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Why so many fat bass players?

#101
He also gained weight because he like couldn't move his legs and walk really...[/QUOTE]

+1 to that, I was in an accident a few years back and have a permanent back injury. I can't run or exercise well enough to keep it all off. I do what I can and am fairly healthy otherwise, thank you very much!:spit:
 
#103
Kwesi said:
Not to be contradictory or anything but you don't exactly prove much by naming some of the greatest credits to our instrument. Those are people everyone knows about.
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Hey Kwesi,

Just trying to state that bassist come in all shapes, sizes, and genders (although I did not list any female players), sorry ladies, the list was getting long.
Myself included. I've been obese and now thin. My tone has always been the same (on a side note, I do understand those jokingly stating that a bigger mass adds tone :D), my chops have always been my chops.

You have to give it to us bass players though; we do have quite the sense of humour!!!
 
#107
SteveC said:
Truth is maintaining a "healthy" weight is tougher for some than others.
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Absolutely.

SteveC said:
It is wrong to assume an overweight person is that way because they are lazy and eat poorly. Unfortunately, it's one of the few "isms" that is still accepted and practiced by many on a regular basis.
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I don't assume they're lazy... but I do know that if they were just burning more calories than they were shoving in the feed hole, they wouldn't be overweight.
 
#110
Having no sense of humor that I'm aware of, let me throw out an alternative theory (if there really is anything to the stereotype)... Thanks to the general culture's attitudes, an overweight person might be more likely to want to hang back and not push himself out front in everyone's view. So if a musically talented teenager wants to get in on rock and roll (or blues or jazz or whatever), and he's picking an instrument to do it with, but he's a bit self-conscious because of his weight, he picks the instrument where he can hang back and not be up front in the spotlight. So he picks bass. That would also explain skinnier-than-regular bassists, who tend to feel the same way.

Just a thought.
 
#111
the_fooj said:
Ha, I've noticed that too. Never really figured it out. The only fat guitar player I can think of is Shawn Lane (RIP).
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What about Johnny Hiland?

Well, basses and bass gear are heavier, so it logically follows that bassists should be heavier, right? And we play the most solid, unmovable instrument, so physically we have the same charcteristics. And, of course, we have to be bigger to keep the rest of the band members in line.
 
#113
Yet another great thread. This is Talkbass gold. Where else but on talkbass.com?

Being fat we purposely pick the larger guitar so we don't look too fat.

Reminds me of that video of Hulk Hogan playing bass and making it look like a guitar from being so big.
 
#115
Joe Nerve said:
Was just looking at the back cover of the new BP mag. Then watched a couple of videos in current threads. Why so many fat bass players, and how come fat bass players can become famous, but not fat guitarists or singers? Does being fat make a better bass player? Like being black makes a better bass player? And being a girl makes a worse drummer? There are a lot of really great fat black bass players. Great fat white ones too. What with the fat? I wanna know.
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:scowl:
:scowl:
:scowl:
 
#117
SteveC said:
Truth is maintaining a "healthy" weight is tougher for some than others. There are many factors that go into weight and health. It is wrong to assume an overweight person is that way because they are lazy and eat poorly. Unfortunately, it's one of the few "isms" that is still accepted and practiced by many on a regular basis.
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+1. Low metabolism or thyroid problems can make maintaining a healthy weight difficult or even borderline impossible. Conversely, a higher metabolism can make maintaining a healthy weight without exercise effortless. Effort and dedication is only one factor; biology plays a role as well.
 
#118
Muaguana said:
+1. Low metabolism or thyroid problems can make maintaining a healthy weight difficult or even borderline impossible. Conversely, a higher metabolism can make maintaining a healthy weight without exercise effortless. Effort and dedication is only one factor; biology plays a role as well.
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Thyroid problems generally can and should be treated; either through diet/suppliments and exercise or through medication.
 

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