Putting a dollar amount to how much weight matters, if it does.

[rmayer]

No option G? For the 7 1/2 to 8 pound range?

 

[Koshchei]

So let's say I have three options for three different models same bass. The price I'm giving is including shipping and after any negotiating. All three are new and come with warranty.

Option A: $719 / 11.5 lbs
Option B: $849 / 10.3 lbs
Option C: $875 / 9.4 lbs

Everything else being equal, the only difference is the weight. How important is lightweight to you?

I refuse to buy anything weighing more than 9.5lbs. For me, anything heavier than that is either furniture or firewood.

 

[Bartrinsic]

The supreme irony of this thread is that the price ordering is backwards; the lighter basses are less expensive.

 

[Mvilmany]

9.4 lbs is the *light* option?

Yeah, 9.4 lbs is the heaviest I would consider.

 

[ebo]

I bought a Hofner Beatle bass a couple years back for practice just so I wouldn’t have to hold a barbell for 3 hours. It was 4.5 lbs? Crazy light. I did sell it in a thinning the herd moment. I used to like women with big bosoms and playing through a full stack. Go figure.

 

[Feral Feline]

I thought it'd be simply £ for lb.

 

[Gustopher]

You could order a Glarry for $90, they weigh like 8 pounds or less. Weight is like tone wood, flats or rounds, p or j, etc... all just preference. Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If less weight is worth more money, go for it. If not, be happy doing that.

 

[singlemalt]

8.5 lb is my limit at the moment. 7.5 lb is my preference.

All of the survey basses would have been over the limit.

Not like I need another bass, but I’ve been eyeing the Rob Allen four strings with the chambered semi hollow bodies. 34” scale, fretted, and under 7lb? And stunning looks? I’d be willing to try that.

 

[blmeier7]

My Sandberg TT SL is 6.4 lbs, and it feels great every time I pick it up. Anything over 9 lbs is just more than I’m willing to deal with.

 

[2cooltoolz]

The difference from B to C is worth the money to me. Option A is a no go. Not for half that for a gigging bass.

 

[JimmyM]

I hit the gym multiple times a week and I'm a cheap-ass. Give me option A all day.

The cheapest basses I own weigh the least.

 

[bobyoung53]

I would pick up all three and the one that played and sounded the best I would buy. I don't care about weight.

 

[beaglesandbass]

The cheapest basses I own weigh the least.

Same, actually

 

[REV]

I mostly care about sound. How does the bass sound? Weight is one thing but if a bass balances well weight is less of a factor.

 

[JimmyM]

I mostly care about sound. How does the bass sound? Weight is one thing but if a bass balances well weight is less of a factor.

Obviously it helps to balance, but my shoulder tells me that there's no way to make a heavy bass feel like a light one when it's suspended by a bone and a couple tendons.

 

[selowitch]

Obviously it helps to balance, but my shoulder tells me that there's no way to make a heavy bass feel like a light one when it's suspended by a bone and a couple tendons.

@JimmyM, that’s an excellent description.

Weight of a bass has grown as an issue for me as I have begun to age.
Accordingly, I find that I prefer basses in the 9.25-lbs. range and lower.
I find that I am really enjoying my 7.5-lbs. Traveler TB-4P lately.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd pay over a grand extra to get sub-9 lbs versus playing an 11 lb instrument if it came down to it.

 

[selowitch]

I was very tempted recently by an EBMM StingRay BFR Special 5H in a stunning blue that Sweetwater listed at 7lbs. 8oz. but I was ultimately deterred by the $2,700 price tag.

I am enjoying the 2014 Fender American Deluxe Dimension V HH I bought recently that is 9lbs. 1oz. but I don’t plan to play that live very often because of the weight and bulk.

 

[fishdreams]

A > 10lb bass is just not gonna work for me at my age/physical state, playing long stretches. So option c is the only option to spend money on for me, not a choice really

 

[MikePlaysBass]

Weight matters, but a well balanced instrument and a good wide padded leather strap will make it feel lighter than it actually is. The same bass with a good padded leather Levy strap and with a cheap thin web strap feels totally different, especially after a few hours.