A weighty topic - heavier vs lighter of same model

[ThinCrappyTone2]

i pore over the sweetwater site comparing weights like some kind of bass weight detective. Diff between an 8.1lb bass and a 9.4lb of the same model, for example, is enormous to me

 

[Herrick]

If you were to order an instrument online and choosing between model XYZ that weighs 9 pounds 2 ounces and model XYZ that weighs 9 pounds 10 ounces, would you prefer the lighter or heavier instrument?

The lighter one.

Would you expect the sound/resonance to be better with a heavier or lighter instrument of the same model?

No.

 

[Mike Vee]

I prefer as light as possible, but balance is also important. I have a Jazz bass that is less than 8.5, it feels nice to pickup but it has neck dive pretty bad.

 

[Manticore]

It never occurred to me to think about the weight of a bass until I came to this forum. I'm blessed to be injury free, so I cannot fathom a world where a few ounces matters. I have two six string basses of the same model made by the same manufacturer a year apart with the same specs. After coming to this forum and seeing these types of questions over and over again, I weighed them. I was really surprised to find a 1.5-pound difference between the two of them. I'd always though they were the same...

 

[Deleted member 271037]

With solid-bodies I generally prefer the tone and attack of heavier basses. All my favourite solid-body basses for recording are quite heavy. For playing live I often choose lighter basses though, unless it's a one-off gig with a relatively short set.

 

[Ostie]

For me, tone and playability come before weight. But others may consider sustain or looks more important. Different strokes, as they say.

 

[Ric Vice]

For me, tone and playability come before weight. But others may consider sustain or looks more important. Different strokes, as they say.

Absolutely, That's why my personal preference is the Lakland 55-94, the neck profile, radius, and frets are ideal for my playing style. They run between 8.5 lbs and 9 lbs IME. Their tonal profile works for

the groups I regularly preform with.

 

[selowitch]

For me, I want to get the lightest bass possible for the model that I’m choosing and will accept whatever drawbacks may come with that choice.

 

[chris_b]

For me, I want to get the lightest bass possible for the model that I’m choosing and will accept whatever drawbacks may come with that choice.

I had the same thought, and bought a very light J5 intending to replace my heavy J5, but the tone just doesn't compare. I haven't owned a bass that had such an average sound since the 70's.

I discovered I have another a red line! So both J5's are on the block and my search for a replacement continues.

 

[GIBrat51]

Because I'm left handed, and because most of the basses in my herd are either no longer made - or were available as a lefty only once in a great while (I'm looking at you, Gibson), I've pretty much had to take what I could get. The few basses I have in the "light/very light" category - that aren't small hollow-body basses, or made out of plywood/Masonite - are made out of woods that, frankly, I don't much care for. Yeah, it's nice that they're light, but it's not nice that they dent if I look at them funny - or that screws will come out, all on their own, if I mess with them once too often. Which I try very hard not to do, but... you get the point. Most of my solid body basses run 8.5 - 9.5 lbs., which I'm able to deal with quite nicely. I was able to choose a bass's weight - once. Of the 3 left handed Epi Jack Casady Basses that Sweetwater had at the time? I picked the middle one. Wasn't much of a choice, though; there was only about 9 ounces total between them. IIRC, the middle one was "something-and-a-half pounds" - so I chose that one. Like I said; I've pretty much had to take what I could get - and be satisfied. Which, TBH, I am...

 

[selowitch]

I had the same thought, and bought a very light J5 intending to replace my heavy J5, but the tone just doesn't compare. I haven't owned a bass that had such an average sound since the 70's.

I was lucky enough to find an 8.5-lbs. P-Bass whose tone is just right—and I got it at a very good price. That bass is now a part of my permanent collection.