Weight?!?!

[Thumpin6string]

One of the other forums I frequent keeps the comments disabled on the Buy & Sell page, specifically to keep sale threads from degenerating into tangential discussions. Potential buyers are free to ask any questions by private message.

I wish it was that way here. I've had a couple ads derailed by opinionated jerks. One was bad enough that the administrators got involved and deleted the posts.

 

[foolforthecity]

Some thoughts I have on our classified's most common question...

Now I'm a small feller that plays 4 and 5 string basses for sometimes up to 3 hours, and I have a bunch of different basses that all weigh different amounts. Besides sometimes vocalizing once in a while to the bass I'm holding, "Geez gal you are a little hefty." I don't really notice how the instruments weigh me down. I'm usually having a lot of fun playing, and I also purchased wide straps that are proper for the instrument. Basses are big, and I love that about them. Even the little ones like Mustangs, sound big and are at least heavier than a Strat. I think if a Mustang bass is too heavy, one should seek something in the skinny headless category. Lucky for you seems like there are a number of options there. However, I do see countless children and smaller ladies ripping full scale basses on YouTube, albeit sometimes in a chair, but I saw George Porter Jr. at Tipitinas last year playing in a chair and no one seemed to care about that. Me thinks the obsession with the weight of a bass is short sighted and a bit silly. If basses are too heavy, play keys, guitar, sax, whatever. You can tell your tale on a thousand different canvases and still plug in.

Also, is it just me or is "Weight?" the "Is it available?" for our marketplace? I can't count the amount of times I have had to weigh a bass for someone, respond with that weight, and then it's crickets on their end. So to those buyers, I say if you are too lazy to respond with your thoughts about the requested weight, you might be too lazy to play the low bottom beast known as bass.

To those of you that ask, "Weight?" and then respond, good on you. Maybe you can lead a new charge by asking, "how heavy is that hunk of wood?", or "what kind of over the shoulder boulder holder do you use to slap the B string on that sucker while dancing?"

Just weigh it, add to the description, and sell it. The day will come when you’ll be asking this question yourself. Plan on it.

 

[spade2you]

Heavier doesn't sound better. Neither does high action. Why work harder than necessary?

Since joining TB, I had a gnarly bike wreck that put put some pins and plates into my right clavicle. My ~11 pound Conklin would be prohibitive if this were my left clavicle.

I also prefer lugging my stuff in a double gig bag. It's not that I'm worried about the weight of one bass. I'm worried about the weight of two basses.

 

[Bikeguy57]

If I see a detailed ad with no weight, I assume "boat anchor". Just list the weight, you know it's going to be the first question. Also, "I don't have a scale, but it's pretty light". Really? Pass.

 

[GrooveTheory]

Weight is certainly an important factor for many people, and part of the overall enjoyment of the instrument, but I don’t think that was the OP’s point.

The “weight?” question is thrown around on TB in almost in a discriminatory manner. Using it as the “opening question” above all other factors is a relatively recent phenomenon, and in my option spawned from this community and the likes of sweetwater where specific wights are available for each piece. It hasn’t always been this way.

But there’s more to conform than weight… there’s also balance, relative body/neck length relationship, strap button position… even body shape.

And to put it into perspective… “back in the day” when basses were bought in store…. Weights were never provided (still aren’t), and probably won’t be written on the price tags any time soon.

When playing a bass in person/store, one usually thinks to themselves… does it play well, sound good, is it comfortable, light heavy…. One usually doesn’t say “hmmm this feels and sounds pretty great, it’s the perfect bass for me… and if it’s 9lbs15oz I’ll buy it, but it it’s 10lbs1oz I won’t.”

This is fully a recent and online phenomenon.

if your buying online without trying first… I get it…its certainly important (I didn’t buy a bass online because it was close to 11lbs and a a different short scale because it was 10lbs, I have a shoulder issue)… but it’s not the only factor when it comes to comfort… and so using “weight?” in this manner is probably a little over done.

That said, for classifieds here on TB, it’s becoming pretty standard, so might as well include it if one is putting in the effort to post anyway. But it’s not negative is someone doesn’t.

Also imagine “weight?” Was the first question you are asked when on a first date with someone you’ve never met before!? Lol.

 

[David McIntire]

I don't get the worry over weight of basses. Especially wit guys carrying more than a few extra ounces around their middles. Heh. I don't sweat s bass guitar's weight in the least.

 

[IotaNet]

This is especially important information when buying online, where you don’t have the ability to touch, feel, or hold the instrument.

... Also imagine “weight?” Was the first question you are asked when on a first date with someone you’ve never met before!? Lol.

To my previous point about buying an instrument online, I'll bet that establishing a general knowledge of a person's "weight" would be a consideration if you met that person online before meeting them in person.

 

[Fat Bottom Kyle]

So you don't have a problem. I'm very happy for you and wish I was back at a point when I didn't have to consider weight.

You flippantly dismiss our concerns and needs, which is disappointing, but not uncommon. Obviously we need to man-up, work out and get on with it.

If only life was that simple.

me thinks you were having some pretty good thoughts for a "small feller," until that statement. i'm gonna suggest that you continue thinking it through. good luck!

They can't all be zingers! Always thinking, on a good day with an open mind, and appreciate the responses so far.

 

[jk_bass]

well, if someone asks...you don't HAVE to respond, just accept you could lose out on a potential sale and move on...

 

[JRA]

Always thinking, on a good day with an open mind...

 

[buldog5151bass]

Being in shape or light has nothing to do with it. When I was 25 and had a good back, an 11 pound was not an issue at a long gig.

At 58, with back issues, a surgically repaired shoulder, and arthritis in my knee, even though I am 50 pounds lighter, I seldom bring that anchor to a long gig, although I love playing it (still the same bass).

 

[GretschWretch]

To my previous point about buying an instrument online, I'll bet that establishing a general knowledge of a person's "weight" would be a consideration if you met that person online before meeting them in person.

I am glad you clarified. If it had been an in-person first meeting, my reply to the question would have been, "Why don't you check my playability first?"

 

[GretschWretch]

How many of you have noticed a perceived difference in weight between the bass just hanging and the bass with your plucking arm rested on the body? I find that often it is not the "naked bass" that creates the problem. It is the added forearm.

 

[Dominic D]

I have two herniated discs and arthritis in my spine. It’s tough for me to play a 3-4 hour gig with a bass more than around 8 pounds. I suppose I could stop playing bass as you suggested, but I find it easier to just use lighter basses. My Glarry 5 string is an amazing 6.4 pounds.

 

[singlemalt]

If I go to an actual store, I take my bass scale. But I haven’t been to a music store or pawn shop in close to a decade. I buy everything, EVERYTHING, from the TB classifieds. You guys are the best!

So, yeah, if I’m interested, I’m the guy who responds to your ad with “weight?” So weigh it already, pretty please with sugar on top.

If I’m selling, I’ll post a picture of the bass on an accurate, digital scale, and call out the weight in the specs. Because if I don’t, the first question will be “weight?”

When I was 18, I had a 12.5 lb Kramer aluminum neck, neck diving, boat anchor. “What do you mean, it’s heavy?” That was a long time ago.

Now, if I’m motivated enough to ask you about weight, the right answer gets you a PayPal. If you can’t be bothered….

 

[Hounddog409]

Some thoughts I have on our classified's most common question...

Now I'm a small feller that plays 4 and 5 string basses for sometimes up to 3 hours, and I have a bunch of different basses that all weigh different amounts. Besides sometimes vocalizing once in a while to the bass I'm holding, "Geez gal you are a little hefty." I don't really notice how the instruments weigh me down. I'm usually having a lot of fun playing, and I also purchased wide straps that are proper for the instrument. Basses are big, and I love that about them. Even the little ones like Mustangs, sound big and are at least heavier than a Strat. I think if a Mustang bass is too heavy, one should seek something in the skinny headless category. Lucky for you seems like there are a number of options there. However, I do see countless children and smaller ladies ripping full scale basses on YouTube, albeit sometimes in a chair, but I saw George Porter Jr. at Tipitinas last year playing in a chair and no one seemed to care about that. Me thinks the obsession with the weight of a bass is short sighted and a bit silly. If basses are too heavy, play keys, guitar, sax, whatever. You can tell your tale on a thousand different canvases and still plug in.

Also, is it just me or is "Weight?" the "Is it available?" for our marketplace? I can't count the amount of times I have had to weigh a bass for someone, respond with that weight, and then it's crickets on their end. So to those buyers, I say if you are too lazy to respond with your thoughts about the requested weight, you might be too lazy to play the low bottom beast known as bass.

To those of you that ask, "Weight?" and then respond, good on you. Maybe you can lead a new charge by asking, "how heavy is that hunk of wood?", or "what kind of over the shoulder boulder holder do you use to
slap the B string on that sucker while dancing?"

I dont know what any of my basses weigh since I have never weighed them.

When selling a bass, if anyone ask the weight, i just reapond with "no clue". Though, i cant remember the last time anyone asked me on the local marketpalce sites.......

 

[BioDriver]

I used to play rugby and have the shoulder injuries to prove it. As a result, weight is extremely important to me and I physically cannot strap anything over 9.5ish pounds onto my shoulder for an hour or longer

 

[ctmullins]

Regarding buying and selling: A truly motivated seller will happily provide any and all details requested. If they don't, then they're not fully motivated to sell.

Regarding commentary on what other people find important: Really? That's the height of arrogance. Just stop.

 

[Engle]

Some thoughts I have on our classified's most common question...

Now I'm a small feller that plays 4 and 5 string basses for sometimes up to 3 hours, and I have a bunch of different basses that all weigh different amounts. Besides sometimes vocalizing once in a while to the bass I'm holding, "Geez gal you are a little hefty." I don't really notice how the instruments weigh me down. I'm usually having a lot of fun playing, and I also purchased wide straps that are proper for the instrument. Basses are big, and I love that about them. Even the little ones like Mustangs, sound big and are at least heavier than a Strat. I think if a Mustang bass is too heavy, one should seek something in the skinny headless category. Lucky for you seems like there are a number of options there. However, I do see countless children and smaller ladies ripping full scale basses on YouTube, albeit sometimes in a chair, but I saw George Porter Jr. at Tipitinas last year playing in a chair and no one seemed to care about that. Me thinks the obsession with the weight of a bass is short sighted and a bit silly. If basses are too heavy, play keys, guitar, sax, whatever. You can tell your tale on a thousand different canvases and still plug in.

Also, is it just me or is "Weight?" the "Is it available?" for our marketplace? I can't count the amount of times I have had to weigh a bass for someone, respond with that weight, and then it's crickets on their end. So to those buyers, I say if you are too lazy to respond with your thoughts about the requested weight, you might be too lazy to play the low bottom beast known as bass.

To those of you that ask, "Weight?" and then respond, good on you. Maybe you can lead a new charge by asking, "how heavy is that hunk of wood?", or "what kind of over the shoulder boulder holder do you use to slap the B string on that sucker while dancing?"

I could tell a tale on a different canvas, but electric bass is the one I have the most variety of brushes for, by far.
What seems silly and short sighted to you, is avoiding physical pain while playing for many people.

 

[J Wilson]

For some people, weight is a consideration, particularly for cats with back trouble and other reasons.

When I was a young bull at this, I played a then-new Gibson RD Artist Bass five sets a night, five nights a week. I was a bull back then, but believe me, over the several months I used it, at 13 pounds and change, it got old even for me and I was I was an ox back then. No lasting harm, but it just got to be very clumsy, even on a great Reunion Blues padded strap I had that would make most other basses feel weightless.