Why are people obsessed with weight??

[GlennW]

A bass SHOULD be a heavy, meaty, substantial, threatening instrument. It's the foundation; the thunder; the guttural swirling depth of music.

The weight of the bass has nothing to do with "thunder; the gutteral swirling depth of music."

That logic would favor a WWI Springfield 30-06 to a AR-15.

 

[fenderbassman55]

The weight of the bass has nothing to do with "thunder; the gutteral swirling depth of music."

That logic would favor a WWI Springfield 30-06 to a AR-15.

Hey I have an early WWII Springfield bolt action M-1 like the sniper in movie Private Ryan. I'll weigh it. I THINK it weoghs about the same as my 66 Jazz!

 

[fenderbassman55]

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?

Right on! My personal opion is lighter Alder P and J basses have a brighter funkier tone. I find their Ashe counterparts are a bit darker and heavier which is fine if that's what your into. I simply prefer a lighter bass on my shoulder.

 

[Dominick]

The weight of the bass has nothing to do with "thunder; the gutteral swirling depth of music."

That logic would favor a WWI Springfield 30-06 to a AR-15.

True...marketing and psychology are largely the factors that determine "oversized" anything. Of course balancing your physical stature with your instrument comes into play.

But what is more fun at the shooting range; the 38 special your woman has in her purse, or a double-barrel shotgun?

Bigger is usually better.

 

[fenderbassman55]

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!

You sure your not a guitar player? Your awfully angry for a bassist!

 

[metron]

I have some insight on the weight issue. Weight is not an issue. Unless it's an issue for you.

I have not had an issue with weight. Until one day I played a bass that my shoulder told me was too heavy. Then weight was an issue. I didn't buy that bass.

 

[spade2you]

Bigger is usually better.

Bigger is usually a substitution for a lack of substance.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Wow. Lots of people have thoughts on this. I didn't read any of em though.

It don't bother me none when people are concerned about the weight of a bass. Having jumped around with a bubinba warwick for a year I can understand it. What peeves me is when people ask "what's the weight" on a stock bass for sale. Just about every bass I've sold, someone who ultimately wound up NOT buying the bass asked me for that information which they could have just as easily researched as me.

 

[fenderbassman55]

Wow. Lots of people have thoughts on this. I didn't read any of em though.

It don't bother me none when people are concerned about the weight of a bass. Having jumped around with a bubinba warwick for a year I can understand it. What peeves me is when people ask "what's the weight" on a stock bass for sale. Just about every bass I've sold, someone who ultimately wound up NOT buying the bass asked me for that information which they could have just as easily researched as me.

What instrument company tell you exact weight of each instrument? How can they? Each bass will weigh differently, no?

 

[jomahu]

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.

that's probably some of the worst physical advice i've ever read.

that said, i'm 5'3 and play a 11lb bass for 4-hour gigs.

 

[spade2you]

What instrument company tell you exact weight of each instrument? How can they? Each bass will weigh differently, no?

Some can give you a pretty accurate range. Rob Allen screens his lumber for specific density ranges, which allows him to give good estimates as well as consistent tones.

 

[fenderbassman55]

Some can give you a pretty accurate range. Rob Allen screens his lumber for specific density ranges, which allows him to give good estimates as well as consistent tones.

Thank is cool. But most massed produced instruments can vary greatly. Same with vintage. most dealers / sellers 'lie' about the weight. It's always to the 'lighter' side too. I recently purchased a 68 Telecaster bass advertised at an 'amazing' 8.3 lbs. It was 'exactly' 8.6 on a digital scale. No big deal, still very light for a T bass. I have a hard time selling vintage Fenders over 9 lbs as opposed to under 9........So the lightweight fans obviously appear to 'outweigh' the heavyweight fans!

 

[spade2you]

But most massed produced instruments can vary greatly.

Very true. I recall playing a 2 Ray 5s a few years ago where one was about 10lbs and the other had to be about 15. They basically looked identical, but one was leagues heavier than the other.

 

[Dominick]

that's probably some of the worst physical advice i've ever read.

that said, i'm 5'3 and play a 11lb bass for 4-hour gigs.

Really? Working out = bad? Building muscle = bad? Wow.

Ugh. If you're referring to when I said that hurt is a good thing; I wasn't referring to an onset of pain pre-workout, nor was I referring to straining yourself so much that you hurt yourself during a work out. Drrrrr.... We all know that is counterproductive.

However if you perform a good workout, the muscle resistance you take on may determine a for more stretching, or slightly longer taper-down time from cardio...etc. THAT is what I was referring to; if you haven't worked out in a long time then when you start again (even gradually) you will feel some soreness.

And that isn't a good thing??? Seriously? Challenging yourself physically is bad?

 

[SJLee]

Well, aside from the obvious health issues, such as heart disease & diabetes, it just plain looks bad.

 

[Hans Gruber]

The best sounding basses Ive owned have been light weight. As result of the body wood used. I have owned a couple heavy basses and they just didnt work out sound wise. When I played doublenecks, all but one weighed 12 and half or less pounds, never was a problem to handle themk weight wise. But never could get one that sounded excellent on both sides. That may have been due to the extra body mass, dunno, cause all but one where made of my fave body wood, mahogany, which is allways lightweight for qaulity peices in my experience.

+1 For some reason, the lighter basses I've owned resonate better acoustically. I had a Nordy around 8.5 lbs that just sang, as opposed to some other heavier basses that seemed to "soak up" the sound. It breathes more to me.

It's not just weight that plays into factor, of course, since the actual specimen of wood matters.

For me, more than anything it's a sound thing. I do feel the heavy basses taking a toll on me, but there's a singing quality that I've found about many light basses. More "bell" tones.

 

[cassanova]

The heaviest bass I own now is my 55-02. Not that I find it heavy but, compared to my Ibanez SR535 it's a ton.

I'm with the crowd that think heavier basses sound a bit better. I think they have warmer sound than lighter weight body basses do.

I also mix it up during the night and swap out my basses this keeps fatigue down but, when I strap on the Ibanez I feel naked in comparison to when I'm playing the Lakland, the Ibanez is so light that I hardly feel it at all.

 

[Dominick]

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

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

Wow...touchy touchy.

I honestly don't care what you play. I don't even care if you play. But if you do play and whine about it, then you don't need to be playing. It's that simple. My point in my previous post is this: if someone complains about trivial things when they are lucky enough to be doing what they want to do, it makes them look foolish and unworthy.

If I was an obgyn and realized that I am squeamish at the sight of birth, I really should either shut up and deal, or find another medical practice I can succeed at.

And as for insinuating that I overcompensate out of some lack of self worth, I'm not surprised you went there. That's a default argument for someone who just wants to argue for no reason. The fact is; yes, I would rather drive a Hummer than a Ford Focus. I'd rather have a 4500 sq foot house than a 1200 sq foot house. Enjoying the larger, more lavish and over-the-top things in life isn't always about overcompensation. Often it is about pride and acheivment. Image is important, especially to a musician. Any musician who denies that is a hypocrite.

And gee - I was born male, I'm perfectly happy being male, so why wouldn't I want to be the best man that I can be? Why wouldn't I want to be in the best physical shape possible? Why wouldn't I challenge myself in everything I am passionate about? Why would I settle for a job that pays less than what I made at my last job? Why would I want to do anything that negates the progress I've made in life and take pride in?

These are the personality traits that reflect what I find fitting and appealing in my instruments. I also play drums and I like a 24x22 kick drum a lot more than an 18x16. The sound is considerably louder and thicker. Do drummers with kits bearing larger shells choose them solely out of overcompensation?

 

[Joe Nerve]

What instrument company tell you exact weight of each instrument? How can they? Each bass will weigh differently, no?

I can roll my eyes better.

So whenever you buy a bass you go into the store with a scale first to see precisely how much it weighs? And I'm supposed to do that myself in order to answer someones obsessive/compulsive question on the weight of a totally stock bass that I'm selling. Especially when there's a 99.9 % chance that person's not going to buy anyhow. Wait, I'll roll the eyes again...

 

[Double Agent]

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.

I honestly don't care what you play. I don't even care if you play. But if you do play and whine about it, then you don't need to be playing. It's that simple. My point in my previous post is this: if someone complains about trivial things when they are lucky enough to be doing what they want to do, it makes them look foolish and unworthy.

If I was an obgyn and realized that I am squeamish at the sight of birth, I really should either shut up and deal, or find another medical practice I can succeed at.

Your first post was a little condescending, but you have an opinion and you are entitled to it. You think heavier bass sound better, you get to play heavier basses. My issue is, you say "basses SHOULD be heavy", then you say "I don't care WHAT you play". If you prefer heavier basses, then fine, but that doesn't mean ALL basses should be heavy. I disagree. I have had examples of heavier basses with good tone and lightweight basses with good tone. All other things being equal, I've preferred the tone of the lighter ones I had, plus they are easier to play for extended periods of time. A 12-lb. isn't that heavy to start with, but if you are playing 4 1-hour sets a night 2-3 times a week, that bass starts to weigh you down. Especially if you aren't a huge guy, or if you have back problems. 2-4 lbs. can make all the difference IME. To say that people who don't want to play a 12 lb. bass should not even play bass is absurd and elitist, especially when there are so many options for players who like light basses and so many talented bassists who play light basses. The bass community is definitely a better place for having some of these folks in it.

Also, your example about the ob-gyn is silly. An ob-gyn has no choice but to deliver children and if they are squeamish about it, there is no other way around it. But, lots of builders, from the Ibanez SDGR series right up to the boutique makers like Elrick, are making basses that are lightweight for those of us who prefer not to strap an anchor around their necks. I personally don't care if you disapprove, but I will still with my light basses and keep playing live for another 25-30 years. Thanks!