josie

Joined my first band (The Last Bus) answering an ad in JMB - had potential, but too many clashes of personality, and after 6 months the wheels came off the bus. Current band started as a workshop project at Band on the Wall in Mcr, so we had plenty of time to work together, and decided to keep going as a band when the workshop ended. Great trust and synergy. I started out doing solo bass / vocals at my excellent local open mic, and gradually had some of the regulars asking me to sit in with them - had two really nice regular duos going at one point. I tried playing open jams, mainly for the experience but also sort of hoping I might get asked, but it never happened. Mind you I was never the bast bass player there, so if anyone had been looking for a bass player it wouldn't have been me they asked 😞 It might be worth looking around for "jam buddies" rather than an established band, and see how it develops.

Different Catfish: https://www.catfishbluesband.co.uk

My dad, who was a university lecturer, always said it was spending most of his time with young people that kept him young, and towards the end of his life combined the wisdom and perspective of age with a genuine compassionate rapport with his students in a way which I aspire to. Also, at my age one has outgrown the worries and constraints of earning money, bringing up children, and meeting other people's expectations. At long last I'm free to be selfish 🙂 It has changed dramatically in the course of two generations - my grandparents, as far back as I can remember, were definitely Old, past their best and out of touch, as were all my friends' grandparents, and I think that's why for a long time I was terrified of reaching the age I am now. My grandsprogs have a tattooed bass-playing Granny who is studying for an MSc on the way to a new career, and I hope they'll grow up with similar expectations for themselves.

Catfish - my favourite blues-rock band - the keys player is the father of the (superb) lead guitarist, who is clearly in control. I once sadly lost a chance to join a band I would have loved to play in - we had exchanged recordings and chatted on-line and had an audition lined up, all was looking good until they emailed asking my age - to which I just said "over 50" and was politely turned down with audition cancelled - "we're all in our 40s and we'd like to keep it like that". Fair enough, but I still think if I had auditioned before they asked I would have got the gig. Everyone else in my current band is in their 40s I think (except the drummer who is the son-in-law of the singer!) - I'm 63, but look 10-15 years younger and even more important have an attitude maybe 20 years younger - I work with young people, and many of my friends are of my children's generation. I'm far more comfortable with people that age than my own. Can't be doing with the constant talk of ailments and problems. Yes there are stereotypes which might trip you up now and then. (I don't know if that's more true for women.) And I wouldn't want to play with 20-year-olds even if they'd let me. But (imho) you're only too old if you think you are.

Apologies if someone else has beaten me to this: https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/world-oldest-electric-bass-guitar-sells-on-ebay-for-23000 It does bring home the difference in price between guitars and basses. What do you reckon the equivalent "normal guitar" would cost?

Mr Josie is not allowed to restrict my GAS. Sadly it seems this is not typical of BC members 😞 Sort of going back on topic, I know bass players who prefer short scale basses because they find the short neck easier to play, and one who will only play a Hofner violin-bass lookalike because he's obsessed with the Beatles. But otherwise I must be missing something... I love the sheer physical presence of a long-scale (or at least long-neck) bass. Sorry, size matters 😉 I'd be interested to understand what I'm missing (not that I need GAS-fuel!) Seriously.

Right, so don't be afraid of going into guitar shops and really thoroughly testing anything you like the look of. There are plenty of good B strings out there as well as bad ones. Any place that specialises in basses and has good staff should be willing to help you. Best wishes and let us know what you decide on 🙂

They do come up for sale now and then. Guide price £2k+. But do *not* buy one (or anything like it) without playing it. I went to visit my son in Nashville last year knowing I wanted one - the first one I tried (same year, seemingly same condition) was dead wood. This one jumped into my arms and sang 🙂 She's still there though, I can't afford to bring her back! 😞

It's worth being fussy about the tension on the B string. On my GMR it's as tight as the others. On my Jazz+V - otherwise a top spec bass - it's so floppy it's unplayable. On my Warwick Thumb 6 it's useable, but nowhere near the GMR. Changing string gauge might help - and I'm thinking of re-stringing the J+V EADGC to see if that helps. But for your first 5 you really want something that plays well straight away without messing around.

Shortscale doesn't have to mean short neck... I swore I'd never have a shortscale until my EB-2 bit me in the leg But if a short neck is what you want, you'll probably be immune to this 🙂

Only four years ago so not so interesting a story - my still most loved GMR 5, in easy arm's reach right now. I went into Promenade Music in Morecambe knowing only that I wanted to play bass and wanted a 5. Gary spent two hours helping me choose, and wouldn't let me buy until he was sure I would be happy with it - which I am more than. Still grateful to him! My grandson - just turned 5 - is obsessed with guitars, and most loves my Aerodyne. I kind of hope he'll think of it as his first bass (he was not quite 4 when this pic was taken). Anyone else would have to prise it out of my dead hands, but if he does grow into a bass player it will be his 🙂

The back is still rich cherry - she's obviously been out in the sun over the years! I had a chance to almost straight swap her for a pristine 1965 cherry that looked straight out of the case, and turned it down. The other was too shiny, too perfect, almost artificial. Sounded good, but mine looks like a bass that's been played and loved. I bought her from Gruhn's in Nashville, and she's still there, with my son, who plays a Fender P but does love her too. So if I ever had to have only one, I reckon she wouldn't count 🙂

Stick! My first bass, my GMR Bassforce 5, still keeps getting better every time I play anything else. I'd be gutted to give up my Jazz Aerodyne (good sound, easy to play, and classically drop-dead gorgeous), my 1966 Gibson EB-2 (love the resonance of that semi-hollow body, and knowing she makes me part of 50 years of history), or my Warwick Thumb 6 (in love after two weeks, great thump and growl, and with six strings all the notes I want atm are right under my hand, so easier to play fast in dim light - ymmv). But the GMR fits like a detachable body part and sings like a bird. I would have given up any number of times in my first year of learning to play, but she wouldn't let me.

"Life is too short to play bass with ä**ëhölës." It's a pity when they actually write good interesting songs though 😞

My ex-band was an indie-pop originals band, with a lot of interesting potential in the music, but fatal differences in musical standards and failures of communication. I tried, often, gently, to talk these through, but was ignored. Eventually I had to get out. Had a long phone talk with the keys player - the only one I'd have given the time of day to outside band sessions - who was very supportive. Then had a short phone talk with the bl, who was completely defensive and almost rude. Then sent a very short polite email to all the band members - none of them replied. Which confirmed to me that I was right to leave. I had put a lot of time into that band and developing basslines and arrangements for their music, and it shouldn't have been hard to say "thank you". Mind you it was good musical experience, and it's a shame it didn't work out. (They did find another bass player, but disappeared completely soon after.)

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome! Hope the new band goes well - let us know 🙂

Welcome back!

Welcome!

Welcome! (back...)

Welcome! Don't worry about being a "proper" bass player, you're a bass player. That's all we care about 🙂

On principle I'll pay over the odds to buy from local independent shops to help them keep going. We're lucky enough to have a local bookshop, and I always buy from them even if the book is cheaper on A#####n. I want to be able to see, hold, physically try something before I commit to buying it. And I want to be able to walk in and have a friendly chat with someone who recognises me and can advise me based on knowing me personally. And know that I'm contributing to keeping my neighbours in employment. My most local (easiest to get to) music shop is Johnny Roadhouse in Manchester, which I walk past on my way to and from work. I've bought four guitars from them over the past four years (my first guitar, a Faith Venus; my son's electric, a 1996 MIM Fender Strat; the bass I keep at work, a cheap Encore P; and my Michael Kelly acoustic 5, which pretty much jumped out of the window and bit me in the leg 🙂 ) All second hand at prices ranging from reasonable to cheap. Also a couple of 2nd hand bass amps and a few guitar stands, cables, & string sets. Convenient, but I'm not impressed enough with the stock or the staff that I'd go far out of my way to get there. Promenade Music in Morecambe, on the other hand, is well worth the 2 1/2 hour train ride each way. I bought my first bass from there - had no idea what I was doing or looking for except that it had to be a 5 - spent two hours narrowing down their huge range with endlessly patient help and a couple of cups of coffee from Gary - who refused to let me buy my (still favourite) GMR until he was certain I'd be happy with it, and then gave me a lift back to the train station! So of course I went back for my Jazz+V and later my Michael Kelly fretless 5 - on which he changed the stock strings to flats free of charge. These days I'd be more confident walking into a place with indifferent staff, and I've bought three basses on BC, but for a complete beginner that level of support was priceless. Long may they thrive.

Lots of previous replies here - unfortunately the actual poll didn't survive the Forum move: I currently have 7 that are out in easy arm's reach: GMR 5 (my main squeeze), GMR single-cut 5, GMR fretless 4, Jazz Aerodyne, Warwick Thumb 6; Michael Kelly acoustic 5 and acoustic fretless 5. I do play them all at least now and then depending on what mood I'm in and what music I'm playing. Then there's one at work (cheap Encore P), one in Nashville (1966 EB2), and one which I should really get around to trying to sell (1992 Jazz + V). That's 10 if you count them all. I did sell my first acoustic before buying the Thumb, but that was co-incidence, not a one-in-one-out rule.

Welcome! I don't usually bother recommending GMR basses, because they're very hard to find, but do consider this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GMR-Bassforce-Classic-5-Bass-Guitar/222332681662?hash=item33c40f7dbe:g:5DMAAOSwa~BYQKut My first bass, by great good luck, was one of these. Light, perfectly balanced, superb build quality, lovely rich sound. Compared to a Warwick Thumb it has a tighter B string and better sustain. If you're anywhere near Manchester you're welcome to drop in and try mine.