2025 Gear Abstinence Thread

[fretmeister]

I think this is the longest I've ever had without buying something.

 

I'm actually practicing with the gear I have already, and I've even recorded a couple of bass cover vids.

 

It feels so very wrong.

[ezbass]

41 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

It feels so very wrong.

I have to agree, it's just nasty. 

41 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

I'm actually practicing with the gear I have already,

Yup, all kinds of wrong. 

[bass_dinger]

2 hours ago, fretmeister said:

I think this is the longest I've ever had without buying something.

 

I'm actually practicing with the gear I have already, and I've even recorded a couple of bass cover vids.

 

It feels so very wrong.

It's not just you.

 

Two of the input channels on my Yamaha AG03 PC interface have failed.  Instead of buying a new one, I found the Xenyx 802 mixer that I was given, and used the working inputs from that, and a pair of effects pedal cables, to plug into the two remaining inputs of the AG03. The twin mixers are messy, but kept me operational. 

 

There's more.  Instead of buying a midi expansion box with lots more sounds for my piano, or a better hammer-action keybed, I invested the same budget in piano lessons.  My Grade 1 exam is on 10th March.

 

And one more.  Instead of using my fretted bass to practice, I am now exclusively on fretless bass, working on my intonation. 

 

So, all this gear abstinence malarky is giving me no extra toys, but a bit of extra ability on the instruments that I do already have. 

 

Practicing? It'll never catch on....

Edited Tuesday at 14:26 by bass_dinger

[Richard R]

Steady On Chaps!! If word of this sort of behaviour  gets out we'll have Rachel Reeves blaming us for an economic downturn!!

 

Seriously though - this is the point of the thread. As Aaron Burr never sang:

"Purchase less; play more.

Don't let them know that your fingertips are sore. "

 

 

[Richard R]

3 hours ago, fretmeister said:

I've even recorded a couple of bass cover vids.

 

Would you want to share them, to encourage the rest of us?

 

[fretmeister]

45 minutes ago, Richard R said:

 

Would you want to share them, to encourage the rest of us?

 

 

 

[Ai Edit Video] Slim down subject by 2 stone[/Edit]

[bass_dinger]

1 hour ago, Richard R said:

 

Would you want to share them, to encourage the rest of us?

 

"That's a great sounding bass! I must buy one for myself, for, as we all know, new basses make us sound great. "

 

Or is that the wrong sort of thing that is being encouraged?

Edited Tuesday at 16:07 by bass_dinger

[ezbass]

3 minutes ago, bass_dinger said:

Or is that the wrong sort of thing that is being encouraged?

I feel the gloves are off regarding encouragement and luring others into gear acquisition is now standard operating procedure.  

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, ezbass said:

I feel the gloves are off regarding encouragement and luring others into gear acquisition is now standard operating procedure.  

 

I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about...

[ezbass]

FWIW I used a different bass for rehearsal last night, in place of my usual Mustang, it sounded glorious and felt easier to play, despite being 3” longer in scale, it’s certainly quite a bit lighter. I also took the ‘Stang and swapped briefly for comparison, but went straight back to the Maruszczyk. It sounded somewhere between a P and a Ric, which pushes all my buttons currently. Long story short, no GAS for a new bass in the near future for me (he said, tempting the GAS genie to cast a spell).

[2pods]

On 18/02/2025 at 16:11, ezbass said:

I feel the gloves are off regarding encouragement and luring others into gear acquisition is now standard operating procedure.  

 

You may think that, but I couldn't possibly comment

[Geek99]

I reached agreement to sell something big today. I don’t have the money yet but it’s coming. 
 

I’m resisting the temptation to abstain from abstinence this year. 

Edited yesterday at 18:34 by Geek99

[Geek99]

Classic vibe jazz bass perhaps. Do the 70s ones have 70s pup spacing ? 

[MrDinsdale]

Well Im grabbing some pickups for my Schecter J4. Was never an issue with the band I was in as it was all pick, now I'm using it for finger style stuff I'm finding them a little uncomfortable so time for an upgrade.

 

Shame I couldn't make the end of Feb but can't turn them down! Longest I've gone without a bass purchase in ages!

[Richard R]

Updated  P2. Well done for a new Personal Best @MrDinsdale.

Edited 20 hours ago by Richard R

[Geek99]

2 hours ago, MrDinsdale said:

Well Im grabbing some pickups for my Schecter J4. Was never an issue with the band I was in as it was all pick, now I'm using it for finger style stuff I'm finding them a little uncomfortable so time for an upgrade.

 

Shame I couldn't make the end of Feb but can't turn them down! Longest I've gone without a bass purchase in ages!

You’re my hero 👍

[MrDinsdale]

2 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

You’re my hero 👍

I do my best 🤣

[HeadlessBassist]

I'm almost glad I only just spotted this thread - excellent legal rules based concept, Richard.

 

Unfortunately, before the end of February, I've already failed. Traded in two basses against something I've been after for 17 years last weekend, which cost ALL the money.

 

Okay, so I'm patient (or is that persistent?!) Oh, and one further instrument is up for sale.

 

I do like this thread, though...

[Velarian]

15 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

I'm almost glad I only just spotted this thread - excellent legal rules based concept, Richard.

 

Unfortunately, before the end of February, I've already failed. Traded in two basses against something I've been after for 17 years last weekend, which cost ALL the money.

 

Okay, so I'm patient (or is that persistent?!) Oh, and one further instrument is up for sale.

 

I do like this thread, though...

Yes, yes, but we don’t really care about all that. What did you get? 

[HeadlessBassist]

45 minutes ago, Velarian said:

Yes, yes, but we don’t really care about all that. What did you get? 

 

Oh, just this...

 

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, HeadlessBassist said:

 

Oh, just this...

 

What utter trash! I assume that came out of an Asda Christmas cracker? You should take the box back and complain that they’re not worth £2.59

[HeadlessBassist]

Just now, Geek99 said:

What utter trash! I assume that came out of an Asda Christmas cracker? You should take the box back and complain that they’re not worth £2.59

 

Absolutely - It's the 'Happy Shopper' variety of one-off KingBass MkII from 2019.  

[Richard R]

Is there an NBD post?

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Richard R

[Richard R]

2 hours ago, HeadlessBassist said:

something I've been after for 17 years

18 minutes ago, HeadlessBassist said:

a one-off KingBass MkII from 2019.  

 

(my emphasis)

Also - are you a time traveller? 

 

[HeadlessBassist]

10 minutes ago, Richard R said:

Is there an NBD post?

 

 

Not yet - haven't had time to take any pictures of it yet. I'm waiting for new strap buttons to come from Status, as the locking ones are a bit tarnished and grotty. The picture is from when it was on stock at BassBros in Warwickshire.