Why do bassists tend to be heftier fellows?

[hdracer]

I'm 5'9" and 175

We just had our winter GTG with over forty people attending.
I would estimate that 5% of the people were over weight.

 

[Jack Butler]

at 160, the women in the band probably weigh more than me...

 

[BassGuyFL]

I'm 5'5" and 125 pounds so I guess I'm the exception to the rule.

 

[tgriley62]

I was and still am 5'10" 220 before starting to play bass. I think one reason that bass players tend to be on the stout side is because everyone knows that stress can make you gain wait and look at how much stress a gigging bass player has in their life with having to be the "adult" dealing with guitar players, drummers and diva lead vocalist

 

[b-rock]

I wish I was fatter. When I see a fat dude holding a bass, I know I'm in for a treat. (insert joke about treats here)

JUAN NELSON!!

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[powderfinger]

Most famous bassists are pretty fit and/or slim... Paul McCartney, Sting, Roger Waters, Flea, Nikki Sixx, Duff McKagan, all indie bassists.

Usually though, a lot of local bands tend to feature large men on bass. Never got this phenomena, but if I ever saw a promo shot of a band, 9 times out of 10 the fat dude was the bassist. Not me though. I'm a runner.

 

[ThatBassistDude]

I gotta match my sound haha. 6'1" 210 lbs

 

[BayStateBass]

I'm 6'0, 210 lbs. The guitarist is taller and heavier. The drummer is shorter and heavier.

No clue about the correlation between being a bassist and being heavy, though.

 

[Mr-Wunderful]

I used to be in a band called the Big ol' Bastards where I was the smallest guy at 6'4" 240lbs.

 

[powderfinger]

I used to be in a band called the Big ol' Bastards where I was the smallest guy at 6'4" 240lbs.

I bet your gig van used to scrape the road.

 

[cbrophy]

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.

More like 35-36%
•More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese. [Read data brief [PDF-528Kb]]
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[MonkeyBass]

I think this is the dumbest thread I've seen on TB. And that's saying something.

 

[lifeoffroadbass]

Why do some bass players post ignorant questions in web forums.

It just seems to be the case!

 

[lifeoffroadbass]

I think this is the dumbest thread I've seen on TB. And that's saying something.

+1000

 

[Tomkat8]

You mean even more than ' dead rock n roll baseball team! ?

 

[Fat Steve]

+1000

Y'all sound fat.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

6 ft, 135 lbs here. Stop eating twinkies, the residue it leaves on your fingers screws your strings up anyway.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

As of 2 weeks ago, can run a mile in 9:53, on a treadmill. Regular exercise helps with stamina on those long 3 or 4 set gigs. Plus it's nice to be able to keep up with my kids!

 

[Mktrat]

6 ft, 135 lbs here. Stop eating twinkies, the residue it leaves on your fingers screws your strings up anyway.

^^^This is great ^^^

I almost spit my water on my computer.

 

[Ironbar]

6' 5" tall and 300#.

I am Ironbar.