Musicman20 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) I know the touchy subject of weight always comes up on bass guitar related websites. It seems we cannot escape the fact that most basses, due to size/construction/materials, are always going to be 'fairly' heavy. Unless we pay a premium or buy a smaller/purposefully lighter bass, I'm guessing the average is between 9-10.5lbs. Stingray basses are never going to be super light, but I am lucky with the fact most of mine are either under average or average weight, (my Ray 5 HS must be around 8.5lbs...it is SUPER light for how big it is). I was practicing with a Sue Ryder P before I sold it on, and that wasn't that comfortable. I did get a touch of aching in my back. I used to own a USA Precision Deluxe (old model with the humbucker and questionable pre-amp) which I just couldn't use because it was around 12lbs. I think I've actually started to understand part of why I was getting mild back ache. I don't luckily have any injuries, so I am doubtful this applies to everyone, but you know what has cleared it up? Exercise and keeping fit. 12 weeks ago I started doing regular exercises 3 times a week, which includes plenty of back and shoulder exercises with a fairly heavy weight. At first, wow did it hurt. I have never been overweight, but I have never really taken my fitness seriously. As my current band has two very active and fit members, I took the plunge. I felt kinda lazy and lethargic compared to the other two, and one of them is ten years older than me, (I'm 30). You know what, it has worked. I have gigged long sets with most of my basses and had not one twinge. I find I can lift PA gear and drum equipment no problem. I have more energy in the day and I now want to eat better, which again gives me more energy. I've barely been ill the past 4 months or so (apart from now right on NYE!) and I never really get that mid day lull at work when I want to just sleep. Gigs are more fun as well, because I'm full of energy. I'm not saying it works for everyone, because my back is thanfully ok, but exercising and building muscle in back and shoulders has definitely helped. One other thing to consider is that my drummer had a small/benign tumour in his back and had an operation in his mid 20s ( he is the same age as me). He had a weak back for a few years, and he said all he did was build the muscle back up and see specialists. As he is active and keeps himself fit, he can lift heavy gear no problem. Edited December 31, 2011 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Couldn't agree more. Cycling is great for lower back and leg muscles, swimming is brilliant as its a great all over work out and excellent for injury recovery. And as iv said many times; climbing! Great all over work out especially the core muscles. I tend to stand with a bias on my heels, this makes a difference over the night. Good move posting this, a problem probably often over looked. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) Funnily enough, my back has been better since I bought a heavier bass. I`d always been a "low-slung" kind of guy, but the heavier bass was too much, so heightened the strap a bit - not too Mark King height I might add - and now my back feels better after gigs than it used to. This may of course have co-incided with my starting up running again, plus stretching exercises, both of which are very good for my (upper) back problem, as they loosen all the tightness that builds up. So exercise and a 10lb, £1350 bass is the answer Edited December 31, 2011 by Lozz196 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 After I left my socially crippling job, I had tones of time on my hands and started exercising. Since, I've felt 100% amazing and better. I've put on a (healthy) 1 and a half stone, as I was under wieght. I eat better and sleep better. More importantly play bass better. I think everyone should try exercise. i was never unfit, and never really bothered, but glad I did, shifting gear is a doddle and my endurance is great for longer sets and more exuberant energy on stage. plus 1 to you MM20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted December 31, 2011 Author Share Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) [quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1325338494' post='1482259'] I think everyone should try exercise. i was never unfit, and never really bothered, but glad I did, shifting gear is a doddle and my endurance is great for longer sets and more exuberant energy on stage. plus 1 to you MM20 [/quote] Cheers! Agreed, I didn't bother, but I'm glad I have started. Plus, once you start, I find you get stricter on making sure you get through it 2-4 times a week. If I don't I get annoyed with myself. Having a lighter/easier to move cabinet is always a plus, but now I just don't seem bothered. Its a case of teamwork with ALL of our gear. Edited December 31, 2011 by Musicman20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 (edited) It is all about the core.... keeping that in shape is a must. You might want to help yourself with a decent mattress, lighter kit, not gigging for more that 2 hrs etc but it will amount to not much at all, if you don't work on keeping your core exercised. I've 'managed' 2 prolapsed discs for over 20 years with few relapses because a very good physio retrained my core. She said that most peoples backs have lost the strenght and agility though daily living..pretty much. I don't go looking for heavy lifts but neither do I feel the need to shy away from them. My heavier cabs are 60 plus lbs and they are no problem if approached properly. If you don't work on this, then you are an incident waiting to happen, IMO. Edited December 31, 2011 by JTUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Well, I am over weight and unfit I have had two operations on my spine and two on my right knee. At rehearsal last week, after three hours of standing, playing the bass (not forgetting I have been an acoustic guitarist for many years!) my back was on fire! I think that I should loose some weight and get fitter if I am going to gig a 10lb bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftyhook Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 You get out, what you put in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 [quote name='Blademan_98' timestamp='1325339393' post='1482272'] Well, I am over weight and unfit I have had two operations on my spine and two on my right knee. At rehearsal last week, after three hours of standing, playing the bass (not forgetting I have been an acoustic guitarist for many years!) my back was on fire! I think that I should loose some weight and get fitter if I am going to gig a 10lb bass! [/quote] You've had that medical attention and no one has pointed out how you can manage your back for the future..?? I am not sure I would want to be in their care, tbh...!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenny B Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 I started Yoga a year ago - it's done wonders for my back and posture Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blademan_98 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1325345285' post='1482350'] You've had that medical attention and no one has pointed out how you can manage your back for the future..?? I am not sure I would want to be in their care, tbh...!! [/quote] To be fair, I was warned about food intake and the requirement of gentle exercise but after a while it all went out the window. Sadly I am now paying the price Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L_Bass_Dog85 Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 My exercise routine is pretty good, volleyball once a week, running twice a week and the odd male pilates (don't laugh!). I can pick up my gear with great ease plus it is a good way to work the biceps / triceps! 20 reps with a 10lb Spector? No problems! Plus posture is the key, but should naturally sort itself out if you follow simple core exercise routines. Thats where the pilates comes in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 It's not just the weight of the bass, it's the way it balances as well. As for fitness, I have to stay in good condition if I want to be part of a Search & Rescue team, running, cycling and climbing figure heavily in my regime and, if for some reason I can't do any of those activities on a particular day, I have a multigym. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pietruszka Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1325354985' post='1482511'] cycling and climbing figure heavily in my regime [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prime_BASS Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 Also buying the warwick was a great decisiom, it wieghs 8lbs!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gareth Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 become a symphonic triangle player Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted December 31, 2011 Share Posted December 31, 2011 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1325335704' post='1482206'] I'm not saying it works for everyone [/quote] I was getting worried there was a cure until I read this bit - now I return to my old procrastinating ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 [quote name='Lenny B' timestamp='1325347203' post='1482374'] I started Yoga a year ago - it's done wonders for my back and posture [/quote] The drummer I'm currently playing with started doing Yoga around a year ago and he says how much it has helped him too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 For the core strengthening exercises work well e.g. "The Plank" and its friends... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 My late Mum was a dancing teacher, so I have had the benefits of exercise drummed into me from an early age. I like going to exercise classes - dance, aerobics, weights - anything really as long as it is to music. One class I go to is Body Pump (weight training to music). I have changed one thing with that since taking up the bass. I no longer do squats with the bar balanced across my shoulders, I just hold a 5kg weight in arms folded across my chest. I got the feeling that the weight on my shoulders was compressing my spine down a bit too much. And being a woman of a certain age you do need to consider oesteo-whatever-it- is (where bones become weaker). It wasn't anything I had read or been told about that particular exercise that made me change, just a feeling I got from my own body. it just didn't 'feel' right somehow - left my back feeling a bit stiff and, well, compressed. I believe sometimes your own body knows best, so that's why I changed the way I did that exercise. But I'm hoping all the other stuff I do will help strengthen my back (including core exercises as mentioned by ead, above). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 4, 2012 Author Share Posted January 4, 2012 Definitely agree on the core exercises. The more I do, the more I want to keep up with a healthy lifestyle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 PILATES has worked miracles for me. Once a week and some time in between on a couple of key exercises and all my previous back problems have dissapeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul_C Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 my basses are both around 7lbs - so I have no problems at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cytania Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I agree, swam alot last year which really helped on stage but developed a skin reaction to the pool water so now out of shape again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StraightSix Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 ...try a different pool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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