"On my bathroom scale"

[Nuage420]

Yes, I made some assumptions. I think anyone that would go through the trouble would be aware and most will shrug and say, "On my bathroom scale".

I've lost a bit of faith in individuals awareness. I suspect you've heard the Army adage on assumptions.

 

[Slevage]

Why do sellers list a weight with "on my bathroom scale"? Whatever means you use, the weight is the weight. When I see OMBS, I think "it's probably a little heavier, but that's the lowest number I got on this imprecise scale". Then when the bass arrives, it's a full pound heavier, "sorry man, the bathroom scale is all I had". It's similar to listing a bass as "34", using an old shoe string" or a $1350 selling price and I'll just pay in CAD.

Use a postal scale (and don't touch the bass to balance it, balancing is nothing more than lower the weight on the scale by a pound or so.) A cheap solution is a fish scale or a luggage scale like this where you hang it by the neck or a tuner, hands off the instrument, and you get an accurate reading.

https://www.amazon.com/HEETA-Portab...YVWTJ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=fish+scale

I bought a bass awhile ago listed at 8.2 lbs and it turned out to be 8.9. It was a really good sounding bass, so I just let it slide but if I were looking for an instrument because I had shoulder surgery or something, an accurate weight is a big concern. So, why list the weight if it's not accurate? When you can get a means to measure the weight at +/- an ounce for ten bucks, it's really inexcusable, IMHO.

(Lack of) precision and accuracy in the low end of a bathroom scale. Same reason a OBGYN doesn’t use one for weighing babies.
Most folks ( including me) don’t own anything better. I’ve sold many basses, and when sometimes asked the weight, I respond that I don’t know because I don’t
Have a scale. I’ve always sold any bass I’ve advertised without weighing it.

 

[micguy]

There are gobs of postal scales out there that will do a very good job of weighing basses - I have one in my shop, and a "food scale" (same weight range) in my kitchen. The shop scale was $30, and the two scale always agree within a gram - even at 4000 grams. They're good enough not just to weigh the whole bass, but to weigh individual parts - if you want to make a bass light, you have to account for all the weights of all the parts.

It's not very hard to accurately weigh a bass - it shouldn't be a hurdle, but it is somehow. If someone says bathroom scale, don't trust the weight - I haven't seen a bathroom scale that's anywhere close to what my postal scale will do in terms of accuracy. In my case, I've had back surgery, and although I'm not currently in need of basses that are as light as possible, I do make them as light as possible, in case my back ever gets to the point where I really need them to be that light.

 

[TheReceder]

Why do sellers list a weight with "on my bathroom scale"? Whatever means you use, the weight is the weight. When I see OMBS, I think "it's probably a little heavier, but that's the lowest number I got on this imprecise scale". Then when the bass arrives, it's a full pound heavier, "sorry man, the bathroom scale is all I had". It's similar to listing a bass as "34", using an old shoe string" or a $1350 selling price and I'll just pay in CAD.

Use a postal scale (and don't touch the bass to balance it, balancing is nothing more than lower the weight on the scale by a pound or so.) A cheap solution is a fish scale or a luggage scale like this where you hang it by the neck or a tuner, hands off the instrument, and you get an accurate reading.

Amazon.com : HEETA Fish Scale with Backlit LCD Display, Digital Portable Hanging Scale Luggage Scale with Measuring Tape for Home and Outdoor, 2 AAA Batteries Included, Black : Sports & Outdoors

I bought a bass awhile ago listed at 8.2 lbs and it turned out to be 8.9. It was a really good sounding bass, so I just let it slide but if I were looking for an instrument because I had shoulder surgery or something, an accurate weight is a big concern. So, why list the weight if it's not accurate? When you can get a means to measure the weight at +/- an ounce for ten bucks, it's really inexcusable, IMHO.

Thanks... Just added that to my cart for my next purchase... now I just need a good laser to scare geese off my property. I guess I need to sign in to talkgeese.

 

[MrLenny1]

I remember in the 80's I had a Jazz bass that weighed approx. 12 lbs.
The way I found out was a buddy sat in one night then tells me, man your bass
is wicked heavy.
So nowadays every pound is significant and I use a digital luggage scale.

 

[Jaycat]

 

[JW56789]

I used to wonder about the precision of my 'bathroom scale' until I put an unopened 5-pound bag of sugar on it and the readout said . . . . . five pounds. Works for me, a correct result from my 'calibrated test weight'.

 

[Groove Doctor]

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Also, a common misconception is listing something like 8 pounds, 14 ounces as 8.14 pounds. No, that's 8 + 14/16 == 8.875 pounds. Stupid imperial system of weights and measures. 8.14 pounds is about 8 lbs 2.2 oz.

 

[StatesideRambler]

An ounce is one thing, but say, half a pound, which is well within tolerances of a bathroom scale?

Why would you think that? (Before you answer I’ll let you know that I’m a retired engineer and weights, measures and calibration figured greatly in my career. In industry we consider bathroom scales to be entertainment devices.)

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Why would you think that? (Before you answer I’ll let you know that I’m a retired engineer and weights, measures and calibration figured greatly in my career. In industry we consider bathroom scales to be entertainment devices.)

I was saying that if I get a bass and it's weight is off by an ounce +/-, that's reasonable. If it's a half pound heavier, it's not. Look at the OP, I'm saying clearly, I think, that bathroom scales are usually not acceptable.

 

[bassliner50]

Balance scales (typical doctors scale) are absolutely accurate all the time. I have a Detecto in my bedroom. A lucky $25 find on Craigslist.

 

[Lesfunk]

I just bought one of these on eBay for 7 bucks.
Works like a charm
I Became tired of guessing

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I just bought one of these on eBay for 7 bucks.
Works like a charm

View attachment 4317923

And does so happily.

 

[Altitude]

OMBS means "In the general neighborhood of". My scale increments by single pound and the hash marks are tiny. I wouldn't feel comfortable representing weight on it more precisely than the nearest pound upward.

Rich, this being a somewhat casual marketplace, maybe best if you explain to the seller that weight is of especial concern for you and you'd like a more precise answer if possible. I'd certainly oblige if I were a seller.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

OMBS means "In the general neighborhood of". My scale increments by single pound and the hash marks are tiny. I wouldn't feel comfortable representing weight on it more precisely than the nearest pound upward.

Rich, this being a somewhat casual marketplace, maybe best if you explain to the seller that weight is of especial concern for you and you'd like a more precise answer if possible. I'd certainly oblige if I were a seller.

Is it really a casual marketplace? I've had far more questions on items listed here. On Reverb, usually it's just a "Congratulations, your item just sold" email and I ship it. My point it just that if you're listing a specification, it should be accurate.

 

[GregC]

I think it's weird when people pack and ship multiple basses per year and drop $5K or more each year on gear, but they can't be bothered to buy a postal scale.

 

[RattleSnack]

I asked a guy on local ads, selling a nice bass, what's the weight? He said "it's 4-5 kg" (9-11 pounds). Talk about precision! I was laughing for quite a while Didn't inquire any more after that.

"How old is this car you are selling?"
"It was made between 2000. and 2010."

 

[PillO]

What kind of bait do you use for digital fish?

A few bits of anything

 

[PillO]

I don’t even trust my bathroom scale to weigh me accurately, let alone my basses.

I expect my bathroom scale to lie to me...