It never ceases me to amaze me how many maunfactures treat balance as an afterthought if they think on it at all.
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Bass Weight
- Thread starter jeffbrewer
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,602
- 222,032
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I agree, it is absurd - at this point that shouldn't happen at all, especially with usually heavy bodies. But then they continue to make basses w/o the upper horn ending at the 12th fret (a general rule for correct balance) or no upper horn at all. (leaving headless basses out of this) It's style over function so if one likes that style they shouldn't complain that it neck-dives.
I get that some people physically need a lighter bass. However, it is odd at how much it comes up around here. My 5 string is 10 pounds, my two Jazz 4 strings are about 9. To me, if a bass is too light, it just doesn’t feel right. I like there to be some mass when I comes to low end instruments. Not as critical in guitars, but basses it is, at least for me.
Jazzdogg
Less barking, more wagging!
Even a soft wood like paulownia can have threaded inserts installed into which machine screws can be insterted to hold the neck in place.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,602
- 222,032
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
I bet all those sub-8lb basses sound great. This is how things change.At NAMM this year Sire introduced a the 6-series (P6 PJ, V6 J, M6 headless HH) in which the 4-string models are all just under 8 pounds.
they are parts basses --- i assemble the parts myself.
i haven't had any issues with screws holding paulownia. pilot the holes and use appropriate scews, has always worked for me. if i have to plug a hole for a re-drill = toothpicks and glue, like always.
it's not just for physical needs --- how about having axes that are no heavier than they need to be?
same with amps/cabs/PA/etc....why choose or get stuck with 'heavy' if you have a choice, ergo: "how much does it weigh?"
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,602
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Personal preference about mass is one thing and understandable to the individual, but how weight affects sound is another. My recently completed build is 34" scale with an internally chambered body made of maple (top) and mahogany (bottom). It's passive, balances perfectly and sounds great. Oh, and it's 7lbs/4oz. As a builder, my goal is to create an ergonomic and comfortable bass that sounds great.
I personally hope they expand the use of headless necks to more than just the H-pickup basses. Would be a good way to lose even more weight.
I always thought it was interesting that when the Steinberger bass came out four decades ago it was significantly smaller than other basses but still weighed 8.5-9 pounds. Today it shouldn’t be too hard to mass produce 7 pound “normal” basses — especially when we see those folding Russian Makeev travel basses are around 2kg.
I always thought it was interesting that when the Steinberger bass came out four decades ago it was significantly smaller than other basses but still weighed 8.5-9 pounds. Today it shouldn’t be too hard to mass produce 7 pound “normal” basses — especially when we see those folding Russian Makeev travel basses are around 2kg.
Yeah, I remember in the '70s a lot of guys thought you had to have an anvil around your neck to get good sustain. Lots of punishingly heavy Les Paul's and Jazz Basses. I had a 1974 Jazz that was almost 12 pounds.
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,602
- 222,032
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yamaha has always been a leader for innovation. It seems odd that they only chamber guitar bodies.
Well, there is definitely some truth in heavier guitars/basses often having longer sustain. I don't mind at all if people prefer that. But I do mind when someone says "it doesn't matter" just because it doesn't matter to them.
My heaviest bass is my best sustaining bass. Same goes for my heaviest guitar. But those are neither the ones I like the sound of best, nor the ones I rather play.
in my neck of the woods everyone made that claim, the best players, sellers, everyone. i believed it for years...i just assumed the notion was correct.
not all heavy axes have longer sustain, and some lightweights have longer sustain than some heavy axes with long sustain: re-read post #11.
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For me: Punch and attack with basses with some heft.
I greatly prefer 9 to 10 lbs range, perfect for me. 11 doesn't bother me either. I play 75-100 shows a year, and they're 3+ hrs.
I buy multiples of same basses and have owned many more of the same things over the years, so my experience is consistent and not just one-off opinion.
I start to hate things lighter than 9 lbs....each and every time I do, I experience a lack of punch and attack that I want, that I get from sister instruments that are in my preferred range.
I greatly prefer 9 to 10 lbs range, perfect for me. 11 doesn't bother me either. I play 75-100 shows a year, and they're 3+ hrs.
I buy multiples of same basses and have owned many more of the same things over the years, so my experience is consistent and not just one-off opinion.
I start to hate things lighter than 9 lbs....each and every time I do, I experience a lack of punch and attack that I want, that I get from sister instruments that are in my preferred range.
No, this one is only 10.4 lbs. If I want to go light weight, the T45 is only 10.2!
I haven't actually weighed the Zreo T40 but it feels heavier to me.edit: The Zero T40 weigh is at 11.1 lbs.
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I did the same and I used a screwdriver instead of a battery gun, lessened the chance of stripping the holes.
