What's the bid deal with WEIGHT ?

[datsaxguy]

It's a big deal for me because my primary instrument is sax. The neck strap pulling down w/ the weight of the saxophone can wear anybody down after a few hours. I even started wearing a shoulder harness, it helps.

Now take a 10 lb. Bass for a few hours in the same day or next day across that right shoulder. It will put ur neck in some places a chiropractor will have to help u get out of.

So, for me a little over nine lbs. is my limit. It just gets painful w/ more weight. I've missed out on some nice basses because of the weight restriction but it is what it is.

This business about heavy basses vs. light sounding better is a bunch of crap. There are way to many variables to producing tone on a electronic instrument. Far to many to list in this thread. Futhermore, there are so many myths and misinformation about sound/tone spoken as if it were the pure truth, I actually read the threads for humor.

Thanks TB for all the laughs.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

With weight being such an issue for many people, it's a wonder that some manufacturers are not doing more to reduce the weight of their instruments.

[Showdown]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Over the last 5 years or so, I've developed a very nasty problem with a pinched nerve flaring up in my upper back and neck after playing for too long. It gets so bad, that by the last set of any gig, I am sometimes in so much pain and with that I am so distracted, that instead of enjoying playing the music I am wincing in pain and just wishing for the gig to be over.

I've been having that same experience for 10 years when playing a bass that is too heavy. A couple of times I ended up sitting on my amp for the last few songs. Good thing I didn't have a stack....

[Baird6869]

I have a 11lb+ Spector that is heavy but manageable with a good strap. I much prefer gigging with my +-8lb MTD though.

[Calaverasgrande]

I've played 8 lb basses that felt heavy and 11 lb basses that didnt.
at least half of "weight" is in the balance and contouring.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by spade2you

I've never had a problem with sustain on my light basses.

Same here.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

Over the last 5 years or so, I've developed a very nasty problem with a pinched nerve flaring up in my upper back and neck after playing for too long. It gets so bad, that by the last set of any gig, I am sometimes in so much pain and with that I am so distracted, that instead of enjoying playing the music I am wincing in pain and just wishing for the gig to be over.

Several years ago similar things started happening with me so I started using an EUB and it's eliminated all of those problems for me.

I recently bought a "horizontal" bass that sounded great but it was too heavy for me to play for over a half hour so I returned it.

[backup]

i got a lemonly heavy squier VM (regular models are already pretty heavy). i didnt think anything of it but after playing for three years mainly standing i woke up with left shoulder pain. now im sitting most of the time.my next bass first criteria will be weight. big deal.

[Rip Topaz]

I'm wondering how much weight will be a factor for me now that my back issues have progressed to being forced to sit to play.

[tomnomnom91]

Weight is a big deal to me for two reasons: my back is very weak and heavy basses are really unhelpful, and I like jumping around a lot, so light is better. I use my heavier basses in the studio because it's not as much of an issue, and they coincidentally have better tone. I use my lighter ones on stage for the aforementioned reason.

[NorCal Dog]

i never had any issues with heavy basses & long gigs until some little bitch on her cell phone Tboned me at an intersection on my Harley. $7k in damage to the scoot, & it sent me over the front end & all 225lbs of me landed on my head / shoulder like a friggin lawn dart. was close to 9mos before i could return to work.

the above ^^^^^^ gave me isssues with heavy basses, but more importantly, the way the straps places weight on the shoulder.

i read & searched the forums here at TB & read everything i could,, & basically the only solution to weight related issues that came from seasoned pros, to total noobs was ( & still is sadly ) ;

1 get a wider strap
2 get a lighter bass

Really ? that's it ? that's all you guys got ?

wrong answers

for one thing, once i seek a solution to a problem,, i don't stop until i actually solve that problem that satisfies me

the problem with the " advice " given here at TB is;

all a wider strap does is places weight farther out from the spine towards the shoulder socket, in fact adding more stresses & exacerbating the problem. so that solution sucks

get a lighter bass ? HELL NO, AIN"T GONNA DO IT, NO WAY NO HOW. i likes the basses that i own, & i'm a bit stubborn so that TB solution totally sucks

so i set out to solve my problem & searched every non-traditional strap out there, & there are offerings out there, but they all seemed to have major shortcomings, ( as i ain't drilling additional holes in my basses, you mean once i set it up for this one style bass, it would be a major PITA to use it with my other basses ? or,, you wear it like a belt, & you can only wear it in that 1 forced position ? ( but i don't play my bass down around my nutz )

so, in my case, all the alternative solutions are not gonna do it for me.

so i start designing my own solution to my problem, but this strap has to;

centrally distribute the weight evenly over both shoulders, tight to the spine / core

transfer weight & perceived weight down the core & to the hips

provides improved balance of ANY bass in ANY position ( without the obligatory TB advice for buying ultralite tuners ( that right there saved me a hundred bucks ))

be easily adjustable from a very high, to an ultra low playing position on the players body, at any angle

absolutely eliminate all neckdive reducing it to zero

can easily be used on every bass i own

be comfortable enough to still play my heavy basses on long gigs

and,,

i have succeeded in solving my problem i can still play my heavy basses on long gigs without pain ( something i couldn't do with a " wider " strap )



.
if any players out there are actively seeking a solution to their own physical issues & bassplaying, feel free to pm me

[MEKer]

You ask what's the bid deal on weight? Easy. The more you bid on it the more weight you are likely to get. And then you can come here to TB and ask, "What's the bid deal on coming here asking about all the weight I have accumulated?" You get scads of responses--maybe. Or not. But that's not a bid deal.

[Calaverasgrande]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dog

i never had any issues with heavy basses & long gigs until some little bitch on her cell phone Tboned me at an intersection on my Harley. $7k in damage to the scoot, & it sent me over the front end & all 225lbs of me landed on my head / shoulder like a friggin lawn dart. was close to 9mos before i could return to work.

the above ^^^^^^ gave me isssues with heavy basses, but more importantly, the way the straps places weight on the shoulder.

i read & searched the forums here at TB & read everything i could,, & basically the only solution to weight related issues that came from seasoned pros, to total noobs was ( & still is sadly ) ;

1 get a wider strap
2 get a lighter bass

Really ? that's it ? that's all you guys got ?

wrong answers

for one thing, once i seek a solution to a problem,, i don't stop until i actually solve that problem that satisfies me

the problem with the " advice " given here at TB is;

all a wider strap does is places weight farther out from the spine towards the shoulder socket, in fact adding more stresses & exacerbating the problem. so that solution sucks

get a lighter bass ? HELL NO, AIN"T GONNA DO IT, NO WAY NO HOW. i likes the basses that i own, & i'm a bit stubborn so that TB solution totally sucks

so i set out to solve my problem & searched every non-traditional strap out there, & there are offerings out there, but they all seemed to have major shortcomings, ( as i ain't drilling additional holes in my basses, you mean once i set it up for this one style bass, it would be a major PITA to use it with my other basses ? or,, you wear it like a belt, & you can only wear it in that 1 forced position ? ( but i don't play my bass down around my nutz )

so, in my case, all the alternative solutions are not gonna do it for me.

so i start designing my own solution to my problem, but this strap has to;

centrally distribute the weight evenly over both shoulders, tight to the spine / core

transfer weight & perceived weight down the core & to the hips

provides improved balance of ANY bass in ANY position ( without the obligatory TB advice for buying ultralite tuners ( that right there saved me a hundred bucks ))

be easily adjustable from a very high, to an ultra low playing position on the players body, at any angle

absolutely eliminate all neckdive reducing it to zero

can easily be used on every bass i own

be comfortable enough to still play my heavy basses on long gigs

and,,

i have succeeded in solving my problem i can still play my heavy basses on long gigs without pain ( something i couldn't do with a " wider " strap )



.
if any players out there are actively seeking a solution to their own physical issues & bassplaying, feel free to pm me

I've found the only solution when I am having back problems is to sit on a stool.
When my back gets jacked up (only happens once every few years) a 7 lb bass and an 11 lb bass are just as nasty. When my back is behaving my 11lb bass is hardly noticeable.

[NorCal Dog]

i feel for ya

i broke an ankle a couple of years back & had to sit thru a couple of gigs, which absolutely sucks imo, as i don't practice sitting down, i don't rehearse sitting down.

[klejst]

Not much of a big deal if you have strong shoulders, back and legs that can support a heavy bass for hours upon hours of playing standing up.

[RhynoRock]

Originally Posted by davidchampoux

Always shopping for new basses (damn GAS), and I'm wondering what's the big deal about basses weight? I feel like everybody is looking for the lightest bass... I'm very curious to know what's the difference, tone wise... Or if this is just a matter of comfort and playability? I thought the heavier the instrument, the better the sustain and attack... Am I wrong?

IE. I've seen a beautifull P-Bass at 10 pounds lately... Should I stay away and search for one more around 8 ?

Do heavier basses have a lower resell value?

Opinions welcomed!!

EDIT : sorry about the 'BID' deal typo in the topic...! Still related though!

Having a heavy bass yanking on your left shoulder over the course of a long set can get tiresome, even downright painful for many. I remember doing a set with my old Peavey Fury, and that thing was so neck heavy I had to stop for 20 minutes during a set once. I need to replace the tuners on that with something lighter.

[SteveC]

I was hesitant to buy my fretless as it's around 10 pounds. I prefer 8. I have a wide strap that helps, and I don't do 4 hour gigs with it so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue.
Fortunately, it balances well, plays great, sounds amazing and looks beautiful - all things that help me deal with the extra weight.

[phillybass101]

The big deal is your age and how long you have to stand playing your bass at a gig. When I was younger weight was never an issue or a consideration. After many years of playing organized tackle football from 5th grade to my sophomore year in college and being in two auto accidents weight, age, and time to play are all considered. Now a 4 hr gig is just torture during the 4th or 3rd extended set. The whole time I'm playing I'm like I'll be glad when this is over. Quite frankly the 4th set is a labor of love.

[Scott in Dallas]

When I was 20, playing in a speed metal band, and weighed 130 lbs with no muscletone to speak of, a heavy bass with a small strap would cut off blood flow to my left arm. That music was hard enough to play.

[inthevelvet]

Originally Posted by Blake Bass

weight never phased me until I was in my forties..suddenly my back and shoulder became very aware of the difference between a 7 lb bass vs a 10 lb bass. I won't even consider buying anything that weighs over 8.5 lbs

^^This. Plus I imagine stature has something to do with it. I keep myself in pretty decent shape, but the fact is I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs soaking wet. I definitely notice on a long gig or rehearsal if I'm playing a 10lb vs 7lb bass. To a guy that's 6'4" and 250, maybe less of a factor?
As far as sound, the phattest sounding bass tone I've ever gotten was with a ~7lb warwick $$. I shoulda never sold that thing!