The Year Without Gear

[cosmicevan]

I've been considering something similar. I wasn't thinking of no new gear...I was thinking of no new money invested in gear...meaning if I want to try something, I can sell something or trade to get it, just no new money.

I was mostly thinking this because I'm hoping my Carl Thompson will be done this year and when the man calls to collect the rest of the balance, I'm concerned the couch won't have enough pennies, so starting to save now as best as I can and hopefully it all works out with no hiccups.

I had considered that sort of format as well. Last year was pretty much that for me, with a few exceptions. I'd still be constantly hunting for trades and sales tho, so in my situation, it's better to draw a firm line and just work with what I have. Best of luck to you!!

It's true, it depends on what you are shooting for...reeling in the spending or reeling in being in constant n00b state learning gear instead of making music. Touche.

[Dowi]

I really appreciate what you're doing/trying to do as i'm trying to do the same (sort of).
Since christmas I already stopped myself from buying 2 different pedals, even if they were priced very VERY good. Like, i stopped while already in the paypal checkout phase
I'll keep a close eye on your project, good luck!

[friendship]

I've been considering something similar. I wasn't thinking of no new gear...I was thinking of no new money invested in gear...meaning if I want to try something, I can sell something or trade to get it, just no new money.

I was mostly thinking this because I'm hoping my Carl Thompson will be done this year and when the man calls to collect the rest of the balance, I'm concerned the couch won't have enough pennies, so starting to save now as best as I can and hopefully it all works out with no hiccups.

I had considered that sort of format as well. Last year was pretty much that for me, with a few exceptions. I'd still be constantly hunting for trades and sales tho, so in my situation, it's better to draw a firm line and just work with what I have. Best of luck to you!!

It's true, it depends on what you are shooting for...reeling in the spending or reeling in being in constant n00b state learning gear instead of making music. Touche.

Good point. Currently re-teaching myself how to program my D-05 (I mostly remember, just some cobwebs around the key bias point settings and shit) and putting my meanderings in a little "journal" on soundcloud.

One thing I might need to address is my acoustic guitar, which I've had for 20 years and has needed a neck reset pretty much the whole time. The previous owner shaved down the bridge, so if I do the reset it might need a new bridge too. It'll be a lot of money and hassle, but it's also my baby. Anyway I need to take it to the luthiers for a consultation. If it's looking like more trouble than it's worth, I may need to find a new acoustic, which I will not look forward to doing. Or maybe I can just let it ride for another year. A real Sophie's choice.

[retinal orbita]

I've been considering something similar. I wasn't thinking of no new gear...I was thinking of no new money invested in gear...meaning if I want to try something, I can sell something or trade to get it, just no new money.

I did this last year. I sold a ton of pedals to finance a looper and a Data Corrupter, then every time I sold a pedal on Reverb I'd rub my hands together and go "heh heh heh time for a new pedal" and then..... I wouldn't! I managed to keep it all in a savings account. Actually that's not true. I bought a Reverb pedal and then flipped it immediately.

I moved to a new city and I don't know anyone plus work and covid and blah blah blah so I have just been droning away in the basement. It's nice.

[Paul_C]

I sent back the Tele body and have no more plans for buying pedals, guitars or amps this year.

Having said that I do have an AC15 already on the way, but that's the last thing other than small bits and pieces or maybe a set of pickups.

I'm going to let a few things go which will have to fund any future purchases, but unless there's an unbelievable new product or a really cool finish on a Tele or JM I don't see myself picking up anything.

[cosmicevan]

I've definitely let a few things pass me by that last year evan wouldn't have. It can be a challenge, but the real trick is to stop browsing what's coming out and what's for sale.

[friendship]

I've definitely let a few things pass me by that last year evan wouldn't have. It can be a challenge, but the real trick is to stop browsing what's coming out and what's for sale.

Yeah I gotta put a blocker on CL and Reverb or something. My cycle goes like this: I load and browse those pages reflexively, see something unfamiliar or interesting or cheap, start Googling it, and in the process decide it's something that could be fun to have. Which is all well and good, but I don't need anything! I'm fine!

I'M FINE

[friendship]

One thing I might need to address is my acoustic guitar, which I've had for 20 years and has needed a neck reset pretty much the whole time. The previous owner shaved down the bridge, so if I do the reset it might need a new bridge too. It'll be a lot of money and hassle, but it's also my baby. Anyway I need to take it to the luthiers for a consultation. If it's looking like more trouble than it's worth, I may need to find a new acoustic, which I will not look forward to doing. Or maybe I can just let it ride for another year. A real Sophie's choice.

Alas, my luthiers are not taking on any neck resets this year as they are backlogged. So that's that on that. I'll work with what I've got for 2023 unless something good pops up locally.

[Blood_mountain]

I've definitely let a few things pass me by that last year evan wouldn't have. It can be a challenge, but the real trick is to stop browsing what's coming out and what's for sale.

Which can also be hard. I like the idea of keeping up to speed with the effects world, because I genuinely love effects pedals and think the community is amazing. But you’re right, just seeing things posted on social media, teased, demo’d, etc. can be super tempting. A friend of mine who is also trying to cut back has been messaging me daily about new stuff he is seeing, and other than the new Fairfield pedal it’s all been news to me, so I guess I’m doing an ok job of not paying as close attention as I have in the past.

[cosmicevan]

I've definitely let a few things pass me by that last year evan wouldn't have. It can be a challenge, but the real trick is to stop browsing what's coming out and what's for sale.

Yeah I gotta put a blocker on CL and Reverb or something. My cycle goes like this: I load and browse those pages reflexively, see something unfamiliar or interesting or cheap, start Googling it, and in the process decide it's something that could be fun to have. Which is all well and good, but I don't need anything! I'm fine!

I'M FINE

I've been trying to replace my mindless browsing of social media and classified type places with looking at my To Do list. Unsurprisingly, 2023 is off to a fairly productive start.

[Paul_C]

AC15C1 arrived safe and sound, that "should" be me done for the year.

[retinal orbita]

This year I have already purchased a used phaser and a used drum machine.....

[frodog]

If it's used it doesn't count. That's a loophole I just invented.

[retinal orbita]

I like the way you think, frodog…..

[Blood_mountain]

If it's used it doesn't count. That's a loophole I just invented.

Haha, that’s how I think too! I am great at creating loopholes. When the new Fairfield pedal was leaked, and I found out they weren’t releasing it until this month, I legit reached out to them to see if I could preorder so that way it would technically have been purchased in 2022.

Alas, it was not to be, and I’m thankful for that, as it’s given me the challenge of trying to get that kind of sound with existing gear.