What do you consider a heavy bass?

[prndltech]

I’m under 40… but 8.5 lbs is my max now if I’m looking at a bass and it helps fight GAS!

My sadowsky modern 5 is 7.6 lbs, G&L jazz bass is 7.5 lbs and Nash mustang is 7 lbs.

 

[Topkat13]

Last summer I caught an 8.5 pounder! Took10 minutes to git eem in the boat!

 

[tothemax]

This post got me to actually weigh my main players, interesting find. I always thought my Jazz was a bit lighter than my P, it's not. They are both right at 10 lbs. + /- an oz. or so. I'm a pretty big guy but getting older like many of us, after a couple of hours I feel it a bit in my shoulder. I use wide straps with a gel pad over my shoulder on both basses. The P was the first "real" bass that I bought, transitioning over to bass from guitar. The J was a good deal that popped up, part of my justification was that it was lighter than my P . Guess not...

In response to the OP, I'd say yes that weight should be a consideration, especially if you are playing out with long or multiple sets. I bought my P because it was Musicians Friend special Fender Tele style 50's reissue at a great price. It was MIM and I did few a upgrades, and I use it most of the time. At 69 I'm looking to downsize my gear, but if a sweet bass in the 8 lb. range caught my attention. Our BL just sent out an email about gig with 4x 45 min sets (my shoulder is already thinking about it).

Cheers and good luck on the hunt...

FYI: That Duostrap looks interesting

 

[bigtone23]

55 & normal health with no back/spine/neck/shoulder issues at all.
I have two US SUBS, a 4 string and 5 string at 9#11oz and 9#10oz. I wouldn't go through the hassle to find another one that is lighter. They balance perfectly. Also, I have about $700 in the pair, would easily spend that just to get one at today's prices.
I don't consider a bass heavy unless it breaches 10# or so. Typical expectations is in the 9# range, anything under 8.5# is light.
My El Toro is 10#1oz and 72 Jazz is 10#12oz. They seem heavy when you hold them in your hands, but don't seem heavy on the strap. It's that comfort from good balance thing.

 

[_Obra_]

I wouldn't sell the bass i love if it is 9.4 pounds. However, that would be the limit for a ''keeper''. 4

I replaced every bass I had that was over 9.5, so now all of them are under 8.8 pounds.

 

[DTF]

Over 10 feels heavy-ish to me but it depends on what you’re used to

 

[ghostdog93]

My Mustang is just over 9.5 lbs and that's pretty much my upper limit. My full size Jag is almost a pound lighter. Both basses are stock.

If I was buying a new bass, a weight under 9 lbs would be a requirement.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

One thing to note - my 4.8 lb 28.6" recent build cannot be the first bass i play in a day. Everything else feels so unreasonably heavy and large in comparison that the tone advantage of my longer scale basses isn't sufficient. Great way to practice longer is switch to the micro bass

 

[BaltBass5]

There’s so many choices that anything over 8lbs 5oz is too heavy.

 

[Mastermold]

My Alembic Europa 5 String w/ Series I electronics clocks in at about 13.5 lbs. I would qualify that as heavy. That said, it balances well and I have a nice strap for it. Back in December I did a two set show with it and didn't notice the weight. It's really a fantastic sounding bass so if I need to put up with a little weight, so be it.

Bones

I have an ‘83 Fender bass that’s 12.5 lbs. that also balances well such that I don’t notice the weight over my lighter basses.

 

[hbabels]

Just get a wide strap with really good padding if you love everything else about the instrument.
That or keep it and hunt for a lighter bass you also love.

 

[Dadio]

I consider anything over 10 lbs heavy. My heaviest bass is my 73 Gibson Sb-400 which weighs in at 9 lbs. As I got older nine-pounders were starting to bug me after an certain amount of playing time … and then I asked my band cut down to 30 minute sets. Problem solved.

 

[Geri O]

“He ain’t heavy….

“He’s my….” what?…

 

[mikecd1]

I did my last gig in january with my 8.5lb jazz that I love, but being in my mid 70s now with titanium in my neck, sciatica in back and a bunion in the foot when I got home the pain party was just too much. My next gig will be with my new Cort GB Short Scale 6.8 pounder (see my NBD) which helps the hands and well as the rest of the ody. Love that jazz and prob won't sell it, but won't gig anymore with it unless sitting down. Played 9.5 pounders for most of my life, but the wear, tear, arthritis and surgeries pushed the body past the mind so its time to make some peace and try to go light. Already sold my heavy cabs. Raging gracefully. lol

 

[Thom Fioriglio]

9 pounds and above.

Same for me. I would say in today's age of bass building, no reason to have a bass over 9 pounds. My three P basses are 8.10, 8.11 and 8.13 pounds. I owned a Lakland DJ 4 that was 9.5 pounds, and I could definitely feel the weight.

 

[JRA]

What do you consider a heavy bass?​

back then: no EB was too heavy if i liked the instrument (but it had to balance on a strap!).

now: it has to be under 8 lbs. (and must balance).


current snapshot: eight EBs ranging in weight from 6.0 lbs. to 7.8 lbs., with an average weight of 6.95 lbs., so: all pretty lightweight!

 

[BassicJazzy]

Weight is important but how the bass hangs is equally important. If it doesn't balance right or sticks out from my belly then it's not going to be on me for very long. "Holy backache, Batman!"

I'll take an Ibanez SR for comfort all day long over a FSO.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I would consider any bass that is uncomfortable on my shoulder and/or cuts off the circulation in my leg while sitting to be too heavy.

For me, 9.5 lbs is my absolute upper weight limit. But even at that, it has to be a very well balanced 9.5 lbs. In reality, under 9lbs is best and under 8.5 even better. My most comfortable gigging bass is a 7.8 lb 5-string.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

A question only YOU can answer.

I'm 68 with a 25-year-old separated strap-shoulder and other back issues - the difference between 9 lb, 4 oz and 8 lb, 4 oz is pretty significant, with anything in the high 8's being my tipping point.

That said, I've got a 9-lb fretless JB that I've played for long shows before, though I prefer to bring it out for only the first set. I'll be subbing on a 4-hour bar gig next week where the fretless would be the logical choice, though the 8 lb, 3 oz PB will probably get the nod after the first or second set - 4-hour bar gigs aren't my norm these days and I can't see doing the full stretch carrying that weight.

Yeah. I have had a lot of back issues, sold my heavy great-sounding combos, moved to lighter weight cabs and small head. Cabs generally sound
Better than combos. My heaviest is my 2x10 cab at 36 lbs. it’s sealed so it’s compact and easier to carry. Well,
Put on a cart. So, for a lot of last year I sat at most of my gigs. Not my fav way to play. Especially when everyone else is 1/2 my age!

 

[Tj smith]

Ibanez ehb headless basses are definitely lighter then your ray. I’m gonna suggest a Mayones cali 4/5 also. It’s a mini bass but it’s around 5 pounds.