Balance and first fret reach, for me. Weight was never that important to me. I could gig just about any bass when I was young, and nowadays this old man plays seated so...
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More balance than weight
- Thread starter Flatwound
- Start date
Balance certainly plays a role. No one want to wrestle with a divey neck, regardless of the weight. I have been digging on the '90s Jazz Plus and Jazz Deluxe basses for a few years now, and I'll bet you can improve both the overall weight and balance on your Jazz Plus with a new set of tuners. The ones that were installed on those are massive, if they're the ones I'm thinking of. 4.3oz. each for the heaviest ones as opposed to as little as 1.6 on the very lightest ones that Schaller made for Fender, and 2.6 each for the modern Fender American issues.
I have severe COPD, and both overall weight and balance affect me greatly, so knowing the weight of an instrument is one of the major factors I need to look at when considering a bass purchase. I feel no shame in asking.
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Glad I’m not the only one!
I’m also one of those that ask for weight. I’ve done done it so much that I received a comment in Japanese on one of my YouTube bass covers asking for the weight of my bass, lol
I started asking for balance as well. I’d be very specific because everyone feels weight/balance differently and I’ve saved myself from wasting time and money that way. But even if it’s heavy, I found a balanced bass is still comfortable. One time, I played a 4.5kg Fender Ultra but when putting a regular strap on, it was comfortable because it was balanced so well.
I also use to Gruvgear Duostrap and that has saved me so much!
My basses all have to be balanced and somewhat light. Otherwise, it’s a complete deal breaker no matter how good it may be. Ultralite tuners or small Gotohs are almost a prerequisite for me. My Lakland came with it and my other bass is a headless.
Both matter, but I recently got an FBass back in a trade. Beautiful bass and plays wonderfully, but it is on the heavier side of my collection at 9.8lbs.
That said, it's a very well distributed 9.8 and with a high quality strap it's no issue at all.
Conversely, I've had basses in the mid 8's with really poor weight distribution, either too much in the body or too much towards the headstock and that will end up with too much pressure on my back or too much on my shoulder.
So, best case is a bass that merges both, but honestly, I think I'd rather have a slightly heavier bass with even weight distribution, but I'm talking maybe a quarter of a pound.
That said, it's a very well distributed 9.8 and with a high quality strap it's no issue at all.
Conversely, I've had basses in the mid 8's with really poor weight distribution, either too much in the body or too much towards the headstock and that will end up with too much pressure on my back or too much on my shoulder.
So, best case is a bass that merges both, but honestly, I think I'd rather have a slightly heavier bass with even weight distribution, but I'm talking maybe a quarter of a pound.
Well, I submit this other bass of mine as proof that there are even worse things than being neck heavy. Here is a pic of the most un-ergonomic bass I have ever played, my Ovation Elite acoustic. I bought this from a guy who won it in a Bass Player Magazine contest back in 1992. It was considered one of the best acoustics at the time. Problem is, the deep bowl back does not play well with my aging bowl belly. I have to play it with a strap, it sits wrong on my leg, I mean, nothing about this works with my body! Still, I have spent countless hours playing it, because the tone is so outstanding, much better than any other acoustic I've tried.
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I can live with minor neck dive that can be solved by a wide, grippy strap, anything beyond that is a deal breaker, as is anything heavier than around 9 lbs max. Life is short and basses plentiful, anything that distracts or causes pain is a waste of time. I too suffer from worsening right hand arthritis, but I’ve found what works for me: A lightweight (8lbs max.), well balanced bass in 32” scale with a skinny neck profile. YMMV, go find your ideal bass, it’s out there.
Yes, it was nice. It lasted a very long time but recently died, now replaced by Fender Rumble100. Steve Raab talked me into the Baby Blue 2 at a party at mutual friend's house, back in '94. It was pre-Fender, and my friend told me Steve was always picking up old junked radios and TVs to get the original tubes for his creations. The sound out of the Baby Blue was sublime but it weighed way more than it should have for its puny 8" speakers and 120 watt power rating. I'm finding the Rumble to be an adequate substitute, though the enhancement buttons on the pre-amp don't have the subtlety of the SWR's Aural Enhancer.
Notice where the strap connects … weight balance is below the center line and the neck although a 34” scale is wenge wood light but strong
I'm a Spector guy and balance counts for just as much a weight. I'd rather play a heavier bass that balances well than a lighter bass i have to fight. I can deal with 2 lb brass bridges all day on my 5ers because they balance well. Go with a lightweight aluminum bridge and you better have Gotoh Resolites.
- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Not irritating - overly heavy basses are a real issue. Balance needs to be part of the equation - but an overly heavy bass even balanced well is a problem. Many current name brands are starting to address this because players want a lighter bass. No mystery here - a lighter bass doesn't adversely affect the player and lighter basses can sound just as good as a boat-anchor.
Balance is very important to me, ideally the bass would stay in position even if I took both hands off the bass. I can live with a heavier bass if it is balanced, a wide comfy strap makes it easier on the shoulder. I have two Fender basses and both have perfect balance. The P-Bass is fairly hefty at 11.5 lbs, the Jazz Bass is 9.9 lbs- not light weight, but not a boat anchor either.
I go around town on public transport- bus, subway or on a tram- with either of these in a Harvest leather gig bag which is a bit on the heavy side. Add the accessories in the gig bag and the total weight is about 22-23 lbs, that's why I choose my routes so I can avoid walking longer distances if possible.
I go around town on public transport- bus, subway or on a tram- with either of these in a Harvest leather gig bag which is a bit on the heavy side. Add the accessories in the gig bag and the total weight is about 22-23 lbs, that's why I choose my routes so I can avoid walking longer distances if possible.
I'm not a fan of super heavy basses, that's why my T-40 hangs on the wall most of the time.
I can deal with weight if the rest of the ergonomics are good, particularly balance.
I love the look and sound of a Warwick Thumb 5 neck through. But the clublike neck, and especially the extreme neck dive associated with the poor balance of the instrument makes one a no-go for me.
I can deal with weight if the rest of the ergonomics are good, particularly balance.
I love the look and sound of a Warwick Thumb 5 neck through. But the clublike neck, and especially the extreme neck dive associated with the poor balance of the instrument makes one a no-go for me.
