What's more ridiculous... $400 for a mouthpiece or a handbag?

[tjontheroad]

Okay, so... yesterday, my S.O. comes home from her big shopping day in NYC with a new leather Kate Spade hand bag. I reluctantly ask how much was it. Four hundred something something (my mind went blank after the the number 4). At least it was on sale :roll: Hey, it's her money and she works hard for it. So that's fine by me.

Now, I (and many of you I'm sure) have spent that much on mouthpieces and such. Even when we might of thought a $100 (or less) piece would do. It begs to question, which is more ridiculous?

[tictactux]

It begs to question, which is more ridiculous?

Impossible to answer. After all, neither is something we couldn't possibly do without. It's kind of a reward for, uhm, well, behaving, getting up for work, what do I know.

I like to think that in a relationship these little acquisitions serve yet another purpose: pre-emptive compensation ("I know you'll sooner or later get yet another of those silly siphon things, so I bought this handbag, now we're even."), late justice ("when you bought that handbag back then I thought I might as well buy a new sax. As you say yourself, one cannot ever have enough of them.") or something in between.

If all justification fails - you're supporting the economy. ;-)

(I didn't answer the poll - I was missing the "who cares in 200 years" option)

(Edit: either is silly. A potato sack or a student mouthpiece serve the same purpose. Not with so much style, agreed)

[Ed Svoboda]

I'm not sure where I come down on this issue. I would be hard pressed to spend $400 on a mouthpiece.

I've been thinking about a new watch. It's expensive. Haven't pulled the trigger. Asked various people what they thought would be a lot to spend on a watch. The standard answer was between $100 and $200. One of my friends said his upper limit was $1000. They all tell time but some are better crafted than others and some have a high end name attached to them. I suspect it's the same thing with the purse.

Here's another way to look at it. Hardly anyone knows that I'm playing a Selmer Mark VI in the audience. To them I'm just playing a saxophone. A Yamaha 23 would appear to be the same thing to most people. But it matters to us. It's our quest for the sound we want and these days playing a VI has a bit of a vanity aspect to it.

So I guess I don't really mind $400 for a purse. I'm just thankful it's not my wife buying one. :grin:

[pete]

It's also a leading question, primarily because the percentage of female to male posters on this forum is low. Higher than some places, but still pretty low.

Although Helen has the ability to play with poll results, IIRC ....

To an extent, it's a question of, "How much is too much to spend on your hobby?" I'm sure some folks would consider shopping a hobby, just as many people would say that playing an instrument is.

That's an unanswerable question. Collecting airplanes costs a lot more than collecting leaves.

Now, if the question is, "How much is too much to spend on something that will help you keep or maintain your job?", that's something different. Hey, my wife thought I spent too much on computer toys until she found out a) how much I got for selling saxpics.com b) how many calendars I sold last year (130-odd) and c) that me buying the toys for "business use" would be tax-deductible. And she'd let me buy a new outfit for an interview -- and I'd go to an interview if they were offering $20K more than what I'm making now.

So it all evens out.

I don't *think* any $400 mouthpiece is worth it, but I have no problems with someone trying to convince me that they are. Let's see. A Selmer Soloist is $130. Is your mouthpiece almost 3x as good as the Soloist? If so, I could see spending the $400 ....

[Dave Dolson]

I was dismayed to see no "Both" in your poll selections. DAVE

[tjontheroad]

At least I can resell the mouthpiece most times for I bought it for. Sometimes more. The handbag has to worse than a new car off just off the lot. Fashion isn't a hobby. It's a compulsion. Or is that the mouthpiece. I'm confused ?

You're right Dave. It's both :lol:

[Dave Dolson]

I suppose it comes down to WANT vs. NEED. I for one do not need (nor do I want) a $400.00 mouthpiece. I am perfectly happy with my Super Sessions and Morgan Vintage pieces on soprano, Meyer 6S-M on alto, and Vandorens on clarinet. None of those are $400.00 pieces.

I don't carry a purse, but my wife does. She has some designer accessories and as long as we can afford that kind of thing, she WANTS them. I pay.

As far as watches goes, that's where my WANT far exceeds my NEED. Ed, don't ask me what is reasonable for a watch. I LOVE high-end watches . . . $100 to $200 doesn't even pay for the periodic overhauls required by automatic (self-winder) watches. I pay. DAVE

[Tammi]

*CHOKE*

I refuse to pay that much for a mpc and there's no way in the world that I would spend that much on a purse. That's 3 weeks worth of groceries.

But if you have the extra cash, and that's what you REALLY want, then I really can't say anything bad.

But I will admit to spending more on Wedding flowers. :cry: Daughters are worth it.....Right?

[saxmanglen]

(snip) But I will admit to spending more on Wedding flowers. :cry: Daughters are worth it.....Right?

Let's see a picture of this daughter and I'll let you know. :P




Oh...BOT, the answer is BOTH.

[pete]

Shall I add a new poll option? I have the powah!

[Ed Svoboda]

As far as watches goes, that's where my WANT far exceeds my NEED. Ed, don't ask me what is reasonable for a watch. I LOVE high-end watches . . . $100 to $200 doesn't even pay for the periodic overhauls required by automatic (self-winder) watches. I pay. DAVE

I try and get my automatics in about every five years. Right now I have a gold plated Omega Seamaster at the watchmaker. I have a number of vintage watches as well as a fair number of reasonably priced dive watches. I have a desire for a new Omega but I'm not sure the finance committee would approve of the purchase. I've also had my eye on a Seiko Grand Seiko as well as the Marine Master from Seiko with the new spring drive movement. I'd have to purchase from someone in Japan since Seiko doesn't import those here (all the really good stuff doesn't make it to the U.S.)

[Gandalfe]

I don't wear a watch anymore as I always have my cell phone. Suzy doesn't buy expensive purses. We both buy expensive music equipment and accoutrement. Somehow I'm gonna guess that bucks the norm.

[Tammi]

Let's see a picture of this daughter and I'll let you know. :P




Oh...BOT, the answer is BOTH.

Do you remember the avatar I had on SOTW with the young lady holding the lamb?
It's THAT daughter. :P I can post the photo if you want.
But this is tj's thread. I don't want to hijack it too much.

[tjontheroad]

Shall I add a new poll option? I have the powah!

Go for it. Can I change my vote too?

Do you remember the avatar I had on SOTW with the young lady holding the lamb?
It's THAT daughter. :P I can post the photo if you want.
But this is tj's thread. I don't want to hijack it too much.

I'm sure she's worth the groceries. Post away anything you want on her.

[Carl H.]

Sounds like an avatar for Tammi.


I've got mouthpieces in that price range, but those are tools for employment.

What do you do that requires a $400 purse?:???:

[Tammi]

I'll let you guys decide for yourselves if she's worth the groceries.

[saxmanglen]

Can I be honest Tammi?



What's that dweeb doing with that FINE example of the feminine kind? :grin:
What beautiful eyes she has!


He better take care of her properly or I'll kick his......you know.....


BTW, she's worth spending the coin.

[Tammi]

It amazes me that I had anything to do with her creation.

Cody treats her very well. He's a good man, and her Dad likes him.

[Carl H.]

So what are his bad habits?

I fessed up to the future inlaws. I gave up racing, and eventually caffeine, but still doing music.

[Dave Dolson]

Ed: I prolly shoulda read this post before I answered your PM. Anyway, I never understood the dive-watch thing. I've never dove anywhere in my life and don't intend to do so now. Oh, I like the look of "dive watches" but still . . . DAVE

[Tammi]

I don't think he has any.
Megen will find any out shortly after the wedding.

[saxmanglen]

Since we're WOT anyway, anyone else have a hankering for sauerkraut?:lol::lol::lol:

[Carl H.]

I'm a fan of dive watches too, but the really cheap ones. They are so handy when grilling. You always know exactly when things need to be turned.


Tammi, he has no dive watches?
http://www.tnfj.com/Images/Smilies/tongue2.gif

[Tammi]

No Dive watches.

What do they have to offer for guys entering the Air Force?

[Dave Dolson]

Carl: i use the rotating bezels on my watches for timing the BBQ. No sauerkraut for me, thanks. DAVE

[Carl H.]

No Dive watches.

What do they have to offer for guys entering the Air Force?

I think Dave and I agree on this, he needs one to keep track of time when grilling , oh yeah, parking meters too.

[Tammi]

That's a good idea for Christmas.
I'll get Megen a $400 purse so she doesn't feel cheated.

[tjontheroad]

I thought dive watches were in bars?

[Ed Svoboda]

I think Dave and I agree on this, he needs one to keep track of time when grilling , oh yeah, parking meters too.

I picked up a Casio Pathfinder PAW-1300 last month as I was going to be doing some camping and wanted a new toy. The watch has five alarms, a stop watch, a countdown timer, solar powered, and syncs the atomic clock. It also has a temperature sensor, barometer, and compass. I've decided that it is the ultimate in BBQ watches.

Most of the time I wear a Seiko "Orange Monster" that my wife and son gave me for my birthday. The Seiko is a 200m dive watch and the bezel comes in handy for timing various things.

I've worn a watch since the late 80's when I was in college and like being able to glance at my wrist for the time rather than pulling out a phone. I also think watches can be an interesting look into the person wearing them.

I suppose purses are the same for some women. It's an insight into what's important to them in terms of fashion and style.

[Tammi]

I'm in trouble then. I carry a basic black leather over the shoulder kind of thing. Function over fashion.

It's what I call a general purpose 'Crap Sack'. Only big enough for a snall day planner, check book, a few pens, and a small address/phone book. It was less than $30 too.

[saxmanglen]

I also think watches can be an interesting look into the person wearing them.


So, if I'm wearing what looks like the following watch, What are you seeing in me? :grin:

http://www.princetonwatches.com/images/watches/PXDA92.jpg

[Carl H.]

Mrs H. never has carried a purse. Once little dude is older we will stop with the diaper bag too.

I used to wear watches, but they were always getting damaged, or damaging instruments. Once I got a cell phone I stopped wearing watches. I do occasionally carry a pocket watch on a carabiner. Handy for gigs because it doesn't make a sound and looks right too.

[pete]

Re: Watch madness,

I happen to be very fond of pocket watches and clocks. I don't care for wrist watches, although I still have the one given to me as a HS graduation gift a zillion years ago when dinosaurs still roamed the planet.

For better or worse, I have an electronic tether called a Crackberry. I have no desire for BOTH a pocket watch and a Crackberry and the latter device both tells time and is a passable cell phone.

However, I didn't pay for it: company stuff.

Many years ago, one hobby of mine was coin collecting. I put a few hundred $ into that, but I knew that if I wanted to possess the really shiny coins (like gold eagles, double-eagles and the like), I would have to pay thousands of $. And, to me, while I thought some of the coins were beautiful, havening one with an "O" mint stamp didn't exactly make my hearp leap like a puppy trying to get at my 4-year-old's bowl of Cheeze-Its.

I actually sold my coin collection to buy my first professional sax: a Buffet Dynaction alto. Sold that for $800 in the late 1980's.

[Dave Dolson]

Tammi: From what I've heard, Breitlings are the hot ticket for Air Force pilots - could be wrong, though. I know they are favored by Los Angeles County deputy sheriffs.

My oldest grandson just started the Air Force Academy and wants to be a pilot. If he gets his wings, Papa might hand down his Breitling as a reward. DAVE

[Connical]

No Dive watches.

What do they have to offer for guys entering the Air Force?

Borderline poverty is my best guess ! :grin:

Congrats on the upcoming nuptials !

[sideC]

My everyday driver watch is a new Citizen Eco drive. It's charged by sunlight, so it's very low maintenance, and is a pretty fancy timepiece.

My dive watch is an old Rolex Submariner. I got it new back in '87, right now it needs an overhaul, so I'm using the Citizen.

There is a pretty colorful story as to how I came to own my dive watch. Back in 1987, I had just purchased a new '87 Lincoln town car, and was looking to sell my very nice '80 Cadillac sedan deville. We worked the road a lot back then, and I liked a large car with a smooth ride and a large trunk. My friend, a bassist who always coveted my Caddy, had just returned home from a long European tour with one of the top name jazz pianists of the day. The tour promoter was so happy with the business the tour generated that he presented each band member in the trio with a new Rolex watch. So when my friend returned home and saw my Caddy for sale, he offered me the watch in trade for my car. I went for the deal. Nice old Cadillac in trade for a Rolex watch. Sounds like something out of a B movie.

[pete]

Shoulda been for a red paperclip.

[tjontheroad]

I see the poll is fixed :lol:

Okay, back on topic (I think). Me and S.O. had alittle discussion about the handbag in question. She could not understand why I wasn't as trilled as she was about it. First, I said it wasn't my color (it's brown not black) nor could I even fit my curvy soprano in it. I told her I didn't care how she spent her money. Just make sure she saves and makes purchases wisely. Especially considering today even the most basic stuff is so expensive.

I'm biased, but I don't think an expensive mouthpiece is as much a waste of cash. It's only a waste if it's not put to good use. That handbag is going to end up in a closet soon.

[Helen]

In the spirit of trying to stick on topic... I'm going for neither, only because I don't carry a purse, and even if I did, I can't see myself spending $400 on one. And I have never spent $400 on any m/p, and again, I can't see myself doing that either...Now watches....Mmmm that's a different story....:twisted:

I too have weakness for watches. I think at last count I was at around 12 or 13. :oops: On the up side, I do have more saxes...Although I'm not sure that's something to be proud of, or seek a self help group for. :-D

[saxmanglen]

Over 100k votes? Wow! This board IS popular. :P

[tictactux]

I too have weakness for watches. I think at last count I was at around 12 or 13. :oops: On the up side, I do have more saxes...Although I'm not sure that's something to be proud of, or seek a self help group for. :-D

Do those saxes at least have different pitches? And do those watches at least show different times? ;-)

Now if you would please stop talking about compulsive buying disorders, I have some serious biddin' to do. 8-)

[Ed Svoboda]

Well if I saw that Pulsar then I would figure you weren't into watches and just bought something to keep time.

Here's what I'm wearing today:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AEBG8JEVL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I wanted a big and chunky dive watch. I liked this one because it was distinctive and reasonably priced. Seiko makes very durable dive watches as well.

So, if I'm wearing what looks like the following watch, What are you seeing in me? :grin:

[sideC]

Shoulda been for a red paperclip.


Yes, I know. And I've agonized over this through the many years. And now you go and rub salt in the wound!

[Adagio]

Tammi: From what I've heard, Breitlings are the hot ticket for Air Force pilots

I have to wonder about that - Breitlings are so cluttered and gaudy, I would think a pilot would want something more readable - like the Bell & Ross Instrument or most of the fare from IWC.

I'm a WIS ("watch idiot savant") that used to spend all my time on TimeZone.com. I've got a few nice mechanical watches and at one time had the pleasure of holding in my very own hands two F.P. Journe watches worth about $100K each. At least with mechanical watches, it's the craftsmanship and complexity of the complications that usually result in the high price.

One of the definitions of a WIS is that if you get a group of them together for lunch, they all have their watches out on the table and the last thing any of them know or care about is the correct time.

[Ed Svoboda]

Happy to have another watch person on board. I get a lot of grief about how many I own from my co-workers.

I was looking at the Tag Aquaracer the other day but would prefer a Brietling or another high end quartz movement watch.

[SteveSklar]

Watches !! I used to collect watches .. can't recall at all what I have though . Seiko, Citizen, Festina come to mind. I was a sucker for moonphase watches.