Originally Posted by
allenhopkins
This scenario is described repeatedly in different "MAS" threads, and every now and then I experience a bit of frustration. I can see one's spouse taking exception to an instrument purchase, if it meant skipping a mortgage payment, depriving li'l Skippy of orthodontia, forcing the sale of appliances or furniture, or canceling that Riviera vacation and substituting a week at Lake Scummy.
Other than that, are so many domestic situations so adversarial, that when Dad (or Mom!) brings home that Weber Yellowstone or Martin 000-18, "war" breaks out, lawyers are called, punches are thrown, etc. etc.? If there's enough of a financial surplus to allow purchase of the instrument, if both spouses trust each other not to be total irresponsible idiots, if both parties wish all family members to enjoy a modicum of happiness in their avocations as well as their vocations, then why are we talking "war," or "my wife won't stand for it," or "I have to sneak the mandolin in, hide it behind the freezer, and, if discovered, say 'What? A new mandolin? Of course not, dearest...'"?
I mean, we're grown-ups, right? And we're not talking about robbing the family piggy-bank to buy reefer, play the ponies, or take a flier on that Nigerian inheritance offer. It's no more irresponsible to buy a quality musical instrument, than to buy a new couch when you already have a serviceable if shabby one, or to upgrade your stove to a self-cleaning model so no one needs to zone out on Easy-Off fumes.
If you have $1K+ in discretionary funds available, go buy that National RM-1; if not, you can buy the Recording King, or sock away what you've got and add to it until the National's affordable. "MAS" aside, a well-researched and non-extravagant instrument purchase should be totally defensible, and not grounds for divorce. If it's that contentious, well, maybe it's not the real issue...?
Bookmarks