Recently a slender moon-eyed 20-something blonde approached me after a gig and asked "What new challenges do you find gigging as you approach age sixty?"
OK, that is bullshit. I wasn't really approached by a lovely young woman after a gig.
Nobody anywhere has ever asked me that question, but it is what I wanna talk about so I took a little artistic license. Once I'd decided to lie about the question being asked it seemed that I might as well spice it up a tad, don't you think? Hell, you get lied to far worse than that every time you watch the news.
Anyway ... I am indeed approaching sixty all too rapidly. Many changes have come about in all aspects of my daily life including my music experience, but the thing that has been my biggest middle-age frustration with being a guitar freak may not be what you expect.
What, then, IS the problem with aging as a gigging guitarist?
Not the the lugging of heavy gear.
Even 2x12 all-tube amps are still subject to my will. I shuck them around like a boss. I know this will become an issue eventually, but it isn't yet.
It isn't that I can't stay up all night for gigs. No problem there.
I love the world when the music is hot and most "normal" people are snoozing. Sometimes I'm still not ready for bed at 5 or 6 AM.
It isn't that I can no longer put on an energetic stage show. That is not true at all. When the downbeat strikes adrenaline flows, and my extra weight and middle-aged joints are forgotten. I could barely hold still if I wanted to.
The main problem I'm having is: (ready for it?) Changing strings. Seeing well enough to thread the end of the string through that shiny little hole in the machine head. Its not bad on guitars with black or matte plated hardware, but when the tuners are chrome all the metal parts and the shiny metal string end seem lost in glare and bling and reflections. My reading glasses aren't the answer, because it isn't simply about being able to see small details. Reflections from the chrome interfere like a layer of visual noise.
I'm not really sure now to fix this, but right now I need to go change another set of strings. Maybe some combination of a flashlight and sunglasses? I'm ready with those as well as a few other items I thought may help - a magnifying glass, a "third hand" bench tool, a SONAR imaging machine from the Navy Surplus market, and 2 bottles of Tequila.
If I don't manage to change any strings the tequila will help me not care anymore.
If I don't manage to change any strings the tequila will help me not care anymore.
I suppose what I really need is a young eager hawk-eyed guitar student who is willing to change my strings for me. *sigh*
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ReplyDeleteAhhhh... Ray. I feel your pain. I live the same pain, among others, every day. I too am 'pushing 60'. 60, what does that MEAN anyway? I've never been one to take much note of the number that goes on the line 'age'. Doesn't seem like you do either. But I digress. Back to the point, Steve. I suffer the daily ridicule of my 17 year old over the fact that I have at least 1 pair of cheaters in every room of the house. Two in some rooms. And there's always at least one pair hanging from my shirt at the neck or first button. Some are 1.25 some are 2.0 depending on the useage. Oh joy! Whatever... I can see what I need to see when I need to see it... mostly. You see, I too suffer from the dread 'reflect-o-effect'. So, here's my solution/trick. The only thing that works for me is to change strings at my drawing table where I can angle the light just right to make the hole in the key VERY easy to see.
ReplyDeleteAngle is everything... that's what SHE said too. Have a great day.... lol
I am not a guitar head however I am a seamstress. As you know Ray I have been suffering with threading machines for years. Of course I am closer to the big 60 than you. I use to have a tool for this problem and when I find it with a magnifying glass I will let you borrow it whenever you need. In fact we should buy 10 of them (one for every room and then some.)
ReplyDeleteI must say, quite a entertaining read. One that I sadly can relate all to we'll with......AND I'M ONLY 49!
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