Frustrated with my health!

[bass151]

Wow, first I would like to say I feel really bad for everyone who has posted their issues. I guess we live in our own little world sometimes feeling sorry for ourselves and our issues. I'm 66 and gigging 4 to 8 times a month and sometimes I think I just don't want to do this anymore, but if I quit my current band I'm pretty sure my playing days will be over. Fortunately my overall health is not bad, just loosing a lot of muscle mass and not feeling very strong. IN January I told the band if they would continue to book 4 hour gigs I would leave the band. They had no problem with this. I don't have problems standing for a 3 hour gig, but it is tiring. Trying to do the right thing as far as gear is concerned and amp thing is fine using my 4 pound class D amp, but still have an 85 pound 410 cab that sounds good and I need that kind of volume as the band is pretty loud. Can't find light cabs that seem to have the output I need. I'm sure there out their, but they are way more money than I'm willing to spend. Got to make smart choices going forward, or a choice may be made for me.

 

[TyBo]

I'm 65, had a heart attack 5 years ago, followed by recurring chest pains, even after two stents had been put in. Felt like my life was over. But ... I went on a whole foods plant based diet, as prescribed by doctors Dean Ornish and Caldwell Esselstyn, and ... chest pains left, I lost 30 pounds without even thinking about it, became able to exercise vigorously, and built up over time to where I now regularly run half marathons twice a week. (Yes, really. ^_^) I just ran a 10K race this morning, no problem. So there are things we can do, even though this approach won't fix a herniated disc, etc. (though it might help prevent it, through increased blood flow to the area.

A small price to pay for life, liberty, and happiness ... and taste buds adjust over the course of a month or two, so I don't miss the old, heavy foods at all, don't even want 'em. At all. It can be done!

 

[SJan3]

Thank you I hope you get better and things work out for you..

Thanks, my friend.

 

[SJan3]

I'm 65, had a heart attack 5 years ago, followed by recurring chest pains, even after two stents had been put in. Felt like my life was over. But ... I went on a whole foods plant based diet, as prescribed by doctors Dean Ornish and Caldwell Esselstyn, and ... chest pains left, I lost 30 pounds without even thinking about it, became able to exercise vigorously, and built up over time to where I now regularly run half marathons twice a week. (Yes, really. ^_^) I just ran a 10K race this morning, no problem. So there are things we can do, even though this approach won't fix a herniated disc, etc. (though it might help prevent it, through increased blood flow to the area.

A small price to pay for life, liberty, and happiness ... and taste buds adjust over the course of a month or two, so I don't miss the old, heavy foods at all, don't even want 'em. At all. It can be done!

More and more I'm feeling the push to change my diet. You're recovery is remarkable!
Thanks so much for sharing. Will check these diets.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

View attachment 3000716

You mean like this??

My rig wasn't quite as elaborate, but the facial expression was identical.

 

[SJan3]

My rig wasn't quite as elaborate, but the facial expression was identical.

I felt like robocop!

 

[eb3mike]

Sixty Six here and was just tired of getting home from gigs at 2-3 in the morning. Came across these guys, , in 2014 and decided that is what I wanted to do. Have been doing it now for 3 years with two different guitarists and love it. The venues and patrons do as well. Last nights gig... 5-8pm. Home by 9. Hip replacement in 2013, severe tinnitus for ten years... in Emajor so I am constantly humming some tune and wear hearing aids.

All heavy gear gone except a Line6300 pro... just in case. Rarely pull the short scale 69, EB3 out anymore and now just use the Bose L1 Model 2 with bass bin.

 

[phillipkregg]

The good news is that nowadays amps and cabs are getting smaller and more powerful.

I've got 2 Phil Jones cabs that weigh about 20 lbs and put out 400 watts a piece. So far, I've been able to play every gig with those with no issues hearing myself. And that seems to be the trend even among younger players. Rarely have I seen a bassist lugging around 4x10 cabs around here. Maybe it's because the venues are smaller usually, but I really think it's just because there are more practical options now with bass technology advancing.

 

[red_rhino]

I've been fortunate enough to maintain good health and fitness as I close in on 63 (June). Part of that is nature (my parents' families are rather long-lived and athletic) and part of that is nurture (my wife is a certified personal trainer; I am her only client. )

I'm probably in better shape now than I was in my 20's & 30's. Still, the realities of getting older require adjustments. I've ditched all my heavier gear and moved back to 34" scale basses. I've also developed and incorporated new playing techniques to emphasis economy of movement.

Physically, it takes longer to recover from workouts, and we vary our routine so that we don't overtrain in one area or another. (I love to run hills, and I would do it 5 days a week, but I wouldn't be able to walk if I did that due to soreness in my Achilles.) What we do to stay fit needs to adjust a bit as we get older. You can still do a lot, you just gotta be smart about it. (e.g. more yoga, less parkour).

 

[SJan3]

Sixty Six here and was just tired of getting home from gigs at 2-3 in the morning. Came across these guys, , in 2014 and decided that is what I wanted to do. Have been doing it now for 3 years with two different guitarists and love it. The venues and patrons do as well. Last nights gig... 5-8pm. Home by 9. Hip replacement in 2013, severe tinnitus for ten years... in Emajor so I am constantly humming some tune and wear hearing aids.

All heavy gear gone except a Line6300 pro... just in case. Rarely pull the short scale 69, EB3 out anymore and now just use the Bose L1 Model 2 with bass bin.

You know, really enjoyed this!!
Fantastic sound and faithful to the original. Well done!

 

[Mister Boh]

Looked into a discectomy?

I don't have much else to offer except that I hope your pain subsides and you find a solution that works.

 

[bassmanrocke]

I'm 55 with 3 herniated discs in my lower back, bad knees, and a level 2 right shoulder separation. I have gone to wider straps, A Markbass 121, and lighter basses(Squier Vintage Mod Jazz Basses sound great and are significantly lighter than MIA jazz basses). I don't jump around as much as I used to, but these changes definitely make it easier for me to continue playing.

 

[Ric5]

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?

Get a light bass and use this for an amp

 

[Kukulkan61]

Thanks, my friend.

Here's my set up stool and everything.

 

[SJan3]

Here's my set up stool and everything.View attachment 3000810

The stool looks great! Comfy?

 

[Kukulkan61]

The stool looks great! Comfy?

Picked it up at a yard sale for 5 bucks..lol

 

[SJan3]

Picked it up at a yard sale for 5 bucks..lol

Nice score!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Use common sense. You don't need more one bass. Find one the is comfortable, use the proceeds on a class D head and good lightweight cab. Nothing wrong with a stool at gigs for when you need it.

 

[audreycashin]

for me: not bass gear per se, but abusing my back/body when younger just the same.


i like the stuff. i take 1-2 most days, but on gig days i might take 3-4 before (600-800mg) and 1-2 at the very end of the day. it works but i don't like the idea of it: i'd rather use my liver for drinking.


me too!


say it ain't so.... i use 'denial'...i'm decent at it, and it's very cheap in the short run!

Get the topical gel and save your liver......

 

[Old Blastard]

Feet are shot with arthritis from running competitively for 30 years and being in denial another 5. By then. Y knees and back were I. Rough shape.

Gained 25 pounds when I finally quit running 10'years ago. Never found aerobic exercise I liked as well.

I've decided at 60 things must change so I've altered my eating habits and increased walking ... with special inserts and Advil. Lost a pound a month so far. I often end up leaning against the back of the stage by the 3rd set