Bass weight wimpiness?

[CaptainWally]

I've been playing Lull basses for a while, most recently a couple of M4Vs that weigh 8.00 and 7.95 lbs.

I recently purchased a Fender CS Classic from a TB'er, and I really like it. The only thing that I'm not crazy about is the weight. But here is the kicker: it's only 8.75 lbs.

My shoulder experienced a small bit of discomfort after an hour of rehearsal, and I'm wondering if a 3 hour gig would send me running back to uber-light. Of course, I was hyper-aware of the Fender CS weight, as I was "testing it" to see if it would bother me during the rehearsal.

Anyone have any similar dispositions and/or experiences to share? All thoughts are welcome.

Yes, I know that many of you happily shoulder 10 lb. basses all night long without batting an eye. Let's put your picture on a Brawny Paper Towel package.

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[anavar]

i played a cort curbow fretless 4 string bass a while ago

i swear that thing was only 5lbs. awesome little bass.

 

[Baird6869]

I am 45 and can no longer do 3-4 hour gigs with a >10lb bass. My back aches after an hour or so.

My main bass is 9.3lbs and it is about as heavy as I can play for 4 hours.

I like light, but I find a lot more difference from 9 to 10lbs than I do from 7 to 9lbs.

 

[wvbass]

Yeah, so you are a weight-weenie. So what? I'm not sure if it is the years or the miles, but most of us end up there. Last year, I bought a 10lb (or so) bass that I likes, but it was uncomfortable on a strap. I bought a better strap and got used to it. My latest acquisition is on the heavy side too, but I can handle it. I suspect my days with heavy basses are numbered, though.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

When I was a younger man, I didn't give the weight of an instrument a second thought. I'm now in my early 40s, and my back aches after about an hour with anything much over 9 lbs.

 

[CaptainWally]

Cheers. Oh, yes, I'm very comfortable with my weight-weeniness. I'm just trying to figure out if 8.75 is going to be a long-term problem for me or not.

That's a very good point about 9-to-10 being a bigger deal than 8-to-9 (or 8 to 8.75).

 

[Jefff]

I can handle 9, but I notice the difference between 8.5 and 9 is lot bigger than it was 30 years ago.

 

[ubnomnar]

Cheers. Oh, yes, I'm very comfortable with my weight-weeiness. I'm just trying to figure out if 8.75 is going to be a long-term problem for me or not.

That's a very good point about 9-to-10 being a bigger deal than 8-to-9 (or 8 to 8.75).

I've got two USA made Sub-8 pound basses. Once you go Sub-8... it's hard to go back.

I'm definitely a 50+ year old "light-weight weenie" and proud of it

 

[blindrabbit]

A bass has to be in the 8lb range or lighter for me to have it. Even the high 8s take their toll on my back and especially my shoulder. So I'm with you, 8.75 is a weight that may not work. My current main bass is a 8.4lb EBMM Sterling, and while it is alright, I'm constantly on the lookout for something lighter. I've divested myself of all my heavier basses, and heavy amps for that matter too. I'm featherweight across the board, baby.

 

[jallenbass]

With a Gruv Gear Duo Strap I can wear my 10 pound Stingray Classic 5 all night. Somewhat expensive but worth it.

 

[dedpool1052]

Cheers. Oh, yes, I'm very comfortable with my weight-weeniness. I'm just trying to figure out if 8.75 is going to be a long-term problem for me or not.

That's a very good point about 9-to-10 being a bigger deal than 8-to-9 (or 8 to 8.75).

perhaps you could get a wider/padded strap to help with the extra weight of the fender.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I have a herniated disc and a banged up left shoulder ... so light works well for me. Nine lbs is my limit.. but ironically I don't like a bass that is too light either.

 

[Moving Pictures]

Damaged left shoulder and a fractured disc. Heavy is no longer an option. All light weight amps and now moving to light short scale basses. I'd rather play long term than suffer.

 

[PWRL]

Weight isn't much of an issue for me, provided the bass does what it's supposed to do. I won't hunt down a light instrument simply because it's light. I do tend to prefer them heavier than lighter, but my Rick 4004 is an exception. It's about 8 pounds, the lightest I've ever played, and it's kind of nice.

 

[lomo]

The misconception that pain from a heavy bass has something to do with strength or fitness is widespread. Most shoulder pain from wearing a bass on a strap comes from localized muscle compression, which can diminish circulation to the muscles under the strap (trapezius, deltoid and supraspinatus and, to a lesser extent, infraspinatus). If it occurs for a long enough period, it causes inflammation and eventually scarring. Once this happens, the affected muscles become even more susceptible. Making the muscles stronger/bigger will not change this, especially if they have already been affected. Lifting weights will also not fix a herniated spinal disc, another cause of discomfort when wearing a bass. Wearing a bass on a strap should not hurt, period. If it does, find a solution. If that means a lighter bass, so be it. Since the idea that heavy basses have better tone is also a myth without an iota of objective data to support it, a lighter bass is not a musical compromise, although it may (or may not) cost more than a heavier alternative.

 

[shorty4life]

Damaged left shoulder and a fractured disc. Heavy is no longer an option. All light weight amps and now moving to light short scale basses. I'd rather play long term than suffer.

I have a short scale 30" bass which weighs as much as both of my 32" medium scale basses. And my 32" scales sound & feel much closer to that of a 34" long scale. If I were strictly choosing a bass based on weight, I would not rule out instruments due to scale length alone. Plenty of light weight 34's and 32's out there to be found...

 

[blindrabbit]

Hear, hear! This is one of the most accurate and well stated posts on this matter that I have ever read. Thank you.

The misconception that pain from a heavy bass has something to do with strength or fitness is widespread. Most shoulder pain from wearing a bass on a strap comes from localized muscle compression, which can diminish circulation to the muscles under the strap (trapezius, deltoid and supraspinatus and, to a lesser extent, infraspinatus). If it occurs for a long enough period, it causes inflammation and eventually scarring. Once this happens, the affected muscles become even more susceptible. Making the muscles stronger/bigger will not change this, especially if they have already been affected. Lifting weights will also not fix a herniated spinal disc, another cause of discomfort when wearing a bass. Wearing a bass on a strap should not hurt, period. If it does, find a solution. If that means a lighter bass, so be it. Since the idea that heavy basses have better tone is also a myth without an iota of objective data to support it, a lighter bass is not a musical compromise, although it may (or may not) cost more than a heavier alternative.

 

[Mastermold]

The misconception that pain from a heavy bass has something to do with strength or fitness is widespread. Most shoulder pain from wearing a bass on a strap comes from localized muscle compression, which can diminish circulation to the muscles under the strap (trapezius, deltoid and supraspinatus and, to a lesser extent, infraspinatus). If it occurs for a long enough period, it causes inflammation and eventually scarring. Once this happens, the affected muscles become even more susceptible. Making the muscles stronger/bigger will not change this, especially if they have already been affected. Lifting weights will also not fix a herniated spinal disc, another cause of discomfort when wearing a bass. Wearing a bass on a strap should not hurt, period. If it does, find a solution. If that means a lighter bass, so be it. Since the idea that heavy basses have better tone is also a myth without an iota of objective data to support it, a lighter bass is not a musical compromise, although it may (or may not) cost more than a heavier alternative.

Good post. Heavy basses would bother my trapezius muscles just as much when I was young and bench pressing over 500 lbs just as much as they do today. Strength is not the issue.

 

[nostatic]

Ironic to click on this thread as I'm sitting on the couch with ice on my back hoping the norco kicks in soon. The cause? Giving a lesson today I got down on my hands and knees in my home studio to find a cable end. "Pop goes the chronic (not the good kind) back." Too many years of competitive sports and 2-wheel crashes. Now in my early 50's, I'm paying the price for my mis-spent first 45 years...

That said, balance is another factor that can play into fatigue/pain. Also ergonomics can make or break an instrument. I recently tried a wonderful 7.5 lb bass. Sounds great, looks great, nice weight. But, due to the body shape and the way that I play, it was uncomfortable to play seated and shifted my wrist angle on a strap just enough to tease at tendonitis.

My advice - don't get old. Though I suppose the alternative is worse...

 

[1stnamebassist]

I think the way the weight on the bass is distributed has a lot to do with the comfort also. I sold my 4003 because it seem like all the weight was directly on my left shoulder even though the bass probably weighed less than 10 pounds. But at the same time I could play my Thunderbird which weighed about 10 pounds all day with no problems because the weight seemed to be more evenly distributed maybe more towards the neck a little bit also.