Why do bassists tend to be heftier fellows?

[rojo412]

I'm a proud, happy, fat bassist. But we all come in different sizes and we all groove in our own special ways.
That said, I've seen a lot of big guys on bass, and they are usually really good players.

 

[Milk]

I was thinking of most of the bands I like and I don't think any of the bassists are fat or even big. Wait no that's not true, Peter Hook got pretty fat. But once you're past 50 you know....

 

[Jensby design]

The bass player has two jobs to do in the band: play backup for the guitarist and make sandwiches.

 

[mozilla314]

I could name as many slender bassists as heavy set ones.
Most of the jazz-fusion guys are skinny. (Stanley Clarke,
Jaco, Alphonso Johnson, Victor Bailey, Marcus Miller,
Baron Browne, etc..........

 

[Major Softie]

I was thinking of most of the bands I like and I don't think any of the bassists are fat or even big. Wait no that's not true, Peter Hook got pretty fat. But once you're past 50 you know....

That actually might be the answer to the original question: 'cause there's a lot of old people here.

 

[dbase]

My band does charity work exclusively and usually get free food and drinks. So before we accept a gig,
I don't ask "How much are we getting paid", I ask "What's on the Menu"

 

[Medford Bassman]

So, would it be okay if we had a thread called, "why are the bassists in bands black? Or gay?"

Stupid thread, stupid discussion.

 

[rtslinger]

5'10" 195 lbs muscular build

 

[Atshen]

I'm 5'4½" and 160 lbs of (mostly) beer belly, so I guess you could say I'm hefty.

 

[Itzayana]

That's because most people in this country are fat.
The obesity rate in the USA is well over 60%.
Most people who do anything (except Yoga) are hefty.

 

[Itzayana]

So, would it be okay if we had a thread called, "why are the bassists in bands black? Or gay?"

Stupid thread, stupid discussion.

Thank you!

 

[dalkowski]

6'1" - 220. I represent that.

+1. My MD sez I'm 10% too hefty, and I definitely feel it.

It's the damn carbs.

 

[phillybass101]

5' 7" 208. I'm a former athlete and I played football still have muscles. The middle though is starting to spread. Still not bad for being 57. Need to get back into an exercise routine. IMO hefty doesn't necessarily mean FAT

 

[Pandastylebass]

As the largest member of my band I like to say:
Fat Dudes, Phat Grooves
Fat Fingers, Chicks linger
Junk in the trunk, Funk in the top bunk
Big boys make the most noise
Diabetes, I'll have the baked ziti!
...sorry got side tracked, and hungry.

 

[Salamenster]

According to google:

5 feet, 6 9⁄64 inches, 127.868112 lbs. So I am definitely NOT hefty.

Greater question:

Y U NO USE METRIC?

 

[Itzayana]

5' IMO hefty doesn't necessarily mean FAT

Like I said, according to our national health organizations "hefty" is the new normal. Fat is like the people who have to use a little electric scooter to go to the refrigerator to get the left over pizza.

 

[AaronVonRock]

6'4", 230 lbs, shaved head, beer gut, and facial hair. A guitar looks like a ukelele on me, so I play bass by default.

 

[MonkeyBass]

5'6" 135 pounds. Not tall, not fat, and I play the hell out of the bass.

 

[Eric_71]

This thread has just predictably turned into people saying why they are the exception. The stereotype probably exists for a reason, regardless of how many counter-examples you can find or how awesome you are as a person.

To answer the OP, it may be something about bass not generally having a glamorous role in a group. Perhaps it attracts fewer of the type A personalities than guitar and/or vocals would. That's the best guess I have.

For follow-up questions, why are bassists considered the alcoholics of the band? The band mom? I'm not sure I know the answers to those questions.

 

[troy mcclure]

I resemble that remark.... we are also normally the most happily and well adjusted members of the band.