in the future we'll all be playing paper-thin basses that weigh ounces only we'll all be in space where weight doesn't matter anymore. How's that for ironic. Oh yeah, and we'll all be wearing those shiny, seamless space suits with a little door in the back for those long missions without breaks...
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Why are people obsessed with weight??
- Thread starter mmbongo
- Start date
I never cared about how much a bass weighed. It's a bass not a mandolin...LOL. btw I have always played 4 hour gigs (I did get to do a sit down gig once..it was kind of weird)
I am using a Squier ss jag right now. Everyone says they are around 7 pounds..it is sweet! I still use my trusty Carvin and my p bass alot too. I don't have a scale..so don't ask LOL
I am using a Squier ss jag right now. Everyone says they are around 7 pounds..it is sweet! I still use my trusty Carvin and my p bass alot too. I don't have a scale..so don't ask LOL
I need a light bass no more than 9 lbs due to neck cancer, I use to play a warmoth which weight about 12, but sounded awesome.
I ask the weight ALL the time, and buy way too much
. In addition, I notice Bass Central has started publishing exact weights on their web page.......I guess there are many paying customers who care. The idea that anyone has trouble understanding why people care about the weight of an object they carry slung over the shoulder for hours at a time is laughable. And those who think it has anything whatsoever to do with strength or fitness are either badly misinformed, or not informed at all.Some people care about string spacing, others don't care at all.
Some people like 4 string basses, some people like 5 string basses.
Concern about the weight of a bass is the same kind of thing. It's all subjective because we're all different.
Otherwise, we'd all play the same gear and make the same music.
Some people like 4 string basses, some people like 5 string basses.
Concern about the weight of a bass is the same kind of thing. It's all subjective because we're all different.
Otherwise, we'd all play the same gear and make the same music.
Lightweight basses.
Hunting rifles, Shotguns, canoes, fishing poles, kayak ,back pack , Tents, hiking boots, paintball guns,climbing gear. SWAT gear, like ballistic helmets, gun belts and vests, goggles and repelling gear, entry tools, sniper rifles and sidearm's (think Glocks with plastic polymer parts for an easy example), Military gear/weapons, Bobsleds, Skis, sneakers, thermal suits for sub zero weather, motorcycle helmets, luggage with wheels, professional protective sports gear, professional video cameras and their harnesses and booms, space suits and Bass amps have all been refined to be lighter and stronger to be more comfortable for long term serious use.
Why should a bass be any different?
People have hundreds of options for custom basses from number of strings, finishes, pickups neck length and spacing, colors, woods, electronics and sounds but the option of weight is not at all understandable?
Seriously?
The original Electric bass was supposed to free the double bass players from the hassle of carrying around the big cumbersome doghouse. Maybe electric basses will catch on, who knows?
Ignorance, insecurity, immaturity and inexperience manifest themselves in myriad ways.
Hunting rifles, Shotguns, canoes, fishing poles, kayak ,back pack , Tents, hiking boots, paintball guns,climbing gear. SWAT gear, like ballistic helmets, gun belts and vests, goggles and repelling gear, entry tools, sniper rifles and sidearm's (think Glocks with plastic polymer parts for an easy example), Military gear/weapons, Bobsleds, Skis, sneakers, thermal suits for sub zero weather, motorcycle helmets, luggage with wheels, professional protective sports gear, professional video cameras and their harnesses and booms, space suits and Bass amps have all been refined to be lighter and stronger to be more comfortable for long term serious use.
Why should a bass be any different?
People have hundreds of options for custom basses from number of strings, finishes, pickups neck length and spacing, colors, woods, electronics and sounds but the option of weight is not at all understandable?
Seriously?
The original Electric bass was supposed to free the double bass players from the hassle of carrying around the big cumbersome doghouse. Maybe electric basses will catch on, who knows?
Ignorance, insecurity, immaturity and inexperience manifest themselves in myriad ways.
I think the whole "weight isn't a big deal" mentality is just a testosterone fueled blindness to other people's needs.
The average $400 bass in the stores is not going to weigh over 9 1/2 lbs., write that down! Now, it always makes me chuckle when people list a bass FS (that is a model-known to weigh over 10, or 11 lbs.) without listing the weight in the classified ad.
First, I'm smiling because they want someone to pay hundreds, or perhaps over a thousand dollars for it, and the seller is hesitant to list a weight, or won't take the time to get an accurate weight for something they are asking real money for...
So, are they hiding something, lazy, or just plain busy,,,uh huh.
It can be a dealbreaker for lightweights like me...if I'm carrying around something heavy to a show, it better be my cab lol
To quote Homer Simpson: "Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand."
But, In all seriousness, I've always found that the whole "I can't play a bass that weighs more than X" mentality is based on ignorance or blindness to the other components that make a bass comfortable for long periods. Balance and strap selection can make even a "heavy" bass seem comfortable.
The average $400 bass in the stores is not going to weigh over 9 1/2 lbs., write that down! Now, it always makes me chuckle when people list a bass FS (that is a model-known to weigh over 10, or 11 lbs.) without listing the weight in the classified ad.
First, I'm smiling because they want someone to pay hundreds, or perhaps over a thousand dollars for it, and the seller is hesitant to list a weight, or won't take the time to get an accurate weight for something they are asking real money for...
In my experience, most buyers don't ask about weight.
yeah the only guys i understand the weight thing is dudes with bad backs, and thats totally understandable. weight isnt a big deal for me, as long as the bass itself plays well im not too concerned about the weight.
Fwiw I ask about weight on any bass I'm interested in and it has been a deal killer for some. Whe comfort has many factors, mass is mass. A perfectly balanced 10lb bass on a nice wide strap still weighs 10lbs. It is true that a light bass that isn't balanced might not be comfortable, but my experience is that anything over 9lbs gets annoying after a couple of hours. Since I have a choice, I seek out lighter instruments that also balance well and play/sound good. Then again I am about to hit 50 and have a lot of accumated injuries. I'm the only guy I know who has gotten hurt in tai chi class.
4 set gigs = more tired and pain the next day, and even that night
If the weight were distributed evenly, it might be better.
If the weight were distributed evenly, it might be better.
- May 30, 2000
- 4,707
- 257
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- Creator of: iGigBook Sheet Music Manager
I can dig heavier basses being a problem for folks that have physical problems, but if that physical problem is due to you not being in shape, a lighter bass is a solution but so is getting in shape. 
I play 6's mostly, so I don't really care much about weight.
I play 6's mostly, so I don't really care much about weight.
I find it really odd that bass players would even give 2 seconds' thought to what other bass players think about the weight of their basses. Got a problem with the weight of my basses? Go away and worry about something more important, like Justin Bieber's new haircut.
