Bass Weight Obsession.

[Mike Sorr]

Since the question I see most asked in the Basses for Sale classifieds is “what does it weigh” (it’s one of the first questions I ask too), I’m curious to know if this is also a concern of the bass heroes we all follow. Does Geddy Lee care what his basses weigh? I’ve heard Steve Harris’ Precision bass is very heavy, in the 11 pound ballpark. I imagine this must be a concern for those seasoned pros who put on lengthy concerts, but I wonder how much of a concern.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

 

[Iridescentone]

Since the question I see most asked in the Basses for Sale classifieds is “what does it weigh” (it’s one of the first questions I ask too), I’m curious to know if this is also a concern of the bass heroes we all follow. Does Geddy Lee care what his basses weigh? I’ve heard Steve Harris’ Precision bass is very heavy, in the 11 pound ballpark. I imagine this must be a concern for those seasoned pros who put on lengthy concerts, but I wonder how much of a concern.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

I know that at least Rocco Prestia was concerned enough to insist that his LTD sig basses be light. Pretty sure I read somehwere that he wanted to make sure the new sig wasn't going to be an "albatross" hanging off a player's neck (or his neck, for that matter).

 

[Killing Floor]

Lol no. That’s a gear head thing and it never came up until Internet forums.
Can you imagine Suzi Quatro worrying about 2 ounces? Jaco? John Entwistle?

Not talking about someone with a physical reason. That’s different. I’ve got boots that weigh more than some of my basses.

I’m not saying I want mine to weigh more. I’m saying I’ve played 4 decades and even worked in QC for a manufacturer and have never weighed a bass or guitar. I think 25 pounds would make me change my mind though.

 

[Snert]

Can you imagine Suzi Quatro worrying about 2 ounces? Jaco? John Entwistle?

Suzi is quite petite so I could see weight being a potential issue, but she was an old school rocker so she would have shrugged and dealt with it. The Ox was the opposite and I can't see an Alembic Explorer being light. Two oz's being important for Jaco? Nah, maybe 4...

 

[GTHintz]

I've had light basses feel heavy and heavy basses feel lighter. This is all due to the ergonomics. How it's contoured and how it hangs on the strap. The most comfortable bass I have is also the heaviest. It's a Warwick Corvette. Second would be a Streamer followed by an Ibanez SR 505. The Ibanez is lighter but still very comfortable and sleek. I wouldn't place it first only because I slightly prefer the neck of the Warwicks but that's just how it fits my hands. They all are very comfortable for me. My newest bass a Dean edge q5 is very comfortable too. Not heavy and very well balanced. Best of both really. I place the Warwicks 1st and second because they both balance very well and are easy to find a comfortable position to hang for long periods of time. Contoured just right. The Ibanez and Dean are both very good at that too. I'd say any of those better than a fender precision or a Rickenbacker. The ric slightly better than the precision. Played both and preferred the ric.

 

[JIO]

Regardless of any other bass-players 'famous' or otherwise - light basses rule... period. If anyone thinks a heavy (over 10lbs) bass makes them sound better... I have a (local) bridge to sell you...

 

[_jojo_bass]

I know a fair amount of musicians who like myself who swear by lightweight basses, less out of fatigue while playing (thought that is always a plus), but because they are more resonant. I can neither confirm nor deny that, but the lighter weight instruments I’ve owned happen to track better to me than other heavier ones. I also happen to consistently play a lot of extended 4+ hour gigs and I like to be comfortable. nearly don’t think there’s much to gain after 10 pounds

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[Mike Sorr]

I have a hopefully temporary condition called PMR that causes joint pain. A bass of 9.5 pounds never felt heavy for me in my youth, but today feels like a ship’s anchor hanging off my shoulders. Weight is so important to me that I’ve begin selling off basses that weigh more than 9 pounds because I physically can’t play them for very long. After about 30 minutes it feels like someone slowly pushing a steak knife into my shoulder. But I was just wondering how older players than me who still put on these long concerts in their 60s and 70s can rock heavier instruments. I would imagine they suffer from physical ailments of various kinds as well. Since they can afford pretty much any bass out there, I was wondering if they lean towards custom made instruments with weight in mind, or if weight is just the concern of a vocal minority of people on bass centric Internet forums.

 

[vinlander]

There are many reasons why the weight of an instrument can be important like for instance health condition or simply the fact a light instrument feels more comfortable. All my instruments are within the 9 pounds maximum and mostly around. I would not like to play a boat anchor.
Happy my latest bass a 4003SW is just 8.4 pounds

 

[FullumMusic]

I mean, maybe Geddy Lee and Steve Harris were concerned with the weight of basses when they were choosing them. We weren't there in the store with them during their decision making process. It could have been the furthest thing from their mind or it could have been part of their decision making process. Only way to know is to ask them how much they care about the weight of their basses. Otherwise you're just making unfounded assumptions.

About six years ago i started getting a lower back/pelvis pain so bad i couldn't stand through washing dishes. I had to sit and take a break. I could hike for hours on end. But standing washing dishes or cooking or slowly meandering through a museum and it was debilitating. 6+ years later, after an MRI and countless doctor visits and physical therapists visits, and sports/rehab massage visits, and stretch and flexibility classes, and who knows what, i've finally found a way to keep the pain at bay, and i'll be damned if i ever strap a bass 10 pounds or more over one shoulder for any length of time just to undo all the progress i've made.

If other people aren't bothered by the weight, good on them.

 

[yodedude2]

only thing that comes quickly to mind is an old interview i read where alex lifeson mentions what a chore it was to play his doubleneck gibson guitar onstage...he compared it to driving a truck all day, and said it wasn't much fun. not a bass, so it doesn't count ~

 

[vinlander]

only thing that comes quickly to mind is an old interview i read where alex lifeson mentions what a chore it was to play his doubleneck gibson guitar onstage...he compared it to driving a truck all day, and said it wasn't much fun. not a bass, so it doesn't count ~

Geddy's double neck Ric is probably not exactly light neither and that certainly counts...

 

[TheReceder]

In my area, most if not all successful (meaning good) local musicians are between 50 and 70 years old. The older you get, the more gravity sucks. Weight matters.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Go back to the 50s, where rock stars were gone by 20, the 60s, where they were gone by 30, or 70s, where by 40, not so much of an issue. I'm sure it's an issue. Also, playing for a few hours a day is their job. They aren't working an eight hour shift first, driving to the gig, then carrying all the gear.

 

[Geri O]

Since the question I see most asked in the Basses for Sale classifieds is “what does it weigh” (it’s one of the first questions I ask too), I’m curious to know if this is also a concern of the bass heroes we all follow. Does Geddy Lee care what his basses weigh? I’ve heard Steve Harris’ Precision bass is very heavy, in the 11 pound ballpark. I imagine this must be a concern for those seasoned pros who put on lengthy concerts, but I wonder how much of a concern.

Does anyone have any insight into this?

The answer to this matters why?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The Steinberger L2 was a relatively heavy bass, but didn't feel like it, because the center of mass pivot and double strap balanced it perfectly. I'd rather have a heavy well balanced bass than a light neck diver any day. No good reason for a bass to be heavy though, beyond 8lbs or so just gets uncomfortable for me. I remember back in the Day (70's-80's) there was a lot of marketing hype about "sustain", and how a heavier bass would give you more of it, same hype now appled to "high-mass" bridges. The heaviest bass I ever played was a Series 1 Alembic, which was a true work of art, but truly stupid heavy. As I get older, the advantages of lighter short or medium scale basses gets more and more appealing. The first thing I do when checking out a new bass is check for neck dive and weight, everything else is negotiable, but if it dives... fuggedaboudit.

 

[KenSmithFan]

I don’t get get how wanting to play a bass that is a comfortable weight counts as an obsession. Am I OBSESSED with eating food I like the taste of? Am I OBSESSED with wearing clothes that fit? Am I OBSESSED with listening to music I like?

 

[E2942]

they are more resonant

You may think they vibrate better, but resonance is not something that is desirable.

 

[ics1974]

Tim Commerford says he likes heavy basses
Around 7:00 on the video

I have owned many Stingrays and only the heavier ones (10lbs +) are my keepers. Currently selling my 9.5 lbs SR5 because it sounds too open and not as focused as my other heavier Stingrays.
I’m the opposite for P bass though. All the lighter ones I have owned sound better to me.