Question heavy vs light...

[sanderhermans]

I often hear gibson players brag about how heavy their les pauls are and how that makes em sound so full and what not.
While ebmm players keep cheering about how light their basses are.
Was wondering what the real deal was is tone/weight. And what is best then? Having a light one for live and a heavy one for recordings?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

My 1979 Ray is close to a back-breaking 15 pounds while one of my Classic Rays is about 8 pounds. The others are around the 9 to 10 pound mark. I can't detect any difference with respect to tone/weight.

 

[solderjunkie]

Wood is wood, and every tree is different.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It seems like it's getting harder and harder to source light weight wood and having a light weight body without chambering these days.

I wouldn't be bragging about a heavier instrument. The other way around, maybe. A heavy instrument is hard on the shoulder!

I don't think there is a better. From what I have read, lighter tends to sound a bit more resonant and punchy (more acoustic / bassy?) while heavier instruments may have a tighter low end? I am not sure I would be able to hear the difference. I would always opt for lighter provided the bass can balance well and does not affect the neck dive.

 

[Jakka1]

I've never thought of EBMM being synonymous with light weight. I just think that those that are lucky enough to score a light one are more likely to tell you about it.

 

[Rick Auricchio]

I don't notice a sonic difference related to weight. I think it's much more influenced by strings, pickups, tone settings and technique.

My 2002 Ray 4 weighs 9lb 8oz (4.3kg). The 2009 DD2 Big Al-4 comes in at 10lb (4.5kg).

For comparison purposes, my alder-body early 1965 P-Bass weighs only 9lb (4kg).

And as it's been mentioned, all woods are going to have different density, even varying from one sample to another.

 

[ksandvik]

It's one factor of many. I've played heavy bass guitars that do not sound good, and light bass guitars that sound good. EBMM has a more consistent good-sound that many other brands, independent of weight.