50+ club

Jay2U · #1 10-19-2011, 07:10 PM

Dear fellow bassists, should we start a 50+ club, for those who completed 50 or more revolutions around the sun? Is it worthwhile? We are, or should be, the mature bassists, who look before they leap, who've done it all, who've seen it all and most importantly: who've heard it all. But what does such a club offer? The guarantee that everybody from now on knows that you are 'middle aged'? Youngsters calling you grandma or grandpa? If such club exists, the so called members could proudly present themselves as "member of the 50+ club #...". Before establishing a 50+ club, I'd like to read your opinions. If replying, please state whether you are 50- or 50+, so your opinion can be weighed.

ack · #2 10-28-2011, 09:11 AM

I used to avoid the conversation about turning 50. Hit the mark in April 2011.
I'll continue to do the same stuff I did when I was 25...perhaps at a bit slower pace.

DWBass · #3 10-28-2011, 09:21 AM

52 (soon to be 53) here!

Jhengsman · #4 10-28-2011, 09:44 AM

Can I pre-order, its only a week away. I already have been calling myself 50 for weeks, its a nice rounded off number

Pilgrim · #5 10-28-2011, 09:50 AM

50's pretty far in the rear view mirror from my viewing angle, friends.

john grey · #6 10-28-2011, 09:52 AM

Getting closer to the big six-oh here....

etoncrow · #7 10-28-2011, 09:56 AM

at 62 I am already in the "Old Fart's" club.....

Richland123 · #8 10-28-2011, 09:57 AM

55 for me

Commreman · #9 10-28-2011, 09:59 AM

51 here

shadowtippy · #10 10-28-2011, 01:35 PM

I just turned 57 and don't look a day over 83.

Clark Dark · #11 10-28-2011, 01:45 PM

61 here

Jay2U · #12 10-29-2011, 03:56 AM

It took quite a while before this thread came alive. It has been here for over a week already. I forgot to mention my age: I'm 51. Before my 50th I haven't touched a bass, not even a guitar.

Some thirty years ago I played keyboard every now and then. About two years ago my son started to play electric guitar, which he does very well now. A little later I descided to buy a bass. From that moment on, the quality of my life has improved. I really love to play this instrument and it's like I've played it for decades. During the week I play at least one hour a day. If time allows, my son and I play several hours over the weekend, covering stuff from Iron Maiden, VanHalen and others from when I was young(er). Do I feel like 50+? I think so. Do I behave like 50+? Certainly not!

ack · #13 10-29-2011, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2U

It took quite a while before this thread came alive. It has been here for over a week already. I forgot to mention my age: I'm 51. Before my 50th I haven't touched a bass, not even a guitar.

Some thirty years ago I played keyboard every now and then. About two years ago my son started to play electric guitar, which he does very well now. A little later I descided to buy a bass. From that moment on, the quality of my life has improved. I really love to play this instrument and it's like I've played it for decades. During the week I play at least one hour a day. If time allows, my son and I play several hours over the weekend, covering stuff from Iron Maiden, VanHalen and others from when I was young(er). Do I feel like 50+? I think so. Do I behave like 50+? Certainly not!

That's great. There's nothing like playing music with your son.
I have a very similar story. I have never been musically inclined. I tried piano as a kid, and tried guitar at sometime as well. Failed miserably at both.

About five years ago (when I was a mere 45), I went out and bought a cheap bass guitar pack and a decent drum kit - I figured that my 2 boys (13 & 8 at the time) might get into music. It took a couple of years for them, but now my oldest (18) plays bass, guitar, sings and writes while my youngest (13) has been playing drums for 3.5 years. Since then, we've turned our guest bedroom into our jam room and have more guitars, basses and drum stuff than I ever imagined you can fit in a room. Both of my sons are in bands and they practice and record upstairs. Seeing your kids on stage somewhere is also a truly magical feeling.

When they grab me and say "let's go jam, dad", it's the best feeling in the world. I'm terrible at bass, but this was never about me. I love it.

My wife and I love the fact that our 18 year old and his friends are upstairs have fun instead of going out and finding trouble.

So, I got into bass in my late 40's, but music has helped mold my children more than it ever will have done directly for me. Going to concerts with them is also another byproduct of learning music together - the discovery never ends.

I say "bring on another 50!"

**bassybill** · #14 10-29-2011, 04:44 AM

I'll join your club next August. I am planning the mother and father of all parties for the occasion.

thumpbass1 · #15 10-29-2011, 05:09 AM

I'm 55 and and feel blessed to still be around alive and kicking.

JimB52 · #16 10-29-2011, 05:17 AM

You know what Groucho said about not wanting to join any club that would have me as a member. 27x2

Laurie Bass · #17 10-29-2011, 05:17 AM

Just saw this thread,,thought I would respond. In Jan 2012 I will be 55 and have fooled around with Bass Guitar since I was 18. Taught myself how to play,,but with my job (shift work,rotating) I never was able to play in any bands. So when I got married got a house etc I sold all my gear for house repairs and kids. About 5 years ago I decided to get back into playing much to the confusion of my 2 kids. "Dad why have guitars and you don't play them?" My answer was always ,,"Someday I will". Now that I am retired,,no shiftwork,after 30 plus years,kids are teens now,I have time to be in a band. Although we are in our infancy I am having a great time playing classic rock and have purchased some new to me gear,,a Traynor YBA 200-2,,2 Fender 1x12 neo cabs(Rumble) with Deltalite 11 2512 speakers and finally something I have wanted since I was 18 years old...a Fender American Precision Bass Special (new). Playing those old tunes that I grew up with makes me feel like that 18 year old kid I used to be. I am having the best time in years. Laurence (Laurie ) Potter.

Jay2U · #18 10-29-2011, 06:00 AM

Well, I guess it's time to start assigning membership numbers. So, 'in order of appearance':

#1 Jay2U
#2 ACK
#3 DWBass
#4 Jhengsman
#5 Pilgrim
#6 john grey
#7 etoncrow
#8 Richland123
#9 Commreman
#10 shadowtippy
#11 Clark Dark
#12 thumpbass1
#13 JimB52
#14 Laurie Bass
#15 bassybill who is going to be 50 next year. Great, you are a liitle too young, but if you don't tell anybody, I'll grant you number 15.

If number 13 is not happy being number 13, please let me know. Then we could skip the number.

Jim Nazium · #19 10-29-2011, 07:37 AM

Three years to go before I'm eligible. Save a la-z-boy chair for me.

stratovani · #20 10-29-2011, 08:55 AM

Oh, what the hell! What's another club? I'm 57!