I used to fix my unreliable vehicles out of necessity, then later became a hobbyist mechanic of sorts. It can be hard on your hands. Having to work out in the cold is the worst. If I get back into that stuff, I’d prefer to work on motorcycles.
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Any bass playing car mechanics?
- Thread starter FunkSheep08
- Start date
I'm a diesel mechanic. I've been playing bass since I was 11. Definitely use proper gloves when using air tools. Tough gig to get into at your age. At the dealer level (truck) it's a lot of electronics and troubleshooting. So you need to know your way around a schematic and a multimeter.
I work on my race car and my wives race car. Mine is on the bottom, hers is on the top. Its a lot of fun, and does not really hurt my hands.
It definitely does have the potential to be rough on the hands. However, a lot of it can be alleviated by having and using the right tool for the job. Using a tool, because it's all you have around, is the quickest way to hand injuries. For example using a Crecent wrench to take off a part, when you should be using a proper socket set or box/open end wrench, and then getting upset when it slips and you slice your hand open. Then learn the correct techniques for using those tools. Stuff is going to happen, but upping the odds by going all amateur hour on it is avoidable.
just an overworked Emergency Auto Locksmith owner in 3 cities...used to like cars & people..hah ha..dang guns in city sucks..but most are nice..The newer cars are getting out of hand..the dealer wants the tow & lift time to jack everybody..def doing a frame off resto of a 66 Chevelle soon as we move.
Invest in good tools. Always use the right tool for the job. I have no problem buying a $100.00 tool to replace a $25.00 part. It’s still always cheaper than paying someone else to do it , and now you have another tool.
I worked at a engine/trans shop during college. Later worked on my own stuff.
1st, take care of your hands & fingers. Its hard in them. Hard to play bass with beat up fingers.
2. If you want to build a show or custom car, just buy one complete or close. Takes years & big pile of cash to complete one.
1st, take care of your hands & fingers. Its hard in them. Hard to play bass with beat up fingers.
2. If you want to build a show or custom car, just buy one complete or close. Takes years & big pile of cash to complete one.
Take your pick - enjoy cars and the art of automobile nostalgia or make a living working on other people's transportation tools. Two completely different realms but a good comparison would be enjoy bass playing as a hobbyist or be a professional touring / recording musician.
New cars require a high degree of experience / understanding to repair at a professional level. Since many customers think there is a magic scanner and youtube video to make every repair a 15 minute snap, nobody wants to pay what the education and experience are worth. Did it for 30+ years. Blessings allowed me to do a lot of it on my terms and it was still miserable sometimes. The money has never been great for all but a few mechanics. The tool investment to do it professionally is equal to 5 or 10 pre-CBS Jazz Basses. Shops DO NOT provide tools for you!
Buy your hobby car. Fix it up. Be proud of what you accomplish on your own. Be prouder of being smart enough to recruit a pro on the important / difficult stuff you can't handle. Do not hire your newfound skills out to the public for abuse. You'll learn to hate cars AND people if you do.
New cars require a high degree of experience / understanding to repair at a professional level. Since many customers think there is a magic scanner and youtube video to make every repair a 15 minute snap, nobody wants to pay what the education and experience are worth. Did it for 30+ years. Blessings allowed me to do a lot of it on my terms and it was still miserable sometimes. The money has never been great for all but a few mechanics. The tool investment to do it professionally is equal to 5 or 10 pre-CBS Jazz Basses. Shops DO NOT provide tools for you!
Buy your hobby car. Fix it up. Be proud of what you accomplish on your own. Be prouder of being smart enough to recruit a pro on the important / difficult stuff you can't handle. Do not hire your newfound skills out to the public for abuse. You'll learn to hate cars AND people if you do.
I'm not following why you think being a mechanic would get in the way of your bass playing. Mechanics work the same 40 hour week as almost everyone else does. Now if you make a live playing bass that's a different story, if that's the case then you have a decision to make. If all you want to do is be a backyard mechanic have at it. Sorry if I misunderstood your post.
I have a great mechanic. It seems to me his most used tool is his little laptop he plugs into the cars code port. Times have changed.
You have a degree and you want to be a mechanic? It may or may not tear up your hands, but as an ASE master with 25 years of experience my own advice is don't do it. You will be poor or sore take your pick.. ymmv
Full time mechanic, I have a lot of repetitive stress issues that effect my playing
In Michigan most mechanics are required to work at least 50 hours and many work in excess of 60 hours in the retail sector, and this is not by choice but a condition of employment.
I’m certainly not a professional mechanic, but I do a fair amount of mechanic work as a hobby. Engine swaps, etc. Mostly old Chevy pickups and my 71 VW bus. Obviously it’s a very different hobby than playing bass, but I like that about it. And as far as messing up your hands, I don’t wear gloves 95% of the time and I’ve never messed up my hands so that I couldn’t play bass. I find it to be very rewarding when you finish a big project.
Bass playing and wrenching are superb pursuits... until you have to make your living doing it.
I part out or fix up motorcycles to resell as a side job. Couldn't imagine doing this type of work full time, my hands and back wouldn't be able to take it. Investing in good brand (DeWalt, Milwaukee, etc.) cordless impact wrenches really took a lot of strain off my hands/forearms when wrenching.
