The Returning Bassist Club

NickInMesa · #1 03-04-2009, 07:13 PM

Seeing the success of this thread and a few requests, I thought it could be interesting to start a new club for those who had to quit playing bass guitar and returned several years later, sometimes more than 10.

I will be #1 and Stumbo #2 (he showed great interested and proposed the name for this club).

I stopped playing at 25 after my last band (for which I worked hard -we had a ton of originals) disbanded. I decided I was burned out and sold all my gear, but kept one practice amp and a Hohner B2A, which I sold basically to pay the bills when the times were hard.

39 years later, after having emigrated to America, started a career and a family, I am finally coming back.

Been practicing regularly almost everyday and if things keep going this way, I will probably look for a band.

So who's joining?

Dfinch · #2 03-04-2009, 07:41 PM

I stopped playing at age 22 in 1991 after playing in a party band during my college years. Held onto my gear until about 1995 and then sold it all. Marriage and life got in the way.

17 years later I got the bug again. Still fighting GAS on a regular basis and playing every day.

Stumbo · #3 03-04-2009, 07:58 PM

Thanks for the update.

NickMarinelli · #4 03-04-2009, 08:08 PM

I quit playing in 1985 due to getting married, having to find a job that paid the bills, and having children. However, I did keep my modest equipment in the closet.

Now, 24 years later, I purchased some new gear and am slowly getting back into it. I recently had a string of bad health problems (broken ankle, which got infected and turned into an amputation, broken knee and then broken femur) which has slowed me down and put me into a wheelchair for awhile. Once I get my prosthetic foot/ankle, I'll be good to go again, although I am starting to practice from the wheelchair.

Number, please?

Honk'n_down-low · #5 03-04-2009, 08:16 PM

Returned last year after a nearly 18 year hiatus. 2/22 was my one year Anniversary at TB - after buying my get back to playing Amp in the classifieds here.

Stumbo · #6 03-04-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickMarinelli

Once I get my prosthetic foot/ankle, I'll be good to go again, although I am starting to practice from the wheelchair.

Amazing. Probably the coolest wheelchair in town with you holding your bass.

Keep on keepin' on, bro!

Best,
Stumbo

bluewine · #7 03-04-2009, 08:24 PM

I'm in;

I started my first band in the 6th grade (1966) and played bass through college and toured for a year after college. Married a few times, divorced twice.

Now I am 56 and single, I bought all new gear (6 basses ) and some GK Amps and Cabs. I am taking guitar lessons and practicing bass like a banchie. I play in a low volume 70s progrssive rock/ blues band (we have a few gigs a month) and I did my first open mic last night.

It's not 1969 anymore but this where I'm supose to be.

blue

NickInMesa · #8 03-04-2009, 10:40 PM

Stumbo: #2
Dfinch: #3
NickMarinelli: #4
Hok'n: #5
Blue Wine: #6

I love ready these stories!

Otter · #9 03-04-2009, 11:14 PM

Quit in the mid nineties after some bad band/roommate politics. Now in my forties, I'm having a blast re experiencing the joy of playing music.

Otter.

NickInMesa · #10 03-05-2009, 12:11 AM

Otter you want a #? It would be 7.

emor · #11 03-05-2009, 04:57 AM

I'll take a number.

Played from 8th grade until I went to Grad school; then didn't even open the case for around 15 years.
I started again 5 or 6 years ago.

Still trying to work my way out the Mediocre Bassist Club.

oldrookie · #12 03-05-2009, 05:19 AM

Bought a bass in 1970 because I wanted to learn to play. Never could afford an amp...or lessons. Sold the bass in 1982 to fund a wedding ring (good trade off.)

Never really learned to play, but always wanted to learn.

Two years ago bought a bass and an amp and started.

Trying to work my way INTO the Medicore Bassist Club. Pretty sure I don't qualify for this one either.

NickInMesa · #13 03-05-2009, 07:47 AM

Emor #8 and oldrookie #9

Oldrookie you mean you are below mediocre? aaaw come on

speckledmind · #14 03-05-2009, 08:20 AM

I’m in ! hit me with a number

As I Posted in the previous Thread.
I don't consider myself a quitter, but rather having made a mature and conscience choice.
My decision, I left the music scene some 20 years ago, sold all my gear and focused on raising my family, also kicked it up a notch on the career.
Before calling it quits on music, I played 6 strings mostly, but dabbled with a Clarinet.

I decided to get back into Music last year, to celebrate my 50 Th. birthday in December 08, I went all out and and bought new gear, kept it all low end this time around and I enjoy the fit, for those interested, here is my New Rig and resent addition of a Fender MIA 92 P-Bass

Interesting thing, I forgot everything I knew, but really enjoy getting back into this at a slow pace, I keep it mellow, the slow rhythms and sound of the low end really fits where I am with my life.

One of the first thing I did when I joined the Forum ( apart from paying my dues to support such a great Forum ), was to read all the Threads intended for newbies, I certainly don’t remember everything I read, but these one stuck to me like glue.
TalkBass Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > Bass Guitar Forums > General Instruction [BG] Best musical advice you ever got

Quote:

Originally Posted by fullrangebass

"Keep your ears open and listen to both the sound and your soul"

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

"Play fewer notes and put more soul into each one you play." - Willie Dixon, when he sat in with our band

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappa29

"Less is more."

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLake

"Don't play the song...let the song play you."

Last but not least

Quote:

Originally Posted by Montsegour

Practice, Practice, Practice!
By : everyone

Otter · #15 03-05-2009, 09:39 AM

Yay!!!!

Lucky #7

Thank you!

kesslari · #16 03-11-2009, 11:11 PM

I'll put in a request for #18.

Played a lot of bass, and a lot of nice gigs, from 1982 until about 1992. Then I got heavily into playing percussion and middle eastern music. The joys of carrying a single hand drum instead of a bass rig, plus playing a ton of gigs for bellydancers, and limited time to practice, pulled me away from bass.
Career, marriage and family kept me away.

I got back into it slightly more than a year ago, in December 2007.
I'm really, really stoked to be playing music again, and am taking the opportunity to fill in a lot of holes in my playing. It's nice not to be young and driven - I'm less of a technique-junkie now, and more interested in learning music in a broader sense.

S Sanders · #17 03-12-2009, 04:06 AM

Can I hang out in your clubhouse?

Played in high scholl and for a little while after. Sold my gear when out of work.
Bought gear again while in the army, did some small club shows with a band of army buddies. Sold gear between ETS and finding a job (food's a crutch, right?).
Discovered just how much I miss music while helping my ex wife shop for a beginner bass for my son. Traded an old 400w amp head I had sitting in a closet for a bass (I got the short end of that deal, I think, but I don't need 400 watts anytime soon and I don't have the cash for a cab anyway) and was given a small practice amp. Yeah for getting back to being able to play/practice for free

Think I'll actually do the lesson thing this time, though. Never got far with the whole self taught business last time 'round.

NickInMesa · #18 03-12-2009, 08:47 AM

Specklemind you're #10
Kesslari you're making it too complicated, you're #11 (first come first serve, man!)
S Sanders you're #12

Welcome all and thank you for the great stories!

kesslari · #19 03-12-2009, 08:55 AM

If I was straightforward, I would never have stopped playing bass...

**peabody** · #20 03-12-2009, 09:57 AM

I'm in....

I played from the mid 70's to early 80's. I gave it up completely for almost 20 years, although I kept my '72 Precision during that time. Although it never left the case in those 20 years, it got moved from place to place to place. I often wondered if I was ever going to play it again.

I did eventually pick it up again when my old band decided to do a reunion gig in 2000. We had so much fun, we still play together once or twice a year. It was tough getting the chops back after not playing for all of those years.

I discovered how much I missed playing and even though I don't play out much, I still pick up one my basses 3-4 times a week to practice.

One of the big differences from then to now....although we didn't call it GAS back in the 70's, I still had it and I went through a lot of stuff...even though money was tight. Now I have a decent paying job and my GAS is still with me...thank goodness my wife understands it (at least to a degree).