Questions For Older (50+) Bass Players

[mrjim123]

I'm 57, but don't look it, and I still have that creative fire (growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional).

I last played professionally in 1979, mostly rock and top 40. Then I went to college, got a "real" job, had kids, lived the American dream. Now it's my time (yes, honey, I'm coming).

I've been practicing a lot lately, and am as good as I ever was - it's amazing how much I retained - technique, remembering entire songs). Of course, playing 4 sets would probably kill my fingers - need a little more strength and better callouses on my right hand (I pick), but that will come.

Anyways, I'm looking for a new bass before I advertise myself. I'm thinking maybe lighter is better. Are there any older players who have experienced shoulder/back problems slinging a heavy bass for 4 hours? Any suggestions related to that?

What about the neck? I'm thinking maybe a narrower neck is better. My Gibson Ripper has somewhat of a wide neck (1 5/8" nut, I believe), and I'm thinking maybe narrower is better in case arthritis sets in, or if my fingers lose some of their flexibility. I played a Fender Jazz in a music store many years ago and did not like it. I did the same thing a week ago and thought, "man, this feels good". So, maybe a narrower neck is the way to go (I don't plan on doing any slapping).

Are there any other tips that would benefit an older player like me? And how do I convince my wife I'm not in it for the groupies?

[peekster]

Your last question [reassuring wife about groupies] is easy: invite her to gigs.

The J-bass idea is probably the right track--hard to go wrong with a decent one.

What I think is most striking nowadays is the amazingly good values in basses available. It's like heaven for people like us [I'm 54]. I played a 5-string Schechter last year--about $500--it was fantastic.

Good luck.

[Jazzdogg]

I'm another member of the over fifty club. I'm physically active, and get a workout in my jobs making furniture, running a sawmill, and teaching woodworking - not to mention loading-in and -out on gigs

I've been experiencing discomfort from a pinched nerve that runs from my neck across the top of my left shoulder for the past few years, and I've purchased several different straps in an effort to find a solution, including double straps, straps that cross behind my back, ultra-wide padded leather straps, and the Comfort Strapp; it's the Comfort Strapp that Goes to gigs with me.

The other solution that I've been considering is buying an Azola UEB. It'd take less room in my car than my upright, and it wouldn't hang from my shoulder on a strap. I suspect that I'd double on a wider range of songs with an EUB, than with my upright.

I have plans on the board for a fretless fiver, and weight savings and comfortable body contours are at the top of my priority list. However, I may end up buying a chambered bass from a luthier because my schedule is already insanely full.

I recently bought a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 that weighs 1/10th as much as my beloved Carvin B1500 & rack case, and I'm loving the convenience, weight savings, and reduction in fatigue at the end of the night; it's great for rehearsals and smaller venues, and although it doesn't have quite enough power to deliver "my sound" at an outdoor venue my band plays regularly, having it available for the rest of our gigs has been a blessing.

Good luck with your musical adventures; my post-fifty years have been the best years of my life (so far)

[jerry]

One of the other things you'll notice is how much lighter bass amps have become. You should just start getting out there and jamming with buddies or local club jams. You'll be surprised how many of us old F***s are still out there. The other good thing about musicians our age, most of us are over the whole "making it" thing and just want to play good music.
Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!


p.s. tell your wife chicks these days want guys with cash & portfolios. You'll be a lot more "invisible" than you remember to young girls.

[OlSkewl56]

I hit 57 last month, and have what I consider a heavy bass, only one neo cab so far, get to set up PA, run sound checks, tear down, load up.............. but when it clicks, only three words come to mind.
Far out, man!!!

[Kenny Allyn]

What's not to love more and better choices in basses ... and new light weight amps and cabs, best time to be a bass player is NOW!



... Still at it at 54 myself

[57pbass]

Originally Posted by Kenny Allyn

What's not to love more and better choices in basses ... and new light weight amps and cabs, best time to be a bass player is NOW!



... Still at it at 54 myself

Awesome picture Kenny...very nice bass....

[John Wentzien]

Originally Posted by 57pbass

Awesome picture Kenny...very nice bass....

KILLER!!!

[bejoyous]

My friend Steve is 50ish. He used to have about 15 basses of various sorts. A few years ago he got a 60's Jazz Bass. Now he hardly plays anything else and is selling his basses!

[back as a wolf]

Ah, what an honor it is to help! I received a Geddy Lee jazz a few months ago, and let me tell you, that neck is heavenly. I believe it retains the same nut spacing as a regular jazz but the neck itself is slimmed down. I'd have to say it greatly reduces the load on your fretting hand. The tone is incredible as well. You can get a nice P-bass-esque "thump" when soloing the neck pickup, a nice growly tone with both pickups on, or a burpy Jaco-like tone when soloing the bridge pickup.
Markbass amps are incredibly light and high quality amps. Unfortunately they'll cost you a pretty penny for one. They are definitely something to consider, however.

[bkirk]

Jerry and Kenny are right. There have been a number of significant advancements in amp and speaker technology in the last several years. At 55, my days of lugging refrigerators are gone.
As for basses, the same is true, lots of great stuff around, but also takes a little searching. Finding something comfortable is crucial. For me, that includes the weight, the neck and string spacing. I've been playing fivers the last few years and I'm really enjoying it. I've found that the string spacing makes more difference to me than I thought it would. My fretless is slightly narrower and has a great neck so is significantly more comfortable than my fretted. However, this is a matter personal taste. (Isn't it all?) There are also some great basses that tip the scale at 8 lbs. or less which is really good, but make sure they balance well for you.
As for groupies, we should be so lucky.
Peekster's right, invite your wife to the gig. She'll probably have fun. My wife frequently goes to gigs but I make sure she knows it's up to her.
Have fun!

[Muddslide]

Gentlemen,

I just wanna say you are inspiring. I'm just turning 40 this September. Like the OP, I sort of let bass and gigging and jamming fall by the wayside the past 10 years as I married, had kids, went through grad school, got deeper into my career, etc.

I kept playing music, but I didn't play anything electric, nor gig, nor have a bass for a decade. Now I'm back. One of my chief concerns is that I'm too old and people won't take me seriously.

Old? Hell, I'm seasoned. I look forward to getting back into it, though I may be moving soon so I'm going to wait to get more settled (building my chops back up along the way) before I try to get back into a band.

Anyway, thanks for the great stories. Keep 'em coming.

[spiritbass]

Congratulations on jumping back in the low end, brother. I'm over 50 and just recently learned that I should have been doing warm up exercises for the hands/fingers. I'm blessed to have very few days when I actually feel my age. The exercises are supposed to help prevent injury and subsequent loss of dexterity. Best of luck in your light weight instrument search!

[Bassic83]

Yo Muddslide- I'm 43, and I keep REAL busy...got three bands to pick from right now. I turn down more than I commit to, but I have more fun than when I was in my 20s.

I had quit for 5 years due to a relationship, picked it back up, and it was like I never left. I was in my early 30s when I started over- new town, different bass, had to start all over. Now I'm well-respected in my area, and get my pick of gigs. Welcome back! (They'll take you seriously, trust me. As long as you have gear, and can play, you'll work!)

[Jim Breece]

55 here, 37 of them playing bass. I like a big fat neck, but I don't think there's a right and wrong size for geezers any more than there is for whippersnappers. If a Jazz is feeling good to you, go for it. As far as comfort, I do like lighter better, but the biggest thing I've found is that moving around a little works a lot better than standing in one spot all night. I haven't needed hand warmup exercises so far, but I also don't have to play at my limits unless and until I feel like it. Use common sense in building up calluses and endurance and you'll be fine. Oh yeah- if an attractive young woman seems really interested in talking to you at a gig you probably remind her of daddy, or even grandpa, so don't get ideas.

[Jeff K]

I'm a "young" 57 (at least that's what I'm told!), and the worst part for me is loading the stuff before and after playing. (We play a lot of parties and such where we bring our own P.A. equipment.)

I'll echo the sentiment to find the bass you like, then get a Comfort Strapp. That's all I use. They are, ummm, quite "comfortable", even with a heavier bass. And unless you're using your old amps from your past playing life, I'd seriously consider getting some of the lighter gear. I've used a very nice rack system for years, but now I'm basically using Markbass gear. Lightweight, and I like the tone.

[pointbass]

I'll be 57 in one month and I gig regularly (5-8 per month, a little more in the summer at the Jersey Shore). Unlike so many "oldies" who have posted here, I'm definitely NOT a good physical role model ....

But that said, the new breed of straps and amps available these days makes gigging very easy on our tired old bones. I play 7 and 8 string basses almost exclusively, these are some big & heavy axes. But using a good strap (in my case, the TB/Moody leather strap) makes the evening effortless. And since I started using MarkBass amps, rig weight is no longer any issue.

My wife comes to most of my gigs (she's very good friends with the guitar players wife, too) and she protects her property (me ) from any of the bar babes .... that's really not an issue .....

[bassvi]

51 here, will hit 52 in July and still going strong. I'm lucky to not have any issues yet with my back or hands, but I try to always lift my gear properly to reduce chances for injury. Like someone else here said, doing some stretches and slow warm-ups before you play will help get the blood flowing and keep your tendons flexabile and injury-free.

For a lightweight instrument I would reccomend a Steinberger XL2, if you can find one of the original ones that are completely made of graphite. They are super light and sound great, easy to play (once you get used to the headless design) and never go out of tune. I'm playing a Larrivee L6 most of the time but I still love my Steinberger. Only downside to the Steinberger is some people can't get over the looks of it and you will be continually subjected to "boat-paddle" and "uh, your bass had an accident" comments, if you care about any of that (I don't). Good Luck.

[Bassic83]

Originally Posted by bassvi

For a lightweight instrument I would reccomend a Steinberger XL2, if you can find one of the original ones that are completely made of graphite. They are super light and sound great, easy to play (once you get used to the headless design) and never go out of tune. I'm playing a Larrivee L6 most of the time but I still love my Steinberger. Only downside to the Steinberger is some people can't get over the looks of it and you will be continually subjected to "boat-paddle" and "uh, your bass had an accident" comments, if you care about any of that (I don't). Good Luck.

At least they're NOTICING the bass player!

[JTE]

I'm 53, and I'll agree with what's been said except for the assertion that a skinny neck is inherently "easier" to play. My favorite necks are a full 1 3/4" wide, but are very shallow front-to-back. That front-to-back depth of the neck is much more critical to me than the string spacing. A neck that's too deep I find causes much more cramping and hand problems than reaching across a wide neck does. The depth forces my thumb furhter from the fretting fingers and encourages poor left-hand wrist placement.

I'm sure lots of folks do find those skinny Jazz necks comfy, but I caution against the knee-jerk reaction that a skinny neck is "faster", "easier", or "better".

jte