Who prefers heavier basses?

[GoesThump]

It depends on usage.

If I'm going to be standing for hours, I'll naturally pick something lighter. That said, I have a few boat anchors too. (My Ric 3000 is surprisingly heavy for a small bodied short scale.) Sitting in the studio or at home, whatever sounds right gets used.

In my experience, balance often overrides weight. An instrument can often feel lighter than it actually is depending on how well it is balanced. The headless steinbergers (XL2 etc) are about 8 1/2lbs, which is substantial when you consider how small they are. But they never felt that way because they balance well.


GT

 

[Silky Johnson]

... Nobody who has a light bass with great tone

 

[bobyoung53]

You're right. Bass players care about bass tone. They're the only ones.

I don't agree at all, I've had many people come up to me out of the audience and tell me they love the sound of my bass. I'm not saying it happens every time I play but it does happen enough that I know it's real. When i was a kid I couldn't get a good sound out of a bass no matter how hard I tried so instead of trying to become a virtuoso player I concentrated developing a good tone and I feel it paid off.

 

[JimmyM]

Weight barely affects tone and tone barely matters. Bach wrote his greatest works without even specifying for which instruments they were.

No one cares about bass tone.

Why even bother playing then? You should just go home.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

And bass tone matters about as much as drum tone. As much as the bass player wants to believe in and to no one else but the one aspiring bass player watching him.

In my experience, people do care about both bass tone and drum tone. They just don't know that they care about them specifically. They care if the band sounds good...and for that, you need 'good' (ie whatever kind of 'good' is appropriate) bass tone and 'good' drum tone (amongst other things).

 

[TuneIn]

The trend In the previous years have been to lighten gear for obvious reasons. It's much easier to haul small light weight equipment from gig to gig than bulkier heavier gear. There is nothing to debate about that and I totally get it. So do many manufactures who have invested heavily in weight savings on just about everything especially amps, cabinets and basses, giving up something in regards to tone?

However, when it comes to sound and tone is there really a difference between lightweight chambered basses and old school solid heavy wood and chunky neck basses? Have we lost anything in regards to tone with lightweight gear? I'm guilty, I've picked up a bass off the rack at my local store any put it right back without even playing it just because it was heavy.

I know there are some pro bass players that prefer the old school style of heavy bass bodies and even some who like solid chunky necks. I know of at least two pros who mentioned in interviews that they prefer a solid chunky bass for the quality of their deep punchy tone. Of course the pros usually have a hired hand to haul their gear but the two I mention below spend most of their time in the studio these days anyways.

FYI; Billy Sheehan - Bassist for the David Lee Roth Band, Winery Dogs, Mr Big, many recordings, Etc and Bobby Vega - Bass replacement for Tower of Power (Replaced "Rocco Prestia") was voted Bass Player Magazine’s Top 100 Bassists of all time in 2017 and of course on many recordings. These two guys stated in interviews that they prefer heavier basses and chunky necks for their solid deep percussive tone. I'm sure there are more players that may prefer this type of bass as well.

Naturally, light feels better on your shoulder but light and chambered may or may not have the bass tone you're searching for. Especially, in a studio where the tone from a bass is more critical. Are we sacrificing tone for lightness these days?

Modern lightweight amps is another topic for another thread so it would be distraction to go there in this particular thread. This thread is intended to focus on the heavy vs light bass and it's effect on tone. So what are your thoughts or experiences?

You should find the heaviest bass you can, NOW - and Rock it as hard as you can!!!

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I think it has more to do with stiffness rather than density. But with density you usually get stiffness. Rigidity matters because the body and neck absorb some of the string vibration. The less rigid the bass and neck are the more they will absorb the vibration of the string. The stiffer the body and especially the neck the more the string will ring out (sustain) in relation to the pickup. If the framework of the bass is rigid the string will maintain it's vibration. If the bass framework is soft then it will absorb the string's vibration that much sooner. That has to effect overall Attack, Sustain and Tone.

But I believe with today's technology and modern luthier skills they are able to build a bass that can be light and still be rigid. For example graphite rods or other type of stiffeners in the neck must help in that regard in addition to resisting neck warp. An easy way to make a rigid bass/guitar is to use dense solid wood for the neck and body. A more sophisticated and more expensive way is to use chambered bodies and some method to reinforce the neck.

I could be wrong and if proven wrong I'm not above owning it. I'm just trying to learn from those who are more talented and experienced than I am.

A heavy bass can be tough on my shoulder too but I find a 3.5" padded strap goes a long way in making it more comfortable on my shoulder and also I don't really notice any neck dive or pulling on my shirt. I love these straps.

Most of these straps cost $99 and up but there are a few you can find for around $50-$70 if you shop around. LM Products X-Clef Worn Leather Bass Strap - Black

This one goes really well on a traditional sunburst finish bass
LM Products X-Clef Worn Leather Bass Strap - Brown

 

[Leo Thunder]

In my experience, people do care about both bass tone and drum tone. They just don't know that they care about them specifically. They care if the band sounds good...and for that, you need 'good' (ie whatever kind of 'good' is appropriate) bass tone and 'good' drum tone (amongst other things).

Which is mainly a matter of balance and clarity from instruments occupying their own space. About any bass at any price can fulfill its function regardless of expensive pick-ups, fantasy considerations about weight or wood or useless pedals.

 

[Leo Thunder]

Why even bother playing then? You should just go home.

For the music. It's that thing made of note relations and rhythms.

 

[JimmyM]

For the music. It's that thing made of note relations and rhythms.

And tones. Yes, I'm familiar with it. Makes me sad that bass players have such little respect for what they do. There's no way I could continue if I had that little regard for it.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

Which is mainly a matter of balance and clarity from instruments occupying their own space. About any bass at any price can fulfill its function regardless of expensive pick-ups, fantasy considerations about weight or wood or useless pedals.

I agree regarding balance and clarity. And I largely agree regarding weight - I think it's well down the list of influencing factors on tone. For me the lack of that balance and clarity is a large part of 'bad tone'. Perhaps we do both care about good or bad tone.

 

[groooooove]

And bass tone matters about as much as drum tone.

are we implying that drum tone doesn't matter ?

 

[groove pump]

+1
I don’t know if weight changes tone, but I’ll put my money on someone with over half a century’s experience... as far as feeling and playability goes, my babies all gotta have some cushion for the pushin’...

Hoo-RAY!!!... It just got interesting

 

[lug]

Wouldn’t a lighter bass contribute to even more neck dive?

Yep, that's a problem with my lightest Pbass. thinking about adding a strap weight to counter.

 

[Geri O]

Chip Todd (creator of the peavey T40 boat anchor) , offered a lighter Prototype version of the bass , which according to him , sounded exactly the same as the boat anchor. The lightweight version was discarded because Hartley felt that playerS thought that a heavier bass meant better sound.

Food for thought.

Those of us that know Hartley have tremendous respect for him, but we get a chuckle from seeing things like that from time to time.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I agree regarding balance and clarity. And I largely agree regarding weight - I think it's well down the list of influencing factors on tone. For me the lack of that balance and clarity is a large part of 'bad tone'. Perhaps we do both care about good or bad tone.

In the most cases, bass tone has a functional quality, not an aesthetic one. It needs to support, not to catch attention on its own. It can be filling or percussive and certainly needs to be mixed appropriately but that doesn't justify the quests some invest in it. All the nonsense about weight, woods or even amplifiers is just misguided priority.

 

[groove pump]

Considering there's a whole industry making neck hardware out of lighter materials and bass makers making headstocks as small as possible, then yes, I'd have to assume that unless it's a bass with a retrofit, they are taking it into consideration.

Agree with you... and have to say that I was more than mildly surprised with a new J-style I decided to grab in the middle of last month. Something shiny to keep me busy during the lockdown, right?

I got a Sandberg Electra - essentially a Jazz with a b/t preamp - to scratch my itch for a lighter alternative to my older heavy J (Warmoth neck, etc.). As soon as I put it on a strap, I was very aware of a rather large, um, "entity" in my peripheral vision.

The 4-in-line headstock is not at all downsized and I also don't think that the hardware is nearly as lightweight as let's say some Hipshots. I guess Sandberg decided to avoid stepping on Fender's toes by going the other way and including more wood in the shape of their headstock. Unfortunately the body is also just a little sparse - could be lighter basswood - and the upper horn only extends to about parallel with the 13th fret.

Not a ferocious case of neck dive here, but all these ingredients make for a balance that gives the neck no better than "neutral buoyancy". Oh well. At least it sounds pretty good. Lighter instruments are a higher priority for me now, but if a builder goes too far with shedding weight and still includes a neck with some meatiness and density in the overall build, achieving proper balance has got to be a challenge.

Have to say those NS Design Radius basses look like fun...

 

[swink]

I've never cared about the weight of my basses... I even prefer to play my heaviest.(don't even know its weight: EBMM SR5)
When I think about people who have to wear full body-armor all day long... carrying my bass must be peanuts.
IMHO when you're not having health problems, the weight of your bass is just playing in your mind, and your body can be trained to carry 10+ pounds for a couple of hours.

 

[mongo2]

IMHO when you're not having health problems, the weight of your bass is just playing in your mind, and your body can be trained to carry 10+ pounds for a couple of hours.

A couple of decades before I had my issues I started using lighter instruments simply because I didn't see the sense of using heavier ones when there is no reason to. BTW, gigs around here usually last at least 3 hours.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

The trend In the previous years have been to lighten gear for obvious reasons. It's much easier to haul small light weight equipment from gig to gig than bulkier heavier gear. There is nothing to debate about that and I totally get it. So do many manufactures who have invested heavily in weight savings on just about everything especially amps, cabinets and basses, giving up something in regards to tone?

However, when it comes to sound and tone is there really a difference between lightweight chambered basses and old school solid heavy wood and chunky neck basses? Have we lost anything in regards to tone with lightweight gear? I'm guilty, I've picked up a bass off the rack at my local store any put it right back without even playing it just because it was heavy.
I know there are some pro bass players that prefer the old school style of heavy bass bodies and even some who like solid chunky necks. I know of at least two pros who mentioned in interviews that they prefer a solid chunky bass for the quality of their deep punchy tone. Of course the pros usually have a hired hand to haul their gear but the two I mention below spend most of their time in the studio these days anyways.

FYI; Billy Sheehan - Bassist for the David Lee Roth Band, Winery Dogs, Mr Big, many recordings, Etc and Bobby Vega - Bass replacement for Tower of Power (Replaced "Rocco Prestia") was voted Bass Player Magazine’s Top 100 Bassists of all time in 2017 and of course on many recordings. These two guys stated in interviews that they prefer heavier basses and chunky necks for their solid deep percussive tone. I'm sure there are more players that may prefer this type of bass as well.

Naturally, light feels better on your shoulder but light and chambered may or may not have the bass tone you're searching for. Especially, in a studio where the tone from a bass is more critical. Are we sacrificing tone for lightness these days?

Modern lightweight amps is another topic for another thread so it would be distraction to go there in this particular thread. This thread is intended to focus on the heavy vs light bass and it's effect on tone. So what are your thoughts or experiences?

IDK, maybe im getting old or maybe i'm a big sissy, But i'm all about comfort now. I once owned a heavy P Bass anchor, I also own a fat baseball bat with strings attached. Dont like having or getting a groove in my neck/ shoulder when playing, I got a bursitis on my thumb from playing the bat, it made playing uncomfortable & painful. I'd sacrifice pain for comfort anytime, cant remember if the "Anchor" had a good tone, it probably didn't cuz i got rid of it immediately! when the opportunity came up. & I Knew the owner for awhile after the purchase. I never regreted the sale. in fact, I was worried he would want his money back! The bat however has great tone, but I hate how painful it is to play! Ive replaced it with my new #1, a light,easy to play "like Butter" Fender P/J! Like Pavlovs dog, I avoid the Bat like the virus!!(ouch!) IDC if it has great Tone!