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Questions For Older (50+) Bass Players

#44
edmidlifecrisis said:
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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Haven't played a gig with it yet, and only a couple of band practices. Still playing around with levels and different settings but it sounds great on the recordings (using XLR out).
 
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#49
I started playing bass uke in mid 2014 when I was 64 because of how light and compact they are. For almost 50 years when I played rhythm guitar, I was often told I should play bass, but didn't want to be encumbered by a large bass guitar, forget a standup double bass. In mid 2013 I took up the ukulele and year later because I discovered bass ukes/mini bass guitars, I went for it.

I'm 74 and it's been my primary instrument for 10 years. I also have nerve damage to my neck spinal cord that's been getting worse over the years, so now when I play bass uke, I sit in a chair and wrap the strap around my back to avoid straining my neck and shoulders during my group's 90 minute gigs.
 
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#51
mrjim123 said:
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
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I've found I'm much more comfortable with beefier necks than I used to be back in my salad days. The thinner and narrower necks I once to preferred have become less comfortable to play over the years. Especially lately since some mild arthritis in my hands, which runs in my family, is starting to set in.

I've played a Ripper since 1974. My main player is one of the alder body models rather than the heavier maple ones. I have a maple '83 and the difference in weight is noticeable.

The lightest bass I own is a 2017 EB. That's the EB that looks like this:

IMG_0045.jpeg

Very lightweight but big sounding bass. I don't gig much these days. But if I'm going to be standing and playing for a few hours I often bring this bass. Swamp ash body, 34" scale , 24 frets, zero neck five, nice comfortable neck, dual split coil humbuckers with push/pull volume pots for a variety of musically useful tone settings.

I like running the neck as a single coil and the bridge as a humbucker most times for a nice combination of a modern and old school sound.

And I especially its clarity - which is somewhat reminiscent of a Ripper, but without the Ripper's signature mid forward 70s era tonal vibe.

Lots to like. You can find them for well under a grand.

Good review with specs can be found here.
 
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#53
i'm turning 49 this year but my back and shoulders are at least 93. if money were no object (and I were gigging regularly on bass which I'm not these days) I'd have a Sandberg Superlight. My current #1 player is a shade under 10 pounds. Wearing that thing for hours at a time (even with a wide padded strap) makes the next day fairly miserable as far as back, neck and shoulder pain.
 
#59
59 in June. Play all the time w 2 bands and sub w others and work m-f 40 hour week job. Plenty of lightweight gear. Dont compromise. I have 8 basses. All are less than 9lbs and most are right around 8lbs. And yes, jazz bass necks are heavenly
 
#60
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.

I'm 71 and am quite familiar with tired fingers and sore shoulders. I had the same aversion to Jazz basses as you. However, I purchased a Fender Squier Affinity Jazz . it's a very comfortable, pleasant sounding bass. I also play a Martin acoustic bass, so that could be another option.
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