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Why are people obsessed with weight??

#124
I used to be able to haul a standard 2x15 cab up three flights of fire escape stairs to one club I gigged at regularly in my younger days all by myself, and I also played he-man heavy basses. At age 53 all of the bravado and wear and tear of my youth found a way to catch up to me in the form a slightly arthritic left shoulder with a pinched nerve, worn knee joints, etc, just from still happily being among the living. Now my 11 lb P-bass and 9.2 lb Geddy Lee Bass, start to wear on my shoulder painfully with a 3" unpadded leather strap. I'm gonna have to spring the cash for one of those extra wide padded leather Levy straps. I'm also looking at lighter instruments as an option, but I prefer a long scale bass myself. Growing old is fun.
 
#126
asberrys said:
Isn't a heavier bass necessary for sustain?
Would a lightweight bass with a proprietary(aftermarket) high mass bridge compensate for a lack of sustain in lighter woods?
Does anyone know what a Fodera weighs? Say a Five string.
They seem thinner than a jazz or Precision.
I notice Richard Bona uses one of those clip on weights on the headstock of his Fodera.
I bet an oak bodied Jazz would have a ton of sustain.:D
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Sustain is more a function of the neck joint than anything, if you ask me. Besides, who needs it? I hate an overly sustainy bass.

Bridges...I've found that a high mass bridge doesn't do squat except add weight.

No idea what a Fodera weighs on average but the two that I've played were nice and light. No idea what Bona clips onto his headstock unless it's a Fatfinger.

Oak bodied Jazz? That ain't happening in my house.
 
#129
JimmyM said:
Sustain is more a function of the neck joint than anything, if you ask me. Besides, who needs it? I hate an overly sustainy bass....
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As a regular around here for over 10 years - it always amused me how people would say : this characteristic is good for increased sustain ...etc.

And then a few days later would be posting another thread about : how do I stop the annoying ringing of one string when I'm playing another - can anyone tell me about muting etc etc :p
 
#130
Bruce Lindfield said:
As a regular around here for over 10 years - it always amused me how people would say : this characteristic is good for increased sustain ...etc.

And then a few days later would be posting another thread about : how do I stop the annoying ringing of one string when I'm playing another - can anyone tell me about muting etc etc :p
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Right! Exactly my point.
 
#131
Bruce Lindfield said:
As a regular around here for over 10 years - it always amused me how people would say : this characteristic is good for increased sustain ...etc.

And then a few days later would be posting another thread about : how do I stop the annoying ringing of one string when I'm playing another - can anyone tell me about muting etc etc :p
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+1 here too.

Seriously, how many times have you ever said ?? . "gee, I just can't get this note to ring out long enough"

New strings would probably be an easier cure than all the aftermarket bridges, and heavy timbers in the world. (required IMO)


My stock P with fresh strings can manage to ring out WAY longer than is usefull in any way if I wanted it to, and it weighs less than 8 pounds.
 
#132
eastcoasteddie said:
I don't care about weight. To me, the heavier the better. My G&L weighs a ton, and I like it that way. The Rock Bass feels like it weighs 1/3 of the G&L...feels like a toy.
There's nothing like strapping a tree trunk to your body.
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even though I know better, I have this mentality. heavier = better quality. It's a mental block in my brain I can't get past.

I also don't see the difference a pound or two makes... I have 2 basses a J V and a p/j 4 - the 4 is ash and considerably heavier than the J V (I'd say at least 2 pounds, maybe more). I usually do 3 one hour sets that almost always run over into 4 hours of playing in a night. I do feel a little physically fatigued by the end of the night but it's the same w/ both basses. Come to think of it, I feel the same way after doing the same amount of gig time w/ an acoustic guitar . . .

to each is own I guess . . .
 
#136
spade2you said:
Depends on who made it, but a well made bass can still be balanced at feather weights. My Rob Allen Mouse 30 is about 5.5lbs and perfectly balanced. My Cliff Bordwell 4 string is about 7.5lbs, 35" scale, and also balances perfectly. I have also played a few Gibson and Warwick basses that were very heavy and also had considerable neck dive.
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Yes there are some balanced light weights and neck diving heavy weights without a doubt. The center of gravity is largely dependant on where the strap buttons are located along with other factors such as hardware, wood type, etc. I have never played an SG style that balanced well. But generally if you take two similar styled basses like a Jazz or P, heavier ones balance a little better IME.

But balance is only part of my issue with light weights. Part of my issue with light weight basses is that they don't stay put and they move around on me. Heavier basses anchor down and stay where I put them.

The perfect balance between weight, size and balance is my old Steinberger. And it stays where I put it even if I move around. The only think that I don't like about it is the narrower string spacing at the bridge compared to my J's and the high-fi sound.

The only correct answer is that there are so many factors too consider that there is no "right" answer for everyone. It all boils down to what you feel comfortale with and what works with your style.

Plus I have a different persective, I played tuba for many years and a bass like my Aria at 11 pounds is much lighter that a 35 to 45 pound sousaphone. And I have played 3 plus hours with that thing.
 
#137
The difference between a 8lb and a 12lb bass is amazing IMO.

I just turned 40 and consider myself to be in great shape (run marathons, go to the gym, etc.).... I physically can't do a 4 hour gig with a 12lb bass. My back and neck hurts too much regardless of the strap.

Many that "don't get" the weight issue IMO have not stood on a stage with a 12lb nass strapped to them. Just my $0.02
 

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