I have a ray34CA and I love it, but its a pain in the ass to play while standing because I'm a on the skinny side
Any tips to deal with the weight?
Any tips to deal with the weight?
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How to deal with the Ray34CA weight
- Thread starter turtlegrubs
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bongomania
Commercial User
1) Go to the gym, get stronger.
2) Get a lighter-weight bass instead.
3) Get a two-shoulder strap, or a neoprene-padded stretchy strap.
4) Attach the bass to a cymbal stand or other mounted stand.
5) Hang the bass from the ceiling, or from a helium-filled weather balloon.
2) Get a lighter-weight bass instead.
3) Get a two-shoulder strap, or a neoprene-padded stretchy strap.
4) Attach the bass to a cymbal stand or other mounted stand.
5) Hang the bass from the ceiling, or from a helium-filled weather balloon.
Hitting the gym is a win-win option. You built strength plus you get to play the bass you love.
Alternatively, buy a nice wide strap to help distribute the weight across your shoulders. It won't feel as light as an Ibanez SR but it will give your left (or right) shoulder some relief.
Alternatively, buy a nice wide strap to help distribute the weight across your shoulders. It won't feel as light as an Ibanez SR but it will give your left (or right) shoulder some relief.
- Oct 7, 2000
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Buy a bass made of bubinga. Warwick has lots of them that are reasonably priced if you buy used. Play that for a while. Go back to your ray. You'll be happy about how light it is. 
In all seriousness, it ain't that heavy a bass. I think a lot of this kinda stuff we get in our heads and then it seems so. If that's not the case, then I agree with the get in shape posts. Win win.
My first real bass was one of the warwicks I mentioned above. I sold it because it was too heavy. Years later I'm in better shape than I was then, plus started playing a bunch of different basses, and I don't ever notice the weight of a bass anymore. I own a fortress flashback, heaviest bass I ever picked up. It means nothing to me. And I believe my issues with my first warwick had more to do with me THINKING it was a super heavy bass, than anything else. Do jumping jacks with your bass or something. Just get used to it. It's not even 10 lbs.
In all seriousness, it ain't that heavy a bass. I think a lot of this kinda stuff we get in our heads and then it seems so. If that's not the case, then I agree with the get in shape posts. Win win.
My first real bass was one of the warwicks I mentioned above. I sold it because it was too heavy. Years later I'm in better shape than I was then, plus started playing a bunch of different basses, and I don't ever notice the weight of a bass anymore. I own a fortress flashback, heaviest bass I ever picked up. It means nothing to me. And I believe my issues with my first warwick had more to do with me THINKING it was a super heavy bass, than anything else. Do jumping jacks with your bass or something. Just get used to it. It's not even 10 lbs.
big strap helps. i had a strap made for me because i couldnt find anything wide enough for a reasonable price. 4 inchest wide and made of nice leather. suede lined. it was sweet. it was stolen with the bass, but it certainly took some of the sting out of my OLP MM4 (which weighed a freakin TON). my SX 6 string jazz is incredibly light. loving that.
Really? Just curious why? Weight has no tonal value. Two of the best Precisions I have ever owned are around 8 pounds.
To answer the original question....wide strap.
Or sell it and find a light weight one.
Joe Nerve said:Buy a bass made of bubinga. Warwick has lots of them that are reasonably priced if you buy used. Play that for a while. Go back to your ray. You'll be happy about how light it is.
In all seriousness, it ain't that heavy a bass. I think a lot of this kinda stuff we get in our heads and then it seems so. If that's not the case, then I agree with the get in shape posts. Win win.
My first real bass was one of the warwicks I mentioned above. I sold it because it was too heavy. Years later I'm in better shape than I was then, plus started playing a bunch of different basses, and I don't ever notice the weight of a bass anymore. I own a fortress flashback, heaviest bass I ever picked up. It means nothing to me. And I believe my issues with my first warwick had more to do with me THINKING it was a super heavy bass, than anything else. Do jumping jacks with your bass or something. Just get used to it. It's not even 10 lbs.
+1.
After playing my Warwick for a long time, I don't really notice the weight anymore. My bass professor at the University of Toledo complains about it's weight. I also use a 3 or 4 " leather strap. That seems to take a lot off the weight off. Give the thicker, wider strap a try. Its worked well for me.
Working out and beefing up a little will certainly help. A lot of local bassists I know that complain about the weight of their instrument are just out of shape.
Not saying you have to get huge.
Not saying you have to get huge.
Not a terrible idea if the bass wasn't that expensive and you are going to keep it.
One of the best basses I have ever played was a pre-EB Stingray that had 1/2-3/4" of the body under the PG routed out. Killed the value of this $2000-3000 bass, but man did it feel/sound great.
bongomania
Commercial User
I've seen someone do number 1 on stage a few times, and that was entertaining... but after seeing someone do number 2 on stage, I am quite sure I don't want to see anyone doing "number 5".
