Many times I have watched the struggle between mates when one wants to buy a new banjo and the other is skeptical about the purchase.

Buying a new banjo can be as much an art as playing one.

Here are a few thoughts:

It's something you pay for once and it brings years of pleasure.

It is a natural anti-depressant, drug free, a way to lift your spirits.

It never goes out of style, or becomes outdated or obsolete like computers do.

You can't get into any trouble when you are playing the banjo.


Tell me about your banjo purchase and what worked for you.

Or is it best to trade, you get a banjo and she gets....

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:14:42      

Mary Z Cox includes a letter to your signifcant other in the back of her Banjo Dreamin' Suwanee Nights Tab book that is aimed to help inform them of why you need a new banjo. Fortunately, I am married to a most supportive spouse who graciously indulges my Banjo Acquisition Syndrome. However, at 12 banjos now, each new addition tests her support of my hobby. :)
GerryH

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:23:48    

As one who is currently being beckoned by natural elements that want to be built into banjos and enjoyed by a banjo addict who is developing a burgeoning desire to enjoy many different banjo sounds, and whose spouse naturally and understandably wants to limit his accumulation of new instruments, I want to hear more!

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:34:33        

I'd tell her it will be half hers if there's a divorce.Until then I'll make
all banjo decisions.

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:38:18      

Hi
I think some of the struggle might be between some ? is Honey why do you need a new banjo when you already have two? and if you buy this one we may not be able to pay the rent next month.

Edited by - Dustyone on 10/30/2009 15:38:44

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:39:41        

It is easier to beg forgiveness than to seek permission.

"Never take yourself seriously, others are always ready to do it for you"

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  15:45:51      

An agreement that works for me and my bride is that, whatever either of us spend on a banjo or anything else for that matter, the other one gets to spend an equal amount. Unfortunately, she says I can't count the money I spent to buy her a new car for her birthday. She said that was "special" and doesn't count.

Jerry

"Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance."

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  16:02:02  

I leave the house with a empty case and come home with a full one.... by the time she notices another i just say " I HAVE HAD THIS FOR SOME TIME"

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  16:11:38              

I tell her I need one to will to each grandchild.....# 8 is due next month.

Rod

Here's some music you might enjoy.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/roddurst

http://tinychat.com/banjolounge Come on in an enjoy!

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  16:36:21          

mtpicker nailed it for me! Its alot easier to say sorry and beg for forgiveness than to argue over the purchase, LOL! Or you can pull this card--- BUG THE CRAP OUT OF THEM UNTIL THEY GIVE UP! ;) both have worked for me in the past.

jeremy

Hatfield Special #26
shut up and pick!!!

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  17:35:57          

1. It's not too hard to get the spouse to agree on a stable number of instruments, 5 or 6 or whatever you can get her/him to agree to.

2. Buy used to avoid the initial depreciation, and look for a reasonable deal.

3. Sell for at least as much as you paid or a little more.

4. Turn a small profit.

5. Agrue that your addiction is now a money making venture, which means you should be able to increase the number in 1 above by 50% or so. As long as you are not too wild you will then be able to purchase instruments relatively hassle free.

If that doesn't work, take up another instrument, buy a really nice one, then quit, sell that nice instrument and use the money to buy another banjo(s).

It's all about carving out a budgetary niche for your addiction.

Rob

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  18:15:57  

ME: Good morning Precious! Have I told you how much I love you?
LOVELY WIFE: Awww, I love you too, Sweetums!
ME: How about we go out to that restaurant you really like tonight? Maybe you can buy a new gold necklace, or some such, so you can show it off!
LOVELY WIFE: Oh, Honey, I'd really like that! I LOOOVE YOU!!!!
ME: So you wouldn't mind if I buy a new banjo?
LOVELY WIFE: FAT CHANCE BUB!

Steven

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  18:56:11        

My wife is a photographer. It's easy. New banjo = new camera anytime.

Or, "you only retire once, I want to celebrate by spending my last check on a retirement present" ... that's how I got my Calico

Or... "I'll quit smoking and buy a banjo for what I would have spent on ciggys in a year. I promise, if I start smoking again, I'll return the banjo..." That's how I got my Vega Bluegrass Wonder

Or... "my good banjo is killing my back and I either need a light weight banjo, or we will go broke at the chiropractors office"
That's how I got my Goodtime


Dean

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  19:48:15  

"Honey, to improve his playing, Steve Martin has a banjo in every room of his house, (fact) so just be glad that I did not take up the drums." JayCee

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  19:55:22      

Oh? this ol' thing? I've had it for years.....

Truth is, I treat my wife with love and respect as she does me. If there is something either of us wants and we have the money, it's a done deal..... As it turns out, I want very little, she loves jewlery. No problems. Bills are paid.

And also..... she's always saying "go buy it, you worked hard."

Am I lucky or what?

ps... I open the car door for her.... old school

gdoc

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  20:09:14    

quote:

---

Originally posted by gdoc



ps... I open the car door for her.... old school

gdoc

---

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  21:20:01    

I just pick My Good Time, and let My wife play My Nechville Classic Deluxe, I think She likes it..



Rings Like Silver
But Its' Wood.

Lee Kelso

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  21:47:23      

Hmmm.

Cost of a Refridgrator.... $1,500.00 Last 10 years... not bad $150 a year.
Cost of washer/dryer.... Same...............same........not bad.
Cost of a new car..... $30,000.00 Lasts...(I don't want to go there)... thousands per year.

Cost of a new banjo (adverage pro model) $3,000.00 to $7,000.00....... Lasts.......my life time, my kids, their kids, their kids....etc... cost per year? 1 penny.
Now if you buy one of those banjos that cost 80k... well, the cost per year might go up to 10 cents. (gee, does Deeing sell one of those? (Grass Valley Festival big mouth)).


gdoc

Posted - 10/30/2009 :  23:36:54        

I just bought her a new bass fiddle, and zipper case. Cheaper than a banjo, so I'm building up for a new banjo.

"The more you know, the more you know you don't know."

Glenn

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  06:00:28          

Hello Janet!
Good post...look at all these ideas and great stories. :)

We all have things we're PASSIONATE about.
This year I got another banjo (my 4th) and my wife got a cruise...took me along for the ride. You're so right about BUYING being as much of an ART as playing. You don't have to look very long on BHO to see some sharp ARTISTS who ultimately will get their way, maybe not all but most.

The PASSION formula means that someone who loves GARDENING might pay a THOUSAND DOLLARS for a Japanese Maple Tree! But they still want the cheapest mulch...because NO ONE is PASSIONATE about mulch!

Solution?
Buy GENERIC cereal and a DEERING BANJO! Oh, and taking your spouse on a cruise can't hurt.
:)

Michael

Have a Great "Banjo Day!"
BanjoDay@gmail.com
Michael York

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  07:22:09      

We have a simple rule between us. She doesn't ask why I need another banjo. I don't ask why she needs more shoes.

But in all seriousness, I am married to a financially savvy woman. When I took a chunk out of the stock market to buy a banjo because I felt the money was safer being invested in stuffing for a TKL case, she wholeheartedly agreed with me The money was intended to (partly) support my retirement. But with the way my investment account was looking, I estimated I could lose the money I spent in just 3-6 weeks anyway and wind up with nothing to show for it. Now I actually own something that I can look forward to having for those days sitting in the rocker on the porch.

Anthony Herner
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You have to practice even to be lousy -- Jack Benny

Edited by - rudykizuty on 10/31/2009 09:22:04

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  08:34:55      

I have been plying her for several years, little by little. She knows that one day my Saratoga w/Swiss will be in the room and that there was little that could have been done. Carpe Diem

( )=====’==::

Abundant Opinions - Speculative Advice - Marginal Judgment

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  09:22:38    

I got an Emperator 5 string, she got a Epiphone MM50 mandolin. I got a Goldtone OB250 AT, She got a 1/2 size stand up bass. I got a Gibson rb250, she got an Engelhardt full size stand up bass, I got a Crafters of Tennessee maple classic, she got a Martin DM acoustic guitar, I got an Otto Bausch 1875 violin, she pressed a pillow over my face while I was sleeping.

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  18:21:44    

What it took to get my customized Chief banjo - a 6 month deployment to the middle east. However, after the deployment to Afghanistan the wife got a new kitchen (a few dollars more than the banjo by about 20K).

Cheers,

RayD

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  20:04:27      

I just buy lots of diamonds.

Aaron, North Carolina
--------------------
Maple Chief #75


1988 Gibson RB-3

Posted - 10/31/2009 :  22:30:39      

My wife and adult daugher are currently on a two-week holiday, exploring the North and South Islands of New Zealand (we reside in Nevada, USA). And let me tell you, this trip ain't cheap. So-o-o-o... when it comes time for me to start shopping for a new 'jo, I'll have some REALLY good ammo to shut down any arguements she might throw my way. (Oh, baby, this is gonna be sweet! )

--Dean