Frustrated with my health!

[SJan3]

So, at almost 63, I suffer from lower and mid back pain(2 herniated discs) along with bad shoulders(rotator cuff surgery).
I cannot take the gigs I'd like and really am not self sufficient to move my own equipment.
I feel my days as a player are limited or certainly restricted.
I'll have to seek out an acoustic/semi acoustic gig that requires no more than 1 bass and a small, lightweight combo.
AND, I'll have to sit. I cannot stand any longer for 3/4 sets.
I feel that my woes are not so common at my age. Anyone else out there with similar issues or are you "fit as a fiddle" in your 60s?

 

[Oddly]

At a mere 52, I've got some of the same troubles...now playing a lighter short-scale bass and I've a little GK MB112 combo on it's way.
Not quite ready to go gently into that good night just yet...

 

[SJan3]

At a mere 52, I've got some of the same troubles...now playing a lighter short-scale bass and I've a little GK MB112 combo on it's way.
Not quite ready to go gently into that hood night just yet...

Funny, I just bought a Mustang PJ and, while I like it, I'm just not ready to give up my 34" instruments. It's not really helping what ails me.
I feel for you, brother.

 

[Clark Dark]

Find some ways of alleviating your discomfort. Instead of standing get yourself a stool with a back so you don't have to stand. There's no way around herniated disk pain shy of having a neuro surgeon at the ready. A good combo "tilt back"amp with wheels. I had an accident in 1998 and herniated from L-2 L3 down to L-4 L-5 S1 and still live with the disc pain and sciatica. I was playing with a praise and worship band and got a stool with a back so I could play comfortably without standing and my 4x10 rig was moved into my basement and I got an SWR 2x10 combo with wheels and tilt back option. I have nothing for your shoulder problem. Maybe there's a strap that can help with that. take it easy.

 

[Zooberwerx]

So, at almost 63, I suffer from lower and mid back pain(2 herniated discs) along with bad shoulders(rotator cuff surgery).
I cannot take the gigs I'd like and really am not self sufficient to move my own equipment.
I feel my days as a player are limited or certainly restricted.
I'll have to seek out an acoustic/semi acoustic gig that requires no more than 1 bass and a small, lightweight combo.
AND, I'll have to sit. I cannot stand any longer for 3/4 sets.
I feel that my woes are not so common at my age. Anyone else out there with similar issues or are you "fit as a fiddle" in your 60s?

Can you sit and play comfortably (relatively speaking) for 4 sets? I've been this route with our guitarist (now 66 and with multiple back issues) and it was no great hardship for the bandmates. He consolidated / down-sized his gear to best accommodate his limitations. We hauled in his combo amp, pedal board, & guitar...this guy wailed all night so it was a fair trade-off.

I've had cardiac stents, 3 hernia repairs, and brain surgery. Music is the best therapy & motivator I can think of. I turn 60 in July and frequently stiff all over...I figured it was an over-reaching Cialis dosage.

Riis

 

[Linnin]

Two heart attacks, but still percolating at 64! Not in a gigging band anymore, but still enjoy jams with friends. There are plenty of wineries and micro-breweries around that have small groups for three hour afternoon or 6-9 type gigs. Using a musician's stool is not a crime, as I can't stand the whole time.

 

[SJan3]

Can you sit and play comfortably (relatively speaking) for 4 sets? I've been this route with our guitarist (now 66 and with multiple back issues) and it was no great hardship for the bandmates. He consolidated / down-sized his gear to best accommodate his limitations. We hauled in his combo amp, pedal board, & guitar...this guy wailed all night so it was a fair trade-off.

I've had cardiac stents, 3 hernia repairs, and brain surgery. Music is the best therapy & motivator I can think of. I turn 60 in July and frequently stiff all over...I figured it was an over-reaching Cialis dosage.

Riis

Ah yes, I forgot to mention a hernia operation too! LOL
YES, I can sit for 3/4 sets.
You make a great point and I can't imagine life w/o making music. Agreed, it is the best therapy!

 

[Stumbo]

There are bass stands that will hold your bass in playing position. Don't know if there's one for sitting down.

Something you can invent for all us old guys.

There's a TBr around here somewhere that has tons of short scale basses, even made out of guitars!

If you really want to play out, "whatever works" is a good strategy.

Good luck!

 

[JRA]

chronic back and shoulder, bad knee: i sit on a stool at gigs (mostly). i go much slower than i did at 60 (now 68). but: i'm gigging, carrying my own light-weight instruments/rigs. and i even do PA/sound gigs with 2 hour setups and tear-outs. but as i said...i go much slower! i'm sure i'll have to give up the PA stuff first, but i'm assuming that when i can no longer play = that will be the beginning of the end. who knows?

i don't think i'm in bad health, particularly, i've just been 'rode hard' and after this many years it's bound to show a little/lot.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Ah yes, I forgot to mention a hernia operation too! LOL
YES, I can sit for 3/4 sets.
You make a great point and I can't imagine life w/o making music. Agreed, it is the best therapy!

After my 3rd repair...they actually cut me, not a laparoscopic...I was sitting home, grabbed my bass, and plopped it on my lap (Vicodin makes you stupid). It was a new adventure in pain and, IIRC, my **** fell off.

Riis

 

[SJan3]

Find some ways of alleviating your discomfort. Instead of standing get yourself a stool with a back so you don't have to stand. There's no way around herniated disk pain shy of having a neuro surgeon at the ready. A good combo "tilt back"amp with wheels. I had an accident in 1998 and herniated from L-2 L3 down to L-4 L-5 S1 and still live with the disc pain and sciatica. I was playing with a praise and worship band and got a stool with a back so I could play comfortably without standing and my 4x10 rig was moved into my basement and I got an SWR 2x10 combo with wheels and tilt back option. I have nothing for your shoulder problem. Maybe there's a strap that can help with that. take it easy.

Yes, I had spinal injections and that did help. Highly recommended!
Bought a Markbass 121HR, only 29 lbs and got a folding cart.
I guess what I'm saying here guys is all of this has given me pause. I don't want to feel over the hill but I'm in the midst of the lower back injury and, at the moment, I can't do much at all, including walk upright.

 

[SJan3]

Two heart attacks, but still percolating at 64! Not in a gigging band anymore, but still enjoy jams with friends. There are plenty of wineries and micro-breweries around that have small groups for three hour afternoon or 6-9 type gigs. Using a musician's stool is not a crime, as I can't stand the whole time.

Very inspiring! Yes, wineries are a good place to spend time. LOL! Thanks for sharing and I wish you good times ahead!

 

[SJan3]

There are bass stands that will hold your bass in playing position. Don't know if there's one for sitting down.

Something you can invent for all us old guys.

There's a TBr around here somewhere that has tons of short scale basses, even made out of guitars!

If you really want to play out, "whatever works" is a good strategy.

Good luck!

Gives new meaning to getting "creative".

 

[SJan3]

chronic back and shoulder, bad knee: i sit on a stool at gigs (mostly). i go much slower than i did at 60 (now 68). but: i'm gigging, carrying my own light-weight instruments/rigs. and i even do PA/sound gigs with 2 hour setups and tear-outs. but as i said...i go much slower! i'm sure i'll have to give up the PA stuff first, but i'm assuming that when i can no longer play = that will be the beginning of the end. who knows?

i don't think i'm in bad health, particularly, i've just been 'rode hard' and after this many years it's bound to show a little/lot.

Yes, something to be said for "high mileage". Inspiring!!

 

[SJan3]

After my 3rd repair...they actually cut me, not a laparoscopic...I was sitting home, grabbed my bass, and plopped it on my lap (Vicodin makes you stupid). It was a new adventure in pain and, IIRC, my **** fell off.

Riis

Yes, I was cut too and they found a tumer sticking through the hernia?? That night, my crazy girlfriend chose to pick a fight and started hitting me! She's gone now.

 

[Clark Dark]

When my disc situation was more acute I used a hot water bottle or a heat blanket and always attempted to sit as upright as possible. The heat worked better than all the opioids the medical professionals prescribed and maintaining good posture even while sitting aided me while standing. Try to keep your discs in alignment, good posture as much as possible. Don't strain yourself. If you go to a market don't be proud and use the scooter if available. Your body will try to heal itself but you assist it by not putting too much of a load on it.

Oh, I forgot to mention when I was injured it was 1998, I was only 48 years. Been dealing with it a considerable amount of time

 

[Dee-man]

Yup, same issues and only in my 50s. Plus tendonitis and carpal tunnel. Oh well. Best advice for your back and shoulders - use a stool and get a stand that allows you to attach your bass to the stand so it is not hanging off your shoulders at all. I'm sorry I'm blanking on the name of the stand, since I own it and have sung its praises here before. But it works great, costs maybe $50, you screw it on top of a mic stand, and off you go. It's very liberating, and you may find you're not standing that much because you're dancing around your bass. Good luck, DM

 

[SJan3]

When my disc situation was more acute I used a hot water bottle or a heat blanket and always attempted to sit as upright as possible. The heat worked better than all the opioids the medical professionals prescribed and maintaining good posture even while sitting aided me while standing. Try to keep your discs in alignment, good posture as much as possible. Don't strain yourself. If you go to a market don't be proud and use the scooter if available. Your body will try to heal itself but you assist it by not putting too much of a load on it.

Oh, I forgot to mention when I was injured it was 1998, I was only 48 years. Been dealing with it a considerable amount of time

Honestly, I never had good posture and now being overweight isn't helping. I agree that the heating pad does wonders. My chiropractor says it brings blood to the area for healing purposes.

 

[SJan3]

Yup, same issues and only in my 50s. Plus tendonitis and carpal tunnel. Oh well. Best advice for your back and shoulders - use a stool and get a stand that allows you to attach your bass to the stand so it is not hanging off your shoulders at all. I'm sorry I'm blanking on the name of the stand, since I own it and have sung its praises here before. But it works great, costs maybe $50, you screw it on top of a mic stand, and off you go. It's very liberating, and you may find you're not standing that much because you're dancing around your bass. Good luck, DM

Great advice. I'm not sure I'm ready for a bass stand just yet. I really prefer having the instrument against me but I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!

 

[Dee-man]

That's the biggest negative of the stand - you can lose some of the intimate connection you get with the instrument against your body. That, and it's not very common (though getting more so), so it might seem odd or, dare I say, not very manly to others?