On the fence due to weight....

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, a Slinger strap puts the weight on your hips.
I used one combined with a shoulder strap. Weight on the hips, control with the shoulder.
They make a 4-hour gig go much easier.
Good Luck & Good Health!

 

[mikeswals]

I'm only 1 year behind you, and 10.5 wouldn't bother me in the least. A great balance is most important.
My ideal bass weight range is 9.5-10.25 if I can specify it in an order. And yes when I get handed light versions of the same model I always hear the difference in the attack. I always prefer the heft.

One of my frequent players was 11.7 lbs. I got schaller lights of the same tuners, it dropped it to 11.0 even but alleviated all the headstock weight, which makes a huge difference.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Why would you need to play 4 hour gigs with every bass you have? If you really love the way it sounds, how about using it for 1 setters, playing for fun at home, in the studio.

Fish has a point...

My favorite bass is an almost 12 pound ash PJ. The main band I currently play with does 4 hour sets, even a 5 once! I'm about your age.

I'll bring the lead <bksp><bksp><bksp><bksp> I mean ash bass on occasion to the long shows, but always with a wide strap and second instrument. I have a 7.25 pound Aerodyne and an 8 pound alder PJ that usually cover the marathon shows for me. When I bring the anchor, I'll usually start with it and switch off to something else as I get tired.

If you like it, and it's truly a great deal, GET it! You probably won't lose anything if it doesn't bond.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

In my experience, if there's something about a bass I don't like going in or during the honeymoon period, it'll just bother me forever. There's enough basses out there that'll tick all the boxes, so now I wait for those, rather than flipping the one with a nagging doubt again.

I could play a 10lb bass. I'm young enough and strong enough. But why works I? I'm happier with >8.5lb, and there's thousands of them around. I'll just buy one of those and feel happier about my expensive luxury purpose.

 

[Rootbeer]

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.

I use a Slider strap with a 10.5 pound bass. Im 65 and can use it at gigs with minimal discomfort when the last set rolls around

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.

discomfort

 

[40Hz]

You want it? Get it. Don't like it. Sell it. Easy-peasy.

 

[GretschWretch]

I'm 63 and occasionally gig with a T40. I laugh at death!

And death laughs right back. "Lug, be not proud."

 

[J-Mags]

Go for it. I don't have any real porkers, but I have noticed that a well balanced 9.5 lb bass feels lighter than a 7.5 lb bass that's tugging its strap.

 

[Paul New]

I'm 70 and don't give a damn what a bass weighs. I spend enough time with 13 lb baritone sax hanging from my neck that an 11 lb bass feels nice. I use the Levy 3" which is nicely padded.

 

[Matt R.]

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.

I can tell you my experience with my extremely heavy '78 Jazz-
It weighs about 12 pounds. Since the body is so dense, the bass balances better than almost any lightweight bass I've ever played.
Because of that, it's also one of the most comfortable basses I've ever played on a long bar gig. On bigger stages I tend to be more animated, and it's still not a problem.
The only time I ever felt the weight on my shoulder was when I played a 4 hour, no break gig at a a place called the Tin Roof, which is somewhat of a chain.
I tend to think that if the bass balances well, you'll be good to go.
And I'm actually curious if anyone else has had similar experiences to mine.
Good luck!

 

[bassicg]

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

10.5 ain't bad. Only when you pick it up.

 

[bassicg]

10.5 ain't bad. Only when you pick it up.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Hahaha. I mean, you'll really only notice it when it's in your hand. As long as there's no balance issues, it will feel like anything else on a decent strap.

 

[4Mal]

Contrary to frequent TB posts, "fitness" and "strength" have little do do with the pain that can come from wearing a heavy bass on a strap for long periods, even with a wide strap. The underlying cause is usually decreased blood flow to the muscles and tendons directly under the strap. FWIW, the 2 rotator cuff tendons on the "top" of the shoulder are only 6mm thick when normal. They don't care if you're a 250 lb muscular athlete or a 139 lb weakling.....they're 6mm thick and they don't heal well because even under normal circumstances they get very little blood flow. Once they're made weaker/more sensitive by chronic pressure, they rarely if ever get back to factory spec. My free 02. is to keep your money in your pocket and walk on by.

Ya... and that's if they aren't already partially torn... I'm a grade 3 on the left and 3.5 on the right... have a full index finger width of drop on the right, about a pinky on the right. my hands not Shaq's... ;-) At least I was having fun when I did them ...

 

[58kites]

After all of this discussion, has nobody asked what bass is it that has captivated your interest.
Spill the beans Mr. Fingers.

 

[Koog]

As a 73 year old who actively gigged into my 60s with 10 - 12 pound basses, my advice is to go lighter. I made the change from some really great basses and haven't looked back. I don't feel I've sacrificed anything in terms of tone. If anything, I've learned much more about the variety of instruments available, different features available, have been able to be more selective in terms of ergonomics and playability, and have found better instruments (suited to me) as a result.

I feel these things have extended my playing career and have made me a better player. Now the question. ..."Did the lighter, more ergonomic basses make me a better player?" The real answer is, "No, I made me a better player". The lighter, more ergonomic basses helped because they are comfortable to play, are enjoyable, and create less fatigue, which makes me play them often and work on a greater variety of music. My requisite 5,000 hours have increased exponentially over the past decade.

Remember, YMMV.

Hope this is helpful.

Koog

 

[red_rhino]

It depends on the bass. I've played MTDs and Celinders that were 10 lbs and worth every penny. Once played a Ken Smith 6 at a music store that had to be north of 11 lbs easy. Cocobolo top, just gorgeous and played like dream (sounded like a dream too). Hesitated because of the weight, ultimately didn't purchase it, and always kinda regretted it.

I say go for it. You're only 50 once.

 

[Manticore]

Any bass purchased can be sold. You won't know if the ergonomics of the bass work for you until after you've gigged it a bit.

 

[bdplaid]

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.

I was in my mid fifties when I spec'd, ordered and bought a totally custom bass, the instrument of my dreams. It arrived and was well over 10 lbs, probably between 11 and 12. That was when I noticed weight for the first time. I never played the bass and ended up selling it.

Prior to that, I never gave weight a consideration either. It's not that I have anything wrong with me, or my back, or shoulders, it's just that I discovered that having an instrument that weighs a lot takes energy to play. I play better when I have a lighter instrument. But it has to be well balanced as well. 7.5 lbs is my sweet spot.

Good luck.