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Weight?!?!
- Thread starter Fat Bottom Kyle
- Start date
It behooves the buyer to do some research before making any purchases. Basic parameters apply. There is no such thing as a featherweight Peavey T-40. Likewise, a twelve- pound Hofner 500/1 is virtually unheard of. Of course, there are extremes to any spectrum. A Fender can be either a lightweight or an anchor. For the seller to post this information along with the other specs would be one way to avoid confusion as well as save everyone's time. Personally, weight doesn't matter to me as much as balance does. I hate neck dive. A twelve-pound monster with its weight evenly distributed feels more comfortable than a seven-pound bass that imitates a weeping willow. After undergoing rotator cuff surgery a few years ago (and the subsequent eleven-month rehab), I can certainly appreciate those who need a light instrument. Fortunately, there are many hollow and semi-hollow bodies to choose from as well as various shorties and even a wide array of 34" scales made of lighter species of wood (like basswood). The wood database is very helpful for comparing different species along with their various properties. Understanding what causes some instruments to be heavier than others will help you narrow your search. I hope this helps.
Age and or injuries catch up to everyone eventually. I used to be able to play anything with not much problem, but now at 53 and even though I'm still in decent shape with no major injuries/issues the lighter the better. My P Bass that I gig with is a little under 8.5 lbs and I can play it for 2 hrs standing with very minor stiffness when I'm done. I have a bass that rolls in a little over 9.5 lbs and after a 30-45 min practice session there is noticeable stiffness/compression in my back that I need to really stretch out afterwards to feel good again.
Similarly, if it doesn't have a horn that goes to the 12th fret like most FSO's the small increase in reach will really lock my wrist up after 20-30 minutes. I had to sell a Les Paul stye bass because I was getting major carpal tunnel type stiffening.
I've got a good friend my age who is a fairly serious hiker that use to really laugh at seemingly able bodied people that would use trekking poles when hiking. I'll be damned if he didn't bust some out on a fairly moderate yet hilly hike we did a year or two ago in Big Bend NP. I gave him a look when he pulled them out and he just said "hey, time changes things, and my left knee really appreciates it". He still does triathlons and is probably better shape then I was 10-15 yrs ago, but small changes in your body can make a big difference in what is acceptable comfort wise.
I could probably fight though a 1-1.5 hr set with a 10-10.5 lb bass, but why would I want to?
Similarly, if it doesn't have a horn that goes to the 12th fret like most FSO's the small increase in reach will really lock my wrist up after 20-30 minutes. I had to sell a Les Paul stye bass because I was getting major carpal tunnel type stiffening.
I've got a good friend my age who is a fairly serious hiker that use to really laugh at seemingly able bodied people that would use trekking poles when hiking. I'll be damned if he didn't bust some out on a fairly moderate yet hilly hike we did a year or two ago in Big Bend NP. I gave him a look when he pulled them out and he just said "hey, time changes things, and my left knee really appreciates it". He still does triathlons and is probably better shape then I was 10-15 yrs ago, but small changes in your body can make a big difference in what is acceptable comfort wise.
I could probably fight though a 1-1.5 hr set with a 10-10.5 lb bass, but why would I want to?
Weight is, quite literally, something I never heard talked about, even once, before this place. People make far too much of it, IMO and IME. The only basses I find annoying/difficult weight-wise are the very light ones. Even then, I just deal with it without complaint.
Also, there’s apparently no right answer to the weight inquiry, as I have not ever sold a single thing to anyone I’ve provided a weight to. Therefore, when I hear the question, I assume lazy, lame, tire kicker, or any combination of the these things – and definitely not a serious potential buyer.
Also, there’s apparently no right answer to the weight inquiry, as I have not ever sold a single thing to anyone I’ve provided a weight to. Therefore, when I hear the question, I assume lazy, lame, tire kicker, or any combination of the these things – and definitely not a serious potential buyer.
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When buying a bass, I only care about the weight for the future buyers (re-sale) guys that are gunna want to know the weight. (cuz realistically, my 'forever' basses, are 5yrs or less...i think?) 
I own a couple feathers and a couple fat bottom girls...and they all get a rotation.
I own a couple feathers and a couple fat bottom girls...and they all get a rotation.
Science tells me to use a heavier bass. We all know that E=MC squared, correct? By upping the mass of the bass, I don't have to play as fast to up the energy of the audience. Simple, really.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
As you get older, it's hard to avoid. Life will do that.
Even when I was younger, weight was a thing. It was more about comfort than weight initially but then I started to notice that 8lb or less basses were just more comfortable.
I’ve owned several PRS basses over the years. While I love the sound of the PRS GG’s, they are all 9lb+ and then I don’t play them much so I sell them. But I’d like to find an 8lb-er!
And I’m not even that old!
I’ve owned several PRS basses over the years. While I love the sound of the PRS GG’s, they are all 9lb+ and then I don’t play them much so I sell them. But I’d like to find an 8lb-er!
And I’m not even that old!
I think, you're doing it wrong. you don't need to re-weight a bass to ensure it didn't gain a couple of pounds overnight. you put a bass for sale and you weight it once, that's it. write the number down. if you have countless basses for sale, well, that's another problem.
this said, just a week ago I passed on a 11lbs bass and got a 8lbs instead. my basses range from 5 to 11 lbs and while I can handle a 11lbs bass, I'd prefer it to be 9 (especially when the exact same model typically ranges from 9 to 11). yeah, I have good wide straps, but they're kind of a hassle dealing with, so if I can get along with a 3" strap instead of a 4.5", I appreciate it.
I ended up returning two really great sounding basses this year because of the weight . Could not get through a gig without having to sit down for a tune or two and by that time my back was done and I couldn't wait for the night to end .
Weight is just another variable that people will consider when buying a bass. Some people are super picky about fret size or neck profile etc etc. We all have the things that we find most important when considering a bass. The main issue here is that weight is unique to each bass and is generally not a spec that applies to each bass in a line. So in a classified, if not initially listed, many people will ask for the weight. A light weight bass alone will not make me buy it but a heavy bass will make me rule it out. I personally don't understand why people get bugged out by others asking for the weight. As far as getting a "thank you" in the thread if it was a specific request, it would be nice I guess but it's just a classified listing and transactional by nature.
And Robert Fripp has played seated for most of his career. That doesn’t change the fact that there are many genres and venues where playing seated is not an acceptable option, unless you are already a venerated star to be humoured.
Wow.
Thanks for providing a textbook example of Anaïs Nin's famous quote, "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are”.
What a great example of "I don't care about X, therefore it's silly when others care about X"
Way to go!
Also needs to be a p bass with flats that has been weighed with a fish scale before purchase
Ya I never thought about weight of a bass (although the ones I owned were all under 9lbs, go figure) until after age 55. My heaviest now is 10lbs and I play it the least.
My last 2 basses bought have empress wood bodies and weigh 7lbs each. They sound great, why fight more weight around my neck I see no reason for it.
But if someone else likes 14lb basses, hey man you do you !! Cheers
My last 2 basses bought have empress wood bodies and weigh 7lbs each. They sound great, why fight more weight around my neck I see no reason for it.
But if someone else likes 14lb basses, hey man you do you !! Cheers
