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Bad news from the doctor.

#24
bobcruz said:
I thought I'd have chronic back pain for the rest of my life since it started when I bent over to tie my shoes when I was in my 30's and never stopped for 25+ years, in spite of "core" exercises (back and abs) until I learned that "core" includes glutes! The first day I exercised glutes using simple lunges (3x12 reps, no weights) and "dead bug" ab work (easily looked up on the web) I went home pain free from the gym, almost a year ago. Several others at the gym have noticed and benefited from adding glute work to their core exercises. I hope this helps someone else like it helped me.

+1 on light weight gear! I use 2x112s that I built myself because I'm cheap but the 20-25 pound cabs are out there. Get two, use one for small gigs and two for bigger gigs and you're done. Good luck!
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I'm doing the same thing. Had lower back issues, and my doctor sent me to a physical therapist that showed me how to do core and stretching exercises. I still have flare ups on occasion, but it's better than it was, for sure.

Regarding amps, my rig now is a Barefaced One10 and a GK MB200. No chance of straining anything with that setup.
 
#26
good move, to get a lightweight rig.

i've had great results with spinal problems using robin mckenzie's method. amazon has his books. you might take a look at _treat your own back_. essentially, it's a series of stretching and light exercise that addresses problems in spinal alignment.

it's not snake oil. it took care of chronic neck and back pain for me. and my local physical therapy facility recommends his books to their patients.
 
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#27
I used to have a rig with two of those Edens plus a 100+ pound rack of gear. Sold it all for lightweight stuff and I couldn't be happier--my back thanks me and so do my ears. It's all pretty good stuff these days.

The other thing I did, which frankly had much more impact, was to run my bass through the PA and to use IEMs onstage. The IEM transmitter/receiver is REALLY light and I only have to carry a preamp, a tuner, and my bass. Plus, it helps clean up the sound of the band by making the stage quieter.

Make the sound guy do all the heavy lifting!

Tom
 
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#28
I know this game. I've had 2 spine fusion surgeries, and have arthritis in my back(and I'm only 26!). I bought a GK Neo 212ii cab, and thought it would be light enough, at around 51lbs, but it's still too heavy. Luckily, my band members help me with hauling it around. I think a much better solution would be getting 2 Neo 112s, or a pair of Neo 210s. The Mesa Subway series has my attention.

Looking forward to seeing more suggestions from others on here.
 
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#29
You can use whatever cab you like, but it is more important to get healthy or the playing will make your back hurt just as much, and then you'll be looking for lighter basses. The difference in weight between (for example) the Schroeder regular 1212 and the light version is about 15 pounds on a 50+ pound cab. I don't think that that's going to help much.

As many have posted already, stretching are strengthening are both important ways to help yourself. Yoga is a fantastic way to help yourself. Not sure where you are, but if there is an Iyengar yoga teacher around, that would be a great step. And as someone else posted above, (I am not gonna say that all doctors are full of s**t), doctors have varying levels of expertise. Except in instances where there is severe damage to the spine, lots of conditions can be greatly improved with the right combination of stretching and exercise. I had tons of work done on my back that I wished I hadn't done. And it wound up so bad that discectomy and fusion was my only resort (C3), so I take good care of myself now to save what's left. Good luck.
 
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#30
JesseVMT said:
Short version... I'm still wrapping my head around it. Very long story short I'm going to be dealing with chronic pain in my lower back for the rest of my life.

Anyways my cab is really heavy and I need a lighter one. It's an Eden D410xst. At 95 pounds, I'm not going to be able to haul it without causing damage to myself. I'm not really sure what to look for to be honest... I haven't looked into light weight gear yet. But I don't want to sacrifice power and low end.

I'm not really opposed to trying to sell / trade my head as well to get a whole new light rig. (Eden wt550)

Help?
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If you like the 410 sound I'd looking into getting 2 210 neo cabinets - that way you can divide up the already lowered weight between two trips and have the flexibility of only bringing one cabinet when appropriate to the venue.
 
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#31
I also have back issues so I bought 2) Ampeg SVT 210AV's and have been loving it. They are a lot louder than they look. 26 pounds a piece and a 5 pound GK MB500 makes an easy loadin/out.
IMG_0261.JPG
 
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#32
If you're over 40 then you're probably going to have back pain. The human back isn't designed for what we put it through.

Good that you're getting lighter gear. Start stretching. Do sit-UPS and core building exercises too.
 
#37
If you have back problems you'll still have them humping a lighter Cab. Then standing while playing will be a problem. Time to start making friends you trust and get a ride along Roadie. Also you may end up having to sit down and periodically stand up while you play. How do I know? I played organized Tackle Football from age 11 through my Freshman year in college. I also played Basketball through my Sophomore year in College. After College for a year or two I coached Middle School Wrestling and Cross Country. My body is done and I put up with the pain because I have to play. LOL!!!!!
 
#38
The pain lets you know that you're still alive!

Exercise where you evenly stretch your muscles is good. I find that lifting gear can tend to stress one side more than the other. Because of the bulk, gear can be awkward to lift. Best is to find someone to help with any lifting. If not, bend your knees and bear hug cabinets to lift them.
 
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#39
sawzalot said:
I used to have a rig with two of those Edens plus a 100+ pound rack of gear. Sold it all for lightweight stuff and I couldn't be happier--my back thanks me and so do my ears. It's all pretty good stuff these days.

The other thing I did, which frankly had much more impact, was to run my bass through the PA and to use IEMs onstage. The IEM transmitter/receiver is REALLY light and I only have to carry a preamp, a tuner, and my bass. Plus, it helps clean up the sound of the band by making the stage quieter.

Make the sound guy do all the heavy lifting!

Tom
Click to expand...
No doubt there is an adjustment period getting used to IEMs, but their benefits over a dedicated bass rig for personal monitoring are undeniable. So: you'll work your back far less, you'll clean up the sound of the band both on stage and in the house and as a side benefit, you'll protect what's left of your hearing. It really is a simple solution.
 

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