Does this theory hold weight?

[MDBass]

I once heard someone say that light weight basses are better for recording/studio work while heavier basses are better for live stage work. I sense a load of hogwash in this, but I thought I'd see what the community has to say about it before I scuttle this warship of a theory. Thoughts?
Edit: playability and comfort aside, is there any scientific evidence that would support or disprove this theory?

My 7.5lb Dingwall SJ 3X is the best studio bass I've ever heard, and obviously phenomenal live as well.

The theory is nonsense.

A great bass is a great bass, regardless of the application.

 

[MDBass]

Heavier basses with a fuller sound seem like they would record better.
Lightweight basses, on the other hand, seem like they'd be great for moving around on stage with as well as having a brighter sound that cuts through the mix better.

Being heavy is certainly not the sole ( or even the prime) cause for a full sound, the same for light basses being brighter.

All maple basses, for example, are really bright acoustically and also very heavy.

 

[vegas532]

My Geddy bass is my main recording bass because it has an AWESOME tone, but it feels like having a kitchen table strapped to your shoulder.

 

[squirefan]

There are so many variables in achieving any sound of good quality, I think weight is a negligible factor.

 

[mikefromchurch]

I wouldn't say the idea is bad. As a theory it is bad, but as an opinion it may be sound. Everyone has a preference, and a style. For your friend, it may hold true.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Each bass is individual and each player will have their preference for sound. Aside for live playing comfort, I don't think weight is the only variable in determining the sound of a bass.

 

[tubenutq5]

To the OP: You are about to bring up the old and contentious battle over whether or not the body of a solid-body bass has anything to do with the inherent tone of the instrument. This has been debated over and over since the beginning of this forum.

 

[dreads311]

To the OP: You are about to bring up the old and contentious battle over whether or not the body of a solid-body bass has anything to do with the inherent tone of the instrument. This has been debated over and over since the beginning of this forum.

Totally not my intention. I, too, am sick of the "do tone woods matter?" threads. This is merely concerning the physical weight of the instrument involving its application (recording and/or live). I personally believe that it's the sum of all the parts that make a good (or bad) bass tone. This is just about if heavier or lighter is better for either/or recording or live.

 

[MDBass]

Totally not my intention. I, too, am sick of the "do tone woods matter?" threads. This is merely concerning the physical weight of the instrument involving its application (recording and/or live). I personally believe that it's the sum of all the parts that make a good (or bad) bass tone. This is just about if heavier or lighter is better for either/or recording or live.

Your friend's premise is essentially the same as "10's are punchier than 15's".

He may very well prefer to use his heavy basses in the studio and his light ones live, but that preference is based solely on his experience with those particular basses.

As an all encompassing statement his theory is factually incorrect.

 

[dreads311]

As an all encompassing statement his theory is factually incorrect.

Thank you. This is the kind of answer I'm looking for.
Not to say that nobody else said this, of course.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I once heard someone say that light weight basses are better for recording/studio work while heavier basses are better for live stage work. I sense a load of hogwash in this, but I thought I'd see what the community has to say about it before I scuttle this warship of a theory. Thoughts?
Edit: playability and comfort aside, is there any scientific evidence that would support or disprove this theory?

How about this theory?

We all know that when looking down a well it is dark at the bottom but light at the top; this proves that dark is heavier than light.

 

[dreads311]

How about this theory?

We all know that when looking down a well it is dark at the bottom but light at the top; this proves that dark is heavier than light.

BRVTAL!! \m/

 

[WashburnAB95]

When you are playing live comfort and playability are extremely important. In the studio... you want absolutely the best tone available.

I think more often than not, that theory is backwards. Most want a lighter bass for playing out.

 

[blindrabbit]

I could never play a heavy bass live. I don't even like playing a heavy bass at home or elsewhere, but I suppose if I was in a studio and could sit down it might be acceptable. But live? The lighter the better.

As for your comment about scientific evidence, there is very little of it out there when it comes to issues of tone and instruments. Furthermore, what small body of evidence does exist (not to mention logic) tends to summarily disprove and reject virtually all commonly held ideas about the factors that play a role in tone. Then you have to factor in things like psychoacoustics and confirmation biases...

Yeah, its a mess.

 

[dreads311]

I could never play a heavy bass live. I don't even like playing a heavy bass at home or elsewhere, but I suppose if I was in a studio and could sit down it might be acceptable. But live? The lighter the better.

As for your comment about scientific evidence, there is very little of it out there when it comes to issues of tone and instruments. Furthermore, what small body of evidence does exist (not to mention logic) tends to summarily disprove and reject virtually all commonly held ideas about the factors that play a role in tone. Then you have to factor in things like psychoacoustics and confirmation biases...

Yeah, its a mess.

A rousing dissertational symposium, sir!

 

[blindrabbit]

A rousing dissertational symposium, sir!

Don't tempt me...I'd love to do a PhD in this area. Can you imagine being funded to sit around all day and play basses, listen to basses, and deal with music, THEN get to crunch the data on it afterwards? Bliss, I tell you. Bliss.

 

[dreads311]

Don't tempt me...I'd love to do a PhD in this area. Can you imagine being funded to sit around all day and play basses, listen to basses, and deal with music, THEN get to crunch the data on it afterwards? Bliss, I tell you. Bliss.

You could be the hero TB needs but isn't ready for. Better to die a hero than live long enough to see yourself become the villain.
Ok, no more Batman quotes. I promise.

 

[placedesjardins]

That doesn't make any sense.

 

[groooooove]

my best recording basses have always been quite heavy, but that could very well be coincidence.

a good high quality bass is the best bass for recording, as well as live.

 

[Steve Dallman]

I've built a fair amount of basses and guitars since I started playing in the mid 60's. I used to think heavier was better, offering more sustain and more of what I like.

I learned that is not true, and it took decades to learn.

I recently chambered the bass in my pic. It was well over 10 lbs. I removed over 3 lbs. No change at all in the sustain, or character, not to mention tone.