Does this make me look heavy?

[Tanner5382]

I played an 18 lbs. Moonstone Exploiter for several years at a younger age - result is a deformed spine (S) and a desire to play basses under 7 lbs. If you don't care today you will regret 30 years later...

I'd say that last statement is a bit overboard. And really, how many 18 lb basses are out there? That's quite a bit more than what is normally already referred to as a heavy bass anyway.

 

[ultra60]

out of context maybe, but call it curiosity... anybody ever call MF and ask them how much a bass weighs?

I know I called them once and said I wanted a "good" example of the deal of the day. That call got me the "special handling" treatment. The "special handling" treatment ended up in putting me on the bottom of the list, all the stock being sold, then getting a "sorry, sold out" email, lol.

 

[darwin-bass]

Replying to an ad with a "weight?" prompt and then disappearing is not tire kicking. It is reminding the seller to complete their listing and then not cluttering up the post with unnecessary "thank you" replies.

I'm also pretty surprised at the bad blood toward those who are concerned about weight. Seems a number of those who don't care about weight think those who do are a bit out of line.

 

[jazz3625tonic]

Whichever sounded better.

You mean you couldn't tell from my description that both basses sound the same?

 

[Tanner5382]

You mean you couldn't tell from my description that both basses sound the same?

The thing is, no two basses of the same model (including same paint, pickups, etc) sound the exact same. Does every Sunburst, rosewood American Standard P Bass (for example) sound the exact same? Nope.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Less than 9.5 lbs.

I believe my MIM Fender J bass is approx. 9.3 lbs. and my Am. Fender J bass is approx. 7.5 lbs.

 

[Tanner5382]

I know how to read jazz3625tonic's post. No bass playing skills required. Also none required to know that fictional basses can sound like anything we want them to

If you think that arguing about the tonal differences of fictional basses and calling people "douches" for calling you out on it makes you a better or more knowledgeable bass player, then keep up the good work.

I shall most certainly keep fighting the good fight, sir.

 

[Jason Hollar]

"If you want to sell your bass, disclose everything."

+1

 

[Mr_O'B]

I totally understand the want/need for a lighter bass, especially for people with back problems or something like that. On the flip-side, some people go way overboard with this.

FWIW, I've never listed the weight of a bass in an ad on Talkbass or Craigslist, and frankly it's only been asked by tire kickers.

If you "won't give it a second look" just cause I don't list the weight, that's fine. Go buy another bass.

I have health issues, so I always ask about weight. I know my limits, so it doesn't matter what the bass sounds like if it's a heavyweight.

Tanner, I am not saying you don't list the weight for this reason, but i've noticed many
sellers who don't list the weight own basses that weigh well over 9.5 lbs.

 

[Tanner5382]

I have health issues, so I always ask about weight. I know my limits, so it doesn't matter what the bass sounds like if it's a heavyweight.

Tanner, I am not saying you don't list the weight for this reason, but i've noticed many
sellers who don't list the weight own basses that weigh well over 9.5 lbs.

Totally understand the health reason scenario 100%, as I mentioned in my original post in the thread.

I don't even know the weight of my basses cause I don't care to weigh them.

 

[Burwabit]

I'm spoiled that 3 of my 4 basses are around 8.5 lbs. I admit that I lose interest if a bass is over 9lbs.
My Ric is 9.5 lbs but it's worth it.

 

[ZenG]

I can play sitting down. But for some strange reason I consider that to be a kind of cop-out. So I always play standing up.
Basses over 8lbs need not apply......

 

[Mr_O'B]

Totally understand the health reason scenario 100%, as I mentioned in my original post in the thread.

I don't even know the weight of my basses cause I don't care to weigh them.

If they don't cause discomfort then there is no reason to weigh them.
It's a wonderful thing when a bass is a keeper and meets all of your requirements.

 

[mournblade]

Weighs what it weighs. I am more concerned with tone and feel,

 

[rtslinger]

Weight is not an issue for as long as I'm using a wide strap I have a Older SX P with the original headstock maple neck not sure what the body is made of but it is one of my heaviest bass. I will have to weight and let you know my guess 10+ easy

 

[itsalljustaride]

Weight is not important to me because I can easily deal with the weight of any common bass I have ever owned or played in a store. If I offer a bass for sale on TB I will post the accurate weight, usually on my own, certainly if asked for it because I know a lot of TB members are as concerned about weight as a bicyclist and many of the rest have caught the weight weenie disease from them. People who are selling a bass do not appreciate it when someone does something to poison their sales effort. Asking for the weight and then saying no thanks, that's too heavy, as many potential buyers will because it seems polite will be viewed by some sellers as a criticism of the bass that they are selling. That is probably why they mock you for asking. To them it puts a better spin on the situation than having someone say there is something wrong with their bass. The thing is that people will be influenced by your comments even though they may have no reason to reject a bass that weighs 9.6 pounds, or even 12. But if someone else says 9.6 is too heavy and they have never given much thought to weight they will have second thoughts.

To sellers I would say post the weight up front because that gives potential buyers the information they need and lets them quietly move on without offering any comment on your bass. If you forget and someone asks then just answer their question without comment.

To buyers I would say do not EVER comment on your personal weight limit in a for sale listing. It is fine to ask for the weight if it is not given but do not react to the weight when the seller responds. A lot of buyers ask questions and then don't buy the bass. As long as you don't comment about the answer to any question that you ask your questions are neutral. Buyers have many, many reasons for deciding they aren't really interested and their disinterest does not affect the next buyer's decision. Buyers who openly comment in a negative way on a bass for sale do potentially affect the decisions of the next potential buyers however and so you can expect sellers to react poorly to this kind of "help".

This is why I hate hate hate a lot of the For Sale Facebook groups that I've joined. So many people offering their frankly quite rude opinions on the guitar/bass/etc without any intention of buying. Just tire kickers. Millions of them, many who only comment to say something like "would be nicer if it were a Fender/Gibson/My favorite whatever".

 

[Joebone]

What weighs more - 12 pounds of Alembic, or 12 pounds of carrots?

My main bass is ash body, dual soapbars, weighs around 8 pounds. Heaven.

 

[DwaynieAD]

My Jazz V is 14.5 lbs and no trouble at all.

 

[Mr_O'B]

Totally understand the health reason scenario 100%, as I mentioned in my original post in the thread.

I don't even know the weight of my basses cause I don't care to weigh them.

I have to digress for a moment, I want to know what brand of bass is your avatar picture?

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Weight is important especially after having a disc removed from my neck.