Spike Vincent Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='Coilte' post='1355218' date='Aug 29 2011, 01:41 PM'].......and a bent fretting hand wrist..thus the arthritis. [/quote] My fretting wrist is straight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='Spike Vincent' post='1355264' date='Aug 29 2011, 02:27 PM']My fretting wrist is straight.[/quote] Good to hear it !!! Happy Birthday !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pqs Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 (edited) I'm 55, started learning to play late last year, and last Friday rehearsed with drummer two guitarists and a vocalist for the first time(the oldest is in his mid sixties) We all had a great time and are now looking to get a set together and start gigging. There is nothing to stop you! Good Luck. Regards Peter Edited August 29, 2011 by pqs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='pqs' post='1355323' date='Aug 29 2011, 03:26 PM']I'm 55, started learning to play late last year, and last Friday rehearsed with drummer two guitarists and a vocalist for the first time(the oldest is in his mid sixties) We all had a great time and are now looking to get a set together and start gigging. There is nothing to stop you! Good Luck. Regards Peter[/quote] Good for you !! I am a late starter too. Took up the bass six years at age 50. Really enjoying the learning process, and jamming/gigging with others. There is nothing to stop anyone of any age taking up an instrument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkpegasus4001 Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 I'm now 50 (been playing bass for 6 years so very late starter) and i've switched to a lighter back-line just this week, (no doubt my Trace will be on Ebay or here shortly! Get playing gigs! you can't beat playing to an audience, good, bad or indifferent, wished i'd done it years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 [quote name='Coilte' post='1355426' date='Aug 29 2011, 05:21 PM']There is nothing to stop anyone of any age taking up an instrument.[/quote] and there are no rules or laws that dictate when you should stop either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyBiskit Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='obbm' post='1355503' date='Aug 29 2011, 06:21 PM']and there are no rules or laws that dictate when you should stop either. [/quote] +1 On that one mate-Ill be hitting the big 50 in a couple of weeks-And we'll be playing on my birthday-Pure joy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 [quote name='jdt' post='1354448' date='Aug 28 2011, 04:18 PM']loved trying to play the bass, now hooked but need be taken back down to reality, i enjoy my tanglewood, but not the jaguar ,or fender 200 amp, sugestions ?. thanks.[/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF4H8lB2Y_o"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF4H8lB2Y_o[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 GO FOR IT AND KEEP GOING>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 62 and playing in two bands - loving every minute but have gone to an Ampeg combo with wheels and a lightweight bitza Precision played a bit higher than I did in the old days. Interesting thing is that the strap is the same length as it used to be and I can see the fretboard dots now - I wonder why? Another wonderful thing is the young girls who come and chat to us umprompted at gigs. Is it because they feel safer with these "uncle figures"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I'm 48 next month. Back in bands 5 years go after about 20 years gap. The current band's been going for coming up to two years. We've just recorded our second EP, been on the radio a few times. I'm writing songs and lyrics, playing reasonable sized and paid gigs, touring Germany next year, etc. The world's yer lobster. I aim to be doing this until I croak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bassman7755 Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='1355046' date='Aug 29 2011, 10:26 AM']Coming up 48. My only problem is that a late night playing really takes it out of me. I've no idea how I used to play three gigs over a weekend. You just do what you can do and what you enjoy. I've been thinking about getting some lightweight gear but I currently play in a very loud pub rock band with vocal only PA. So the two 15s and 500W amp is kinda what it takes. Any suggestions gratefully received though.[/quote] At the risk of sounding like a barefaced fan boy ... the compact will give you all the low end and volume you could ever need. In terms of amps, the 600 watt shuttle weighs less than 4lb. Edited August 30, 2011 by bassman7755 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 (edited) Great to hear all the oldies chirping up....51 here, didn't START playing until I was 43, been in bands ever since, and luvvin it! The weight thing hasn't taken its toll yet, but I do like a good sit down during rehearsals and after a gig my feet are killing me lol! Just wheel me on..I'll be there playing! Edited August 30, 2011 by Oopsdabassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 (edited) [quote name='thepurpleblob' post='1355046' date='Aug 29 2011, 10:26 AM']Coming up 48. My only problem is that a late night playing really takes it out of me. I've no idea how I used to play three gigs over a weekend. You just do what you can do and what you enjoy. I've been thinking about getting some lightweight gear but I currently play in a very loud pub rock band with vocal only PA. So the two 15s and 500W amp is kinda what it takes. Any suggestions gratefully received though.[/quote] [quote name='bassman7755' post='1356930' date='Aug 30 2011, 09:59 PM']At the risk of sounding like a barefaced fan boy ... the compact will give you all the low end and volume you could ever need. In terms of amps, the 600 watt shuttle weighs less than 4lb.[/quote] Definately. I`ve a Barefaced Compact and Midget. In truth, I could probably get away with using only the Compact, but I like to have the Midget as well, for the extra height, so therefore makes it much easier to hear. Performance from this tiny stack is amazing. Certainly as good as my old Marshall 412 - but a lot easier for a 45 year-old. And with so many lightweight heads on the market now, TC, Orange Terror, Genz, Markbass, Ampeg PF, bass playing is no longer the "heavy" instrument in the band that it used to be. Edited August 31, 2011 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muttley Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm 45 and I started playing the bass (properly) earlier this year. I do have "previous" though . I'm looking forward to playing in a band again. Got my beard coming along nicely! I'll echo the other comments: definitely get a light bass. I started on a Squire - nice, but too heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gicut58 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm well past my "sell by" date - I've moved to a Shuttle 6 with 2x10" and additional 12" for more when needed "The world's yer lobster. I aim to be doing this until I croak." +1 gicut58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 (edited) Another one of the grey brigade here - 53 and 11/12ths, played my first gig in front of a live paying audience 3 years ago. Feels like that little piece of me that has been missing all these years has finally dropped into place. Lightweight is definitely the way to go - if you haven't got a dodgy back you will most likely get one at some point so no point tempting fate by lugging 4x10 cabs about! My rehearsal basses are either SGC Nanyo SB-310 or a Hohner B2AD cricket bat - 7lbs is barely noticeable round your neck. I made a switch from classic Trace Elliot rig to a Barefaced Compact cab and TC Electronics Classic 450 head and can still hardly believe that something that weighs so little can sound so huge. If I think what I have saved in osteopath fees it has paid for itself already. Edited August 31, 2011 by Paul S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I've only just started and am well over 45. So nothing wrong with that as everyone else is pointing out. I've been standing up a lot while practicing recently as I have a little gig coming up on Sunday! Really noticed how heavy the bass seems after a while. This has led me to think about taking care of my back a bit. I go to regular Body Pump classes (weight exercises to music) and one of the exercises involves doing squats with a weighted bar accross your back (the idea being to make your thighs work more). But I was only thinking this morning that I might stop using the weights for that one. It seems to me that it might put extra pressure on your back, without particularly strengthening it. It's not as if I'm trying to turn into a body builder or anything, I mainly do Body Pump for general fitness and to try to stave off the 'bingo wings'. I don't have a proper amp (yet) because at the moment I'm just playing in duo with an acoutsic guitarist, so the little Marshall practice amp is fine. But as and when I do get a bigger one I'll just have to play the helpless female and get friends or neighbours to help me up the stairs with it (I live in a second floor flat!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Core exercises are the thing. And yoga - seriously. I used to do lots of weight exercises and was once proud to be as strong as an ox. Now I just look like one Your body changes as you get older and to get your middle section into shape is probably the best thing you can do to stave off back issues and help with posture and all things middle age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 [quote name='Paul S' post='1357404' date='Aug 31 2011, 12:29 PM']Core exercises are the thing. And yoga - seriously. I used to do lots of weight exercises and was once proud to be as strong as an ox. Now I just look like one Your body changes as you get older and to get your middle section into shape is probably the best thing you can do to stave off back issues and help with posture and all things middle age.[/quote] Yes, another class I go to is Body Balance which is a mixture of youga, tia chi and pilates again done to music. There are some lovely core exercises and postures that really stretch out your back. It's just occurred to me that I could be stretching my back out nicely with that, only to squash it up again with the weight lifting! So I think I'll try to avoid exercises that involve having the bar across your back in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Low End Bee Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I've no problem with the phsical side of gigging. The memory is another thing. Adding the chord sequences to set lists is a must for me. I write the bleeding things and I still can't remember them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 [quote name='seashell' post='1357464' date='Aug 31 2011, 01:12 PM']Yes, another class I go to is Body Balance which is a mixture of youga, tia chi and pilates again done to music. There are some lovely core exercises and postures that really stretch out your back. It's just occurred to me that I could be stretching my back out nicely with that, only to squash it up again with the weight lifting! So I think I'll try to avoid exercises that involve having the bar across your back in future.[/quote] +1 Pilates and Little Mark have prolonged my playing days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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