Ever sell a bass because it's too heavy?

[jeremyr]

any of you guys ever consider lifting weights to help with the weight issues you're experiencing?

Not trying to be funny, but a 15lb bass wouldn't bother me much if it's comfortable (read reach of my left arm).

 

[sobie18]

Would not sell.

I do have a few tanks but I'm not gonna sell any.

A good strap, how you wear the bass, etc. can help out.

 

[taphappy]

+1 to the sold Warwick club. Atop the weight, nutty neck dive. Bub with bub/wenge neck.

And, yes...when I'm in my sixer phases, I do some extra workout stuff in case I do anything stupid on stage, but. A heavy four? Nah. I love a light instrument. Then again, I got spoiled early with my saber.

 

[TuneIn]

+2 to the sold Warwick club, my thumb 4 nt was awesome with sound quality and playability, but was better suited as a boat anchor....my back thanks me every night I play my ZON

+1 to the sold Warwick club. Atop the weight, nutty neck dive. Bub with bub/wenge neck.

And, yes...when I'm in my sixer phases, I do some extra workout stuff in case I do anything stupid on stage, but. A heavy four? Nah. I love a light instrument. Then again, I got spoiled early with my saber.

 

[malthumb]

any of you guys ever consider lifting weights to help with the weight issues you're experiencing?

Not trying to be funny, but a 15lb bass wouldn't bother me much if it's comfortable (read reach of my left arm).

Thought I was the only one that thought like this. My 5 string Alembic weighs just over 13-1/2 pounds. Been my go-to since 2000. I don't see that changing any time soon, if ever. I've played 2 hour sets with it on more than one occasion.

Balance it right with a 3" or 4" strap and it's all good.

 

[VWbug]

Thought I was the only one that thought like this. My 5 string Alembic weighs just over 13-1/2 pounds. Been my go-to since 2000. I don't see that changing any time soon, if ever. I've played 2 hour sets with it on more than one occasion.

Balance it right with a 3" or 4" strap and it's all good.

Funny you should mention that. I weighed my MIA Sunburst Jazz that I had a Warmoth Ebony fretless neck put on. (saved the original ) and it also weighs 9.6 to 9.8 with the Taylor luggage scale and with the 4" strap it doesn't feel as heavy as the P bass. I don't understand how that can be.

 

[malthumb]

Funny you should mention that. I weighed my MIA Sunburst Jazz that I had a Warmoth Ebony fretless neck put on. (saved the original ) and it also weighs 9.6 to 9.8 with the Taylor luggage scale and with the 4" strap it doesn't feel as heavy as the P bass. I don't understand how that can be.

Physics 101. There's absolute mass (9.8 lbs) and distributed mass, lbs / square inch. When you distribute the mass over a wider area, there are fewer lbs/ sq. in.

 

[VWbug]

Physics 101. There's absolute mass (9.8 lbs) and distributed mass, lbs / square inch. When you distribute the mass over a wider area, there are fewer lbs/ sq. in.

I used the same 4" wide strap on the both basses and the P bass feels heavier. You mean it's the way the weight is distributed differently by the nature of the different body shapes?

 

[Jeff K]

any of you guys ever consider lifting weights to help with the weight issues you're experiencing?

Not trying to be funny, but a 15lb bass wouldn't bother me much if it's comfortable (read reach of my left arm).

Well, I don't think it's a matter of not being able to handle the extra weight. It's more of a, "Why should I play an anchor when there are so many lighter, more comfortable options available?" It just becomes a conscious decision at some point to play a lighter bass for the comfort factor.

I do tend to agree with you though when folks complain and quibble about a 9 or even 10 pound bass. With a decent strap, that shouldn't be a problem unless somebody has a really bad back or shoulder issues. But everybody has the right to choose/play what is most comfortable for them...

 

[Gizmot]

If you want something light, play a ukelele. I play a Warwick and a Rickenbacker and after a few minutes, I get used to the weight and they feel fine.

 

[loopee]

Well, I didn't get what I should have, pity, I should have kept it, the guy that bought it didn't take good care of it, a few years later a friend of mine was at the music store when this guy brought it in to trade it for something else, my friend recognized it and called me right away to tell me, the guy wanted the same price I had sold it to him, I thought of buying it back but it was in pretty bad shape so I passed....should have kept the Warwick too cause it sounded so good but at least I used it on my CD last summer so I have memories.....

"I'd also sold an 89' PRS CE 24 Maple Bolt On because of weight.....that was a wonderful guitar but...."

Hope you got a good price for that one. What's the going rate on one of those these days?

 

[VWbug]

Thanks All . I appreciate the input

I went to local GC yesterday to check out potential lighter replacements. Felt my bass was nicer than the new MIA. Much more clear on all notes on the G string too.

Guess it's time for it to go BOC ( Back of closet) for the time being. Thanks again.

 

[jnewmark]

I had a mid '70's Jazz that was a bear to play and heavy as hell. It finally started to give me shoulder and back pain, to the point that, at the end of the night, I was resting the bottom of the bass on my bass stand ! Heaviest bass I have ever played, and finally had to get rid of it. Never looked back and bought a new Jazz in the '90's and still using it today.

 

[VWbug]

I had a mid '70's Jazz that was a bear to play and heavy as hell. It finally started to give me shoulder and back pain, to the point that, at the end of the night, I was resting the bottom of the bass on my bass stand ! Heaviest bass I have ever played, and finally had to get rid of it. Never looked back and bought a new Jazz in the '90's and still using it today.

Thanks, For some reason the weight of that bass makes my left arm also feel like it's not getting enough blood, a little numb. ( my hearts/cholestrol ok last check ) Doesn't happen with my other basses.(Jazz styles) It's like it's pinching something. My neck also feels weird too. Oh well.. Hearing other guys have reluctantly sent some heavy ones down the road is a comfort no pun intended .

 

[Sufenta]

Most TBers are probably going to think I'm nutz, but not too long ago I bought a Wal from one of our favorite bass stores. First thing I noticed out of the case was how heavy it was. It played OK, cool aggressive tone and all, but I just couldn't get over what an anchor it was. Returned it for a refund, ended up getting my '05 LE SR4.

 

[malthumb]

I used the same 4" wide strap on the both basses and the P bass feels heavier. You mean it's the way the weight is distributed differently by the nature of the different body shapes?

How the bass hangs could also have an impact. You'd probably find that basses worn high "feel" lighter on your shoulder than basses worn low. Again, it's a physics thing. Take a gallon of milk. Hold it in one hand up near your chest. Now hold it down by your side. Which feels heavier?

But if you're using the same strap on two different basses, this is probably not the issue you're having. Must be how the weight is balanced in the bass itself (body v neck).

 

[jlepre]

I sold a bass because it weighed 11.7 pounds. After a 3 set gig, my shoulder ached!

 

[blowinblue]

Not sold, but traded in. My very first bass purchased new from The Soundstage in Fresno CA in 1977. It was a Kramer 250B. Just like the one in the pics except mine had a white pickguard. What a beast. Great tone, but so amazingly heavy. I'm guessing 13-14 lbs. I was in much better shape back then and it still made my shoulder, arm, and fingers go numb after one set. Yikes! I bought a 4" wide leather strap to help distribute the weight. It didn't help. I still have and use that strap, though. Ironically, my first bass amp purchased along with the Kramer was an Ampeg B-15N.

M. M.

 

[Tommy Lotus]

any of you guys ever consider lifting weights to help with the weight issues you're experiencing?

Not trying to be funny, but a 15lb bass wouldn't bother me much if it's comfortable (read reach of my left arm).

I have sold a bass with weight being 1 of the issues. I never had any neck or shoulder issues but I do think it took away from my playability. I don't think exercise would matter as much as your stature. I'm a big guy and I can support just about any bass.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

Thanks, For some reason the weight of that bass makes my left arm also feel like it's not getting enough blood, a little numb. ( my hearts/cholestrol ok last check ) Doesn't happen with my other basses.(Jazz styles) It's like it's pinching something. My neck also feels weird too. Oh well.. Hearing other guys have reluctantly sent some heavy ones down the road is a comfort no pun intended .

I had the same issue with a '78 Alembic Series I. It sounded wonderful, but the combination of the weight and the long reach caused neck, shoulder and arm issues that linger to this day. However, it's all getting better with lighter basses.