I've now decided to stop gigging following spinal surgery three weeks ago.

[thebrig]

I'm now 73 and my back problems started when I was twenty, I was in and out of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, Middx during that time, surgery was suggested but I was warned that it was risky and if it went wrong, then I could spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, so I decided against it, and over the years I had various procedures on my back which were all extremely painful, and all of them only temporary fixes, this resulted in lots of time off work, and eventually early retirement.

 

Five months ago, the pain really kicked in again and because I couldn't get an appointment to see a doctor, the surgery advised me to call 111 who in turn advised me to go to A&E which I did, I was kept in overnight and then transferred to an Orthopaedic Hospital the next day, I was told that surgery was needed and this time I decided to agree to it, the following morning I was in the operating theatre.

 

When I came round I was pain free, and three weeks later I'm still feeling great, so because I don't want to risk injuring my back again, I've now decided to stop gigging and just play and record at home because if I gig, I will have to lift heavy equipment which will put my back at risk.

 

I've enjoyed gigging over the years but as I've struggled to find a suitable band in recent times, I think it won't be too hard for me to get used to not gigging any more.

 

I'm not going to sell off everything, but I've put a couple of my higher end basses up for sale, I will keep a couple for home use and anything else I might need, but I will gradually shift all the gear that is no longer needed.

 

I'm now looking forward to enjoying what time I have left pain free (hopefully). 🙂

Edited 13 hours ago by thebrig

[chris_b]

Glad to hear you finally have finally resolved your back issues.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

Sounds like a sensible decision. Enjoy your retirement 👍

[neepheid]

FWIW, I would give a band member in your position a pass on lugging gear, but I guess standing up for long periods is also a risk, so fair dos.  Always a shame to call time, but glad to hear you're not having a total clearout.  Keep well!

[chris_b]

My solution to extend my gigging life was to get a Barefaced 112 at 10kg/21lbs, a folding trolley, a D class amp at 5lbs, and as a backup, just in case I need to go even lighter, I have 2 Barefaced One10's at 7kg/15lbs. I now have 3 basses that weigh less than 3.2kg/7.1lbs and use a bar stool if my back is playing up.

[Len_derby]

Congratulations on a successful op and becoming pain-free.

I hope you can find the right situations to continue playing music.

I still enjoy playing that mandolin I bought off you a few years ago.
All the best.

Edited Saturday at 13:02 by Len_derby

[SpondonBassed]

A difficult decision.

 

I wish you well.  Now that you're out of pain, enjoy the activities that help rather than hobble your back.

[fretmeister]

Sandberg Superlight Lionel Short scale… mine is 5.7lb! 

[Lozz196]

Hope it all works out for you @thebrig

[thebrig]

People suffer far worse conditions than what I have, but I really do appreciate all the kind words and good wishes. 🙂

[Steve Browning]

Just glad to hear you're pain free. Our health is always our most precious asset.

[Jackroadkill]

A brave but sensible and necessary decision, sir.

[casapete]

Definitely a good call, hope you enjoy still playing bass at home / recording etc. 

All the best. 

[bigthumb]

Certainly wise to look after yourself and at least you can enjoy playing at home pain free. 

When I got injured at work last September (crushed foot) there was no way I could cary anything, not even a guitar. The first gig I did after the accident was sitting down with my right foot elevated, which was interesting and quite a few after still having to sit down. Only now can I stand up but I still struggle carrying anything to heavy. My foot will never fully recover so I have to accept my limitations. 

 

All the best Brig!

[thebrig]

2 minutes ago, bigthumb said:

Certainly wise to look after yourself and at least you can enjoy playing at home pain free. 

When I got injured at work last September (crushed foot) there was no way I could cary anything, not even a guitar. The first gig I did after the accident was sitting down with my right foot elevated, which was interesting and quite a few after still having to sit down. Only now can I stand up but I still struggle carrying anything to heavy. My foot will never fully recover so I have to accept my limitations. 

 

All the best Brig!

Thanks bigthumb, I've done a few gigs where I've had to prop myself up with a bar stool, not a great look, but it was the only way I could get through the gigs.

 

All the best to you too!

[chris_b]

3 hours ago, thebrig said:

. . . .  I've done a few gigs where I've had to prop myself up with a bar stool, not a great look, but it was the only way I could get through the gigs.

 

I've used a bar stool as well.

 

Depends on the band, sometimes it doesn't look right and other times it doesn't look out of place.

 

Like most things bass, no one else seems to care.

[thebrig]

9 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

I've used a bar stool as well.

 

Depends on the band, sometimes it doesn't look right and other times it doesn't look out of place.

 

Like most things bass, no one else seems to care.

That's so true, in fact, I think some punters probably don't even know what your role is in a band, until you suddenly stop playing. 😉

[Happy Jack]

Keyboards.

 

It's never too late to learn keyboards.

 

Buy yourself something like a Yamaha CK61 or a first-version Korg Kross (pre-loved, natch) and you'll be in a world of fun, sitting down to play with your instrument resting on its own stand, and nobody saying "it's not very rock'n'roll, is it?".

[casapete]

1 minute ago, Happy Jack said:

Keyboards.

 

It's never too late to learn keyboards.

 

Buy yourself something like a Yamaha CK61 or a first-version Korg Kross (pre-loved, natch) and you'll be in a world of fun, sitting down to play with your instrument resting on its own stand, and nobody saying "it's not very rock'n'roll, is it?".

Great idea - I did that when I broke my shoulder a few years ago. Bought a Roland synth with okay bass

patches and sat down at the back of the band most of the time. Very liberating actually & I really enjoyed 

the experience, although the fact that due to not being able to drive at the time and was able to avail myself

of the gratis refreshments on gigs may have clouded my memory. 😁

[thebrig]

4 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

Keyboards.

 

It's never too late to learn keyboards.

 

Buy yourself something like a Yamaha CK61 or a first-version Korg Kross (pre-loved, natch) and you'll be in a world of fun, sitting down to play with your instrument resting on its own stand, and nobody saying "it's not very rock'n'roll, is it?".

I've owned a couple keyboards in the past but I've never really been able to master them, but you have given me an idea.🤔

I've played in a few old-school RnB bands over the years and it's always been hard to find good blues harp players, I actually have a few decent quality harps tucked away somewhere, I've only played them a few times, but I didn't find too difficult to get a tune out of them, so maybe I should dig them out and put some serious effort into learning to play them properly.

[Lozz196]

49 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

Keyboards.

 

It's never too late to learn keyboards.

 

Buy yourself something like a Yamaha CK61 or a first-version Korg Kross (pre-loved, natch) and you'll be in a world of fun, sitting down to play with your instrument resting on its own stand, and nobody saying "it's not very rock'n'roll, is it?".

This has been my backup plan for a while, in case I ever have to give up bass & guitar.

[dmccombe7]

Think that's a wise choice and so good that you are now pain free. That has to be worth it.

You can always stay on BC and enjoy the bass geekery.

Dave

[thebrig]

11 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Think that's a wise choice and so good that you are now pain free. That has to be worth it.

You can always stay on BC and enjoy the bass geekery.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I will definitely stay on BC because even if I don't gig anymore, I will always be interested in all things bass!!