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Does this make me look heavy?

What's the maximum weight you'll consider when buying a bass in the classifieds?

  • 11 pounds or more

    Votes: 82 19.8%

  • 10 pounds

    Votes: 71 17.1%

  • 9.75 pounds

    Votes: 19 4.6%

  • 9.5 pounds

    Votes: 45 10.9%

  • 9.0 pounds

    Votes: 62 15.0%

  • 8.5 pounds

    Votes: 33 8.0%

  • Equal to a bunch of carrots

    Votes: 102 24.6%
  • Total voters
    414
#142
I like the Sweetwater site because they list the weights of many of their basses, at least moderate to higher end, as well as other types of equipment. No, you cannot really google bass weights because the same model bass can vary in weight, sometimes by a lot. Weight of bass is crucial due to my back issues. Its not being picky, its just my situation, its having a bass that has the right weight and balance to be able to play it easily without discomfort and generally under 7 pounds.

Here's a short version of the past and present list of basses that worked. Fender P-Lyte Deluxe, under 8 lbs, Ibanez SR500 6.8 lbs, Douglas (Hofner Knock Off) Fretless Violin Bass, 6.5 lbs. Ibanez SR300, 7.8 lbs (most are heavier). Being a former upright player, do not think I could handle any micro types of basses. The Douglas has 30" scale, very comfortable. First less than full scale one that is a winner.
 
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#143
ustabawannab said:
Bass weight important?

It is to me. I will not consider a bass over 9.5 pounds.

If you don't give me the accurate weight in your ad, I will not give it a second look.
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Well, lets see. I've owned a quite of few basses and the main thing on weight is how does it feel,balance,etc. by looking at your picture you have a narrow strap.Try for the 3.5 ( or 4" ) wide leather strap don't go thin it"ll cut into your neck and you don't want that if your performing the usal 4 set gig or out doors.get a strap that's fits the shoulder and when you strap on your bass you should feel comfort. AS for me I like the musicman neck thru the body at 8 lbs and my stringray 5 at 11 lbs. again need a wider strap for comfort.
 
#145
bass81800 said:
I like the Sweetwater site because they list the weights of many of their basses, at least moderate to higher end, as well as other types of equipment. No, you cannot really google bass weights because the same model bass can vary in weight, sometimes by a lot. Weight of bass is crucial due to my back issues. Its not being picky, its just my situation, its having a bass that has the right weight and balance to be able to play it easily without discomfort and generally under 7 pounds.

Here's a short version of the past and present list of basses that worked. Fender P-Lyte Deluxe, under 8 lbs, Ibanez SR500 6.8 lbs, Douglas (Hofner Knock Off) Fretless Violin Bass, 6.5 lbs. Ibanez SR300, 7.8 lbs (most are heavier). Being a former upright player, do not think I could handle any micro types of basses. The Douglas has 30" scale, very comfortable. First less than full scale one that is a winner.
Click to expand...
wow, what a b to have that issue,i feel for ya.try a 3.5" wide strap that leather and padded a little bit not much.Hopefully that helps you out let.Let me know
 
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#149
pedroims said:
10 pounds is my limit. I will give an estimate weight, if buyer wants a 100% accurate weight then he/she will need to look somewhere else. I am not in the business of selling basses so I don't have to be condescend to the picky buyers.
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10lbs is also my limit. Anytime I post a bass for sale I include the actual weight as a matter of course. A bass is an instrument you hang on your body and this information is basic information related to its use. If a buyers bathroom scale is an ounce different than my scale and they make a fuss - they can be considered 'picky'.

IMG_6522_zpsiwqezrsa.jpg
 
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#155
khutch said:
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".
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I've never even considered weight when buying a bass. In order: Sound, feel, cost, looks, weight. I only really noticed how heavy my walnut jazz was (on a bathroon scale) at 10.5 lbs was after playing my 74 alder p-bass at 8.5 lbs. for about a year straight.
 
#157
AaronVonRock said:
As long as a bass isn't ridiculously heavy (15+ lbs), I never even give the weight a second thought.

If I had a back, shoulder, or neck injury, I'm sure that would change my thought process.
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I have all of the above (broke 7 bones in my spine, have assorted problems in shoulder area due to that).

I still prefer the feel of a heavy-ish instrument.
 
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#160
DOMIT said:
I have all of the above (broke 7 bones in my spine, have assorted problems in shoulder area due to that).

I still prefer the feel of a heavy-ish instrument.
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I've owned some extremely heavy les pauls. I would gladly put up 12.5+ lbs instead of having a chambered or weight relieved one. I think some basses and guitars should be heavy.
 
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