Why are people obsessed with weight??

[Fuzzbass]

OK then. I reckon more folks would agree, if they could have their hands on a 63 P bass that weighs 8.5 lbs, or a 1978 P that weighs 8.5 lbs and $$ not an issue, they could pick one period, I can almost guarantee the 78 would be the loser.

Cheers, thread about weight, remember!

Have a nice day!

'63 versus '78: if $$ were not an issue, and neither was playability (I prefer baseball bats), then I would play them both and pick the one that I thought sounded better. IME that would *probably* be the '63, but not necessarily. I've played some late 70's P-basses that sounded great, and some pre-CBS P-basses that didn't.

That includes weight. Sure, lighter is more comfortable, but I've played some boat anchor P-basses that sounded fantastic.

 

[screaminglucy]

its not just light basses,it's light gear!
when i started playing everything was heavy. as a guy that works a day gig ,given a peference I'd rather not carry a 100 lb cabinet , 11 lb bass in a hardshell case and a 25 lb head to my gigs and rehearsals................especially on a friday at the end of the work day and gig night....................
thank God for modern technology.

life is much better and there was no sacrifice in sound

+1

thank goodness for neo speakers

 

[pbasswil]

The last time I asked about the weight of a bass for sale, someone made ironic remarks, something to the effect of: "Someone always has to ask; why?? Who cares?!" I wonder if it was the OP!

Apparently, the people who "always ask" care -- like me. My current gig bass weighs something like 8 lbs, and I can withstand a 5 set wedding/party gig. But I've had 10 lb basses that started to really make an impression on my back by the 4th and 5th set. I bet that problem will get more pronounced as I get older.

 

[pbasswil]

I think the thing that strikes a nerve about the opening question is not that he wants to know what the deal is; it's the aggressivity of the assumption: "A heavy bass is fine with me; so how could it possibly be legitimate for it to matter to someone else??"

 

[M.Wrenn]

Its never mattered to me, but then again I march contra in drum corps, I'm used to having 20 lbs on my shoulder for hours on end, so it doesnt really bug me when i have to play a 2 hr set with a 10+ lbs bass

 

[stiles72]

I'm in my late 30's, and gig every weekend. I play Thunderbirds and drag upwards of (3) 2x15 cabs to my rock gigs - setting them up myself - and have never had any weight issues with gear.

This year the oldies band I also play with asked me politely to use a P-bass, rather than my T-birds. I've been obliging them, but by the end of the second set my shoulder is killing me. Not sure why. Usually people b*tch about T-birds breaking their backs, not P-basses. I'm guessing it's the balance of the bass which I'm just not used too. (They also dont want me to wear the bass slung really low like my T-birds, which feels most comfortable to me). Whatever the case, I'll keep playing it because the band leader insists on me using a P-bass, they pay good, and even if I complained - he'd say "MAN UP!"

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

It's been bothering me and I gotta ask....why are people so obsessed with the weight of a bass? Almost every FS thread I see has somebody inevitably asking "what does it weigh?? what does it weigh??"

Why does it matter? Why the obsession? I never cared about weight as I figured most any bass in in between 8 and 11 pounds, and there are other factors that matter more. I'll take a heavy bass that's properly balanced over a light neck diver any day. Maybe these people are weak and can't hold up a bass?

The same reason people are obsessed with weight of cabs and amps: None of us get any younger, and our backs don't get stronger as we age. The "win" is not that we wore the 20-pound bass at the gig for all those years and could brag about it to the one person in the room who might care about such minutiae, but that we kept on playing the gigs after all those years. That's the win.

 

[shatner]

I mentioned it in another thread, but my back is now absolutely shot from carrying gear and wearing a heavy bass. I used to have an Ibanez SR1000 that was nice and light but I became obsessed with the idea of having a deeper and stronger fundamental tone and thought having a heavier bass was the answer. I now have a Marcus Miller Jazz and a Musicman Stingray 5. The Marcus is very heavy but sounds fantastic, especially with the Dimarzio Ultra/John East preamp combo.

However, my back had already taken a bit of a beating from moving heavy band gear round the country in function bands and when I started playing mainly on cruise ships with many sets per night and no nights off, the extra weight of the Marcus began to take it's toll after about 2 years. I tried lots of different straps until I could get rid of the shoulder ache I was getting about 4 hours in to playing, but my back slowly started to get problems. Now I have a form of scoliosis that seems to be have come from my right lower back muscle developing more than the left and pushing my spine into an S shape. My left shoulder is now massive compared to my right. When I tense them both I look like really weird and unbalanced. Before anyone says it, I know all about posture and used to have Alexander Technique lessons at music college. Also, I've always been athletic, workout when I can, am well built to some extent and stronger than average so don't have problems simply because I'm a weakling.

I still play the same amount but wish I'd used a chair for more sets and maybe bought a lighter bass. Having a great tone is nice but I'd rather have a better back. Every time I see a doctor they tell me they can send me to a physio but if I keep doing what I do then I'm not going to see much improvement. But it's my living and so I'm in a bit of a catch 22. Some days are worse than others and it's gets better as the day progresses after being awful first thing in the morning.

I've now cut down on the weight of my rig (switch mode power supplies are a godsend as are Schroeder cabs for weight vs power) and I vary the basses I use from night to night. I think a lot of back problems for musicians start with moving gear, cold, after being sat in a van for hours on long distance gigs night after night. You warm up before lifting those kind of weights in the gym, and use belts for the really heavy weights. A lot of musicians just plough into it without a warm up and carry silly weights in awkward positions through awkward entrances in awkward venues onto awkward stages.

Mark

 

[JimmyM]

here's a wild thought that some of you who complain about what others do probably never thought about...the world doesn't revolve around you. i know, it breaks your heart because you totally expect people to like everything you like and it's wrong when they don't. but no, the world does not revolve around you, and no, not everyone likes what you like.

just because you like something, don't expect me to like it. if anyone has a problem with any of the gear i'm using, you are welcome to come tell me about it at any of my gigs. of course i'll call you a meddling douchebag and ignore you for the rest of the night, and maybe even introduce you to my middle finger, but you're welcome to come tell me.

what is wrong with you people? grow up!

 

[Lady Kayri]

I've got tendinitis in my shoulders, so prefer lighter basses. As others have said, you can now get great tone with lighter weight basses, so why not go with a lighter bass if you can?

 

[spade2you]

here's a wild thought that some of you who complain about what others do probably never thought about...the world doesn't revolve around you. i know, it breaks your heart because you totally expect people to like everything you like and it's wrong when they don't. but no, the world does not revolve around you, and no, not everyone likes what you like.

just because you like something, don't expect me to like it. if anyone has a problem with any of the gear i'm using, you are welcome to come tell me about it at any of my gigs. of course i'll call you a meddling douchebag and ignore you for the rest of the night, and maybe even introduce you to my middle finger, but you're welcome to come tell me.

what is wrong with you people? grow up!

So how do you really feel about it?

 

[JimmyM]

So how do you really feel about it?

actually i'm on the fence

 

[Dark Horse]

here's a wild thought that some of you who complain about what others do probably never thought about...the world doesn't revolve around you. i know, it breaks your heart because you totally expect people to like everything you like and it's wrong when they don't. but no, the world does not revolve around you, and no, not everyone likes what you like.

just because you like something, don't expect me to like it. if anyone has a problem with any of the gear i'm using, you are welcome to come tell me about it at any of my gigs. of course i'll call you a meddling douchebag and ignore you for the rest of the night, and maybe even introduce you to my middle finger, but you're welcome to come tell me.

what is wrong with you people? grow up!

AMEN !

 

[davkane]

The weight/balance of a bass did not much matter to me until a few years ago, when my left shoulder started giving me trouble. I have a "average" weight bass (4 string Barrington, pink of course), a real light bass (Ken Smith Burner 5) and a monster Kramer 8 string with the Aluminum neck (at times it seemed like it weighed 50 pounds). The only bass I could play with any regularity was the Barrington. The Ken Smith was to light and the neck dive was difficult to deal with (actually caused more pain than the Kramer), The Kramer sat fine, but would just seem to get heavier and heavier. The barrington is an OK weight and balances perfectly.

The problem I had was rotator cuff issues, and problems with the Biceps tendon (it was being worn away by a floating piece of bone in my arm). Because of this, I was gradually drawn to light to middle weight basses with good balance (also moved toward light weight amps too, and got rid of my rack). That does not mean this is right for anyone but me. I admire guys that can still play the Kramers with the aluminum neck, with monster stacks and a rack full of gear... Those days are done for me. This year I had surgery on my left shoulder, and I am in rehab until the middle of summer. All I can say is, I am glad that right now we have so many choices!

 

[can_v]

I'm in my late 30's, and gig every weekend. I play Thunderbirds and drag upwards of (3) 2x15 cabs to my rock gigs - setting them up myself - and have never had any weight issues with gear.

This year the oldies band I also play with asked me politely to use a P-bass, rather than my T-birds. I've been obliging them, but by the end of the second set my shoulder is killing me. Not sure why. Usually people b*tch about T-birds breaking their backs, not P-basses. I'm guessing it's the balance of the bass which I'm just not used too. (They also dont want me to wear the bass slung really low like my T-birds, which feels most comfortable to me). Whatever the case, I'll keep playing it because the band leader insists on me using a P-bass, they pay good, and even if I complained - he'd say "MAN UP!"

May be is the balance thing.

But believe me some P can hurt your back.

 

[mongo2]

here's a wild thought that some of you who complain about what others do probably never thought about...the world doesn't revolve around you. i know, it breaks your heart because you totally expect people to like everything you like and it's wrong when they don't. but no, the world does not revolve around you, and no, not everyone likes what you like.

just because you like something, don't expect me to like it. if anyone has a problem with any of the gear i'm using, you are welcome to come tell me about it at any of my gigs. of course i'll call you a meddling douchebag and ignore you for the rest of the night, and maybe even introduce you to my middle finger, but you're welcome to come tell me.

what is wrong with you people? grow up!

Ditto!

 

[GlennW]

I haven't read all of this (barely any), but I know the answer.

People are obsessed with weight for one reason, and that would be gravity.

No gravity, no concerns about weight.

 

[Dominick]

I'm glad someone brought this up. I wouldn't have succeeded in being as cordial as this threadstarter is so it's just as well I didn't ask.

A bass SHOULD be a heavy, meaty, substantial, threatening instrument. It's the foundation; the thunder; the guttural swirling depth of music. Personally I find that the heavier basses sound better, look better and play better. After playing 24 jumbo frets on neck-thru designs for so long, playing anything less feels and sounds like a Wal-Mart toy guitar. I've never weighed my basses, but based on the usual factory specs I'm guessing they weigh at least 12 pounds??? Oooooo...big, heavy lifting.

And as for the guys who complain about bad backs and several sets per night several times a week/month for several years... Try hitting the gym. Or even a wider strap helps. Honestly, if it is that uncomfortable on your shoulders, maybe you shouldn't be playing bass. Maybe try the piano - oh wait- nevermind...you'll complain about carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hell, I'm no spring chicken either and I have back trouble, but the best way to deal with any pain is to work out and become stronger. Consider that the hurt is just a reminder that you are doing something good for yourself. Suck it up!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

 

[spade2you]

I'm glad someone brought this up. I wouldn't have succeeded in being as cordial as this threadstarter is so it's just as well I didn't ask.

A bass SHOULD be a heavy, meaty, substantial, threatening instrument. It's the foundation; the thunder; the guttural swirling depth of music. Personally I find that the heavier basses sound better, look better and play better. After playing 24 jumbo frets on neck-thru designs for so long, playing anything less feels and sounds like a Wal-Mart toy guitar. I've never weighed my basses, but based on the usual factory specs I'm guessing they weigh at least 12 pounds??? Oooooo...big, heavy lifting.

And as for the guys who complain about bad backs and several sets per night several times a week/month for several years... Try hitting the gym. Or even a wider strap helps. Honestly, if it is that uncomfortable on your shoulders, maybe you shouldn't be playing bass. Maybe try the piano - oh wait- nevermind...you'll complain about carpal tunnel syndrome.

Hell, I'm no spring chicken either and I have back trouble, but the best way to deal with any pain is to work out and become stronger. Consider that the hurt is just a reminder that you are doing something good for yourself. Suck it up!

Let me guess, we should also get more manly and pointy basses just like you?