On the fence due to weight....

[Robscott]

I would say balance is more important than weight. Long as one end of it isn't dragging along the ground it shouldn't feel much different from a 9lbs instrument, which is pretty standard. Specially, as guys are saying, if you treat yourself to a nice wide strap with some padding. Go on, you know you want to!

Edit - sorry, forgot to mention, I'm 70 years young and I rock out regularly with a 10lb bass. May have trouble loading the dishwasher the next day but, hey.....

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I said "use power tools".
But on the other hand I have three J type basses and I like the sound of the Glarry the best, and it's basswood, 7.2lb with original tuners.

That would be a lot less trouble.

 

[Gustopher]

Does this topic ever arise on guitar discussions? I always thought it was funny how the guitars the guys use in my band weigh more than my basses... they have some heavy ass LP's and it occurred to me that I never really noticed guitar guys talking about weight. I am sure it has to come up right?

Sorry for the aside... I vote get the bass and flip it if you don't love it. 10lbs isn't crazy heavy and unless you are used to playing 7.5lb basses, you probably won't notice it all that much.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm 50 years old, but in good shape. That said, I'm not sure how I would do with a 10 1/2 pound bass around my neck for a gig.

In my area, there's a screaming deal on a bass I REALLY like. I did hundreds of gigs with an 11 pound version several years ago. I recall it felt heavier than my other basses. But I don't recall avoiding it due to weight. Like I said, I did a LOT of gigs with that bass!

I think I could flip it if it winds up being just too heavy.

Spitball with me. Throw out the first thing that comes to mind. I need to talk this out.

If you are asking then you don't need it

 

[ryan pate]

The bass below was almost 12 lbs. I used termites to hollow out the entire bass and filled it with helium...
Just buy the bass and post pics please.This is what we do.

 

[MrLenny1]

Get it and have it chambered?
I have serious shoulder issues and half of it was due to
wearing a heavy axe for years.
Sorry, not much help here.

 

[SteveCS]

I'm 50 years old, but in good shape. That said, I'm not sure how I would do with a 10 1/2 pound bass around my neck for a gig.

In my area, there's a screaming deal on a bass I REALLY like. I did hundreds of gigs with an 11 pound version several years ago. I recall it felt heavier than my other basses. But I don't recall avoiding it due to weight. Like I said, I did a LOT of gigs with that bass!

I think I could flip it if it winds up being just too heavy.

Spitball with me. Throw out the first thing that comes to mind. I need to talk this out.

My experience tells me that balance is far more important that absolute weight. My Corvette is just a tad under 7½lbs but the balance is not so good - I like my necks at ~45° but it wants to rest in the horizontal position. I find it more tiring to play the 'wick for a few minutes than than either of my 9½lb but perfectly-balanced Rays for several hours.

FYI - I was 56 last birthday, so you've no excuse!!

 

[micguy]

Light weight is very trendy right now, and I get why (I'm 51). But there is something about my 10 1/2 pound Warwick Streamer Stage I that just really does it for me - there's this crazy sustain. I'm not sure a 7# version would be quite the same.

I'd like to encourage this line of thinking - everybody go out and get your boat anchor 12 pounder. Enjoy the sustain. I'll just be over here playing my 5 strings, all of which weigh 7 pounds and change, and which come alive when I'm playing on a decently loud stage. Nothing to see over here - get yourself a heavy bass. You know you want to.

 

[bigtone23]

I'm your same age and in good health.
I have no issues with my heavier basses (which happen to be older Fenders, MM & G&L) that sit in the 10-11# zone. As many have mentioned, balance is key. These all hang perfectly from a strap as well as when seated, no neck dive at all. Not having to fight neck dive saves all your energy to play and support the instrument.
Depending on the bass, you can save some weight with hardware swaps.

 

[Robert B]

Point is, just like you I was in great health, and bass weight meant almost nothing to me … up until the time that it all of a sudden did. It is a drag to have to start to consider age issues, but it's also a reality. Trying to sell off big/heavy basses was a challenge for me recently, so unless reselling is a non-issue for you it likely makes sense to be giving thought to weight ….

QFT. Also, I personally wouldn't buy a bass that I thought I might not like. Just complicates life having to resell it, especially a heavy-weight. Your coming on the forum to ask what you should do tells me that deep down you are leary of this bass. That is an indication that you'd probably be better off passing on it.

 

[NKBassman]

I'm 50 years old, but in good shape. That said, I'm not sure how I would do with a 10 1/2 pound bass around my neck for a gig.

In my area, there's a screaming deal on a bass I REALLY like. I did hundreds of gigs with an 11 pound version several years ago. I recall it felt heavier than my other basses. But I don't recall avoiding it due to weight. Like I said, I did a LOT of gigs with that bass!

I think I could flip it if it winds up being just too heavy.

Spitball with me. Throw out the first thing that comes to mind. I need to talk this out.

If the price is right and you're not concerned about spending the money, then I say buy it and try it. If its no good then give it the flip.

 

[bigtone23]

Does this topic ever arise on guitar discussions? I always thought it was funny how the guitars the guys use in my band weigh more than my basses... they have some heavy ass LP's and it occurred to me that I never really noticed guitar guys talking about weight. I am sure it has to come up right?

Sorry for the aside... I vote get the bass and flip it if you don't love it. 10lbs isn't crazy heavy and unless you are used to playing 7.5lb basses, you probably won't notice it all that much.

I also play guitar and have discussions with those darn guitarists. They tend to be more finicky with weight than bassists. A typical Strat or Tele type guitar is usually around 8ish#, a LP around 9ish#. We bassists know our instruments are bigger and often more heavy, seems a typical 4 string P or J is around 9ish#, 5ers can approach 10#. I find it funny when guitarists want a 6# Fender or 7# Les Paul. That's unicorn hunting. They also buy guitars solely based on the fact that this one is 8#7oz and that one is 8#2oz. 5oz lighter is better, haha.
The catch to those really light instruments is that they can start to neck dive, especially if the strap button isn't located on the upper horn and hanging somewhere over the 12th fret. I played two Fender Am Performer P/Js. One was a touch over 9# and balanced perfectly. The other was about 8.5# and had just enough neck dive to be annoying.

 

[Robscott]

If you are asking then you don't need it

Who said anything about needing it!

 

[Benj-jammin]

I have an old Tobias leather strap, at least 25 years old, about 4 inches wide, best strap I've ever owned. Has really helped really with the heavies. I used to have a couple of the late 70's Kramers, and those were heavy, bad boys! Have a much lighter Fender P and Ibby...yeah, I'm 64, 6'2, 195, in good shape, but you can't fool Father Time.

 

[Stewie]

Heck, my main bass weighs in at about 19 pounds , but it has a kick stand.

 

[bobyoung53]

I'm 50 years old, but in good shape. That said, I'm not sure how I would do with a 10 1/2 pound bass around my neck for a gig.

In my area, there's a screaming deal on a bass I REALLY like. I did hundreds of gigs with an 11 pound version several years ago. I recall it felt heavier than my other basses. But I don't recall avoiding it due to weight. Like I said, I did a LOT of gigs with that bass!

I think I could flip it if it winds up being just too heavy.

Spitball with me. Throw out the first thing that comes to mind. I need to talk this out.

With 4" neck straps there's no such thing as a heavy bass:

Cotton 3.5" are available too.

 

[GreyBeard]

^^^^^ This: Get a good 4" strap and you'll be fine.

 

[bobyoung53]

^^^^^ This: Get a good 4" strap and you'll be fine.

Yup, I don't know why I used those skinny straps for so many years, if I use one now it feels like a shoestring. They seriously diminish neck dive too.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Comfort Strap will be the best option.

 

[Mr_O'B]

I'm 50 years old, but in good shape. That said, I'm not sure how I would do with a 10 1/2 pound bass around my neck for a gig.

In my area, there's a screaming deal on a bass I REALLY like. I did hundreds of gigs with an 11 pound version several years ago. I recall it felt heavier than my other basses. But I don't recall avoiding it due to weight. Like I said, I did a LOT of gigs with that bass!

I think I could flip it if it winds up being just too heavy.

Spitball with me. Throw out the first thing that comes to mind. I need to talk this out.

Heavy basses aren't my thing! However, if you decide to buy it make sure that it doesn't neckdive. Imo, there will be less stress on your body if the heavy bass has perfect balance!