But...how much does it weigh?

[rzpooch]

I must be getting old and grumpy. I see that question all the time and it is starting to bother me. Are we turning into a bunch of *&^$#@ whoosies? It's a *&^%&* bass guitar sonny jim, it's suppose to be heavy! If you can't hang, then switch to mandolin!
That is all...carry on! LOL

 

[Ed Hornung]

It's tough to hold up a heavy bass for hours at a time. I used worry about tone and feel first... now I worry about the weight first... since it eliminates most basses.

 

[cnltb]

I must be getting old and grumpy. I see that question all the time and it is starting to bother me. Are we turning into a bunch of *&^$#@ whoosies? It's a *&^%&* bass guitar sonny jim, it's suppose to be heavy! If you can't hang, then switch to mandolin!
That is all...carry on! LOL

When I first red thi sI thought..."What an i.i.t"
Then I saw the LOL...

I used to think heavy basses sounded betterbut found out ten years or so ago that this is not so.
Now a 5 string bass with a 36" scale that weighs beyond 4.5 kg won't get played.

 

[rzpooch]

tongue and cheek my friends
But....

 

[richtea]

I have had the same main bass since my late teens. In my teen years a 12 hour practice on sundays with a cheap nylon web strap, and a couple of beer breaks, no problem. Now in my mid 40's same bass with a 3" padded leather strap 1 hour 30 MAX without feeling some thing bad (shoulder/neck/ back). Its still not bad enough for me to change basses, but it could become that way if it continues to worsten as I get older

so if I can get the same tone but lighter, It would be a win for me.

 

[Jonyak]

if you guys, cannot carry 10 pounds for an hour, you need to go work out.

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

The injuries and conditions are one thing, people being sissies an another.

That said, I have a few light-weight ideas I'd like to try one of these days .

Regards
Sam

 

[nukes_da_bass]

Age-44. Back problems-many.
Now with amplification I can justify- I can't really carry more than 70 lbs anymore.
I work out regularly-very light weights.
If I play more than 2 hours straight my neck and shoulder pinched nerves start to act up.
I do think a denser piece of hardwood sounds better than something light-so far I haven't had a club gig with the Certainbass (very traditional alder 5 string Jazz clone) but I can surely tell you I anticipate a little pain.
Aches and pains come with the job- there are reasons I dont want to be in a band that gigs every friday and saturday night anymore- it nearly killed me 10 years ago.
I dont mind some shoulder throbbing now and then tho- its worth it for the tone!

 

[Roadman]

I have had the same main bass since my late teens. In my teen years a 12 hour practice on sundays with a cheap nylon web strap, and a couple of beer breaks, no problem. Now in my mid 40's same bass with a 3" padded leather strap 1 hour 30 MAX without feeling some thing bad (shoulder/neck/ back). Its still not bad enough for me to change basses, but it could become that way if it continues to worsten as I get older

so if I can get the same tone but lighter, It would be a win for me.

You need to increase the number of beer breaks in direct proportion to your advancing years. It's like algebra, or something.

 

[PSPookie]

For me, the weight of a bass is an afterthought. If it plays nice and sounds good, I'm in. If it also happens to weight 8 lbs, BONUS!

Then again, I'm still young-ish.

 

[schafhalter]

You need to increase the number of beer breaks in direct proportion to your advancing years. It's like algebra, or something.

some kind of math, anyway

 

[Ubersheist]

I'm still OK with heavy basses - my main bass is a Warwick beast. However, I'll never, ever, ever, ever buy a big 8x10 cab, or pretty much any cab that weighs more then about 80 lbs. It hurts my back too much when moving equipment.

I used to have an Aguilar 4x10 cab that weighed 110 lbs. I got rid of it... My main amp now is a 200w Carvin combo with a 15" speaker - 40 lbs! For bigger gigs, I have a newer Aguilar 4x10 that weighs about 90 lbs. I HATE dragging that thing out. I feel so old...

 

[80'sRocker]

I must be getting old and grumpy. I see that question all the time and it is starting to bother me. Are we turning into a bunch of *&^$#@ whoosies? It's a *&^%&* bass guitar sonny jim, it's suppose to be heavy! If you can't hang, then switch to mandolin!
That is all...carry on! LOL

I've always thought the same exact thing, well put!! All man up and rock with that 12 pounder!

 

[DWBass]

I must be getting old and grumpy. I see that question all the time and it is starting to bother me. Are we turning into a bunch of *&^$#@ whoosies? It's a *&^%&* bass guitar sonny jim, it's suppose to be heavy! If you can't hang, then switch to mandolin!
That is all...carry on! LOL

You must be getting old and grumpy but I question the 'old' part.

Basically, no one wants to lug heavy gear anymore and if lightweight gear is available, folk are going to gravitate towards it!

 

[DWBass]

if you guys, cannot carry 10 pounds for an hour, you need to go work out.

Uh, how about 4 hours son??

 

[pacojas]

it was my first pbass that got me into exercise, weights, and stretching. i was tall and super-boney. those 3hr gigs would tear my shoulders up!
the older guys i can understand, but if you are young and injury free, GET IN SHAPE!!!

(seriously,... music is like a sport to me)

 

[Gopherbassist]

if you guys, cannot carry 10 pounds for an hour, you need to go work out.

It's not the carrying, it's how it's carried.

 

[Skitch it!]

I tend to gravitate to lighter basses, after owning Wal's, Jaydee 6 string etc, I appreciate a lighter weight. McCartney mentioned in an interview that he particularly liked the Hofner, because it felt like 'part of him', I'm down with this. I've had enough of expending the energy on supporting that weight, I want that energy in my technique instead, but that's me, as always ymmv.

 

[VWbug]

Hunting rifles, Shotguns, canoes, fishing poles, kayaks ,back packs ,hiking boots, climbing gear. SWAT gear, like ballistic helmets, gun belts and vests, goggles and repelling gear, entry tools, sniper rifles and sidearm's (think Glocks with plastic polymer parts for an easy example), Military gear/weapons, Bobsleds, Skis, sneakers, thermal suits for sub zero weather, motorcycle helmets, luggage with wheels ,professional protective sports gear, professional video cameras and their harnesses and booms, space suits and Bass amps have all been refined to be lighter and stronger to be more comfortable for long term serious use.

Why should a bass be any different?



People have hundreds of options for custom basses from number of strings, finishes, pickups neck length and spacing, colors, woods, electronics and sounds but the option of “weight” is not at all understandable?
Seriously? :scowl:

The original Electric bass was supposed to free the double bass players from the hassle of carrying around the big cumbersome “doghouse”. Maybe electric basses will catch on, who knows?


I don't understand why this is such a "DOH" moment for folks LOL

“Ignorance, insecurity, immaturity and inexperience manifest themselves in myriad ways.”
RMS.

 

[EatADeadGoat]

Lighter basses are my preference. Heavy basses don't hurt my shoulders because I'm young and all that stuff but I like having a lighter one. Sometimes when I'm playing and start jumping around my bass will hit ME and I did that with a heavy one once.....that kinda hurt my knee. A bass being heavy is not a dealbreaker for me, but a light bass is just bonus points really.