Weight vs. Tone

[SLO Surfer]

Tone more important for me up to 9.5 pounds.

IF YOU HAVE BOTH ALREADY, TELL ME HOW YOU ACHIEVED IT.

I kept trying P basses until I found a light one that felt the best.

And if you have the tone you love in a light bass, let us know what you're playing.

2012 Fender American Standard Precision, and a 2018 Moollon P Classic. Both close to 8 pounds in weight, but weighs over a ton in tone.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I don't have to choose.

Nobody does.

 

[Stranger Danger]

There is zero connection between weight and tone. NONE. ZERO. NADA.

 

[JoeWPgh]

They are both important factors, but not the only ones to 'prioritize'. 12 lbs? I do not care what it sounds like. It's a non starter. 6 lbs with high action and buzzy frets? Another non starter. Weight, tone, tactile feedback from the instrument, balance, fit and finish are all factors that go into the equation. I'll take on a few more ounces for a better tone. I'll compromise my tone a little for a pound or so less weight. But they both rate lower for me than tactile feedback. Great basses just feel alive under my fingers. You can actually feel them respond to how they are touched. In my experience, these tend lighter. But my sample size is admittedly limited.

 

[socialleper]

Tone. Weight matters, but only if you aren't getting what you want out of the bass. If it sounds good, I will find a way.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Generally I prioritize tone, but for the time being at least a bass has to be pretty heavy to really bother me. If it weighs an absolute ton then I don't care what it sounds like, but I can't think of any basses I've tried offhand that have been that heavy.

As for basses that have both, I love the sound of my Gibson T-Birds and find the weight to be very manageable.

 

[Cutter8]

If a bass is heavy I won't use it no matter how good it sounds. If a bass sounds bad I won't use it no matter how light it is.

I only use lighter basses that sound good...playability is also very important to me.

^^^^^^^
+1

 

[bearfoot]

Right now I'm good with the weight of my basses, but they're all on the heavier side, so that could change if I get injured or develop a back problem. At which point I have to decide what's more important to me.

Are you aware of the duo-style guitar strap? Could be a game changer for you ? https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gruv-gear-duostrap-neo-ergonomic-double-guitar-strap

 

[baileyboy]

Function is most important to me. Therefore, weight is the single most important attribute of any bass I use. If I can't gig with it, it's useless to me. I was lucky to come across a Fender P that is a tone monster, weighing in at 8lbs 6oz. Best bass I've ever played and owned.

I was also lucky enough to snag a USA Geddy Jazz that comes in at 8lbs 14oz. Solid build and sound for when I want more of a tonal range.

 

[Obeseyus]

Being a fairly large, beefy fellow, who does a fair amount of hard physical work all day to earn my keep, I don't really worry about the weight of my instruments. If they feel good and sound good I'm a happy camper.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

False equivalency, no choice needed.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

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.

Here's the web site. If you feel like it, give Scott Beckwith a call. When I was dealing with him (2011), he always answered the phone. And while his business is in Texas, he's from Malden, Massachusetts. I used to live in Cambridge (long, long ago) so I get his North Shore thing. He's not tall, and he didn't like any of the short scale basses on offer, so he decided to make his own. He's into '70s muscle cars, too.

The one I bought from him was made for someone else who decided not to take it (You have 7 days from purchase), so I caught a break on the price. Mine is from the first batch of 20 he built. And even though Scott is against it, I had it painted.

Wingfeather Workshop

 

[Stumbo]

My best sounding is my heaviest. It is a pain in the back but it just cuts

I recently saw a bass player using a guitar support system/stand that he used to hold his bass while he was playing. No strap involved. He sang lead so it worked for him because he didn't move away from his mic.
https://www.amazon.com/MBrace-MBR-1-Mbrace-Guitar-Support/dp/B005IHLSTM

 

[bdplaid]

If a bass is heavy I won't use it no matter how good it sounds. If a bass sounds bad I won't use it no matter how light it is.

I only use lighter basses that sound good...playability is also very important to me.

This is exactly right.
I've had heavy basses that sounded like crap, and light basses that sounded likewise. There's a synergy that happens when the right parts come together, and it seems irrespective of weight.
Having said that, my top weight these days is about 8 lbs. I just play dramatically better with a lighter weight bass.

My lightweights run from 6.5lbs to 8 lbs, and they all sound good. I had one a little lighter but it just doesn't didn't have any cojones so I used the parts for something else.

You can order a G&L and specify under 8 lbs, and the jazz I got was 7.5. I managed to land a Fender player P at 8 lbs and it's very cool. My best sounding lightweights are parts basses I made myself. They play way better too. I just put together a mostly USACG PJ that is awesome in every regard (except the finish I did) and is under 7 lbs.

Edit: I didn't mention my EBMM Stingray Special 4HH that's killer at just over 8 lbs. I also had a high end custom at 11 lbs that just didn't have it and out the door it went.

 

[JimmyM]

EDITING TO ADD: THIS IS NOT A QUESTION ABOUT FALSE DICHOTOMIES. THIS IS ABOUT PRIORITIES. I AM WELL AWARE THAT YOU CAN HAVE BOTH. I'M ASKING YOU WHAT YOU PRIORITIZE, IF YOU DO. IF YOU HAVE BOTH ALREADY, TELL ME HOW YOU ACHIEVED IT. THANK YOU.

I bought a handful of light and lightish basses that sound really good. Did buy one that I can't quite get right no matter what I do, but not a bad batting average.

 

[smogg]

Out of curiosity, I just weighed my #1, which is the 4-string Jazz in my avatar. Weight is 9.4 lbs. So I think she comes in just around some folks' cutoff point, and that might add to why I like her so much. But she also sounds and plays amazing.

So sorry LBS-bass, it's .3 pounds over the cutoff. It will have to go.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

I said this before...and I know this isn't what the thread is about. But 2 1/2 lbs will sway your decision? It's 2 1/2 pounds!
And a 10 or 11 pounder like my Precision in the av is 10 or 11 lbs. 10lbs is not alot of weight, and I've had my left shoulder totally replaced. So spare me the "wait'll you get shoulder problems" stuff.

I don't get this weight thing. All I know is light basses feel cheap to me.

 

[LBS-bass]

There is zero connection between weight and tone. NONE. ZERO. NADA.

Yes, I know.

 

[Mvilmany]

My P Bass with a basswood body is super light and has an incredibly resonant tone.

 

[bdplaid]

big bold letters and monosyllables.

Lol!