So true!This is another TB false dichotomy. You CAN have both light weight and solid tone.
EDIT: Oops, I see I'm late to the party with this observation.
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Weight vs. Tone
- Thread starter LBS-bass
- Start date
Am I the only person who finds that even though I think I should like lightweight basses, I don't? When a bass is too light it feels wrong to me--not solid. And this affects tone, I think, in the sense that it affects my physical interaction with the instrument. So it's possible that for me weight vs. tone is a non-false dichotomy, because a bass that's lighter than a certain threshold I won't be able to get my best tone out of -- not due to anything inherent in the instrument as a sound generator, but because of the way it affects me as a player.
Sorry, not my most coherent paragraph ever, but hopefully gets the point across.
Sorry, not my most coherent paragraph ever, but hopefully gets the point across.
For me, I don't think it's a zero-sum thing between weight and tone. Plus I also include feel in there as another important factor in the basses I've kept (for that matter, the way a bass looks is also important to me, I want it all!).
But I can say that the heavier a bass is the better is has to sound, feel, and look to me. Eventually there's a weight where a bass becomes too heavy and I simply won't want to play it so, no matter how good it sounds. And, in my opinion, if I simply won't play then there's no point in me having it. I once had a MIM Jazz Deluxe V several years ago and it really sounded fantastic. But it weighed 13.5 pounds and that was just weigh* too heavy for me so I eventually sold it. If I ever do find a bass that weighs that much again, it won't matter how good it sounds, I won't consider it.
My heaviest bass right now is an L-2500 and it's about 10.5-11 pounds. I do use a Neotech strap, which helps make it feel lighter, and it does balance reasonably well, but I do feel it after playing that one for a few hours. But, because it's sounds so good in general, has a lot of tonal variety, and sounds really good in a couple of the groups I'm playing in, I decided it's a keeper. It's not my #1 though. That's the 9-ish pound Stingray that sounds and feels even better that's in my avatar.
* Pun intended
But I can say that the heavier a bass is the better is has to sound, feel, and look to me. Eventually there's a weight where a bass becomes too heavy and I simply won't want to play it so, no matter how good it sounds. And, in my opinion, if I simply won't play then there's no point in me having it. I once had a MIM Jazz Deluxe V several years ago and it really sounded fantastic. But it weighed 13.5 pounds and that was just weigh* too heavy for me so I eventually sold it. If I ever do find a bass that weighs that much again, it won't matter how good it sounds, I won't consider it.
My heaviest bass right now is an L-2500 and it's about 10.5-11 pounds. I do use a Neotech strap, which helps make it feel lighter, and it does balance reasonably well, but I do feel it after playing that one for a few hours. But, because it's sounds so good in general, has a lot of tonal variety, and sounds really good in a couple of the groups I'm playing in, I decided it's a keeper. It's not my #1 though. That's the 9-ish pound Stingray that sounds and feels even better that's in my avatar.
* Pun intended
- Oct 18, 2012
- 6,683
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- Endorsing Artist: Fender, Spector, Ampeg, Curt Mangan, Nordstrand Pickups, Korg , Conquest Sound
Apparently not.He's late, plus he didn't read correctly, but I'm over it
I read it correctly, you just didn't state what you wanted clearly. And then didn't like the answers you got.
Doesn't matter. Every bass I play has good tone. It's in the hands. My back prefers lighter weight, my ears don't care.
My Thumb 5 is worth every pound and I am 66. Some folks can obsess over weight like they do over tort, but its not my thing.Weight has never bothered me while tone is everything to me. I mean, my Warwick Thumb 5 string weighs half my body weight but soooooo worth it. I am also 31, healthy, and do physical work for a job so it doesn't bother me at all. This is just my case
When I'm older? I'll cross that bridge if I get there
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Tone is important, but I likely wouldn't buy anything over nine pounds now. I have a 70s Fender that weighs almost 12, which I've owned for 35 years, so I know...
That's why I clarified. I sort of forgot that people on the internet are single minded in terms of either/or. And I think there are some great answers here from people who answered the actual questionApparently not.
I read it correctly, you just didn't state what you wanted clearly. And then didn't like the answers you got.
In fairness, I think you answered before I clarified.
So the reason I clarified is that I'm not interested in seeing this devolve into a parade of posts about why we can have both and not either/or when that wasn't the question, or the point, AND was also implied in the original post (as in: if you have both, tell us what you have), which I still later clarified with big bold letters and monosyllables.
At this point, it's just hilarious that I'm still getting those responses.
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Carbon fiber sounds the nicest to me and usually it weighs less than wood.
Status Stealth headless 6 or Emerald Acoustic Fretless 6. Tone and long term stability were the only considerations but I got light weight too. Fewer dead spots / more even across the fretboard, more highs projected because less highs are absorbed, lower action for longer thanks to stability and workmanship. More agressive sound though, not everyone's bag, but totally my bag.
Status Stealth headless 6 or Emerald Acoustic Fretless 6. Tone and long term stability were the only considerations but I got light weight too. Fewer dead spots / more even across the fretboard, more highs projected because less highs are absorbed, lower action for longer thanks to stability and workmanship. More agressive sound though, not everyone's bag, but totally my bag.
This is very timely for me. My main player for ten years has been a moderately heavy bass. About six years ago I dislocated my left collarbone and snapped it back into place myself. What followed was an inflamed ulnar nerve, which meant no work, no gigs and very little sleep for over a month. “Funny Bone” pain 24/7 is no joke. Fortunately, I could at least practice on upright while I healed. I waited several months before hanging anything on my shoulder again. I had bought a Ibanez 205 to start gigging again on, but the tone sucked and I had no time or money to upgrade it. I gravitated back to my steady, an 11lb. ash G&L 2500 which sounds... well, you know- great! I have had to compensate by packing a stool and sitting sometimes, which sucks, although luckily for me none of my band mates seem to care. My shoulder is okay, but it’s never really been the same, and I haven’t talked to a doctor yet who was enthusiastic about surgery for nerve pain (fine by me).
I am now in a (financial) position to upgrade to a lightweight bass with a good electronics package. I thought about a 2500 made from empress, but I played a fantastic bass at a retailer about an hour + from where I live. It will be the most expensive non-car I have ever purchased (3k), but all the elements have been verified by me in person (great neck, excellent pickups, 8lbs). I would hate to order a new G&L and not like it for some reason, so I am willing to pay a premium for a “known quantity”. Fortunately, the store will take some stuff I have in trade. No, I’m not getting rid of my G&L... yet. I still may try to get an acceptable electronics package for the Ibanez.
I’m really not sure I could choose, but weight is now a consideration for any NEW bass I buy. Tone has been the primary consideration for 25+ years...
It’s insane the difference 3 lbs makes. I’m still scratching my head about that...
I am now in a (financial) position to upgrade to a lightweight bass with a good electronics package. I thought about a 2500 made from empress, but I played a fantastic bass at a retailer about an hour + from where I live. It will be the most expensive non-car I have ever purchased (3k), but all the elements have been verified by me in person (great neck, excellent pickups, 8lbs). I would hate to order a new G&L and not like it for some reason, so I am willing to pay a premium for a “known quantity”. Fortunately, the store will take some stuff I have in trade. No, I’m not getting rid of my G&L... yet. I still may try to get an acceptable electronics package for the Ibanez.
I’m really not sure I could choose, but weight is now a consideration for any NEW bass I buy. Tone has been the primary consideration for 25+ years...
It’s insane the difference 3 lbs makes. I’m still scratching my head about that...
Heavier basses sounding better is a myth. Many of the old Fenders (50’s/60’s) are light and sound great. I built a bass that is VERY light - the thing weighs all of 6.6 pounds. It snarls and booms as well as any bass I’ve ever owned, and I’ve had some seriously heavy basses in my time.
I like that bass. It looks like a nice shorty. A friend of mine has a Gretsch short-scale that is just wonderful. PCake loves her Mustangs. Short scales might be an option in the future.
You wouldn’t get a lot of gigs around here with that attitude.
The best players that I see gigging with all the best artists have a great fundamental tone. In Nashville you can have the look, and you can have the gear, but if your tone sucks you’re not gonna get the gig.
Over the years I’ve noticed the same thing.
It’s much easier to use your EQ to get a great tone out of a naturally thin sounding bass than it is to try and get a great tone out of a naturally dark, or muddy sounding bass
