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

[GretschWretch]

Well they say they're basswood in many ads.

Yes, they do. And I admit it is misleading (and also sloppy; and some of the product descriptions from 2017 are not to be believed. Talk about a rabbit hole.). The litmus test is overall weight. If that comes in at 32 grams or under, the body wood is paulownia.

 

[StatesideRambler]

If that comes in at 32 grams or under, the body wood is paulownia.

Given the volume of the body that would probably be balsa.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

In my 20’s, the heavier the better...didn’t matter. Now nearly 50, I can’t have a boat anchor on my shoulder all night...without hurting my back and knees somewhat. Single set shows not and issue, but all nighters, the lighter the better. I have a 77 Jazz with a set of 80’s Bartolini’s, sounds and plays fantastic....but 12-ish lbs, it mostly stays home My 86 MIJ Jazz is like 8-ish lbs

My 1982 MIA passive Jazz weighs 11-lbs. I'm 70-yrs. old and at the end of a 4-hour gig, I'm pretty well worn out. But I wouldn't trade my 11-lb. Jazz for anything. It has just the best sound of any bass I've ever played or heard and it has the same neck shape, profile, and radius that my '65 Jazz had. So I love to play it.

I have a 5-string bass that weighs a hair over 9-lbs. and it's noticeably lighter when I pick it up to play. But I don't play it unless I'm doing a song where I need to use the B string because it just doesn't sound as good as my '82 Jazz.

So, weight isn't the "be all, end all" of my criteria. I would like it if my Jazz weighed 2-lbs. less, but I'm not going to get rid of it because it weighs 2-lbs more.

 

[GretschWretch]

Given the volume of the body that would probably be balsa.

Given the volume of the body that would probably be balsa.

Nope; 'taint balsa. Balsa could never hold screws under tension.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Nope; 'taint balsa. Balsa could never hold screws under tension.

True, but given that 32 grams is about one and one eighth ounce I think you’re talking a body for a really short scale bass.

 

[zontar]

I wouldn't pay more for a lighter bass, but then the bass I play the most is an Ibanez SR500F--which is already quite light.
But before that I used a heavy bass for a Sunday service & no issues, and I've jammed for hours with guitars heavier than that bass.

Of course we all have to answer that question based on our own bodies--and other factors that will sway our preference.

But I don't have the budget to pay $130 extra to save 1.2 pounds or $156 extra to save 2.1 pounds

if everything else is equal there should be zero difference in price.

 

[FirewalZ]

My 1982 MIA passive Jazz weighs 11-lbs. I'm 70-yrs. old and at the end of a 4-hour gig, I'm pretty well worn out. But I wouldn't trade my 11-lb. Jazz for anything. It has just the best sound of any bass I've ever played or heard and it has the same neck shape, profile, and radius that my '65 Jazz had. So I love to play it.

I have a 5-string bass that weighs a hair over 9-lbs. and it's noticeably lighter when I pick it up to play. But I don't play it unless I'm doing a song where I need to use the B string because it just doesn't sound as good as my '82 Jazz.

So, weight isn't the "be all, end all" of my criteria. I would like it if my Jazz weighed 2-lbs. less, but I'm not going to get rid of it because it weighs 2-lbs more.

View attachment 4203418

Looks great....here’s a shot of my two Jazz’s from a few years ago. The black/tort is the 86 MIJ and super lightweight. The “white” now yellow is the 77 and super heavy btw, I have moved to Mesa and haven’t looked back, but still use that GK combo, super solid and portable.

 

[GretschWretch]

True, but given that 32 grams is about one and one eighth ounce I think you’re talking a body for a really short scale bass.

No; what it proves is that I should go back and verify my sources before posting; I blundered and got the numbers wrong. I do know, from experience (like owning many of these of different badges), they all come in at under seven pounds and a couple at 6.4.

 

[JimmyThunder]

There is no amount of discount that would convince me to wear a 10+lb bass for the 3rd and 4th hour of a gig. I often switch to my 8.5lb "lightweight" for the second half of the night because while it doesn't sound quite as good as my #1, it sounds better than me desperately hoping for the gig to end so I can put down my #1.

 

[lfmn16]

There is no amount of discount that would convince me to wear a 10+lb bass for the 3rd and 4th hour of a gig. I often switch to my 8.5lb "lightweight" for the second half of the night because while it doesn't sound quite as good as my #1, it sounds better than me desperately hoping for the gig to end so I can put down my #1.

+1

If it's too heavy to play, it doesn't matter how cheap it is.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I am really impressed by those Fender style basses you guys manage to get under 8 pounds or even 7 pounds for that matter, aren't they neck diving?
I thought my chambered Godin RG4 was light at 8.3 pounds and it is a bit neck heavy and the headstock is not as big a typical Fender...Do you all have hipshot ultralight tuners?

5 string 7lbs.

Neck dive , a little. Fixed with the same 4" wide strap I got years ago to attempt to make a 13 lb Warwick playable for more than a couple songs.

 

[bigtone23]

I would put my money on the bass that balances properly on the strap. Once they get too light, the neck dive kicks in. It's just as tiring to have to put energy to keep it held in playing position as it is to hold up a little extra weight on the shoulder. Plus, having to pick a special strap to work the dive? No thanks, I want my bling choices to be endless!
I tried two identical basses on a few occasions where one was light and dived, the other a 1/2 to 1 pound heavier and balanced properly.

 

[Eric Kjelstrom]

At 71, weight is definitely a deciding factor.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

This thread is easily the weirdest "which one should I buy". I'm used to P or J, or Alder/ash, rosewood/maple, etc.

 

[TJL]

Tone matters most to me, so if light weight means less sustain and clarity, I would go for the heavy bass. If all things are equal in the tone department, then I would choose the lower weight bass....but that is rarely the case.
Other important factors are whether you are touring, gigging with a band that requires you to stand or dance around the stage, or if you are a session player. I have basses on hand that allow for each of these situations, so when I see a good deal on a used bass just because it weighs more, I often will take advantage of the savings since I know I can use it for sessions or gigs where I am seated all night. That said, if I am buying a vintage Fender as an investment, I will opt for the lighter weight ones because people put value in an 8 lb bass, and this usually adds hundreds to the value or can be the difference in whether the instrument will even sell at all. Once again, that does not necessarily equate to better tone, but the collectors don't care about that. My best sounding 1961 Precision Bass is heavy ash, but it has value to me even though it sat for ages at the shop where I bought it, because it was too heavy for the general public.

 

[dasherf17]

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?

Insignificant...it matters how they sound and feel playing it...if the balance is there, eh? No issue.

 

[Doug P]

At 65 years I never thought about weight. Always the sound. If I played in a 4 set a night band that played every Fri and Sat night or more I’d feel it I guess so I’d think some on it. Since I play 1.5 to 2 hours a show I can handle that bass that’s maybe a bit heavy as the three I play in shows only one is a bit more than the other two. So, just thought I’d jump in and talk.

 

[Joe Nerve]

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?

10 years ago you couldn't convince me that weight made any difference in the world.

Today I won't have anything to do with a bass over 8 lbs.

And I AM in great shape.

Lower backs don't care if someone is in great shape.

 

[RedMoses]

9.4 is too heavy IMO, ive had basses that were in the 12s but over the years i have come to the conclusion that anything over 8.5lbs will be relegated to a studio/sit down only instrument. Heavy basses tend to sound really good, there are a lot of them out there, lighter basses that sound great are much more difficult to come by.

 

[Fuzzbass]

I'm into old phart territory, have intermittent back problems, and enough disposable income not to worry about spending more for the 9.4 pound bass.

As others have said 9.4 pounds isn't exactly featherweight, but under 10 lbs is good enough for me... my back issues aren't as severe as others I know.