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How has your approach to gear changed in 2020?

#21
BobbyT said:
How has your approach to gear changed in 2020?

Since the pandemic hit—like a lot of people—I've been playing solo a lot more. I don't know if I'd chalk it up more to boredom or a real need but I found myself looking for a different sound.

So after 10+ years playing heavy La Bella flats on my P-bass, I switched back to roundwound strings this year. It's been a lot of fun for solo improvisation and the amateur recording I do at home. (I even switched to Spirocores on my upright after many years with Evah Pirazzi, which was a similar experience... but that's a topic for another thread.)

I also rarely use my amp anymore.

What about you?
Click to expand...
This Pandemic gives me GAS...
I've bought more Basses in the past 8 months, than I have in my entire life.
 
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#24
I was already SICK of playing gigs (after nearly 30 years), so no regrets to this year's "atmosphere". I guess the fire finally went out. But, I've bought an arsenal of Charvel Model Series guitars and basses, and love 'em every one.

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Here's my minty 575 Deluxe, but the Model 3Bs are where it's at.

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Here's my '87 3B, about to get some EMGs and fresh D'Addario XL rounds.

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And now for my main man - An '86 3B with proper old skool EMGs already installed, and oddly enough, I put some LaBella flats on it. This bass put my EBMM StingRay and AMDLX Jazz into retirement.
 
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#25
Got an extension for my Markbass combo. I was planning on getting this anyway; but a good deal and outdoor-only gigs pushed me over the edge.

Bought a Jazz-style bass after feeling ho-hum about my PJ. (My main bass is a P.) it's been pretty fun so far!

Rumble 25 for the living room. It's gotten a lot of play time, and has fueled many family jams!

Tried probably 8 sets of strings. No new favorites, but I learned some things and got a new appreciation for my old favorites.
 
#26
gearwise my 4x10 500lb hartke and traynor head never failed me since 94' but stays put, also an old Peavey combo basic 40. Added a couple of parts builds this year and started a "refin" project recently, which makes 5 basses now:headphone:.....whenever the "scene" ever picks up again musically, i wouldnt mind an 1x15 combo. .maybe some home recording gear----:whistle:
 
#27
BobbyT said:
How has your approach to gear changed in 2020?

Since the pandemic hit—like a lot of people—I've been playing solo a lot more. I don't know if I'd chalk it up more to boredom or a real need but I found myself looking for a different sound.

So after 10+ years playing heavy La Bella flats on my P-bass, I switched back to roundwound strings this year. It's been a lot of fun for solo improvisation and the amateur recording I do at home. (I even switched to Spirocores on my upright after many years with Evah Pirazzi, which was a similar experience... but that's a topic for another thread.)

I also rarely use my amp anymore.

What about you?
Click to expand...

I don't plan on changing anything. One thing however, usually the only time I play my gigging gear is on a gig and between gigs, it sits in the garage. Since no gigs it's in my house, so I get to play through it a lot as opposed to my combos. So right now I have several really nice sounding practice rigs with a lot of unused capacity.
 
#30
1) I went lighter. My new rig (Mesa TT800 and Subway 115 cab) weighs about 1/3 of my lightest other rigs.

2) Practicing more in the house. My jam room is a bonus room over the garage. The TT800 has an aux in and headphone out. So I can jam along with my music, or a video, right at my dining room table. It takes seconds to set up and I'm off and running.

3) String experimentation. After decades of playing D'Addario XL nickels, I'm trying other stuff out. I got some red and white coated DRs for a funky pinstriped custom bass. I'm trying out some pressure wounds on my main player and my fretless.

4) More 4 string. After a couple of decades of mostly 5 strings I'm playing more 4 string these days while practicing. I'm sure the 5s will still get tapped for tue gig more. But I'm playing more 4 at home.
 
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#31
No change for me as I rarely buy any new gear and don't suffer with GAS. Now, i can't think of anything else i need. During lockdown, i replaced an old worn rack case and awaiting delivery of a new rack preamp to replace a bass head i sold last year.
My main need is a better grasp of the practical and theoretical aspects of playing and writing music.
 
#32
Was/am a winds player (sax/flute) went full GAS into strings. Played 4 months of daily guitar then migrated to bass. Currently deGASsing and refining as I've committed to bass. Tried most online lesson platforms, now it's intense daily scales. Excited to play bass live with others.
 
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#34
With no shows to play, and no band to play bass in, I've been trying to figure out the best way to make my 15w guitar tube amp also functional as a bass amp. A dual purpose amp, if you will. An amp that will won't get hurt when I loop bass parts to then play guitar over, or vice versatile. My latest attempt (different speaker) will be complete on Tuesday.
 
#35
Totally in a buying posture. Trying to refine the amps, pedals and accessories to improve on what I have. With Covid down time I have 3 new builds with basses and one new Nash order coming up. Still trying to keep the number of basses under 8.
 
#39
BobbyT said:
How has your approach to gear changed in 2020?

Since the pandemic hit—like a lot of people—I've been playing solo a lot more. I don't know if I'd chalk it up more to boredom or a real need but I found myself looking for a different sound.

So after 10+ years playing heavy La Bella flats on my P-bass, I switched back to roundwound strings this year. It's been a lot of fun for solo improvisation and the amateur recording I do at home. (I even switched to Spirocores on my upright after many years with Evah Pirazzi, which was a similar experience... but that's a topic for another thread.)

I also rarely use my amp anymore.

What about you?
Click to expand...
My approach to gear is that I'm pissed the Covid-19 permanently closed some of the places we used to gig. I'm also bummed because I use only gig-money to buy gear (in the interest of domestic tranquility) and I haven't been able to buy the DNA-800 amp I want yet. Being one of their Endorsing Artists, I do get a break on the price but it's not free. Figured I'd have to play 3 or 4 more gigs to have the $$ and then everything closed up. So I'm pissed and bummed out both.

I always play through my audio interface and headphones at home because we live underneath our land lady. She's in the top floor and we're in the bottom floor and my desk and bass are right below her bedroom. So I look forward to gigs where I get to take one of my amps and cabs out. Since the start of this Covid virus, I've done that just once at the end of June.

It was outdoors and I used my Eden WT500/800 bridged at 800-watts into my DNS-410 - just great sound! And of course being in Washington state, it rained. Still had a good time but it was the good-bye performance for the small brew-pub where we hosted Friday-night Open Mic nights 40 to 45 times a year. Played there for about 3 years and they were closing their doors for good that night. So money was just tips (we had offered to play). I got great beer, a good dinner and $20 for my split of the tips. Was actually pretty sad to say good-bye to Steve (the owner) and his staff....and their great craft-beers.

Had hoped to at least play online with the other two members of the Blues/Rock trio I belong to, but my internet connection is too slow. Download speed is a max of 6mbs (I've seen 5.7), which is enough, but upload speed is typically 0.4 to 0.5mbs and minimum to get JamKazam to work is 1.0mbs. If that worked, I wouldn't feel nearly so bummed out.

So basically my gear works great but I can't buy the one piece I want; and secondly I'm not happy about any of this. It just totally feels like a wasted year to me.
 
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