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Receiving a Bass heavier than advertised

#61
9.4lb = 9lb 6.4oz.

9lb 14.47oz - 9lb 6.4oz.

8.07oz difference.

If someone is listing the weight of anything as x.4lb, I would expect that to be accurate. You start putting in decimals on the weight of an instrument and that implies accuracy.

If you are weight-sensitive, a half pound is a significant amount of weight. Plenty of people spend a lot of time and $$$ to drop 8oz from a bass. I'd have no problem returning that unless it was described as an approximate weight.

I always make sure to list weights in my ads as both. So, 8.5lb (8lb 8oz) to eliminate any confusion. I also ask for weight clarifications from sellers if they do not list the weight both ways, which they usually do not.
 
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#63
Pocket Dave said:
Digital postal scales measure pounds, ounces and hundredths of an ounce.

So, 9 pounds, 14 ounces and 47 hundredths of an ounce is about an ounce and a half under 10 pounds.

OTOH, fractional definitions are commonly used to express weight in pounds with one decimal point. 9.4 pounds = 9 4/10 pounds.

Yeah, it’s confusing. Best to confirm with the seller up front.

Is it false advertising? Who knows. Is it posted in error? Yes. Return it? Depends. What’s your level of discomfort? It’s an 8.07-ounce increase over what’s advertised.
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Thx for the great clarification. I had no intention of returning it but the difference in 9.4 and 9.14, and yes, I am saying 9.lbs 4oz vs 9lbs 14oz, is noticable to me.
 
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#65
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#67
Seller may have posted weight he remembered from when he bought the bass, or just estimated the weight based on what it felt like to him. I don't think those few ounces are going to make a significant difference in how the bass feels to you. I'm almost 72, bad back, and really cannot tell when I am playing a 8.5 lb versus a 9.5 lb bass. Throw an 11 lb Stingray on me or a 7lb Ibanez SR and I can tell. Unless you have some other issue with the bass, I would keep it.
 
#69
logdrum said:
His scale could be off. I would not return it. It is a 5 string, many 4 sting Fenders could be as heavy.

Also if they use a luggage scale, those only get close to accurate after a certain weight is pulling down on the spring. Next time ask for a picture of the weight ( that's what I did when I sold) and I even stated what the elevation of my town is. even though it will minuscule difference/ I also told them I was using a scale from Harbor Freight not something fancy
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My 4 string is 9.68 pounds
And that is a certified scale weight
 
#71
sean_on_bass said:
i'd worry less about the exact number and instead on how it actually feels to play. if it feels too heavy for you, return it. i wouldn't get into it with the seller over a slight difference in weight. it's not really a perfect science to weigh a bass in the first place for most people. personally i find it weird to even weigh a bass in the first place.
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Weight wasn't an issue until I hit 70. Used to laugh at the "weight weenies". Not laughing anymore.
 
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#72
Mister Magic said:
9.4lb = 9lb 6.4oz.

9lb 14.47oz - 9lb 6.4oz.

8.07oz difference.

If someone is listing the weight of anything as x.4lb, I would expect that to be accurate. You start putting in decimals on the weight of an instrument and that implies accuracy.

If you are weight-sensitive, a half pound is a significant amount of weight. Plenty of people spend a lot of time and $$$ to drop 8oz from a bass. I'd have no problem returning that unless it was described as an approximate weight.

I always make sure to list weights in my ads as both. So, 8.5lb (8lb 8oz) to eliminate any confusion. I also ask for weight clarifications from sellers if they do not list the weight both ways, which they usually do not.
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I oice bought an LEJ 5 string from Brian. He told me it was under 9lbs LOL.
 
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#77
jazzenfunk said:
I oice bought an LEJ 5 string from Brian. He told me it was under 9lbs LOL.
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My StingRay special that I sold to a member here was 8 lbs 6 ounces with the strap. If a few ounces affects you, then you should not buy an off the shelf Fender.

Also if the seller weighed it with the bass vertical , slightly angling the bass to support it , it would account for the difference. It needs to be on it's back and perfectly still
 
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#78
logdrum said:
My StingRay special that I sold to a member here was 8 lbs 6 ounces with the strap. If a few ounces affects you, then you should not buy an off the shelf Fender.

Also if the seller weighed it with the bass vertical , slightly angling the bass to support it , it would account for the difference. It needs to be on it's back and perfectly still
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I don’t have a scale that will support the bass so I sit on the scale on the lower strap button and keep it upright with one finger. If I’m selling it I list it as 6oz more. The actual weight is usually that or less.
 
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#79
jazzenfunk said:
Yes, it weighs 9.lbs 14oz. It wa advertised at 9.4 oz.
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Mister Magic said:
Clear as mud.
Click to expand...

:D Yeah -- based on the first post OP said, seller said 9.4 lbs. that is using decimal system, there are 16 oz to a pound so 9.5 lbs is 9 lbs and 8 oz
And he said when he weighed it it was 9 lbs 14.47 oz

So the difference 8.07 ounces which is a shy over 1/2 lb

So now OP is saying it is 9.4 oz, I think a sub 1 lb ( 16 oz ) bass has not been done yet and it that's what we are going with -- I am definitely confused :D


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#80
Yea, it happened to me here but the ultra light tuners I put on all my basses knocks off a half a pound anyway. The difference is 3/4 of a pound but I'm finding my fear of any bass over 9 lbs to be an unfounded idea. It's 9.2 lbs with the lightweight tuners and I am un fazed.
 

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