2024 Gear Abstinence Thread

[Maude]

I'm actually going to make a proper effort next year, I've lost the GAS recently and can't think of anything I really want. 

[lozkerr]

3 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

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

I've decided to treat myself to an Electro-Harmonix Big Bass Muff, as the distortion pedals I've tried so far have been a bit on the weedy side. I can't think of anything else I'm likely to want. This week, at least 😉

[ezbass]

2 hours ago, Maude said:

I'm actually going to make a proper effort next year, I've lost the GAS recently and can't think of anything I really want. 

You have been on BC long enough to know that that is not how it works. Today’s lack of GAS is tomorrow’s spending spree.

[OliverBlackman]

3 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

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?

Depends. A custom bass with a long wait means you will have your GAS cured at point of receipt rather than point of order…. Unless you buy another bass to fill the void which has been known on here 😂

[Richard R]

I'm still in. I really need to fix an issue with the Roland GK-B2 hex pickup for the V-Bass modeller that took me out last year. Until that's done no more bass purchases, so I'm good for a while next year too.

[tauzero]

13 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

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?

 

I would agree - where the payment for a good or service is one side of the new year, and the good or service is provided on the other side, then the earlier of the two should count, which should delight anyone in the waiting list for a Wal who intends to participate in the 2029 abstinence challenge.

[tauzero]

11 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

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?

 

I think I can clarify and simplify my earlier wording - it is the date of the commencement of the transaction that counts. I can seek the opinion of my barrister brother-in-law on Boxing Day when I see him if any more qualified opinion is required.

[tauzero]

15 hours ago, neepheid said:

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.

 

Over the last month anna bit:

 

Sterling Ray5

TC BAM200

Bits to build a 2-band preamp for the Ray5, and a Wilkinson pickup for same

USB-powered pedal power supply

Jazz clone neck

 

This last puts me in a bit of a quandary. I intend to use it to build a bass, for which I have some but by no means all parts (the body, for example, is currently absent). Would the building of the bass be regarded as a single good or service, in which case the transaction has been initiated (vide supra), or is it separate transactions for each part acquired?

[neepheid]

6 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Over the last month anna bit:

 

Sterling Ray5

TC BAM200

Bits to build a 2-band preamp for the Ray5, and a Wilkinson pickup for same

USB-powered pedal power supply

Jazz clone neck

 

This last puts me in a bit of a quandary. I intend to use it to build a bass, for which I have some but by no means all parts (the body, for example, is currently absent). Would the building of the bass be regarded as a single good or service, in which case the transaction has been initiated (vide supra), or is it separate transactions for each part acquired?

 

I also have a project slated to start when a missing piece (the donor bass) finally (hopefully) arrives at the end of January - ordered in September and already paid for BTW Outside of that, I have made sure to procure all the parts I will need for that project before the end of the year so as not to sully my abstinence next year.  I suggest you do the same, but it's up to you.  They're separate things, these parts, they're separate transactions as far as I'm concerned.  If you had put a deposit down to have someone else do it all for you and pay them the balance when it's done then I could understand, but as you're DIYing, I don't see that logical wrapper (as in you bought a "service" from someone rather than the parts directly) around the project as a single thing.  Hey, if you see it differently then just don't tell us - we're not the abstinence police!  Or just accept that next year is not gonna be your year, it's just a bit of fun at the end of the day...

[msb]

And after thinking I had everything , I might have already blown next year’s abstinence. 

[tauzero]

3 hours ago, neepheid said:

I also have a project slated to start when a missing piece (the donor bass) finally (hopefully) arrives at the end of January - ordered in September and already paid for BTW Outside of that, I have made sure to procure all the parts I will need for that project before the end of the year so as not to sully my abstinence next year.  I suggest you do the same, but it's up to you.  They're separate things, these parts, they're separate transactions as far as I'm concerned.  If you had put a deposit down to have someone else do it all for you and pay them the balance when it's done then I could understand, but as you're DIYing, I don't see that logical wrapper (as in you bought a "service" from someone rather than the parts directly) around the project as a single thing.  Hey, if you see it differently then just don't tell us - we're not the abstinence police!  Or just accept that next year is not gonna be your year, it's just a bit of fun at the end of the day...

 

I'm pretty much resigned to being doomed. I just wonder how far I'll get into the year before the inevitable happens.

[OliverBlackman]

11 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

I think I can clarify and simplify my earlier wording - it is the date of the commencement of the transaction that counts. I can seek the opinion of my barrister brother-in-law on Boxing Day when I see him if any more qualified opinion is required.

I am sure he will be delighted to go through 30 pages for this year and previous years to find rulings of a similar nature. How else would one want to spend Christmas? 

[TeresaFR]

Out: 

HX Effects

VTBassDI

 

In:

Nu>X C-5RC wireless system

HX Stomp XL

 

Not a terriby expensive year, equipment-wise. I do fancy a set of wireless monitoring headphones though, so I don't know I'm going to last 2025 without a purchase, unless I get the order placed really soon.

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, TeresaFR said:

Out: 

HX Effects

VTBassDI

 

In:

Nu>X C-5RC wireless system

HX Stomp XL

 

Not a terriby expensive year, equipment-wise. I do fancy a set of wireless monitoring headphones though, so I don't know I'm going to last 2025 without a purchase, unless I get the order placed really soon.

 

Tick tock...

 

Also, 'tis the season - as Donna and Tom say on Parks and Recreation - treat yo'self!

[Stub Mandrel]

On 18/12/2024 at 12:15, 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? 

 

New nut? - sounds like essential maintenance.

 

Refin? - Shamelessly unnecessary cosmetic job, OUT!

[tauzero]

And a very final (probably) purchase of 2024, currently incoming so report when it gets here.

[Mudpup]

In:

Laney Digbeth preamp

 

Out:

VT Bass Di preamp

 

In and out:

Ibanez EHB1005

 

Shaking it all about:

MarkBass Gloxy GV5 (see Bargain PSA/NBD post)

 

That's not a bad result by my admittedly poor standards

 

I have no chance in 2025......I'll be selling my gigging amp and cabs and having a rethink/shuffle 

[neepheid]

OOh aye, less than a week to go!  If you intend to participate next year (and you aren't still in this year) then you'd better get those last minute purchases in!

 

Succession planning - I have been delighted to be your host/thread custodian this year, but my duties are almost done.  So perhaps someone in the next few days would like to start a 2025 abstinence thread and take over this highly illustrious and sought after role from me?

 

[Stub Mandrel]

19 minutes ago, neepheid said:

OOh aye, less than a week to go!  If you intend to participate next year (and you aren't still in this year) then you'd better get those last minute purchases in!

 

Succession planning - I have been delighted to be your host/thread custodian this year, but my duties are almost done.  So perhaps someone in the next few days would like to start a 2025 abstinence thread and take over this highly illustrious and sought after role from me?

 

 

Volunteer for the role of Bassfinder General?

 

The most feared GAS Detector in Christendom (and beyond!)

 

That's a big ask!

[msb]

I’ve ordered an amp to be built in the NewYear , so I’m already out , I do plan to sell four or five amps and thin things down to exactly what is necessary. Should sell some basses too. Probably wait until tax refund time to sell the stuff …

[neepheid]

5 minutes ago, msb said:

I’ve ordered an amp to be built in the NewYear , so I’m already out , I do plan to sell four or five amps and thin things down to exactly what is necessary. Should sell some basses too. Probably wait until tax refund time to sell the stuff …

 

If you've ordered and paid for it in this calendar year, it doesn't count for next year.  Even if it's a deposit now, pay the balance in 2025 it's still OK.  It's the order date that's the crucial part.

 

I've got a bass on back order which is slated to arrive in mid Feb, but I ordered (and paid for) it back in September.  This bass's arrival will not affect my participation next year.

Edited December 27, 2024 by neepheid

[Lozz196]

Aside from strings I don’t envisage buying anything next year, if anything I should be offloading a fair amount.

[msb]

1 hour ago, neepheid said:

 

If you've ordered and paid for it in this calendar year, it doesn't count for next year.  Even if it's a deposit now, pay the balance in 2025 it's still OK.  It's the order date that's the crucial part.

 

I've got a bass on back order which is slated to arrive in mid Feb, but I ordered (and paid for) it back in September.  This bass's arrival will not affect my participation next year.

Really?  I honestly see no need for anything after this. I do hope to pare things down.

[2pods]

I think, after this year's spree, I won't be buying anything bass related apart from strings.

 

However, there is that nice Origin compressor......

[ezbass]

I’m looking forward to buying anything  .