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Questions For Older (50+) Bass Players

#21
Kenny Allyn said:
What's not to love more and better choices in basses ... and new light weight amps and cabs, best time to be a bass player is NOW! :D

shot1.jpg


:) ... Still at it at 54 myself
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Just want to add-- that is a great pic, and that bass is HOT!

What do you think of the DarkStar and what is the neck profile like? I've never played a Lakland. I'm afraid the neck profile would be too thin for my tastes. I tend towards a pretty standard P-bass-style nut width, but I like a well-wounded, fat C-shape to the profile, like the old "baseball bats" so many people seem to find disfavor with these days.

I like 'em chunky. I like to wrap my had around a neck and have the wood fill up the web of my thumb...really feel like I'm gripping something.

I hope this thread doesn't fade away. This is great stuff.
 
#23
Having passed 52 earlier this year I can feel your pain. I've been playing for 38 years so you can say I still haven't learned my lesson<g>.
Lately I've had a few physical things to deal with and found my beloved Fenders aren't treating me real well for 3 hour gigs anymore( we usually do 3 60 minute sets a night).
I switched to an MTD Z4, it's got a maple neck and fingerboard, under 8 pounds, and I can get pretty close to the P bass sound I love in addition to a wider pallate of sounds than the P gets. The neck feels a lot like my P bass's A neck which is wider than a Jazz neck across the fingerboard, but narrower than a classic P bass neck front to back. And my back doesn't hurt like it did after a night of having the Fenders bouncing on my shoulder.
What might seems odd is the choice of footware had as big an influence on how I feel after a gig than my choice of bass. Wear the wrong shoes or sneakers and I'm hurting later than night or the next day, the right ones and I don't feel like I'm 90 when I wake up. Wear the wrong ones and I fell like my body is playing a bad practical joke on me.
mitch
 
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#24
Jim Breece said:
<SNIP>Oh yeah- if an attractive young woman seems really interested in talking to you at a gig you probably remind her of daddy, or even grandpa, so don't get ideas.
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+1 Friday night a VERY attractive young lady approached me on the break. I was smoking my pipe and changing the battery on my wireless when she approached. She was very complimentary about the band, wanted to know about my bass, etc. Her final comment? "My grandpa doesn't even play a musical instrument - you guys are great!"
 
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#25
You really should try every kind you can before you buy, ideally with the amp you plan to use.

I really enjoy my American Deluxe Jazz. It's light weight and can really produce a wide range of tone with the active pickups. Zero hum. It has a slightly smaller body, very comfortable. Affordable and available used.
 
#30
Why not try your Ripper first and see how you like playing it now? Get it set up if it needs it. They're great basses! And very much considered super cool these days.
I'm 63, pro (like you I don't look or act my age, I'm a competitive endurance athlete, very health-oriented which helps) and play P's and J's with wide necks, skinny necks, some light, some pretty darn heavy--I just play 'em. The only bass I ever gave up because of physical comfort was a Dingwall with the 37" scale length--turned out I'm just too small a guy for that reach to work. Until you have a comfort or ergonomic/health issue I wouldn't start outta the gate worried about it!
EDIT: all that said, I absolutely will not schlepp a heavy amp these days, there is absolutely no need! If it's not backline, I'm using a 30lb 1x12 combo sometimes with a 1x12 ext, but that's it.
 
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#31
I recently saw a video of the 2024 Columbus Guitar show. Almost everyone in that place was over 50, easy. You are not alone. Btw I'm 61 feel like I play better than ever.
 
#32
OP, it’s over 15 years later but your story is the same as mine (except husband, now ex, and kid, singular).

But, my Jazz is HEAVY, 12.5 pounds! It’s killing my back/shoulder. Also the spread between the frets at the low end are more difficult now. I did get a Fender Rumble 100 amp which I’m liking so far.
 
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#33
I'm 70 and have been playing bass for about 16 or so years. I play gigs with several bands but not frequently- maybe once or twice a month. Sometimes more sometimes less. My preferred bass is a P bass (see my avatar photo) but I have others. I really like my Epiphone Rumblekat Allen Woody because it's short scale and light and sounds great. I play gigs with it a lot and it is way easier to endure than a full scale. Also on a crowded small stage area it takes up less real estate than a P or a J bass. Neck width doesn't seem to be a major issue so far and sometimes the thinner narrower necks seem harder to play.

Yes, sometimes if I am aching somewhere (who isn't at 70?-no serious problems but lots of aches and pains) 3 hours or more with a P bass gets old. And I can get grumpy. A recently acquired Harley Benton PB20 SBK is VERY light so will get tried at a gig.

When I took a class with Jack Casady years ago he stressed the importance of a VERY WIDE strap to distribute the weight as much as possible to reduce neck and shoulder stress. His straps are really wide. And he is not a big dude.

For amps it's Markbass all the way due to weight.

The only bass I had to give up due to ergonomics was a Rickenbacker 4003 which I bought new as a 60th birthday present to myself. I sold it within a few years because I couldn't play it without getting horrible carpal tunnel pain in my right wrist! Tried everything but had to sell it.

As to the groupie thing, usually my wife is in whatever band I'm playing in, she's a great keyboard player. And I'm too old to worry, most of our gigs attract an older crowd and even with younger attendees I've been invisible for at least two decades (the grandpa thing, probably although I have no grandchildren). Being happily married, that's probably a good thing!!! She doesn't care if I play out if she isn't playing, she will attend when she can anyway. She knows I'm invisible!!! And she plays lots of gigs without me, sometimes involving overnight travel. I don't worry about it at all. Most of the time I'm glad if I don't have to go! :cool:
 
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#34
seadragon said:
OP, it’s over 15 years later but your story is the same as mine (except husband, now ex, and kid, singular).

But, my Jazz is HEAVY, 12.5 pounds! It’s killing my back/shoulder. Also the spread between the frets at the low end are more difficult now. I did get a Fender Rumble 100 amp which I’m liking so far.
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I also have a Rumble 100 but I find that for the rooms I usually play in (small, usually) it's very boomy and sort of muddy. It's better if I raise it off the floor a bit, but usually I am not happy with the live sound. It might be a function of the venues' acoustics. The MB 210 with a GB head sounds better usually. Just more to carry but lighter than many other rigs.
 
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#35
edmidlifecrisis said:
I'm 70 and have been playing bass for about 16 or so years. I play gigs with several bands but not frequently- maybe once or twice a month. Sometimes more sometimes less. My preferred bass is a P bass (see my avatar photo) but I have others. I really like my Epiphone Rumblekat Allen Woody because it's short scale and light and sounds great. I play gigs with it a lot and it is way easier to endure than a full scale. Also on a crowded small stage area it takes up less real estate than a P or a J bass. Neck width doesn't seem to be a major issue so far and sometimes the thinner narrower necks seem harder to play.

Yes, sometimes if I am aching somewhere (who isn't at 70?-no serious problems but lots of aches and pains) 3 hours or more with a P bass gets old. And I can get grumpy. A recently acquired Harley Benton PB20 SBK is VERY light so will get tried at a gig.

When I took a class with Jack Casady years ago he stressed the importance of a VERY WIDE strap to distribute the weight as much as possible to reduce neck and shoulder stress. His straps are really wide. And he is not a big dude.

For amps it's Markbass all the way due to weight.

The only bass I had to give up due to ergonomics was a Rickenbacker 4003 which I bought new as a 60th birthday present to myself. I sold it within a few years because I couldn't play it without getting horrible carpal tunnel pain in my right wrist! Tried everything but had to sell it.

As to the groupie thing, usually my wife is in whatever band I'm playing in, she's a great keyboard player. And I'm too old to worry, most of our gigs attract an older crowd and even with younger attendees I've been invisible for at least two decades (the grandpa thing, probably although I have no grandchildren). Being happily married, that's probably a good thing!!! She doesn't care if I play out if she isn't playing, she will attend when she can anyway. She knows I'm invisible!!! And she plays lots of gigs without me, sometimes involving overnight travel. I don't worry about it at all. Most of the time I'm glad if I don't have to go! :cool:
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Finally....someone who's not a kid responds to this thread.....;)
63, still gigging at least one a week (albeit usually on keyboard), and still lugging an 88-key heavily weighted action keyboard, a 45 pound combo amp (well, up until a month or two ago when I bought a Genzler AAPro) AND a 35 pound combo amp (stereo setup), stands, bench, cables, trumpet, flugelhorn, electric violin, mics, blah blah to gigs.

Fortunate to still feel great doing it and no issues except some shoulder pain when playing violin and trumpet for extended periods of time caused by a lifetime of playing, high impact martial arts for ten years or so in my 30s, and a lengthy heart surgery in 2015 requiring an open chest cavity (birth defect repaired as a kid that finally needed to be readdressed).

Slide Hampton gigged into his late 80s. Doc Severinsen played his last concert at 95. My dad still writes for, directs, and plays in his own big band at the age of 88. Bill Crow, stringed bassist extraordinaire and born in 1927, may still be playing; I did a recording with him about 20 years ago or so, when he was only in his early 70s.

There's a ton of great players who play well into their 80s. 40- and 50-year-olds are just getting started!
 
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#36
MuseChaser said:
Finally....someone who's not a kid responds to this thread.....;)
63, still gigging at least one a week (albeit usually on keyboard), and still lugging an 88-key heavily weighted action keyboard, a 45 pound combo amp (well, up until a month or two ago when I bought a Genzler AAPro) AND a 35 pound combo amp (stereo setup), stands, bench, cables, trumpet, flugelhorn, electric violin, mics, blah blah to gigs.

Fortunate to still feel great doing it and no issues except some shoulder pain when playing violin and trumpet for extended periods of time caused by a lifetime of playing, high impact martial arts for ten years or so in my 30s, and a lengthy heart surgery in 2015 requiring an open chest cavity (birth defect repaired as a kid that finally needed to be readdressed).

Slide Hampton gigged into his late 80s. Doc Severinsen played his last concert at 95. My dad still writes for, directs, and plays in his own big band at the age of 88. Bill Crow, stringed bassist extraordinaire and born in 1927, may still be playing; I did a recording with him about 20 years ago or so, when he was only in his early 70s.

There's a ton of great players who play well into their 80s. 40- and 50-year-olds are just getting started!
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Wow. My wife lugs an 88 key weighted action Kurzweil that isn't as heavy as her first Kurzweil 88, plus a smaller keyboard (Kurzweil or Nord) and several equipment cases plus a dual stand but no amp!!! She hasn't used an amp since she left a Led Zep tribute a few years ago where they wanted her to use an amp ( a huge super heavy Roland Keyboard Amp. Ugh....). She goes direct for every gig, no amp!!! And she plays out regularly with multiple bands/duos/etc
 
#37
edmidlifecrisis said:
I'm 70 and have been playing bass for about 16 or so years. I play gigs with several bands but not frequently- maybe once or twice a month. Sometimes more sometimes less. My preferred bass is a P bass (see my avatar photo) but I have others. I really like my Epiphone Rumblekat Allen Woody because it's short scale and light and sounds great. I play gigs with it a lot and it is way easier to endure than a full scale. Also on a crowded small stage area it takes up less real estate than a P or a J bass. Neck width doesn't seem to be a major issue so far and sometimes the thinner narrower necks seem harder to play.

Yes, sometimes if I am aching somewhere (who isn't at 70?-no serious problems but lots of aches and pains) 3 hours or more with a P bass gets old. And I can get grumpy. A recently acquired Harley Benton PB20 SBK is VERY light so will get tried at a gig.

When I took a class with Jack Casady years ago he stressed the importance of a VERY WIDE strap to distribute the weight as much as possible to reduce neck and shoulder stress. His straps are really wide. And he is not a big dude.

For amps it's Markbass all the way due to weight.

The only bass I had to give up due to ergonomics was a Rickenbacker 4003 which I bought new as a 60th birthday present to myself. I sold it within a few years because I couldn't play it without getting horrible carpal tunnel pain in my right wrist! Tried everything but had to sell it.

As to the groupie thing, usually my wife is in whatever band I'm playing in, she's a great keyboard player. And I'm too old to worry, most of our gigs attract an older crowd and even with younger attendees I've been invisible for at least two decades (the grandpa thing, probably although I have no grandchildren). Being happily married, that's probably a good thing!!! She doesn't care if I play out if she isn't playing, she will attend when she can anyway. She knows I'm invisible!!! And she plays lots of gigs without me, sometimes involving overnight travel. I don't worry about it at all. Most of the time I'm glad if I don't have to go! :cool:
Click to expand...
 
#40
mrjim123 said:
I'm 57, but don't look it, and I still have that creative fire (growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional).

I last played professionally in 1979, mostly rock and top 40. Then I went to college, got a "real" job, had kids, lived the American dream. Now it's my time (yes, honey, I'm coming).

I've been practicing a lot lately, and am as good as I ever was - it's amazing how much I retained - technique, remembering entire songs). Of course, playing 4 sets would probably kill my fingers - need a little more strength and better callouses on my right hand (I pick), but that will come.

Anyways, I'm looking for a new bass before I advertise myself. I'm thinking maybe lighter is better. Are there any older players who have experienced shoulder/back problems slinging a heavy bass for 4 hours? Any suggestions related to that?

What about the neck? I'm thinking maybe a narrower neck is better. My Gibson Ripper has somewhat of a wide neck (1 5/8" nut, I believe), and I'm thinking maybe narrower is better in case arthritis sets in, or if my fingers lose some of their flexibility. I played a Fender Jazz in a music store many years ago and did not like it. I did the same thing a week ago and thought, "man, this feels good". So, maybe a narrower neck is the way to go (I don't plan on doing any slapping).

Are there any other tips that would benefit an older player like me? And how do I convince my wife I'm not in it for the groupies?
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My tolerance is about 8.5 lbs. Even my 9 lb bass is too much for more than 2 hours. No one wants to hear this because it's tedious and boring, but doing core work is worthwhile. Bridges, supermans, planks. Even 10 minutes a day while you're watching TV or something will make a difference. Farmer walks while carrying dumbells, kettlebells or even a couple of gallon jugs of water are good for overall core strength and balance.

I can also highly recommend Sandberg basses. They are balanced well, exceptionally playable, and you can get models in the 6-7 lb range if you go for the super light basses.

If you have an older amp, look into newer models. The Fender Rumble 800 is under 30 lbs, for example.
 
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