Weight

jfh2424 · #1 08-19-2010, 04:57 AM

So I finally got close to a digital scale, at my gym! I have never had the chance to weight my basses before.

I brought my two main 4 string basses. I was surprised to see one weigh 9.5 and the other 10.2lbs. I am surprised because I have often seen 10 lbs basses referred to as "heavy". Yet even this one does not particularly feel heavy to me. I can tell the difference in weight between them, but they are both alright.

I understand that all this is relative. One mans heavy is another man's light.

I am wondering, what do your basses weigh and at what point do you consider a bass "heavy"?

John

puddin tame · #2 08-19-2010, 04:59 AM

you brought 2 basses into the gym and stuck them on the scale? must have looked a little odd.

I have no idea what mine weigh as a number, but I know what they weigh as a feel, if you know what I mean. All that matters.

lomo · #3 08-19-2010, 05:05 AM

For me, talking 5 strings, , under 8.5 is light, 8.5-9.5 is average, over 9.5 is heavy, and 12 lbs is a boat anchor. My Basslabs weigh under 6 lbs, Fenders 9-10 lbs, MTD about 8 lbs.

lomo · #4 08-19-2010, 05:06 AM

BTW a gym scale used for an adult will not likely be very accurate for weights under 20 lbs.

Aspidites · #5 08-19-2010, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

you brought 2 basses into the gym and stuck them on the scale? must have looked a little odd.

I have no idea what mine weigh as a number, but I know what they weigh as a feel, if you know what I mean. All that matters.

I have done the same thing with some of my Boas.

jfh2424 · #6 08-19-2010, 05:58 AM

I didn't know that a scale that is used for weighing a human would be less than accurate for something less than 20 lbs.

And yeah, I brought them in the gym and weighed them. Maybe it looked funny, I don't know. Ever watch people when they lift? There are funnier looking things in the gym than a guy weighing his basses, I would think.

OK, so maybe 10 lbs is heavy, at least for some of you.

John

jasper383 · #7 08-19-2010, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

BTW a gym scale used for an adult will not likely be very accurate for weights under 20 lbs.

I have never heard this.

If he weighs himself holding a bass, then himself, then subtracts, he would avoid this problem.

jasper383 · #8 08-19-2010, 06:39 AM

I did this recently at home. I was surprised to find my basses generally much heavier than I thought they might be. My SR4HH is 10, as is my 2008 MIA P Bass.

isthimus · #9 08-19-2010, 08:35 AM

balance tends to be more important than weight... if you're getting neck dive and having to lift the neck more with your left hand, it'll feel well heavier...

**Staccato** · #10 08-19-2010, 09:05 AM

I'm surprised that so many weights on TB are indicated in tenths of pounds such as 9.5 instead of 9 lbs. 8 oz.

My scales reads accurately in pounds and ounces...

Mike19 · #11 08-19-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isthimus

balance tends to be more important than weight... if you're getting neck dive and having to lift the neck more with your left hand, it'll feel well heavier...

+1

For me (5'7", 180lbs.), under 8.5 is light, 8.6 to 9 is okay and over 9 is too heavy for long gigs.

I have read some posts here on TB where people whose main bass is heavy bring a second lighter bass to switch to if their back and/or shoulders start to hurt on a long gig (like four or five 45 min sets).

lomo · #12 08-19-2010, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

I have never heard this.

If he weighs himself holding a bass, then himself, then subtracts, he would avoid this problem.

True. The issue is obviously not WHAT is weighed, but simply the fact that the scale is designed to measure in the 75-300lb range and is less accurate out of that range. Further, a plus or minus 2 pound accuracy would be outstanding for a such a scale. The digital readout looks impressive, but unless the gym has overspent on the device, the scale itself is actually less accurate than the readout.

bwoodman · #13 08-19-2010, 09:23 AM

8 lbs is my target weight for a bass. 9 lbs is ok, but 10 or more is unacceptable. I have a pair of pre-Gibson Tobias Killer B5s and they are both 8 lbs, so I've gotten used to that weight. I notice that Sadowsky has a rough target of 8 lbs too. I wonder what the survey would say about target weight when buying a bass? Personal preference based on your size would be a major factor I'm sure.

TolerancEJ · #14 08-19-2010, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by puddin tame

you brought 2 basses into the gym and stuck them on the scale? must have looked a little odd.

My concern would be the excessive humidity & steam from the change room, if that's where the scale is located.

And after weighing, just putting the basses in the locker? I would be nervous throughout the entire workout, wondering whether someone busted the locker open & stole the instruments.

ggunn · #15 08-19-2010, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacatto

I'm surprised that so many weights on TB are indicated in tenths of pounds such as 9.5 instead of 9 lbs. 8 oz.

My scales reads accurately in pounds and ounces...

Most digital scales read out in tenths instead of ounces. The math is easier.

Mine weigh:

Alembic Epic 5 - 11.5 lbs
MM Bongo 5 HHP - 10.8 lbs

I can play hour sets with either, but longer than that I need a beak.

**smperry** · #16 08-19-2010, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aspidites

I have done the same thing with some of my Boas.

It's Berkeley; it's all good.

Templar · #17 08-19-2010, 11:24 AM

Ah, the weight topic again. No offence to anyone but the fact is...

More experienced, serious (usually means 'older') players mostly go for lighter weight basses. Not always, but mostly.

Don't believe it? Talk to some high-end builders. They cater to serious players who know exactly what they want, and weight is always a consideration.

(Yes I know there are 10-12 pound Alembic albatrosses out there)

Again, not trying to ruffle any feathers, but the whole "weight debate" thing kinda surprises me. I thought a general preference for lighter weight was a given. I must be getting too damn old!

BartmanPDX · #18 08-19-2010, 11:34 AM

My main gigging bass is a NYC Sadowsky Will Lee that weighs 7.85 lbs.

Weight might not be an issue for a lot of people, but it's a big deal for me:

1) I'm over 40 and have had major back surgery
2) most of my gigs last four hours, and are mostly high energy rock. It's hard to dance around with a 10 lb bass after already having played for a few hours. Especially following a whole day chasing my daughter.

Again, not a huge deal for a lot of people, but I love playing a light weight bass.

carlos840 · #19 08-19-2010, 12:40 PM

Maybe the fact that you go to a gym in the first place has a lot to do with the fact that you dont find your basses heavy!
I know some people have had back injuries or are older than i am or in bad shape, but as a 26 years old, working out 5 to 6 days a week even my 14lbs gibson Rd artist is manageable but not enjoyable during a 2 hour gig.
Most of my basses are in the 10 to 12 lbs and im fine doing long gigs with them. ( i do noticed that last year when i stopped working out for a few months that i started having back pains though)
I think a bass being to heavy has a lot to do with a back/core muscles being to weak!

jfh2424 · #20 08-19-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

True. The issue is obviously not WHAT is weighed, but simply the fact that the scale is designed to measure in the 75-300lb range and is less accurate out of that range. Further, a plus or minus 2 pound accuracy would be outstanding for a such a scale. The digital readout looks impressive, but unless the gym has overspent on the device, the scale itself is actually less accurate than the readout.

That's really interesting, I never thought of that. I guess I would need to weigh myself without the bass, then with it to make sure of the weight, as someone suggested.

But I understand what you mean...these scales are probably not exact. What is 9 lbs in this gym may be 10 lbs in another gym.

I can feel a weight difference between the two, even though it is just .7 lbs. Of that, I am clear.

Either way, it is not a huge difference to me. I am not sure it is about physical strength though. I am 185 lbs, six feet. I am not incredibly big.

However, my gigs are two or three sets, maximum. When I hear others talks about gigs that are 5 sets long...I guess maybe then it would make a difference to me. But I wonder what the hell they do for 5 sets? I have never been called for a 5 set gig. Maybe people backing several artists in a festival?

I can understand that weight is important for some and not others. I am sure that injuries, especially back injuries, make a big difference.

John