2025 Gear Abstinence Thread

[Richard R]

6 hours ago, TimR said:

I am in desperate need of an office chair - see other thread...

 

I've re-read the rules several times and don't think it counts as a musical accessory. Its primary purpose will be an office chair... 👀

 

No tapping out rhythm on the arms...

[jezzaboy]

On 10/12/2025 at 15:37, Bass Direct said:

Not with any intention  

Well I thought I was done for the year as I have spent far too much this year. Then BD had a rather nice Jap Ray and even though I have had a couple before and wasn`t wowed by them this natural/maple combo was just too tempting. I really need to give the 3 band more time and get a sound that suits. Well that`s my excuse anyway! Hopefully it will arrive before Xmas.

[Bass Direct]

On 20/12/2025 at 14:26, jezzaboy said:

Well I thought I was done for the year as I have spent far too much this year. Then BD had a rather nice Jap Ray and even though I have had a couple before and wasn`t wowed by them this natural/maple combo was just too tempting. I really need to give the 3 band more time and get a sound that suits. Well that`s my excuse anyway! Hopefully it will arrive before Xmas.

We will do our best, enjoy!

 

[msb]

I was given a plexi bass from an old forum friend in California , and about 3/4 of the way in I found a Batwing Harmony I could not pass. I had been looking for one for years. No plans to purchase anything more , I think I’m more than satisfied with what I have , I should sell several amps and some basses so I’m definitely going to sign up in the New Year. I’ve managed to stop buying things simply because the deal was too good to pass up. 
At least I’m hoping that will be the case next year.

[neepheid]

Well, you've probably already seen it, but my preparations for next year are done - cleared out all bass and music related gear from my FB Marketplace and ebay watch/save lists, and got one final hit before going cold turkey...

 

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/520914-nbd-ibanez-atk200

 

Right, ready to sign up when the 2026 thread goes live!  No basses living rent free in my head, feel good, feel confident that 2026 will be a year of great success (and improved prosperity)...

[2pods]

I think I'll last a lot longer this year, as all my purchases are done.

Last thing was the Neural John Meyer plugin.

I did go a bit nuts this Black Friday with software though 

[bassbiscuits]

I’m pretty much done in terms of my own gear. If Ive survived this long without something I probably don’t need it. 
 

But with both my kids now learning to play, my plans for an acquisition-free 2026 are already perilously holed below the water line…. 

[neepheid]

6 minutes ago, bassbiscuits said:

I’m pretty much done in terms of my own gear. If Ive survived this long without something I probably don’t need it. 
 

But with both my kids now learning to play, my plans for an acquisition-free 2026 are already perilously holed below the water line…. 

 

Does buying a bass for someone else count? But you must not come to acquire it later on in the year...

[bassbiscuits]

Just now, neepheid said:

 

Does buying a bass for someone else count? But you must not come to acquire it later on in the year...

We’ll have to refer to the small print for that…

[Geek99]

53 minutes ago, bassbiscuits said:

We’ll have to refer to the small print for that…

I think that’s a unique case. 
on the facts …

 

they’re kids and cannot afford to tread the righteous path of bass on their own. 
 

@bassbiscuits isn’t playing the bass himself, I assume, other than to educate 

at least they won’t become guitards 

 

So….

I would say this is a situation to be merciful given the greater picture of “more people playing bass” 

[bassbiscuits]

21 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

I would say this is a situation to be merciful given the greater picture of “more people playing bass” 

Alas, it is guitar and drums which are their calling….

[neepheid]

38 minutes ago, bassbiscuits said:

Alas, it is guitar and drums which are their calling….

 

Get them told!  What next, supporting the "wrong" football team?  It's a slippery slope...

 

[2pods]

34 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Get them told!  What next, supporting the "wrong" football team?  It's a slippery slope...

 

 

"Get them telt !"

 

As it is told here in the Northern Climes 

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, bassbiscuits said:

Alas, it is guitar and drums which are their calling….

Ah - hanging is too good for them … but … 

you could disown them immediately before they learn too much and so cannot be persuaded back to The Light 

Edited December 22 by Geek99

[Geek99]

45 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

Get them told!  What next, supporting the "wrong" football team?  It's a slippery slope...

 

There you go @bassbiscuits - Ned Stark of Winterfell has spoken 

[bassbiscuits]

5 hours ago, Geek99 said:

Ah - hanging is too good for them … but … 

you could disown them immediately before they learn too much and so cannot be persuaded back to The Light 

I thought it was slightly more useful than all three of us being bassists in the same house….

 

Besides, good drummers are as rare as chicken lips, and the guitar lad is already well on his way to fronting bands, so good luck to them. 

[Richard R]

I think a complete excemption should be made for any instrument purchases for dependant children who are learning to play. Though I'm tempted to exclude descant recorders and half-size violins.

 

Also @neepheid - do yoy fancy running the 2026 challenge? Give you something to do as a displacement activity from buying and selling basses? 😉

 

[neepheid]

9 minutes ago, Richard R said:

Also @neepheid - do yoy fancy running the 2026 challenge? Give you something to do as a displacement activity from buying and selling basses? 😉

 

 

I would be open to the possibility.

 

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, bassbiscuits said:

I thought it was slightly more useful than all three of us being bassists in the same house….

 

Besides, good drummers are as rare as chicken lips, and the guitar lad is already well on his way to fronting bands, so good luck to them. 

Not at all- you could learn from each other and keep the fires (made out of old Les Pauls obviously) burning brightly 

 

I’ll give you a pass on the drummer as they have uses but wouldn’t the guitarist look much better, and more distinctive fronting bands with a bass? 

theres still time to save him from mediocrity -  move quickly ! If you’re in time no neighbours with pitchforks and buckets of tar and feathers will besmirch your front lawn 

Edited December 23 by Geek99

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, Richard R said:

I think a complete excemption should be made for any instrument purchases for dependant children who are learning to play. Though I'm tempted to exclude descant recorders and half-size violins.

 

Also @neepheid - do yoy fancy running the 2026 challenge? Give you something to do as a displacement activity from buying and selling basses? 😉

 

He’s the new @AndyTravis  👍

[Mrbigstuff]

22 hours ago, Geek99 said:

He’s the new @AndyTravis  👍

Only if they appear in the classifieds one week after the NBD thread

[AndyTravis]

22 hours ago, Geek99 said:

He’s the new @AndyTravis  👍

I’m busy at the moment, 2026 awaits…

[Geek99]

1 hour ago, AndyTravis said:

I’m busy at the moment, 2026 awaits…

I sense a competition … how about the 2026 Gear non-abstinence competition? 
 

the winner is the most frantic buyer of shiny things, with bonus points for “buyers remorse” swift offloading ? Equal bonus for donating it to charity when the dopamine hit wears off 

Edited December 23 by Geek99

[Maude]

It's now December 31st. I might order a bass in a minute, as a year without buying anything music related just doesn't feel right. My left eye keeps twitching and I've developed stammer. 😁

[msb]

I just replaced a broken Snark tuner , that’s ok in the rules , but I wanted to get it replaced before the next year begins.