Yes, the question is definitely off-topic. How much does a double bass and an appropriate travel container weigh? I'm running a pen-and-paper gaming campaign, and I've got a slap-bass/bluegrass nut in the group wanting his bard to tote a double bass around. The trouble is, this guy hasn't been within 20 feet of a double bass in real life, and to be honest, neither have I (although as a VERY casual music listener, I do enjoy the tones it can produce, whether plucked, "slapped," or drawn). I'm not in a habit of flat-out saying "no" to my players (especially with all the other tomfoolery inherent in gaming), but I think a start to pulling him back into reality (or plausible suspension of disbelief) would be knowing how heavy his door-defying instrument of choice actually is. I scouted a few sites, but I didn't find an actual weight for the instrument. With apologies as an orchestral music nitwit, can anyone help me out here?
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Double Bass Weight of a double bass?
- Thread starter deadacc30202
- Start date
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
Since you're unfamiliar with the world of double bass, you should probably know that basses are carried by a hereditary caste of bass attendants, typically three for a full size bass, one to hold open elevator doors, and an additional attendant for the bow.
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
The DB will run approximately 20 to 25 lbs and the trunk can be anywhere from 45 lbs to well, a lot more, depending on the trunk.
All of this info is available using the Search function.
Thank you for the information. I was having trouble both online and here finding the weight of the instrument from result pages packed with the weights of amplifiers and other supplemental gear. Also, I was searching in kilograms -- should have known better, I suppose.
Interesting. That explains the dozens of people with smaller luggage entering performance halls alongside the bassists -- I had supposed that they were stage crew or something, but if they're with the bassist, that's fine as well. I'll have to consult the rules on minions...if our dear bard is going to bring five retainers along, I'm going to have to beef up the base defenses. Could the double bass be used as partial cover against medieval projectiles in a firefight?
Maybe in a few levels, he can get a smith to add armor spikes to it, making the bass obstructed terrain for any approaching foes...
Spikes would put the bass firmly in Rockabilly territory, where a whole new set of minions would be needed. Three, at least -- one to clean the spikes to keep the tone from becoming muffled, one to refill the fog machine and a massage therapist to keep the bassist loose from all the jumping on the bass (tricky with those spikes) and playing behind his back.
I, (a rather strong man in his late teens), recently carried a bass about two and a half kilometres. It was miserable after about 50 metres, and took me almost two full hours.
And it's useful to have a minion to tell the double bass player how good he is. With this assurance the player will smile more frequently and lose that 'bass face'.
When people ask me, How much does that thing weigh? I always answer with a question, You do realize it's hollow?
When people ask me, How much does that thing weigh? I always answer with a question, You do realize it's hollow?
How is the answer not "What, maybe 95 or 100 pounds? Not too bad."
My bass weighs 34 lb, just the right weight to intimidate someone.
How is the answer not "What, maybe 95 or 100 pounds? Not too bad."
My bass weighs 34 lb, just the right weight to intimidate someone.
That's like the sign taped to the mirror hanging behind the taproom bar:
Henway for sale.
Customer: What's a henway?
Bartender: Oh, about 2 1/2 to 3 pounds.
