[quote name='johnny_frog' post='883628' date='Jul 2 2010, 07:39 AM']Being inexperienced bass wise and the wrong side of 35,
Is this just something in my area (central scotland) or are we a rare breed country wide?[/quote]
In a few years you will be neither inexperienced or on the wrong side of 35, so as long as you keep playing and stay alive, that'll be sorted.
And, no, there really are a hell of a lot of bassists out there. I know of 7 others in the company I work for including the CEO and that's without all the folk I know who play in bands. I think what there is, is a genuine shortage of are reliable bass players that have the time and inclination to commit to a band. There are loads of folks out there playing with being in a band, who do it when they have nothing else to do. Not just bassists either.