting my new MF5. I've bought new guitars before: they've always looked pretty much alike, and I've always been able to respond to her question "Is that another new guitar?" with a semi-honest "Naw, I've had this one for a while". I say semi-honest because usually I have had it for 6 months or so before she even noticed.

I'm not expecting to be able to keep the Collings under wraps for long because it will look and sound so different from my other mandolin. For some of you, the similarity of one custom F5 and another custom F5 probably make them indistinguishable to a spouse.

So, what are your stories? And are there any techniques or suggestions (besides waiting until after your significant other has gone to bed to play the new one)?

RK

**Dfyngravity** · Dec-04-2005, 5:17pm

Well I am not married, but my Dad never seems to notice. I went from a Kentucky KM620B, to a Kentucky KM675, to a Custom Red Diamond F5 and about 2 months after my new RD F5 came he asked me if the mandolin was new. So who knows, it might just slip by?

**Eric F.** · Dec-04-2005, 5:34pm

I've found that saying, "I'm thinking of getting a new mandolin" has always led to the response, "OK." My wife of two and a half months (and signif other of four years) is pretty understanding. She usually wants to know if I think I'll be able to at least get my (now our) money back some day. Since I tend to buy used - except for my Arches, which cost less than a new one does now - I can usually answer in the affirmative. And I've had pretty good luck with selling mandos for what I paid or a bit more.

She has gotten used to mandos coming and going, but I think if I were to try to sneak them in, she'd get upset.

They do, however, tend to all blur together to her. I sold my Flatiron and bought my Davis flattop while we were having an Amtrak relationship, and never mentioned it to her - not out of fear, just because there were other things on our minds during the weekends we were together. I don't think she has any idea I did that. I guess I should 'fess up!

**fiddle5** · Dec-04-2005, 5:54pm

I have a Washburn m3sw that was purchased for me by an ex- girlfreind, and my best fiddle was bought by my ex-wife, she maxed out her credit card and savings to buy it. I think they are more than understanding of my needs.

**R. Kane** · Dec-04-2005, 6:04pm

Yes, I agree they are usually understanding, as long as there's food on the table and their closets are full. (Actually, I can't count as high as the number of her coats in the closet. Imagine her wanting to get new ones because the ones in there are "old". I love old instruments!)

My idea in this thread was more about the game of keeping a new instrument under wraps, and wondering whether anyone here had a great..."and three 3 years later she said"... kind of story.

Holiday Cheers!

RK

**MML** · Dec-04-2005, 6:30pm

This is a very funny post that truely hits home.I always have a bunch of mandos around so when the new ones arrive they kinda blend in. But I once had a 12 string guitar that went under the radar until my wifes friend said " Who plays the 12 string"...........busted

**PhilGE** · Dec-04-2005, 6:33pm

I learned long ago that keeping secrets like that is dangerous to my mental health and my marriage. My spouse knows of all my decisions and I respect her input on the wisdom of major purchases. I'm happy to say we're able to share in our love of music and don't have to worry about anything being uncovered in our marriage. I mean, I couldn't play music and feel good about it if I had to hide what I was doing all the time. My instruments are out and played around family and friends all the time. If I suddenly had something new, everyone would know by it's looks and sound - and my behavior around it! So, why put myself in such a bind? #

If we ever have another windfall inheritance (like the one that allowed me to purchase the three instruments I had custom built), she'd know about my dreams for other instruments pretty quickly so our whole could enjoy the process of the search, building, and arrival.

-Phil

**mythicfish** · Dec-04-2005, 6:37pm

Oh, this old thing ... I only play it when I don't care what I sound like.

Curt???

**DryBones** · Dec-04-2005, 7:26pm

to be honest, the little lady would rather I never spent a cent on mandos or guitars so I have to ease her into the idea every time I get MAS/GAS. starts out with a little "hey,look at this one", turns into a "I think I will be buying that one soon" and finally "when would it be best for us to order that new _?" to which I will usually get the " oh, just buy it now so I can stop hearing you talk about it and hear you play it"

**MML** · Dec-04-2005, 7:39pm

PhilGE,

You are a lucky man to have such and understanding spouse. If my wife had it her way I would still be playing a plywood top Harmony, and never have experienced the true wonder of a fine instrument. Don't get me wrong shes not a total bi--h, she just dosen't understand the complex and often misunderstood MAS. Wait I'm sure there are a few lady pickers in my same situation.....aren't there?

**jessboo** · Dec-05-2005, 9:36am

took her with me last time I went trading at a festival. She still didn't have a clue to what I took with me and what I brought home.

**adgefan** · Dec-05-2005, 9:48am

The easy solution is to find someone who has the same disease. My other half owns two resonator banjos, a fiddle and a dobro. I've got a mandolin, an openback banjo and an acoustic guitar. We are currently toying with the idea of going halves on a double bass. Not to mention the classical guitar, electric guitar and mandola as these never get touched (no time!). I pity those of you who have to justify your instrument purchases to someone else!

**otterly2k** · Dec-05-2005, 10:47am

My partner and I each have some $ set aside (away from general household funds) for our personal use in pursuit our our independent interests. So when I make a little $ on a gig, or from selling an instrument, it goes back into my instrument pool, and how I spend it is up to me. My partner only fusses when the pile of instruments takes over the living room. I do usually explain what and when I'm buying or selling or building, etc. but she doesn't really care about the details. It has taken her a while to understand that this kind of constant trading is fairly typical in the mando-world... but now that she does, it's no big deal. I don't ask too many questions about gardening gadgets unless they are in my way, and she doesn't ask about instruments unless they're in her way. And she enjoys the music and I enjoy the garden...it works for us.

**Jack Roberts** · Dec-05-2005, 11:06am

My wife allows me mandolins and books. When I tried to go out and buy a second bicycle she stopped me...

I guess with mandolins and books I'm at home, or at least she knows who I'm with and what I'm doing.

Buying custom built instruments with L-O-N-G lead times works well, because if I put a little in the sock drawer every week, by the time the instrument is built, I have enough money to pay cash, and I can always say: "I saved for two years for it".

**boatman** · Dec-05-2005, 11:27am

Jewelry, boys, it's jewelry that makes it work out OK. There's no hiding the musical instrument (if you've got to keep it a secret, it's not much fun) so I figure that for every new mandolin/guitar/? the old woman gets a diamond or pearls or some such thing. It keeps me in "A" models rather than "F"s, but out of divorce court, where I don't want to be!

**gnelson651** · Dec-05-2005, 11:58am

I have my "secret" mando hidden in the closet, inside a suit bag. It was an impluse purchase when Musicians Friend was selling MK Legacy Deluxe's for $299 and I had scroll envy. At the time, I thought it was great opportunity to save half of what a MK cost. Also I had just brought home a portuegese short-scale size mando a luthier friend built for me, so I couldn't justify the MK.

I have yet to tell my wife about it. I work out of my home so I play it when she is at work. A couple of times I was able to sneak it to a couple of jam sessions. Someday, I'll mention I'm ready to buy an F model (for christmas or birthday) and she'll say OK, Then it will magically appear at the door.

My problem is that I have to keep this kind of stuff not only from my wife but from my teenage daughter. If the daughter knows about it, it gets to the wife pronto!

The funny thing is, I really don't like the MK and seldom play it even when I have the chance. MAS is a bad disease when you don't have an understanding spouse.

My name is Glenn and I have MAS!!!

**bjc** · Dec-05-2005, 11:58am

For my second to last Eastman (614) I bought her a sewing machine (?) and I was surprised at how little those can cost.
My last Eastman (515) is the same finish as the first, so as long as they as they are not next to each other it's hard to identify amoung my collection of eletric guitars, mandolins and "others"...
My name is Brian and I have MAS. Thanks Glenn..

**R. Kane** · Dec-05-2005, 12:12pm

Yes, add jewelry and gardening gadgets (and plants) to the list. These are not bribes, they're tributes to the understanding of our spouses.

I broached the new mandolin subject today by saying that I had sold 3 guitars last week (true), so I was "down to" 2 guitars and 1 mandolin (also true). Also, I've been ebaying lots of her/my/our stuff out of the basement and closets for weeks, and she's appreciated that. No response, which is what I was expecting.

But I still may not bring the new puppy home until after the holidays.

**sgarrity** · Dec-05-2005, 12:23pm

That is one nice thing about being single. I can have a room full of instruments and don't have to answer to anyone but myself. My last girlfriend about had a stroke when she found out how much my "little guitar" cost. It didn't last much longer after that.

**otterly2k** · Dec-05-2005, 1:00pm

Glenn-
Since you don't even like it, sell that MK. When you do, take a some of that money and take your wife out to dinner. Consider it an investment in future trust. Take the rest and start saving towards the F mando you will like.