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My career has been a doughnut with a kids and family-shaped hole in the middle. So I feel like a car that’s been garaged… less miles on the clock than you’d guess by looking at me. Hopefully the end of the Road isn’t yet in sight. Though wIth the passing of @yorks5string and @bumnote I am running out of role models…

I feel that acutely today. I have a gig an hour away (not too bad), at a venue that the guy running it seems flakey at best. Parking is nightmare, unless the loading bay outside is free. I’m tired and irritable and could do without gigging today TBH.

I've had two adverts pending approval since yesterday. The adverts have had views, does that mean they can be seen generally? I'm guessing they can't, which begs the question, who is viewing them?

I'm 62 and have been playing since I was 16. The first 10 years I was playing in originals bands trying to get a record contract. That ended when I realised we just we're good enough. At that stage I fell out of love with music and I thought my time as a bassist had ended. Then, about 4 years later, my sister started dating a guy who was the singer and guitarist in a Blues band and he needed a bass player! Even better, he ended up marrying my sister and he couldn't then sack me. We played up and down the UK for the next 10 years. Then he and my sister fell out and that meant I had no choice but to leave the band. At that stage I fell out of love with music and I thought my time as a bassist had ended. But then the old drummer, from the Blues band, called me and said the new band he was in needed a bass player. I've now been in that band for 23 years (other bands, over those 23 years, have come and gone and have disappeared without leaving a trace) but the Blues band keeps on going. The singer is now 66 and the guitarist and drummer are in their mid 50s. We've had to take a break from gigging, as the singer and guitarist are married and are involved in complex family matters (think of the Godfather part III) which prevents them from gigging. At this stage I think I may have fallen out of love with music and I am thinking my time as a bassist had ended. Hold on there seems to be a pattern developing....... Of course I don't want to be a old fart, in a band full of old farts, playing to old farts. But as long as we don't look too ridiculous up on stage and I can still project energy into playing, then I'll continue on until I can't. Oh by the way, my sister and my brother in law got back together and I still occasionally play in his Blues band, when his new full-time bassist has something better (or more lucrative - wedding gig?) to do.

Agreed. I've said my piece anyway.

The weight is an important issue always. But I think that after their restyling (the first models were very similar to Fender) the think about the weight and now is easy to find lighter basses. My Enigma 5 is about 4.2 kgs and for me that suffer back problems is very comfortable even in long rehearsals or concerts. About the sound, I was a little bit worried but nothing further from the reality, in my case perfect for me and I play styles where a warm and thick sounds are usually needed; soul, latin, blues etc.

I've pondered packing it all in, but then I'd miss the gigs, I won't miss is the band hassles, loading my car up, all the setting up and breaking down, I don't look forward to gigs like I used too, but once I'm up there playing I still enjoy it, I'm lucky in that I don't have any health problems I suppose when I do that'll be the time to give it all up

Could you go full retro with a trapeze tailpiece?

For me, nothing beats the enjoyment of a good gig. The absolute best is what’s sometimes called the ‘flow state’, where all the years of practice and preparation come together and the music almost plays itself. That doesn’t happen all the time, but even the bad gigs have a cash reward that can be put towards new gear to enjoy making music with. As regards attitude, I’m with you Daryl. I do a lot of depping and I want to be thought of as the guy who helps to make it all work, from learning my part properly and getting the right sound, to stepping in with spare cables and batteries when needed.

Pic Please....

Is it cream or yellow?

Oh wow, that is ever better, thank you as well and will do 😊