To all the old farts out there...

christw · #1 12-02-2010, 04:42 PM

Do you ever get annoyed when you see a kid like me (going on 22 in January but barely looking 18) is playing a bass older than they are? I feel like it's easy to assume that anyone my age with vintage or quality gear is snobby or rich but I just buy old beat up basses because they're cheaper that way. I'm no purist or new age vintage junkie but I find myself coming to these conclusions about other people my age and have caught people holding this attitude towards me as well.

Just wondering what the the take of the people who might have bought these instruments new is.

PS- Old fart is my dad's claimed nickname for himself and others his age for the past few years. He just turned 69. My oldest instrument I've owned was a '74 SG and second oldest was a '75 4001. Now it's an '84 Explorer bass and '81 4001.

elgecko · #2 12-02-2010, 04:46 PM

No, why would it?

christw · #3 12-02-2010, 04:49 PM

Don't know! But I've had people my age bothered by it before and I was wondering if it gets to other people. (Plus I'm really bored.

)

hdracer · #4 12-02-2010, 04:50 PM

As long as you can play it well I have no problem with it. I figure that you ether worked hard and saved & drive a beater car or your folks got it for you and if your folks got it for you, well that's cool that they can provide nice things for you.

They are not THAT much money. My daughter has friends that have shoes & purses that are worth more than a Pre CBS Fender.

christw · #5 12-02-2010, 05:01 PM

I wish I could say everyone feels that way! I watch my bandmates and friends spend hundreds a month on drinking and smoking but I'm the one looked down upon as being stingy for not partaking and instead saving up for this or that. That brought me to wonder if my friends are just being silly or if more people think that way. I also have some awesome parents who this year combined my Christmas and birthday gifts into one very well priced Ric 4001 that I plan to play the crap out of. Edit: Forgot to add the fact that even though this is a one-off occasion, I probably won't hear the end of how spoiled I am for it either. I need to find less judgmental people eh?

stratovani · #6 12-02-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christw

I wish I could say everyone feels that way! I watch my bandmates and friends spend hundreds a month on drinking and smoking but I'm the one looked down upon as being stingy for not partaking and instead saving up for this or that. That brought me to wonder if my friends are just being silly or if more people think that way. I also have some awesome parents who this year combined my Christmas and birthday gifts into one very well priced Ric 4001 that I plan to play the crap out of. Edit: Forgot to add the fact that even though this is a one-off occasion, I probably won't hear the end of how spoiled I am for it either. I need to find less judgmental people eh?

Your friends look down on you for being stingy? What a bunch of jerks! I think you're being smart. We "mature" types actually admire young people like yourself!

Now, go learn to play some 70s Rush on that Ric!

Exploiter8 · #7 12-02-2010, 07:22 PM

It's cool...as long as you aren't swinging it 360 degrees behind your back! Come to think of it, I guess I'd be cool with that, too!

X8

SactoBass · #8 12-02-2010, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

We "mature" types actually admire young people like yourself!

Now, go learn to play some 70s Rush on that Ric!

+1

...and some 70's YES!

martyman5000 · #9 12-02-2010, 07:27 PM

I'm a dad and I want my daughters to love music. I don't push them and they have different likes and aspirations when it comes to music. They do have aspirations, one sings constantly and the other I gave drum lessons tonight. If you can appreciate things other than computers and the distractions of things I could never imagine you will see, fantastic. I'm 45 and still do not own my dream bass (Red Rickenbacker) and that is fine its a goal that I will be good enough in my mind to play one...I'm rambling and that is what you will do when you get to be an old fart

Nev375 · #10 12-02-2010, 07:29 PM

I would never have thought about the age of your instrument vs. yourself.

So no. It wouldn't bother me a bit.

Anyone who would judge you along those lines is an idiot. Idiots DO tend to bother me.

iiipopes · #11 12-02-2010, 07:34 PM

When I played trumpet in school band, I played my dad's trumpet until it got stolen from me in college. In the mean time, I used to get grief from all sides, until I brought home from high school summer band camp the "band camper of the year" award. So long as you're actually playing it, and not using it just to brag about it, hang in there and keep the groove. Except for my custom bass, which is about 10 years old, and my 4-year old Gibson J-45, which I waited over 30 years to get the one with exactly the right tone and feel for what I play, all my instruments are older than the OP. Of course, I'm more than twice as old as the OP also. Except for the concert band I play tuba in, almost everyone I jam with is younger than I am. I'm glad to see folks carrying on, like the Blood Sweat and Tears song.

BigOldHarry · #12 12-02-2010, 07:43 PM

Nah - All those faux beat up basses out there, those "roadworn" fenders, etc... They have really destroyed the "currency" that playing a beat up bass might have once conferred.

Bassamatic · #13 12-02-2010, 07:43 PM

No, not at all, as long as you are respectful of your instrument. The age thing is a total non-issue, it is respect for a valuable instrument that is the consideration.

Actually, a young person playing a nice instrument shows that they taste and some respect for what they are doing.

Rocker949 · #14 12-02-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gio S

No, not at all, as long as you are respectful of your instrument. The age thing is a total non-issue, it is respect for a valuable instrument that is the consideration.

Actually, a young person playing a nice instrument shows that they taste and some respect for what they are doing.

+1

BassChuck · #15 12-03-2010, 04:33 AM

I grew up with symphony orchestras and most of the string players there are quite a bit younger than their instruments.

**Coolhandjjl** · #16 12-03-2010, 04:36 AM

All the songs my bass teacher gives me for practice are older than he is!

Rockmusician · #17 12-03-2010, 04:39 AM

I really don't care what anyone else plays. I think one of the biggest problems we have in society is that everyone is too concerned with what everyone else is doing. If we all spent more time improving ourselves instead of telling others how to live, we would all be better off. If someone has the ability to obtain a vintage bass and can play, I am fine with it.

I do however have a problem with your post. It sounds more like you are subtly tyring to brag about your basses rather than asking the question.

PDGood · #18 12-03-2010, 05:09 AM

No, it would never have occurred to me. What we really admire are people who are into what they are doing and spend some time learning their instrument. What drives us crazy are the guys who learn three chords, crank up the volume and think they have accomplished something. It's putting style over substance that irritates me. But I've got some 20 year old neighbors that can really play and I love to get together with them and swap licks and ideas. Young guys (and gals) that are really into it and have found nice gear that works for them is great, I think.

SlingBass4 · #19 12-03-2010, 05:24 AM

As I near 60 I find it seldom matters what age one is in relation to their love, talent, and dedication to an art form. IF the OP is respectful of the music, his equipment, and those he may learn and/or make music with......it's a non-issue. There are ol' farts that don't have those qualities. Being less concerned with what some peers may think of you, and more concerned with becoming a truly better musician and individual strikes me as a more lofty goal. Just another point of view

dpbass66 · #20 12-03-2010, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockmusician

I think one of the biggest problems we have in society is that everyone is too concerned with what everyone else is doing. If we all spent more time improving ourselves instead of telling others how to live, we would all be better off.

Rockmusician, injecting a bit of philosophy into the conversation....but oh sooooooo true.

Excepting those who seek to cause damage or harm others, why are we all so concerned with what the other guy is doing?

Live and let live.
To each his own.

If we could live by those two edicts, we'd all be better off.