Rayman

Almost always one, but I throw in ghost notes with my second finger quite a bit.

I’m 58, still gigging, still proud of our music and still deafeningly loud 😆

We have no plans to stop anytime soon, I guess until I just can’t sing the stuff anymore. I’ll be honest, there’s a couple of our songs from the 80s that I’m finding physically hard to sing, songs that when I was 18, were easy, but not any more. when the time comes, I’ll be too proud to struggle on through them, but again, I don’t rely on it to pay my bills, so I don’t have to.

34 minutes ago, bassbiscuits said:

I think there's truth on both sides of this argument.

 

If you're old but still doing a good job of it, can still play and sing well and put on a good show, then brilliant - crack on.

 

However there are definitely a few bands who just don't seem up to that standard anymore, and seeing them limping on is painful. 

 

So it's not the age I have any problem with - its when the ability has gone that's the problem for me.

This ^^ was exactly my original point.

Its not about age, I’m 58 and still singing our original stuff. When my voice goes, I’ll have to stop. I understand that music isn’t my sole income, unlike someone “famous” who rely on the income. So I accept that it’s a difficult decision, but nevertheless, if you’re a singer who can’t sing anymore……. 

Maybe it’s more about genre? Maybe, as a rock guy, I see singers fronting metal bands who literally cannot hit the notes anymore. Maybe in other genres of music it’s less noticeable?

I think my point has been missed here

If a band can still do it, then absolutely they should. If they can’t….. they should stop? An athlete gets to an age when their ability compromises their performance, so they have to retire? Is it not the same for a singer who’s voice has deteriorated with age? Or do the paying punters just overlook the fact with rose tinted spectacles firmly in place.

I think a lot of paying audiences still go to see these bands because they are clinging on to their youth, much like the band they just paid to see.

And yes, I guess primarily I’m talking about vocalists.

Some interesting responses there.

So the examples I gave in the OP, Jon Bon Jovi clearly cannot sing the songs anymore , neither can Rob Halford, neither can David Coverdale …… etc

David Coverdale has said publicly, that he really needs to think about whether live work is still an option (certainly with regards to Whitesnake). 
 

There are probably plenty of bands and artists in their twilight years who can still pull it off, great, keep doing it. However when the live performance is massively undermined by the limitations of an aging throat, surely that performer should consider some pride in their work and call it a day? Or do they just plough on regardless and cash in for as long as possible?

I appreciate that the only way for bands to make money these days, is to play live…. but really….. when should these old bands just call it a day?? It’s embarrassing when the singer can’t hit those notes anymore….. Bon Jovi… Judas Priest….. Whitesnake…… Please….  You had your time…… enough is enough. No? 

The original specs…. obviously now, the bass has the Aguilar OBP-1 preamp in it now. Volume, Pan, Bass boost & Treble boost.

Highly likely I’ll just keep it to be honest, I do love my Warwicks, but if something else came along that suited the band better, I could be interested.

Sorry, but I echo the above. A good teacher should have the facilities at his/her place of learning to provide everything the student needs, including an amp.

The only reason you would bring a bass, would be because it was comfortable and familiar to you. Most teachers would have more than one bass, amps etc. I bet most of us have, I’ve got 4 amps here including a couple of decent practice amps.

I would already be looking elsewhere.

I echo the previous comments, I’m sorry to hear about your loss.

You have to give it time my friend. It will come back, the desire to play again, when you’re ready.

I’m not comparing my experience of course, but the end of my marriage was as low as I personally have ever been. I didn’t touch a bass, or even listen to any music at all, for 3 years. The trauma sucked the enthusiasm out of me.

However, time allows you to learn to live with the loss, and slowly, your mojo comes back.

I assure you it will, don’t rush it, and all the best to you for your future. 

This thing is absolutely fabulous, but just not what I need for the band right now. I’m saving for a Gibson Thunderbird or a US P bass ideally. If you have either, and want a trade, let me know.

This is a classic era, ‘94 Fortress, absolute quality instrument, with a brand new, professionally fitted Aguilar OBP-1 preamp. Plays beautifully, and currently has brand new TI flats on it. With all the extras, it owes me well over 1K.

I travel all over the country with work, so meeting you somewhere would be ideal.

Thanks for having a look.

Not going to lie……

We kicked donkey last night. It’s our 40yr anniversary, and a bunch of gigs are coming. 
 

I’ve been through a bunch of basses during this reunion, but it’s all about the Thunderbird and the Ashdown ABM 500. 
Such an amazing tone. 
 

Anyone into original heavy rock….. not being funny….. we’re still ace for a bunch of old men. 😆

NICE……. I’ve not had a Lakland for years. That’s a sexy setup right there.

https://www.bandtmusic.co.uk/emg-35hz-4-string-passive-bass-soapbar-p-up.html?utm_source=googleshopping&utm_medium=advertising&utm_campaign=googleshopping&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnOipBhBQEiwACyGLunKMtsQO6bOfRc1-WpTKx-9D8qjau5ln1v0uzrjJWgpRbbc4Fw_1eBoCImwQAvD_BwE

I would imagine something like the EMG HZ would work well in there, if the dimensions are the same?

Pull all the unnecessary cr*p out of it and you have a handful of hundred quids worth of a decent entry level musicman style bass. That’s all.

Dark Ray Schmark Ray

🔨👞 (cobblers)

3 hours ago, Richard R said:

If they have then I didn't win 😪

Me neither…… never won anything in my life!

Yep me too…. Thunderbird mostly, but this is on 3 songs….

It’s always a shock to hear of the loss of one of the family, and Nigel was no different.

Beautiful bass, someone will be very lucky to own it and continue its story.

Very interesting. Does the Humbucker split to produce a jazz bridge pickup tone? I guess then you’ve pretty much go all the basses in one?

Great basses Rumblekats. 
 

In addition to the above info, a lot depends on what kind of sound you’re looking for?  Bright, thumpy, woolly…. ?

Have they done the bass giveaway?

Wow…. what a great thread. It absolutely didn’t take the direction I thought it would.

Much like Scott’s album 

Yep, I'd be into that too

What a cracker….. it’s beyond me why folks still spend twice as much money on a new instrument, when there’s absolute bangers out there, like this, for peanuts. 
 

If I didn’t have an MOT looming, I’d be all over this.

Love Arias.

Fascinating really….. we all have one thing in common, the love of bass guitars…… and yet we’re all so massively different in our interpretations of the instrument.