2024 Gear Abstinence Thread

[neepheid]

Apologies one and all, I have been remiss in my duties as caretaker of this year's thread and missed the end of October/start of November summary.  So, here is your end of November/start of December roundup.

 

One fell in October, and one fell in November.  That leaves 18(!) still standing with just under a month to go.  Impressive stuff folks - stay strong, you remaining 18; you're nearly there!

 

[WalMan]

Had I fallen? If not I fell hard in the last couple of weeks with an EBS chorus from TheDaivisch followed quickly by the Geddy/Jazz from Beedster. Oops 😬 

[Stub Mandrel]

 

[neepheid]

14 minutes ago, WalMan said:

Had I fallen? If not I fell hard in the last couple of weeks with an EBS chorus from TheDaivisch followed quickly by the Geddy/Jazz from Beedster. Oops 😬 

 

I wasn't aware you were playing...

[WalMan]

On 03/12/2024 at 19:01, neepheid said:

 

I wasn't aware you were playing...

It was certainly my intention at the start of the year

[Downunderwonder]

Still standing.

[OliverBlackman]

Well after some higher than expected legal bills, safe to say it will require a miracle greater than the birth of Jesus Christ for me to fall into the traps of GAS this year. Not sure I can make a whole 24 months but I’ll give 2025 a good go too. 

[Velarian]

I’m still in. 

[bass_dinger]

I actually had a dream that I had purchased a 4 string steinberger-type cricket bat bass, in terrible condition, and strung with acoustic guitar strings, for about £20.

 

I was delighted with my new dream bass - especially the fact that the mythical bass had an extendable foot that allowed me to play it like an upright. 

In my dream, I suddenly realised that I had failed the Gear Abstinence Challenge for 2024, and was devastated.

 

What a nightmare! A steinberger for 20 quid, but it wasn't real....

[neepheid]

So, any sneaky Christmas presents bought?  I, having being already long since out of the running, have been prepping for next year by ticking off as many wishlist things as I can to maximise chances of success next year.

 

Epiphone Thunderbird '64 - hopefully sparkly enough to keep me smiling for the whole of 2025

Cheapy bass on back order and all parts procured for a project in the new year

Spare/practice amp

New preamp for the pedalboard

 

I may get a few little stocking fillers on pay day before shutting up shop.  Fingers crossed my hibernation hoard will suffice!

[NancyJohnson]

By way of an addendum:

In
Harley Benton GPA100 amp
GSS Baby Sumo head

NS Design NXTA strap system

 

Out
Tech21 Dug Pinnick stomp
Darkglass AO900 head

 

 

[lozkerr]

There's a pretty good chance I'll make it through next year - I've just moved house and the legal fees have severely depleted my gear fund savings. That, plus having to buy a lot of new furniture means that I won't exactly be flush for quite a while now.

[ezbass]

This started out as a bit of fun and, as I went out so early last year, I didn’t give it much thought. The last couple of months have been weird, I don’t need anything, but forcing myself to not buy anything has made my teeth itch 😬! However, it has allowed me to focus on what I would like to acquire next, without disappearing down a, spur of the moment, rabbit hole. Will I sign up next year? Err, that would be a hard pass . Just… two… weeks… more .

Edited Wednesday at 12:42 by ezbass

[OliverBlackman]

41 minutes ago, lozkerr said:

There's a pretty good chance I'll make it through next year - I've just moved house and the legal fees have severely depleted my gear fund savings. That, plus having to buy a lot of new furniture means that I won't exactly be flush for quite a while now.

I’m in the same boat. And since when were bathrooms the same price as a preCBS Fender 🙄

[Shockwave]

The Stas Bass I bought earlier in the year that saw me crash out of 2024's abstinence is being refinished and a new nut installed. It's with luthier who will sort it all out. It's unlikely to be finished until next year. Obviously it will be paid for next year. 

 

I throw myself to the mercy of the jury. Have I destroyed my abstinence thread participation for next year? 

[2pods]

Hopefully, nothing needed this year after this lot.

Though Roland/Boss do have a new guitar modeller to be announced at January's NAAM 

 

 

In:

Fender Acoustosonic Highway Parlour Guitar

Ibanez SR135B 5 string bass

Fender Vintera 2 60's Stratocaster

Boss GM-800 Guitar Synth

Boss GK5 serial pickup

Boss GDK-DA convertor for GK3/GK5

Boss GP-10 and GK3 Guitar Synth and Hex pickup

Strymon Big Sky ex

Short scale Sterling Stingray incoming

 

Out;

Fender Classic 50's Strat

Strymon Big Sky

Origin Cali76 Compact Bas Compressor

 

I'm pretty sure I sold more stuff, but that's what stands out

Edited Wednesday at 12:57 by 2pods

[neepheid]

38 minutes ago, Shockwave said:

The Stas Bass I bought earlier in the year that saw me crash out of 2024's abstinence is being refinished and a new nut installed. It's with luthier who will sort it all out. It's unlikely to be finished until next year. Obviously it will be paid for next year. 

 

I throw myself to the mercy of the jury. Have I destroyed my abstinence thread participation for next year? 

 

I think this could be covered by the "deposit paid the year before" clause - in this case, the bass *is* the deposit?  You instigated the work this year.  I reckon this is OK.  Anyone else want to chime in?

[bass_dinger]

34 minutes ago, Shockwave said:

 

I throw myself to the mercy of the jury. Have I destroyed my abstinence thread participation for next year? 

I refer the defendant to the case of bass_dinger v Basschat.co.uk 

This case seemed to establish that a refinish that was a repair, counted as any other repair, and would not result in a Gear Abstinence breach.

 

However, it will be for you to show that it was a repair...

 

 

[msb]

I’m thinking I should simply sell some stuff , there’s no immediate need for anything more. 

[neepheid]

12 minutes ago, bass_dinger said:

I refer the defendant to the case of bass_dinger v Basschat.co.uk 

This case seemed to establish that a refinish that was a repair, counted as any other repair, and would not result in a Gear Abstinence breach.

 

However, it will be for you to show that it was a repair...

 

 

 

My point is that it doesn't matter in this case, frivilous or not - this is a continuing job that was instigated this year - I see it the same as putting a deposit down on an item which will not arrive until next year when the remaining balance is paid.  Infractions are counted from when they are initially committed - in this case when the job was agreed with the luthier and the bass handed over for the work to be done.  They're already out for this year, but if they weren't and the refinish/nut replacement was deemed not to be a repair then it would have seen them bow out this year.  In this case, it is moot.

Edited Wednesday at 13:12 by neepheid

[Shockwave]

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

I refer the defendant to the case of bass_dinger v Basschat.co.uk 

This case seemed to establish that a refinish that was a repair, counted as any other repair, and would not result in a Gear Abstinence breach.

 

However, it will be for you to show that it was a repair...

 

 

Here is some of the offending finish issues. It's all over the edges of the bass, body and headstock. Is it neccesary? No, is it unsightly? A little. 

The nut had some uneven string spacing that I wanted sorted as well. 

[Shockwave]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

My point is that it doesn't matter in this case, frivilous or not - this is a continuing job that was instigated this year - I see it the same as putting a deposit down on an item which will not arrive until next year when the remaining balance is paid.  Infractions are counted from when they are initially committed - in this case when the job was agreed with the luthier and the bass handed over for the work to be done.  They're already out for this year, but if they weren't and the refinish/nut replacement was deemed not to be a repair then it would have seen them bow out this year.  In this case, it is moot.

 

Further clarifications. If a bass was purchased on New Years Eve using a Pay in 3 method, in theory it is covered by this years thread correct? Even though the first payment will be sent before New Years, but not Received until the banks reopen a few days later?

To put in F1 terminology. This is unlikely to be against regulations, but is is against the "Spirit" of the regulations?

Edited Wednesday at 14:49 by Shockwave

[Maude]

What if I considered buying a certain bass before NYE, and then bought that bass later next year? 

Pushing the rules a bit? 😁

[neepheid]

4 minutes ago, Shockwave said:

 

Further clarifications. If a bass was purchased on New Years Eve using a Pay in 3 method, in theory it is covered by this years thread correct? 

 

 

Yes, I would say it goes by order date, not arrival date.  Paying on tick is a little different to putting down a deposit then making a final payment, but I guess it's tantamount to the same thing.  Anyone else wanna weigh in?

[neepheid]

2 minutes ago, Maude said:

What if I considered buying a certain bass before NYE, and then bought that bass later next year? 

Pushing the rules a bit? 😁

 

Aye, that'd be a fail, I reckon.  Goes by order date, not "first twinkle in my eye" date