stewblack

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1459064327' post='3013172'] in a word, No jmb seems to me to be choc full of pretence and self obsession as LDTF says, in respect of on line small ads, let the bands come to you - otherwise go out to them, go check out the local bands who you like and could see yourself playing for and get your name and experience 'known' facebook seems a reasonable option for groups advertising for musicians, also check out local websites to you that might be live music gig listings but also have forum boards or other sections - until recently we had a local website called kentgigs - youd think at first glance that it was just a gig listing website, but delve into it and it was a massive resource for local musicians including a small ads listing for kent musicians which always seemed infinitely preferable to anything up on JMB [/quote] Thank you for your response to my OP. Back in the day I was part of a vibrant small town music scene with links to Bath and Bristol but my contacts have moved on, given up, venues are gone, and so it goes. I had contacts in Portsmouth which has a phenomenal live music scene with many pubs and clubs and other venues attracting lively crowds and I used to commute the two hours to do gigs in a Pompey based band quite happily but I don't fancy the traffic and sleeping in lay-bys any more - age does come with certain compromises. I shall advertise myself as suggested and try to find a jam night in one of the nearby cities.

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1458741055' post='3010381'] I meant it as an answer to the 'too old?' question, as in clearly there is no age issue to playing in a band. As for actually finding a band, that's a completely different matter and even if you had been in the Stones I'm sure there would still be bands that thought you were too old [/quote] Ah I see. Sorry the title of the post is misleading, it's really all about my problems even getting an audition because of age. I do appreciate that being old is no handicap to actually being in a band.

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1458731048' post='3010207'] The Rolling Stones. That is all. [/quote] Unfortunately, never having been in the Rolling Stones, I can't use that when applying for an audition!

Thanks for all the replies, a genuinely interesting discussion has ensued. I've learned that age is no barrier to continuing in live music which is a heartening message. It also appears that the genre of music played might be significant with certain styles enhanced by the presence of a gnarly old bassist. Of course I am well aware that a bunch of 18 year olds would, under most circumstances, look askance on an old fart like me and that is why I've never troubled them. All of the adverts I've answered have been for and from more experienced musicians. It seems to me the problem is not being in a band, once established skill and experience will shine through, it is getting into a band when one is older - especially if there is no network of musicians and live music on one's doorstep.

[quote name='pmjos' timestamp='1458663677' post='3009607'] Well Stew, I'm right there with you. I've had a decade off and now trying to get my bones out there at 51. Its not easy and TBH I'm not really getting much interest. Perhaps there should be a vintage and rare for musicians! [/quote] I wish you all the best. My other major problem is I'm a recovering alcoholic so don't go to pubs and therefore have lost touch with the social circle which was of course mainly comprised of musical types. Perhaps there should be a classifies for vintage, rare and sober!

[quote name='obbm' timestamp='1458655150' post='3009459'] Welcome back Stew. I think you just have to keep looking and networking. I'd resigned myself to the fact that I'd finished with bands and then one found me. This time at 70 I'm not the oldest in the band as the singer is 75. Result. [/quote]Hi there - glad to hear you're still gigging and enjoying it. I'm sat here learning a Bruce Thomas bassline playing through one of your cables as we speak!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1458647800' post='3009347'] You're never too old to do what you love, you only need to find the right people. You've fallen off the radar so you need to start by letting people know that you're here again. Do the jam nights, like someone mentioned, it's a great way to get to know other musicians and do some networking. From there you could find a couple of guys interested in starting a project (a covers band would be the easiest way to start as it involves less time between choosing a playlist and start gigging). After you're in business again you'll get to know even more people/musicians and the gigging offers will start comming to you. [/quote] I need to get out and find the jam sessions I suspect. There is nothing where I live, no venues, no jam sessions the scene has died almost entirely so I'll have to travel to big city and find something.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1458644917' post='3009294'] I'm 18 years older than the next oldest in my band and 26 years older than the youngest. I'd check out some jam nights if I was you. There are quite often good people from the same area looking to start something up. [/quote] That may be the way forward.

Thanks for the replies. I was the oldest in my previous band by about 15 years and so it never occurred to me that age might be an issue. I'm not interested in 'making it' any more, just getting out and doing the occasional gig. Perhaps the people I've spoken to are just rude and it has nothing to with my age!

So, I've been away from Basschat for a while, been away from the bass for a while too. I suffered a shoulder injury and left my last band when the pain of playing outweighed the pleasure. A couple of years later and having healed I decided to get back on the horse. Seems a shame to waste all those years of experience. Having slipped off the radar as far as networking is concerned I've gone down the Join My Band.com route and have noticed a worrying trend. I've answered a lot of ads, had a lot of interesting conversations via the private messaging service until I mention my age (53) and every single one without exception has simply stopped communicating with me. Is there a cut off point where decades of experience ceases to be an attractive quality and people only see you as 'passed it'? Am I at the tender age of 53 on the scrap heap? Is there an alternative to JMB.com where the users are less concerned about grey hair and love handles?

This has come at just the wrong time as we are on a break right now due to imminent child birth at the drummers house. Otherwise I would have loved to. Nostalgia for HH is one thing but also I am considering scaling down to a combo and given that we play a wide variety of venues in terms of size, shape and acoustics I could've given useful feedback. How long is this project intended to last?

I love the sound. Love it. Whatever TE you go for just remember as others have said ignore what might appear a low wattage rating. These amps belt it out. I have had reliability issue with three different trace amps but I suspect I'm in the minority so I wouldn't let that worry you.

Well, at my gig last week the trusty old Behringer head came to the rescue yet again. I usually use Trace Elliot for the same reasons most people use it - the sound. But this is the second Trace to die on me live and previous to that an Eden amp died mid gig. Luckily I always have the Behringer 450 head with me and popped it up on the cab and carried on with the gig. It sounded great. Outlived three 'name' amps now. Not just reasonably priced but utterly reliable. Do not believe the hype, oh and for the record I've played through Hartke and it doesn't touch the Behringer for sound quality.

I am amazed to read this thread. They custom made a cover for me a few years back, I'm still using it. Excellent price service and quality. I was planning to use them again for any new gear I buy. Wonder what's happened. Very strange.

Just bought two powered monitors from [url="http://basschat.co.uk/user/367-steve/"]http://basschat.co.uk/user/367-steve/[/url] A fine person to deal with. Bent over beckwards to ensure prompt delivery, excellent packaging and all as described. Thoroughly recommended.

Very interested in this as the shoulder and neck pain I've been suffering lately have me considering quitting. As it is I have to factor in a shiatsu treatment after each gig which is an expense I could do without.

I had it the other way about. I'm in a band based a long way from home but the drummer is simply the best and I'd travel wherever I had to in order to work with him. Anyhoo we had the line up sorted all bar the sax. Organised audition for this guy, I drove two hours there for his audition and not only did he not turn up he didn't bother phoning. He lives about 10 minutes from the audition. I told the others there and then row him out. If he can't be bothered to come to an audition he has serious reliability and commitment issues but I was out voted and made the trip again another day so he could try out once more. Long one short: he refuses most gigs we get offered bitches about learning new songs, turns up late and moans about the money all the time. Aren't people great?