Age-related Performance Accommodation

[JimmyM]

This thread might not be of interest to everyone.

I enrolled in Medicare this year and was reflecting on how I was so completely unprepared for the effects of aging on my ability to perform. Given some recent threads, I thought it might be interesting to older players who are still performing to share some of their tricks in a single thread. Here are some areas that might be of interest that have been mentioned previously -

1. weight of instruments
2. instrument configurations - shorties, string types etc.
3. weight of amplifiers
4. physical accommodations
5. physical maintenance

I'll start by a personal entry on #4. I've always been in good health, exercised regularly, and been strong enough for my slight frame, but I was unprepared for joint deterioration. I now have to be very careful lifting heavy objects, because I can lift far more than my knees can withstand. This means that as much as I would enjoy owning big iron, it's out of the question. I couldn't move it without personal damage. Joint deterioration is something you hear old folks talk about but you just ignore until you start to feel the effects yourself. Luckily, amplifier technology has come to the rescue in the past decade - we are fortunate enough to have at our disposal, the lightest, loudest, and best sounding amplifiers and speakers, ever.

I'm not far behind you, man, and I get it! But I lugged an SVT and 810 on gigs for far longer than I thought I would. Once I hit 40, I didn't do it every gig like I did in the old days of being older, but at age 60, the time has come. Fortunately I can still satisfy my tube jones with my 64 B-15N and PF50T, and honestly, the 50w of the 50T is enough for most of my gigs. I have a couple other amps if I need more firepower, but rare is the occasion that I do, and they're micros, so I totally get it despite being a raging tube snob

 

[Rich67]

54 and paying close attention here. Recently discovered the Mesa Boogie Subway heads. When the bag is just as heavy as the amp, and you've just moved an SVT head; stuff like that gets your attention.

 

[RichardW]

Great thread. I'll be 63 at my next birthday. Lifelong runner and exercise devotee and in great health overall. I did trade in my 80-lb SWR amp for a 35-lb Fender Rumble. Shoulders are a little creaky, but nothing I can't deal with. Stand for gigs, but move enough that it's not onerous. Hate playing sitting down, unless I'm practicing myself.

Nutrition is hugely important for maintaining one's health. Moderation in food volume, avoid sugar and excessive alcohol (I try to limit alcohol intake to Fridays and Saturdays), more fresh foods and less processed crap. And you have to keep physically active as much as possible. Health is wealth.

 

[mike o]

I'm a very lucky fellow. Will be 63 next week. Look and feel 10 years younger than I am. Still a full head of hair with color. No issues other than tinnitus so I do use custom made west-tone ear plugs to retain the hearing I have. Being 6'4" and 265 I could stand to loose 30 or so pounds. No problems lifting equipment, pulling PA speakers off poles, etc. Amazing considering how much I miss treated myself when younger.

 

[Gary Poe]

69 Using Rumble cabs and small amp heads ( Rumble 200,Trace Elliot Elf ) Always spend part of the gig sitting on a stool or sitting on one of the cabs. Havta mix it up cause if i sit too long it hurts or i stand too long it hurts / Use lighter weight basses Roadworn P ,Danelectro Longhorn, old Gibson EBO, Hofner Ignition violin ,recently got a Squire mini P looks funny on me cause im 6ft 2 nearly 250 lbs but i dont care anymore and ill play with whoever will let me. Still love it ! Got an old 4-12 cab that stays at home but i sometimes take out my old 68 Bassman cab with original 2-15s. More bulky than heavy and has handles and wheels and still sounds good with the small heads playing country/classic rock and blues with PA support anyway most of the time.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I'm 78 and still gigging. Friday will be my third week in a row. Last Saturday was difficult because I had to stand on concrete with no room to move a round a bit. I've had a bad back since I was a teenager.
As to your points:

1. weight of instruments
   1. This has been an issue and I was playing my G&L SB-2T because it is Empress wood and very light. I recently bought a Fodera Emperor Standard Classic 5 string. It is heavy, but so well balanced, I don't notice the weight.
2. instrument configurations - shorties, string types etc.
   1. I have one shortie, but I don't like shorties. I would just repeat that my Fodera is so well balanced, it doesn't bother me.
3. weight of amplifiers
   1. This is one that is a bit troublesome, sometimes. One band I play with is ampless, so it isn't an issue. For the other band I use a Fender Bassman 100T and 2 1x15 Fender Neo cabs. Each of these 3 components weigh in at about 45 lbs. If the venue is small, I may take my Rumble 500 and a Rumble 2x10 cab.
4. physical accommodations
   1. None required
5. physical maintenance
   1. None required

As to joint issues, I don't have problems here, I only vape these days.

 

[mongo2]

I'm 71 and here is what I do. Get one of these: Gator Frameworks GFW-GTRSTOOL Guitar Stool with Integrated Guitar Stand

I've used the Gator stool with the backrest (and with the backrest removed). It's the best stool I've ever had. Unfortantely, after my stroke I can't use it anymore because I've nearly slid off of it a few times while practicing at home. I think my right side doesn't know it's there so I use a regular chair instead for it's wider seat.

Other things are I use a music stand light and a binder with the setlist and the music or notes for the eight sets we cycle through.

Eventhough I play seated I use a wide neoprene strap to help my right side keep the bass near my body. I also placed a strip of grip tape on the edge of the treble side waist to keep the bass from slipping foward on my leg.

For smaller places I use an Acoustic B50C combo amp at 30 lbs. Big change from my Traynor YBA-3A Super Custom Special and Acoustic folded horn cabinet.

 

[redwood]

Great advice. I usually smoke the "hemp" when I get home from the gig, and that puts me right. We're both proponents

Now I would never do anything like that

 

[redwood]

@redwood - what brand are you using?

I can't recall. I'll look it up when I get home and let you know.

 

[60bass]

See #15

thanks just printed that post out.

 

[WG Plum]

Not as seasoned as many (just about to turn 49), but I had a severe back injury requiring surgery 20+ years ago. A lightweight rig is key for me, though a heavy bass is not an issue. I don't gig anymore, and fortunately the guys I jam with have an amp I can use in their practice space. I also play sitting down when I can.

 

[_Obra_]

I'll try to answer to some of Your questions. I'm 43, just came from a back discus surgery two months ago, and had big back problems for years.

1. I sold all my basses that are over 4kg (9 lbs). Now I own only 4 string basses, and all around 8 - 8.5 lbs and wide straps.
2. I play class D amps since they were introduced
3. Only the lightest (but the loudest) combo, since the one piece of equipment is easier to wear than two
- In my case that would be GK MB212 II
4. I do not travel by van anymore, only by my personal car. Also changed car from low compact to SUV.
5. Physical maintenance consists of every day back exercises and weight loss from 225lbs to 192lbs and keep going.

It's all very frustrating for me since I was very active on stage. Now Covid-19 reduced the shows a lot, and I have more time to recover. Hope to be active at least 60% as I sometimes was. All of this is also hard to accept mentally, so my GAS is worst than ever

I would love to hear what Keith Richards has to say about this topic

 

[Alkali Ike]

At age 68 I've been having worsening arthritis in my fingers and especially thumbs. It was getting unpleasantly painful.

Omega 3 supplements are said to help relieve arthritis pain. Problem is most supplements are fish oil based and cause me some "gastric disturbance".

Found an Omega 3 supplement sourced from sea algae. Been taking it now for about 3 weeks. I swear it has noticeably reduced the arthritic pain in my hands. No gastric issues.

I am not a physician, this is anecdotal, your experience might be different. But I'm pretty convinced it makes a significant difference for me.

 

[Nedmundo]

I'm 54, and have had a few physical issues that have required accommodations, some permanent and some temporary, and I've largely shifted to lighter gear.

1. At about age 41, I developed severe pain in the tip joint of my right index finger. It's apparently pre-arthritis, and while it was effectively addressed with occupational therapy, I now play almost exclusively with a pick. When a track truly requires finger style I'll do it, but in my last band that was only a couple of tracks. (I've had other finger issues, which have led me to prioritize easy playability on my basses.)

2. At age 43, I had hernia repair surgery. I had already switched to lightweight G-K Neo cabs, and this inspired me to go with a lightweight MB-500 head as well. For a long time after the surgery, I played sitting whenever possible. I'm sure I'll go back to that eventually. Even now, the hernia area hurts for a day after carrying something heavy, so I've been considering a lightweight combo to replace my Roland Cube 100. (I do have a small dolly, but it isn't always helpful.)

3. I bought a wide, cushioned Mono strap, which definitely made long rehearsals more comfortable.

4. I'm definitely on the lightweight bass bandwagon, but I had issues with an empress-bodied G&L JB-5 I bought used, so I sold it. I do intend to replace it with another lightweight five, and I wouldn't be surprised if a shortscale is in my future too.

 

[Outbush]

I'm sorry to bang on about this again if you've heard it to death - check out the GruvGear Duostrap. It balances the weight evenly on both shoulders once it is set up right.

(No I am not endorsed, paid, given free stuff. They wouldn't know me if I popped up in their porridge, but the thing works really well - much better than you'd expect actually.)