Why are people obsessed with weight??

[80'sRocker]

The heavier the better. period.

 

[JimmyM]

The heavier the better. period.

wrong. but thanks for playing and you can take with you a copy of the talkbass home game as a consolation prize.

 

[Lorenzini]

I don't care because I have owned a 12lb bass, Yamaha TRB6P and it was a tone monster. Solid maple all the way through.

The best basses I've ever owned were 10-12 lbs because they usually have a huge and focused sound/tone.

 

[spade2you]

The heavier the better. period.

Gosh, with such a deep intellectual debate, I think you have won a prize and we all now tie cinder blocks to our basses to make them sound better. (air guitar, air bass, and air drums ensue)

 

[chris griffiths]

lol....well opinions are like A$$ holes.... heavily featured on most talkbass forums. tell ya what heavy or light the bass you love is the bass you love........ Period.

 

[nostatic]

What's with all the periods? I thought most TB'ers were guys...

 

[mongo2]

The heavier the better. period.

Dooood!!!

That's like, sooooo awesome!!!

 

[chris griffiths]

*hands his hat to Nostatic* well played sir. well played

 

[chris griffiths]

careful... someone's about to sweep the leg. I never thought jackson basses were that heavy

 

[((KamiKaZe))]

oh my god this thread still alive

 

[spade2you]

oh my god this thread still alive

ZOMG

 

[D.A.R.K.]

i'll play.
the reason i'm currently obsessed with weight is degenerative arthritis in the l1-s1 vertebrae.
and i'm only 40, fer christ sake.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Sorry to hear that.

 

[Brad Johnson]

fortunately for you (and us), there are plenty of basses out there that give us all what we want without sacrificing anything.

Captain?

 

[basmicke]

The weight issue is mostly about sound for me. I find that lighter basses tend to sound more alive tone vise. The only benefit a heavier bass gives is a little bit more sustain in the lower register. Lightness though, seems to enhance the touch and give the bass a more airy texture that many players like. That's why the old pre CBS fenders are so popular. But I think the difference in sound is not big and that's where the comfort aspect comes in. If you feel a heavy bass sits better on your shoulder and balances better, go for that one, but I think the majority of players appreciate light weight to save their backs and shoulders in the long run.

 

[JimmyM]

Captain?

not cryptic enough

 

[Brad Johnson]

not cryptic enough

As intended. Can't go wheelhoiusin' every day.

 

[Brad Johnson]

The weight issue is mostly about sound for me. I find that lighter basses tend to sound more alive tone vise. The only benefit a heavier bass gives is a little bit more sustain in the lower register. Lightness though, seems to enhance the touch and give the bass a more airy texture that many players like. That's why the old pre CBS fenders are so popular. But I think the difference in sound is not big and that's where the comfort aspect comes in. If you feel a heavy bass sits better on your shoulder and balances better, go for that one, but I think the majority of players appreciate light weight to save their backs and shoulders in the long run.

The majority of bassists also don't really push their instruments very hard. Not that there's anything wrong with that. With some techniques the tonal differences can be glaring. Most people don't use those techniques.

If I were strictly playing fingerstyle and not as aggressively as I do I'd probably be happy with some of the lighter basses I've played.

 

[JohnM2001]

It really bothers me if my bass weighs more than me

 

[basmicke]

I agree... how hard you play, and if using a pick or slap technique also makes a heavier instruments tone remain more consistent. If you play softer, using standard fingerstyle you're more likely to benefit from the lighter instruments touch.