Evil Undead Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I'm curious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My old 1977 USA P Bass was over 9 pounds! I had to wear a 3 inch leather strap to support it! My Ray feels much better. The VM Jazz is almost featherlite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My Precisions are about 8.8 lbs, and as these are the perfect bass for me, that`s the sortof benchmark I work with. I had a Jazz which was about 9 lbs, and a Les Paul which I think was 4.786 tons (in reality prob about 9.5 lbs) and they just feel that little bit too much. I`d love to try one of those 11/12 lb 70s Precisions, though doubt I`d buy one - my back would go into hate-mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 10.5 + lbs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I have never weighed a bass! If it 'feels' heavy I don't want to wear it for two hours. It is about perceived weight for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiOgon Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 (edited) As I only ever play seated it's maybe not such an issue, but I'd say 10lbs is as much as I'd want for ease of handling. My '51 P-bass Ri is getting on for 10lb & my heaviest, I know it every time I pick it from the rack Cheerz, John Edited August 31, 2011 by KiOgon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_B Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My T-40's about 10lb, if not a bit more. I actually prefer heavier basses to lighter ones - the latter tend to make me stoop a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillbilly deluxe Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I've had a few heavy basses,worst offenders being,Ibanez Musician fretless,72/3 ? Fender Telecaster bass,and my current 5 string jazz which weighs in at almost 12lb and has been my go-to bass for 10 years or so,i love it and the weight has never been a problem. The Tele was uncomfortably heavy because of the lack of forearm contour,so had to go even though i loved it. The Ibanez was probably the heaviest of all and the most unbalanced,numbest sounding over hyped pile of firewood of any price bracket bass i've ever owned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I played a 12 1/2 pound bass for years, and am now using one weighing just a tad over 9 1/2 pounds, which is much more bearable. 12 1/2lbs gives me shoulder problems, 9 1/2lbs doesn't. I think 8lbs or less is light, 9-10 is medium and anything over 10 is heavy. Come to think of it, my dog weighs 10 1/2 lbs, so I should set up a big set of scales like they use for witches in The Holy Grail. Anything weighing the same or less than the dog would be OK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 If it's over 10lbs I wouldn't gig with it these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My Ray5 must weigh a fair bit (over 10lbs easy) but it's not uncomfortable even after a couple of hours, it sits nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1358165' date='Aug 31 2011, 10:04 PM']My Ray5 must weigh a fair bit (over 10lbs easy) but it's not uncomfortable even after a couple of hours, it sits nicely [/quote] Said it before, I personally think that a lot is in the balance. My old Aria cut into my shoulder so badly that I sold it for a pathetic amount on Ebay. Its replacement Cort is exactly the same weight according to the bathroom scales and yet I can gig it for a couple of hours with no problems at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 My back has deteriorated - combination of old slipped disc, rotator cuff injury to left shoulder and, most annoyingly, recent lower back muscle damage from my cholesterol lowering medication - so I cannot really go above 9 pounds for a bass if I am to play for any reasonable amount of time (30 minutes plus). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 10lb for me - that's what my LTD Surveyor 415 weighs. My Precisions are fine at about 8.5lb, but the Surveyor makes my neck ache. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 About 3.5423 kg. Seriously though, i don't know. I suppose i could take a bass strap and hang it on my shoulder with some weights and see at what point i would be unable to comfortably stand up with it for an extended period of time. But then again i don't really give enough of a sh*t to do that so i won't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 Anything much over 9lb but there is an allowance for quality of balance (though a 10lb bass is 'too' heavy regardless of balance or strap material/width). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I have and ESP LTD 6 which weighs in at just under 15lbs. Uncomfortable after a couple of hours but not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted August 31, 2011 Share Posted August 31, 2011 I had a 16LB 5 string now every bass is light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbass4k Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 My spector is about 5Kg (11lbs to those clinging to the past...), I never considered it heavy but everyone who plays it comments on the weight, the balance is perfect though and i have it at the perfect height. Plus my back is completely f***ed already, there isn't much more damage to be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 IMO balance will affect the weight you perceive far more so than the weight itself! That said, I once played a 73' ash bodied jazz in a shop, had a dead leg after 10 mins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 My Farida FJB20 is 5kg (11ib) and feels heavey but well ballanced. My Westfield is 3.5Kg and has neck dive so feels awkward after 20 minutes of standing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 [quote name='Clarky' post='1358175' date='Aug 31 2011, 10:12 PM']My back has deteriorated - combination of old slipped disc, rotator cuff injury to left shoulder - so I cannot really go above 9 pounds for a bass if I am to play for any reasonable amount of time (30 minutes plus).[/quote] Ditto, except it's at least 2 discs in my case, 1 lumbar and 1 cervical. Balance plays a part, as does how far out the bass sits, whether it balances well or not; my Alembic balanced perfectly but sat out to the left, which meant that more weight was concentrated on my left shoulder. As soon as I put it on my left leg went numb, so I eventually had to sell it. Nowadays even my Rics are becoming a struggle and they are both arguably the lightest examples I've come across at about 8.5lbs each. I've tried som basses in the Gallery (most recently a particulalry heavy old 'Ray, last time I was there) where my back has gone out as soon as I've put the bloody thing on. Ironic as in the old days I used to easily carry my 100lb Trace 4x10 one-handed.....those were the days! So, after that waffle , I'd say anything over 8lbs is borderline for me nowadays, but if the ergonomics are good and your back is healthy you'd should be able to happily cope with more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lfalex v1.1 Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I'd consider this to be on the heavy side Comes in just over 15lb. Caused by a combination of a solid Maple body and necessarily sizeable Wenge neck. Manageable (for me) with a hefty strap and by virtue of the fact that my job involves a lot of lifting. I wear it quite high and close to me-makes it easier and I agree with the post about lighter basses making you stoop. With this on, you have to stand as though you're in "Man 'O War" or it'll pull you over. I think if I were much taller than I am (5'10"), it might cause issues. It's a combination of factors, some of which may offset the weight of a heavy bass, not the absolute weight of any given instrument. I'd rather a heavier bass that didn't suffer from appalling neck-dive than a lighter one that did. YMMV, especially if you've sustained certain injuries, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 IMO balance and comfort are more important than simply the weight. A well balanced bass that fits you will always feel lighter than one that actually weighs less but won't stay in a sensible playing position or digs into your body uncomfortably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 I only notice it when it feels heavy. I have no idea how heavy my basses are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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