Bass weight. Does it make a difference?

[bobunit]

I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but when it comes to paying big doctor bills, sometimes a new bass is a lot cheaper. The trick with most health problems is to know how to make the change before too much damage is done. I know you dig the tone of your Spector, but I'm fairly certain there is a luthier or two (or 10) who can make something like that sounds almost exactly like it.

Oh I agree! Medical charges can rack up in a hurry. Making the change can be difficult when you are stubborn (that's me). I am, most likely, going to add a lightweight bass to the arsenal. I certainly dig the tone of my Spector, but I like other flavors too. That's why I have a Stingray, Pbass, Kubicki, etc. It may be time for me to try a new flavor.

 

[mongo2]

A balsa wood solid body. Hmm... So what are these amazingly light basses you have?

I've DIY'd a sub 6 lb Singlecoil P style bass and a sub 6.5 lb J style bass using Paulownia for the body and other lightweight components.

My "'Lil Red" Squier Bronco, is just under 6 lbs (agathis body).

I have a few hollowbodies that come in under 6.5 lbs.

 

[fourstringbliss]

I have been in a working band for the past couple of years. Typically we play 5 (45 min.) sets a night. My bass of choice is a Spector NS5 (10lbs. 3 oz). I have always loved this bass from the day I got it, however, I am considering purchasing a bass that is lighter to reduce the fatigue on my back, neck, shoulders, etc. My question is: Does a lighter weight bass make that much of a difference in reducing player fatigue? If so, at what point, weight wise, does a player notice the difference in weight? An ounce? A pound? Do I just need to get a different strap? (I use a 3" wide leather) Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I use a 3.5" padded strap and it really helps, but weight does make a difference. I'm not sure most players would notices a 1 lb difference at first, but after a little while it would start to matter. Maybe more important than weight would be the ergonomics of the bass. I've never really played a Spector - can you play it easily without having to stretch extra?

 

[davidjbass]

I use a Levy's strap. If I can find a pic of it I will post it. It really helps distribute the weight of the Spector.

 

[bobunit]

I use a 3.5" padded strap and it really helps, but weight does make a difference. I'm not sure most players would notices a 1 lb difference at first, but after a little while it would start to matter. Maybe more important than weight would be the ergonomics of the bass. I've never really played a Spector - can you play it easily without having to stretch extra?

It is very easy to play.

I use a Levy's strap. If I can find a pic of it I will post it. It really helps distribute the weight of the Spector.

Thank you sir!

 

[KPAX]

Lift some weights - it helps me. My Spector Euros can give my shoulder hell by the last set but freeweights are helping a lot.

I have been in a working band for the past couple of years. Typically we play 5 (45 min.) sets a night. My bass of choice is a Spector NS5 (10lbs. 3 oz). I have always loved this bass from the day I got it, however, I am considering purchasing a bass that is lighter to reduce the fatigue on my back, neck, shoulders, etc. My question is: Does a lighter weight bass make that much of a difference in reducing player fatigue? If so, at what point, weight wise, does a player notice the difference in weight? An ounce? A pound? Do I just need to get a different strap? (I use a 3" wide leather) Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[groove pump]

I got a rather light Ibanez neck-thru a little while back and what I noticed at my gigs, especially if I switched between that one and my heavy Warmoth J-bass during the night, was that I was a whole lot more comfortable just moving around over the course of a show with the lighter bass. I don't rock out like Angus Young or anything, but when I have a hefty bass on my shoulder, it really forces me to spend more time in one spot. Everyone wants decent tone, but I also prefer not to be "stuck" and boring when I'm at a gig.

A good ergonomic fit has also turned out to make a huge difference for me. I was really excited about a hot-rodded Warwick Corvette that I used to have, but after I had it on a strap for around twenty minutes, the bad fit would start to get really uncomfortable for my fretting hand and wrist. I've become leery of any bass with an upper horn that doesn't extend up to near even with the 12th fret. My wide strap is sort of rinky-dink (sorry, no tag or anything with the brand), but it's been great for me compared to my "regular" one. It's at least 4" wide with a little padding to help things.

I don't have a couple dozen basses around, but for my shows, I've come to like playing the one that's lighter and less demanding to use for a whole night. My heavy bass sounds nice, but I play a little more crappy if I get worn out.

 

[bobunit]

I use a Levy's strap. If I can find a pic of it I will post it. It really helps distribute the weight of the Spector.

I purchased a Levy's neoprene strap and used it over the weekend. How did I feel after the gigs? Shoulder and back pain seemed to be less. The downside to the strap, is that it is too long so it will be heading back to GC. The search will continue.
Thanks to those that suggested proper posture. I was aware of it and I think it contributed to how I felt after.

 

[flipper_gv]

my answer is work out little bit.

 

[Turkeybasster]

Shoot, I remember when I didn't work out and now that I do work out. The difference is not much to me. My thing was mainly a shoulder thing where, after an hour or so of playing I couldn't lift my arm. That's no good. A 15 minute break later and I'm fine for another hour. I think the problem for me is my strap, I'll get a new one soon.

All recommendations above are fine but working out may be an extreme solution to a simple problem. Unless you just do 7 or 10 minutes, alright but to defeat that problem, you'd have to work the core which takes time. Just fix posture, strap, and keep fidgeting.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

Nothing over about 8.5lbs for me. I play 275 days per year. Dont need an anchor around my neck. If you buy a well made, light bass you will love it. You wont lose tone and your body will thank you

Rob

 

[fuzz_factor]

I purchased a Levy's neoprene strap and used it over the weekend. How did I feel after the gigs? Shoulder and back pain seemed to be less. The downside to the strap, is that it is too long so it will be heading back to GC. The search will continue.
Thanks to those that suggested proper posture. I was aware of it and I think it contributed to how I felt after.

I bought a Levy's neoprene strap at GC a couple of weeks ago. If yours is like mine, it's adjustable from 46" to 53." For me, the shortest setting is just about right, but I'm considering the Neotech Mega Bass strap, which is adjustable from 42"-51". I can see myself wanting to make the Levy's strap a little shorter, but I'd never use the full range of 53". The Neotech doesn't look as nice as the Levy's, but it is another 1/2" wider.

Here are the two straps I'm referencing:

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Neotech Mega Bass Strap

You might also consider a Comfort Strap. One of the GCs in town had them. The one I tried was much shorter than the Levy's (too short for me).

 

[bobunit]

I bought a Levy's neoprene strap at GC a couple of weeks ago. If yours is like mine, it's adjustable from 46" to 53." For me, the shortest setting is just about right, but I'm considering the Neotech Mega Bass strap, which is adjustable from 42"-51". I can see myself wanting to make the Levy's strap a little shorter, but I'd never use the full range of 53". The Neotech doesn't look as nice as the Levy's, but it is another 1/2" wider.

Here are the two straps I'm referencing:

Invalid Link Removed

Neotech Mega Bass Strap

You might also consider a Comfort Strap. One of the GCs in town had them. The one I tried was much shorter than the Levy's (too short for me).

That is the Levy's strap I purchased. I can shorten it, but would rather look into other strap options before I slice and dice. I will have to check out the Neotech. Kind of similar to the Sadowsky strap I was looking at.

 

[mongo2]

Lately I've used a Steph Neostretch NEO-700 neoprene strap.

Link Removed

 

[metalinthenight]

I'm looking into the Levys M29 strap. The ergonomic one. It goes down to about 37" which is great for me ( I like to play my bass nice and high), but I've never actually seen one or found a retailer that sells them , so I can't try it out. I think that the wider strap would definately help keep some of the weight from my six string off my shoulder.

 

[bobunit]

I'm looking into the Levys M29 strap. The ergonomic one. It goes down to about 37" which is great for me ( I like to play my bass nice and high), but I've never actually seen one or found a retailer that sells them , so I can't try it out. I think that the wider strap would definately help keep some of the weight from my six string off my shoulder.

Anybody where you can find these?