Is a 9 pound bass too heavy?

[Stone Soup]

Just wondering. What do YOU think?

 

[Dave Siff]

This is a classic YMMV. It depends on how strong your shoulders and back are, how the bass balances, etc. I have three basses, ranging from 8.5 to 10.5 pounds, and none of them are too heavy for me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Considering I played for over 20 years with a 11+lb Fender before I realized that it was a heavy bass, no.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Not for me.

 

[pedroims]

IME, 8.5 / 9.5 pounds is the average weight for mass produced basses. Weights of 7.5 / 8 are more into high end territory.

 

[fishtx]

It's kind of right on that cutoff point for me. I've own and play heavier basses, but now consider weight more than I used to...

 

[awilkie84]

IME, 8.5 / 9.5 pounds is the average weight for mass produced basses. Weights of 7.5 / 8 are more into high end territory.

IME, 9-10lbs is the average. 8-8.5 is where most high ends seem to sit. That said, certain companies (like EBMM & Spector) are known for heavier basses.

 

[RickC]

No and yes. I don't consider 9lbs heavy at all in the general scheme of things; a typical Les Paul guitar weighs more (sometimes lots more!). But 9lbs is too heavy for me, unfortunately. I can't gig a bass at that weight any more. These days, I have a pretty hard ceiling at 8lbs; anything more than that causes problems; bad problems.

On the other hand, I've been thinking about the plusses to my situation. It certainly reduces the number of basses that can legitimately tempt me in the classifieds. If weight weren't a consideration, I'd be bankrupt by now.

 

[GregC]

9 is fine for me. I've found that 10 is too heavy for me these days. If someone says a bass weighs 9.5 lbs. "using the bathroom scale method", I'm probably gonna pass.

 

[faulknersj]

8 - 9ish are perfect. My heaviest is 9.2 and balances nicely and is fine with a wide strap.

 

[headband]

Several of my jazz basses are in the 9 to 9.5 lb. range, and I find the 9.5 ok for a 4 hour gig. However, it is my upper limit.

 

[pacojas]

a 9lb bass is not heavy until the 3rd set.

 

[wraub]

It's not about the weight, for me it's all about the balance.

 

[Poke]

I lucked upon an AVRI '57 that's in the 7.5 range per the old bathroom scale method. It's definitely lighter than my other P that Sweetwater said is 8.2 lbs. Problem is I think the neck makes up about 7 lbs of the entire weight, so you will nearly break an ankle if you use a normal strap. Still, I prefer under 8.5 if I can manage it.

 

[delta7fred]

I never weigh mine!

Well that is not strictly true, I weighed my L-2500 because someone was asking for typical weights, but I almost immediately forgot what it was. (But I am an old git and would forget my balls if they weren't in a bag.)

 

[Bufalo]

TB members' obsessions with bass weight actually caused me to buy a hanging scale so I could weigh my own collection. Heaven forbid I'd ever want to sell anything here, people want weight to three decimals it seems... My main players, my Squier Jazzes, are my heaviest. My VM 70's is over 10 pounds. Yeah, it gets to be a bit much by hour 3 of the gig, but sheesh, it's not like I'm hanging something actually HEAVY from my shoulders.

9.5 lbs is stout, but shouldn't prevent a normal healthy person from playing it. And that is not meant in any way as a slight to those who may have a disability or injury and overcome it to keep playing!

 

[wraub]

My P is under 9 lbs, and my J is right about there. Both feel fine to me.

My Ibanez Roadstar 5 string is close to 10, and it's pushing my comfort level.

 

[bass12]

I like my basses to be around 9 lbs. If I order a bass I mention 9 lbs as my ideal weight. 10 lbs, on the other hand, is a deal/back breaker for me.

 

[Stone Soup]

I sold the only bass I ever owned that was under 9 lbs., not because of weight, but because of a serious dead spot. My main players are 10 lbs. plus. I draw the line at around 10.5 lbs.

 

[RedMoses]

WAY more heavy Basses sound good, not so many light Basses sound great... I played heavy Basses for years, nowadays its gotta be Sub 9lbs or i wont even consider gigging with it.