Old timer but newbie

[BroonsBane]

Originally Posted by spiritbass

You sure found a NICE one to play around on!

Thanks. There's hardly a scratch on it. It looks to me like it was never really played, probably sat in its case for years. I've fixed that though
The strings that were on it had pretty much turned to goo so I put some new Ernie Ball Super Slinky's on it and it sounds great.

[ajpaul59]

Welcome Gil. I'm in your age group. Played alot when younger, then took 20+ years off. Got back into it a couple years ago when a project (my current band) actually got me interested enough to start playing seriously again. Guys our age are MUCH better musicians, AND much better PEOPLE. No drama, just a fun night out with the guys once a week for practice and a couple of shows a month. Best time I ever had in music! Best wishes and enjoy!

[Pet Sounds]

Great profile picture, ajpaul! You look like you're having fun. Are you in a Beatles band, or just play Beatles instruments?

[Pet Sounds]

I was a singer/rhythm guitarist who hung it up during college and the early days of my career. Was lured back into it by an old high school pal in 1988 and am still at it. Switched to bass about 1993 and prefer it to guitar. Have been in a very popular local band since 1999 and am still loving it at 56. Don't see myself ever giving up music unless health gets in the way someday. Why should we? Keep on rockin', y'all!

[Cycho]

I am 65 and have been playing bass for about thirty years but have only started taking it seriously when I joined a gigging band about six years ago.

[Andy_D]

Originally Posted by BroonsBane

Very cool thread. This is my first post here, so, hey everyone!

I had a Lero bass guitar (IIRC) when I was a teen but never learned how to play despite having a passion for it.
A few weeks ago I chanced into an opportunity to buy a 1989 Peavey Fury and a little practice amp and I thought what the hell, go for it. So I did

It's been about 30 years since I last played around with a bass. I'm 49 now. Man, all those years in between...
University, career, family...divorce Life was busy but now I've got more time and I've decided to put it to good use. This time, I'm going to learn how to play the bass properly, starting with lessons, rather than just playing around with a bass. Yeah baby!

I'm completely stoked on this. I've always had a deep love anassion for music. it's a part of who I am. I have a large LP and CD collection and I'm always listening to music. Actually playing it though brings that passion to another level. It's going to be a fun ride!

Thanks for having me aboard, looks to be a great bunch of folks here.

Pic or it didn't happen eh? Here's my 1989 Fury:

I have the very same Fury! I dropped new electronics in it (500K Pots), a Bill Lawrence P-46 PU, and a set of Sunbeams on her. It is a tone monster now.

Oh and I also got back into playing again for the 2nd time 3-1/2 years ago after a 27 year break. I'm loving it and improving everyday. I feel bad when I can't pick up my bass and play it (one of them) every day.

Enjoy it!

[ajpaul59]

Originally Posted by Pet Sounds

Great profile picture, ajpaul! You look like you're having fun. Are you in a Beatles band, or just play Beatles instruments?

Beatles Band. SexySadie LOADS of fun...
www.reverbnation.com/sexysadieband

[Five String]

Major dittos to all said here from a 53 yr old. Started at age 20 and kept it going since then, sometimes on a thread of only playing once every 3 months in my then drummer's basement. Dirt floor, his cat used it as a litter pan, but we played. The kids are now a little older and I have the time and $$$ to splurge on gear. Looking forward to playing with the gang tonight.

Music is a kind, forgiving companion, she will accept you as lovingly at age 12 as at age 60, and never stop you from doing as much or as little as you wish.

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by ajpaul59

Beatles Band. SexySadie LOADS of fun...
www.reverbnation.com/sexysadieband

The music I think I listened to when still in my mom's body... Beatles were gone when I was born, but Paul was out with the Wings (aptly named Band on the Run)... was the year of James Bond's "Live n'let Die"

Rock on my Friend

Cheers,
Wallace

[ajpaul59]

Originally Posted by Wallace320

The music I think I listened to when still in my mom's body... Beatles were gone when I was born, but Paul was out with the Wings (aptly named Band on the Run)... was the year of James Bond's "Live n'let Die"

Rock on my Friend

Cheers,
Wallace

Molto grazie amico! E molto divertente fare il musica di Beatles...

[mikeluch]

You are never too old to start or jump back in. I am 57, played in bands in the 70s and then quit playing for a while to raise a family. Sold my stuff (big mistake) and tinkered here and there. Got serious again 12 years ago and have had a blast since. The thing I like is I play with a couple of different bands and age is never an issue. The classic rock band I am in has musicians in their 20's to late fifties(me) and the common thread is the music and having fun. My son is a guitarist and I jam with him which is cool. Also, it is good for the brain as you get older!!

[drummer5359]

When I was ten years old a neighbor showed me the basics on bass and drums. (I was playing root notes and keeping time at that point.) My parents got me a reeeally cheap bass from a 5 & 10. Eventually I traded it for a beat to crap drumset. I played drums only for the next forty or so years and became a serious musician. Over the years I had a couple of instances that I ended up playing bass for a song or two, it was still just playing roots and keeping time.

One day I was picking up up a snare that I saw on CL from a pawn shop and they were hanging a Jackson bass on the wall. For some reason I thought it was cool and picked it up for $120 with case.

Then I had a couple of strokes. It took my drumming back to basics, but I've made a good recovery. I credit drumming for helping me with rehab. While I was in learning mode I got into hand percussion as well. I'm currently playing conga and cajon in two working three piece acoustic projects.

Bass was unfinished business in my mind. Almost two years ago I got serious about learning bass beyond what little that I learned in my youth. I took lessons, upgraded gear and am now a "real" bassist. I jam with the singer in one of my acoustic projects regularly with me on bass now. We are going to add a drummer into the mix, this should be fun.

[audreycashin]

Originally Posted by Baird6869

...... Or a coke addiction, or a gambling problem, etc.

+++++1

[jphovercraft]

Just turned 60 here. Got my first bass in '68 and have been playing since, some years more than others. The biggest change in my approach to playing? When I started, I wanted ME to sound better ... these days, I want the BAND to sound better.

[okc-zee]

Great thread here...I just turned 60..I've been playing the bass since 13 yrs. of age...started with lessons for a few years at the beginning...I've played professionally for years up into my 50's...I still do some gigs and jams here and there,but I've never put it down or given it up...I still try out lots of new basses and buy when I can...As a matter of fact I just treated myself to a brand new 2012 AVRI 62 P to add to my other basses.. Playing is the only thing that has never bored me...I'd like to think it keeps you young where it counts...just enjoy yourself...

[waynos51]

I am a first time user of this site. I turn 61 on 27th November and have been playing bass since my first pub gig at 15. Work and family came along and I stopped and had a few breaks along the way. But back into it now and playing regularly, sometimes 2 to 3 times a week. I am still after the elusive and very expensive perfect tone, but feel I am very close now with 2012 AM std jazz bass and eden 4x10 combo bass amp. The amp is compact and fairly easy to manage at gigs (for an old fart) as well as giving me a tone thats suits my ear and the mix.