2019 Gear Abstinence Challenge (Updated with 'rules')

[adamg67]

I managed until the middle of November, 10 and a half months, 87.5% of the year, and then just blew it with a pair of Adam A7X monitors and a Barefaced Big Baby 2 cab in the space of 2 days. The only minor positive is that they are both upgrades for things I already have that will be sold (Adam A3Xs and a Markbass 151p). So I won't actually own any more stuff in the end, but still a complete bust as far as this goes.

Mind you, if I hadn't bought them I would have broken another rule, which is that any money you get back from HMRC isn't real money and must be spent on gear.

Edited November 19, 2019 by adamg67

[paul_5]

Built a P bass, sold 4 pedals and a preamp, that’s at least a score draw...

[paul_5]

8 hours ago, MikanHannille said:

Not bought a thing 11 months in! Even a set of strings. I thought they still have plenty of life left surprisingly. 

Are you even a real musician!?! 😄

[MikanHannille]

2 hours ago, paul_5 said:

Are you even a real musician!?! 😄

Probably not by how things are going 😂

[adamg67]

I just realised that I conveniently forgot a Darkglass pedal and a Radial DI as well. So basically, I didn't even come close.

[MikanHannille]

Bought new sets of strings today. One set to restring my main and the rest as spare.. Probably will use it in another years time.

BUUUUUUUUUT... I bought a Heistercamp strap 2 weeks ago. In my defense, I sold all straps that I wasn't using. 7 in total. 

[prowla]

I haven't bought a guitar for a couple of weeks now...

...and I've finished and nearly finished two projects.

[Wolverinebass]

I haven't bought anything this year except for my studio. However, the minute this is over I'll be getting a pedal board as well as a few other things.

[Merton]

I totally failed. As in, devastatingly.

3 basses

3 amps

2 cabs

1 pedal

1 pedalboard

😳

 

 

 

I need help.

[Paul S]

11 hours ago, Merton said:

I totally failed. As in, devastatingly.

3 basses

3 amps

2 cabs

1 pedal

1 pedalboard

😳

 

 

 

I need help.

Sadly not from me - 6 basses, 3 amps, 1 cab, 1 pedal, 2 wireless thingies. 

I did sell some stuff, mind.

[Woodinblack]

2 hours ago, Paul S said:

Sadly not from me - 6 basses, 3 amps, 1 cab, 1 pedal, 2 wireless thingies. 

I did sell some stuff, mind.

Technically I didn't fail, I just didn't take part, so:

2 basses, 2 amps (one now sold), 1 cab (but I built that one), 1 Chapman stick, 1 Linnstrument,  1 yamaha reface keyboard, 1 effects pedal, 2 multi-fx, 2 wireless thingies (1 pair), a load of strings, a load of cables.

I sold stuff too, but you can see why I didn't take part!

I do intend to end up with less stuff at the end of 2020 than the end of 2019, that is my next year goal. Not that I don't intend to get stuff, just not as much and to sell more. And be more decided on what I was getting.

[bassbiscuits]

I've spectacularly failed on this one - just five days before the end of the year, I've gone and bought a Yamaha TRB1005. 

At least that should help keep 2020 acquisition-free (thanks to the 'no money' clause.)

 

[Al Krow]

So the results are in!

@Sibob - do we know if anyone who signed up actually made it through successfully the whole of 2019 without any gear purchases?!

[FinnDave]

3 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

So the results are in!

@Sibob - do we know if anyone who signed up actually made it through successfully the whole of 2019 without any gear purchases?!

Certainly wasn't me, I bought a cab and a jazz bass. I had sold an identical cab and an identical jazz bass in the first quarter of the year, though, so technically they were only lost and replaced...

[Wolverinebass]

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

So the results are in!

@Sibob - do we know if anyone who signed up actually made it through successfully the whole of 2019 without any gear purchases?!

Yeah, I did. I only bought things for the studio. 

Did I win anything?

[Cuzzie]

1 minute ago, Wolverinebass said:

Yeah, I did. I only bought things for the studio. 

Did I win anything?

A free pass for 2020

[Sibob]

2 hours ago, Al Krow said:

So the results are in!

@Sibob - do we know if anyone who signed up actually made it through successfully the whole of 2019 without any gear purchases?!

I believe a few people, however I wager that those that managed it were probably a year or two into their abstinence anyway lol.

Si

[walshy]

14 minutes ago, Sibob said:

I believe a few people, however I wager that those that managed it were probably a year or two into their abstinence anyway lol.

Si

Life’s too short, buy more gear you absolutely need 😂

[Wolverinebass]

1 hour ago, Sibob said:

I believe a few people, however I wager that those that managed it were probably a year or two into their abstinence anyway lol.

Si

Not in my case Si. Previously, I've bought tons of stuff which is no different to many people. A year off was good. It gave me time to assess what gear needs I have and plan ahead for this year. 

[ben4343]

I only bought a second hand compressor, for not very much at all, so am treating it as a semi-victory considering how my previous form has been... I rather thought of the exercise as motivation to just be happy with the stuff I already have, and in that respect I feel I have succeeded, and am grateful for the initiative!

 I also started in a new band, so it turns out gear acquisition has nothing to do with being a more active player for me! Now, maybe I need another 1x12, or even a 4x10...

[jahfish]

On 01/01/2020 at 14:30, Al Krow said:

So the results are in!

@Sibob - do we know if anyone who signed up actually made it through successfully the whole of 2019 without any gear purchases?!

You're kidding aren't you? I've got worse 🤣