2025 Gear Abstinence Thread

[Geek99]

9 hours ago, SimonK said:

 

I'm liking this idea of coersion being a suitable additional reason to stay active on this thread... can someone add it to the official rules while I come with a scheme to be coerced into buying something a bit more substantive?

No, that’s a bit close to opening the floodgates 

 

two things swayed me 

1. it was loyalty points so not actual real money. They had to be spent there. A form of coercion, albeit gentle 

2. it was an item that is absolutely a consumable, and inexpensive 

[Richard R]

Cables aren't consumables like strings, surely? If you have one then arguably only need another if it’s damaged, like for like replacement. I haven't ever needed to replace a cable. And they are in the signal chain, like a new wireless adapter would be.

 

A ruling on whether shop loyalty points should be included is clearly required though. They are designed to encourage spending, which is the opposite aim of the thread. Loyalty points built up in previous years??

 

The cost of the item should be irrelevant. If we introduce, say, a £10 threshold is that the equivalent of ignoring speeding that's <10% above the limit? 

 

@SimonK is still in as the BCPS hasn't come to a conclusion. 

[bass_dinger]

8 hours ago, OliverBlackman said:

Maybe it’s because my evening plans were ruined by car failure but I am shocked that you would encourage each other into buying cables that aren’t replacing broken cables or removing liability where a salesman encourages a purchase! No wonder you’re all in this group 😂

A good point  - a true consumable has to replace something that is wearing out, or is already broken. If one has other items that would do the job (say, a blue 3m cable, even though a yellow 2m cable would be better suited), then perhaps one might use that instead?

 

However, the decision seems to have been made regarding that particular cable, which was largely purchased with Loyalty Points (so, a 'gift'), earned in previous years (so, arguably not part of the 2025 challenge).

 

 

[OliverBlackman]

2 hours ago, bass_dinger said:

A good point  - a true consumable has to replace something that is wearing out, or is already broken. If one has other items that would do the job (say, a blue 3m cable, even though a yellow 2m cable would be better suited), then perhaps one might use that instead?

 

However, the decision seems to have been made regarding that particular cable, which was largely purchased with Loyalty Points (so, a 'gift'), earned in previous years (so, arguably not part of the 2025 challenge).

 

 

Interesting strategy calling loyalty points a gift. I would argue they’re a form of payment and go against the ethos of the challenge.

[neepheid]

Honestly, I wouldn't even report a cable to this thread.  Having spares is just good practice.  Frankly, they're such humdrum, sundry items that I'm surprised it has generated this much chat.  Is a cable even "gear"?  What next, a plectrum?

 

Also, if you have a cable fetish, or some other compulsion to buy them, then frankly I think you need more help than this little support group can possibly offer

 

[knirirr]

I was hoping to join in this thread but I have already ordered a gig bag and a footswitch this year.

[mikebass456]

4 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Honestly, I wouldn't even report a cable to this thread.  Having spares is just good practice.  Frankly, they're such humdrum, sundry items that I'm surprised it has generated this much chat.  Is a cable even "gear"?  What next, a plectrum?

 

Also, if you have a cable fetish, or some other compulsion to buy them, then frankly I think you need more help than this little support group can possibly offer

 

I get all my plectrums for free from our guitarist.  Once he's worn the points off his Dunlop .73s, he can't use them.  However, they're perfect for me, so I just hoover them up when he's dumped them! #winning 🤪👍

[mikebass456]

1 minute ago, knirirr said:

I was hoping to join in this thread but I have already ordered a gig bag and a footswitch this year.

There's always next year......😉👍

[Geek99]

58 minutes ago, OliverBlackman said:

Interesting strategy calling loyalty points a gift. I would argue they’re a form of payment and go against the ethos of the challenge.

But they expire unlike money, so there is a concrete pressure to use them. I know of no one who has enough loyalty points to get a bass, amp, cab or pedal - ie something substantial enough to be called gear. The original question came from someone who did not declare if he wanted a spare , has a broken cable or was going to gift it to someone. I don’t think it matters 

- cables, strings and picks 🤮are consumables

[Geek99]

40 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Honestly, I wouldn't even report a cable to this thread.  Having spares is just good practice.  Frankly, they're such humdrum, sundry items that I'm surprised it has generated this much chat.  Is a cable even "gear"?  What next, a plectrum?

 

Also, if you have a cable fetish, or some other compulsion to buy them, then frankly I think you need more help than this little support group can possibly offer

 

Totally agree. Only substantial purchases count

[neepheid]

40 minutes ago, knirirr said:

I was hoping to join in this thread but I have already ordered a gig bag and a footswitch this year.

 

Ahh, the bag would have been fine (or at least grey area) - "There used to be a convention that things not in the signal path didn’t count. So straps, stands and the like were allowed. I'm cool with that - what do others think?"

Footswitch though, nae luck, sorry chief!

[bass_dinger]

41 minutes ago, knirirr said:

I was hoping to join in this thread but I have already ordered a gig bag and a footswitch this year.

You should join anyway, and  become the first person to fail before they signed up!

 

46 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Honestly, I wouldn't even report a cable to this thread. 

Interestingly, cables are not listed in The Rules. So, perhaps they are indeed out of scope?

 

1 hour ago, OliverBlackman said:

Interesting strategy calling loyalty points a gift. I would argue they’re a form of payment and go against the ethos of the challenge.

So, the loyalty points were given to @SimonK without him asking for them. That's why I felt that they were a gift (or rather, a 'gift' - even I was doubtful of whether they were truly a gift of bass bits. Loyalty Points feel more like cash, albeit restricted to a single shop).

 

 

 

I am loving this thread  - it's like an episode of Crown Court, with lots of legal arguments, but nobody goes to prison if they are guilty!!

 

[SimonK]

44 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Ahh, the bag would have been fine (or at least grey area) - "There used to be a convention that things not in the signal path didn’t count. So straps, stands and the like were allowed. I'm cool with that - what do others think?"

Footswitch though, nae luck, sorry chief!

 

At risk of causing yet more problems, surely if the footswitch is used to switch channels it isn't in the signal path either, and likewise tuners that are not in-line.... I think a bassbash needs to be convened in a courtroom somewhere just to discuss these pressing issues...

[neepheid]

5 minutes ago, SimonK said:

 

At risk of causing yet more problems, surely if the footswitch is used to switch channels it isn't in the signal path either, and likewise tuners that are not in-line.... I think a bassbash needs to be convened in a courtroom somewhere just to discuss these pressing issues...

 

I'm trying to get you off with a caution, I'd keep quiet if I were you

 

I think shenanigans would be called if I purchased the three switch footswitch in order to use multiple Toneprints in my BH250 amp.  Footswitches are gear, they are not consumables by any stretch of the imagination.  They alter the signal path, ergo they're involved in the signal path.

Edited Wednesday at 12:50 by neepheid

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

You should join anyway, and  become the first person to fail before they signed up!

 

Interestingly, cables are not listed in The Rules. So, perhaps they are indeed out of scope?

 

So, the loyalty points were given to @SimonK without him asking for them. That's why I felt that they were a gift (or rather, a 'gift' - even I was doubtful of whether they were truly a gift of bass bits. Loyalty Points feel more like cash, albeit restricted to a single shop).

 

 

 

I am loving this thread  - it's like an episode of Crown Court, with lots of legal arguments, but nobody goes to prison if they are guilty!!

 

It’s like being Donald trump 

[Richard R]

OK. I propose an ammendment to the 2025 rules as follows:

 

Without setting precedent:

Normal cables are allowed this year, even if they aren't replacing breakages. (Wireless or any non-conventtional systems aren't)

Purchases made with music-store specific loyalty points are allowed. We could get tighter with the definition, but let'sjust allow if for now. (But  I couldn't use the Amazon points I am racking up on work travel and hotels to buy a set of machine heads)

Asking for gift vouchers for a present then spending them on gear is still a fail when you spend them. 

Straps, plectrums and sundries are still OK.

 

Make sense? 

 

[Richard R]

2 hours ago, SimonK said:

 I think a bassbash needs to be convened in a courtroom somewhere just to discuss these pressing issues...

 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hire-a-court-venue

 

Turns out you can hire a courtroom!

[Richard R]

3 hours ago, Geek99 said:

Totally agree. Only substantial purchases count

 

That requires a definition of "substantial ", which depends on income.  

[Richard R]

3 hours ago, knirirr said:

I was hoping to join in this thread but I have already ordered a gig bag and a footswitch this year.

 

I'll sign you up in the "Repentant Sinner", sub category. Your playing for pride.

 

 

[OliverBlackman]

5 hours ago, bass_dinger said:

So, the loyalty points were given to @SimonK without him asking for them. That's why I felt that they were a gift (or rather, a 'gift' - even I was doubtful of whether they were truly a gift of bass bits. Loyalty Points feel more like cash, albeit restricted to a single shop).

 

Were they given, or were purchases made from this retailer prior in order to build points and purchase other items using those points? That would be purposeful and therefore not a gift.

 

For example if I use a credit card provider in order to build points to swap for air miles, I wouldn’t consider that a gift. I’ve purposefully made those purchases with that card to get the reward.

Edited Wednesday at 17:58 by OliverBlackman

[Geek99]

How about a blanket £50 limit covering even the more expensive strings and all straps, plectrums and cables 

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

How about a blanket £50 limit covering even the more expensive strings and all straps, plectrums and cables 

 

Too high - you can get wireless bugs and many effects pedals for that.  I would not support a blanket limit of any amount.  Better to adjudicate by item type.  Or, you know, just stay the f out of shops and online retailers...

 

[Geek99]

5 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Too high - you can get wireless bugs and many effects pedals for that.  I would not support a blanket limit of any amount.  Better to adjudicate by item type.  Or, you know, just stay the f out of shops and online retailers...

 

You’re right 

let’s make Everything at home for free out of wicker and plaited dog hair 

😋

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

You’re right 

let’s make Everything at home for free out of wicker and plaited dog hair 

😋

 

Tonewicker and tonehair, innit?

[Geek99]

Just now, neepheid said:

 

Tonewicker and tonehair, innit?

Well if we use old “seasoned” wicker it will sound better 🍿