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Is it just me or are lightweight basses overrated?

#61
Morgys said:
I get why people love lightweight basses, especially for long gigs, but sometimes I feel like a bit of weight actually adds to the feel and tone.


Every super light bass I've tried sounded good, but didn't quite have that same solidity or punch.


Anyone else prefer a bit of heft, or am I in the minority here?
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I think I know where you're coming from.

After several builds that turned out really heavy, I started paying more attention to weight. I then built one out of whatever that Asian "mahogany" is. It came out really light, like 7 lb or so.

It sounded good, but felt - weird. Not fun to play.

So now I aim for between 8.5 and 9.5 lb. Just feels right.
 
#64
Morgys said:
I get why people love lightweight basses, especially for long gigs, but sometimes I feel like a bit of weight actually adds to the feel and tone.
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I'm not sure you do get it.

I'm happy that you prefer heavy basses. I remember those days. For some of us it isn't a take it or leave it situation. I have to take many things into account these days and the weight of a bass is just one of them. I'm very lucky that there are many great 7-8lb basses on the market. I haven't noticed any deterioration in my sound since going lightweight.
 
#66
Well if just got out of the military uninjured and was a Delta Force or SAS, I would definitely raise an eyebrow if you are keen on only playing a sub 8 lb. bass..

I dislike gyms but I love hiking, I am lucky to be able to do long hikes still and I will be 60 this year. I can still hike long distance with elevation changes and carry a 30 - 40 lb pack. for long hikes and about 20 for shorter. That translates to ease in bass playing and 11 lbs for a 3 hr gig is not going to be noticeable to me

Should I have a sub 8 lb stable, probably not. I am allergic to spending money and I am fine with what I have. I am more interested in light cabinets and amps because the weight savings are significant. I think if I go easy on Tacos... that will be a better weight saving on my skeletal system. But if you effed up shoulders and discs... I get it. If it happened to me, I'll get one of those guitar and bass stands that Joe Dart and Wulpeck use

Tone, and weight correlation that's debatable. Rigidity and damping in the right areas and the strings and electronics is what makes a great and not so great bass
 
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#67
Light overall weight usually means neck dive that I don't like. I understand some people have structural issues that means weight is an problem, but I don't so it's not a consideration for me if the ergos and everything else is right.
 
#68
I don't like them too light. Then they feel weird to me. Under 8 is too light. I like right about 8.5 lbs for a Fender/Stingray bass and 7.75-8 lbs for a Fender guitar. Never over 9.

...and no matter what, it has to balance on the lap. No/very little neck dive.
 
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#69
I'm like Baby Bear here too. Too heavy aches my shoulder after a short while. Too light feels like it'll fly away from me when I'm dancing or thrashing around when I play. I once almost threw my back out because a light (7.5 pound) bass swung away from me while I was jamming while standing.

8-9 pounds is my sweetspot. Light enough for me to shoulder for a decent length gig, but heavy enough to not get away from me or feel like a toy.

Balance and ergonomics are important too. I've played compact-bodied basses where the bass hung horizontally and the neck jutted out too far to the left making the reach for the first position "money notes" feel like a miles-away stretch. On the other hand, I once had a bass that balanced perfectly on a strap for me. Everything was within easy reach (which is notable considering it was a 6-string). But the thing weighed over 12.5 pounds. I couldn't shoulder it for more than 40 minutes, despite its amazing balance
 
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#70
Neck dive is a no go for me. I play different when there's neck dive. So all basses that neck dive must not sound as good.

I honestly think tone is more in strings/pickup/and neck than anything after building basses.

I lift big compressors and motors onto roofs all day long. I don't need a weight around my neck all afternoon and weekend.
 
#71
Overrated?
This one sounds better than most basses hanging up at my local Guitar Center...and the GC I'm talking about has well over 100 basses!
(Yeah, I know, it's an acoustic bass, but it's more versatile than a P bass, so...)
photostudio_1763989029813.jpg
 
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#72
Morgys said:
I get why people love lightweight basses, especially for long gigs, but sometimes I feel like a bit of weight actually adds to the feel and tone.


Every super light bass I've tried sounded good, but didn't quite have that same solidity or punch.


Anyone else prefer a bit of heft, or am I in the minority here?
Click to expand...
It's just you. My lightest bass is a great sounding bass. It feels solid - great to play and does not lack punch in any way.
 
#76
urkel3000 said:
All I can say is - based on the general consensus of this website, I really don't know how a lot of bass players can even get their groceries in their house
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A better example might be you could park in front of the house, but carry all the groceries around the block to come in the back entrance, but would that extra work for make the groceries taste better?
 

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