The weight of a bass guitar is something that’s a lot more important than most people realize. A bass that isn’t the right weight can make the playing experience miserable. If the instrument is too heavy, it will hurt your shoulder when playing standing and hurt your leg when playing seated. If the instrument is too light, the bass will “bounce” off your body uncomfortably when standing and the neck will “throw” too easily when playing seated.
Many bass players use the Fender brand as the standard for determining how much a bass should weigh as a complete instrument.
Before telling you how to weigh your own bass to compare it to Fender weight, let’s answer this question first:
How much does a Fender bass usually weigh?
For a new Standard or American Standard Fender Precision or Jazz Bass of the 4-string variety, the weight will be between 8.5 to 9.5lbs (3.9 to 4.3kg).
A few further notes on weight concerning new Fender bass models:
Deluxe models usually do weigh more because they’ve got more stuff installed in them.
An American Vintage series Fender bass usually weighs about the same as a Standard or American Standard. However, some may weigh more due to add-on items, such as bridge and pickup chrome covers.
Jazz Basses usually weigh less than Precision Bass models, with emphasis on the word usually. Sometimes an “off” one will come off the production line that weighs over 9.5lbs. That usually doesn’t happen, but sometimes it does.
How to weigh your bass using a bathroom scale
1. Step on the scale and weigh yourself. Write down the number.
2. Hold your bass, step on the scale again, weigh yourself with the bass. Write down the number.
3. Take the weight-with-bass number, subtract weight-without-bass number, and you’ll have your figure.
For example, if you step on a scale and it states you’re 200lbs (90.7kg), then weigh yourself again holding your bass and the scale states 209lbs (94.8kg), the weight of your bass is 9lbs (4kg).
Know that bathroom scales, particularly digital models, may be off by as much as +/- 0.5lbs (0.2kg). But even so, having a general idea of what your bass weighs is better than not knowing at all.
What is your ideal bass weight?
Finding the ideal bass guitar weight for what feels most comfortable to you is a big deal.
Do you have any specific bass you love because of its weight (even if it sounds not-so good)? Have you ever had to add or reduce weight to a bass to get it feeling right?
Post a comment or two below with your experiences with bass weight.
If your bass is on the heavy side a wide strap (3 1/2″ – 4″) will disperse the weight.
Stretch straps like the Levy’s No.1 can also make a bass feel much lighter. I have them on *all* my basses.
About the only time I really notice a difference of a couple of pounds is when I lift it off the hangar or stand and haul it up onto my shoulder. Once I’m wearing it, the quality and width of the strap matters more than the exact weight (in my opinion). One exception – if the body is too light for the neck, then there can be balance issues that are really annoying.
Neck dive issues can be remedied by using a cotton or suede strap instead of a nylon or leather one. The cotton and suede grip your shoulder better.
Another trick I saw, but haven’t needed – running the strap under your pants belt stops neck dive in its tracks.
I have, like many Folks, more than one bass my SB-2 is my “go to” R&B bass ash, with a maple neck, weighs a ton, sounds awesome makes my lower back and shoulders ache, have a wide, custom strap that helps very much. My “Church” bass or for more laid back gigs is an Ibanez SR1200 Ovankol/Mahogany much lighter, easier on the bod sounds great for those gigs. There are other Fenders for studio work they have weight, sitting down in the studio which is a great idea when your an old Bass Man 🙂 or Bass Woman too!!!
OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD MANY BASSES. IF WE ARE TALKING HEAVY, THEN CONSIDER THESE. AN ORIGINAL G&L L-1000. GREAT SOUND,MOHOGANY BUT HAD TO BE 10LBS.+ ANOTHER GREAT BASS IS THE STERLING BY MUSICMAN, THE RAY 14. BEAUTIFUL BASS AND GREAT SOUND BUT AGAIN, HAD TO TOP OUT AT 10+LBS. AT LAST, WITH MY EXPERIENCE, THE EARLY 2000’S AMERICAN GETTY LEE(BLACK FINSH). STAY AWAY IF WEIGHT IS AN ISSUE. THE NECK IS VERY THIN AND VERY QUICK AND IT SOUND TREMENDOUS,BUT IT’S A BACK BREAKER.SEEMS LIKE EVERY BASS PLAYER PERFERS THAT 7.5LBS. TO 9LBS
Or you could use a hanging luggage scale. Just wrap the strap around the headstock.
I have an odd Fender Jazz Bass that weights 10 lbs 10 oz. It has an ash body with maple neck and rosewood fretboard. The bass sounds amazing but it is hard on the shoulders even with a 4″ wide Levy’s strap. I still love it though. I chose it because it sounded better than other basses that were lighter. I’ve had it for 9 years and am thinking about getting a second lighter bass for longer gigs to save my shoulders.
Actually, on average, P basses are lighter than J basses. The J has a physically larger body. Average J weighs right around 9-9.5 lbs., with an average P coming in at 8.5-9 lbs. And, across the various Fender lines, and countries of origin (e.g.: USA, Mexico, Japan, etc.) the weights of both P and J’s can vary WIDELY.
You’ll see the most common low weights within the Squier lineup, due primarily to their choices of body woods (Agathis, Basswood, Soft Maple, etc.) and high production numbers.
Agreed, P basses are nearly always lighter. The J bass shape simply has more surface area and since they aren’t any thinner, when they have similar woods, the J is usually heavier.
I actually go for maple back with zebra top, not light at all. I hate the weight but the tone is so good.
I have played a Roscoe SKB5006, neck thru, mahog/coco bolo, purple heart/ maple with 2 truss rods…………16+ pounds for 20 years. It’s my girl, but sadly I cannot play her standing for more than a couple of songs or sitting for a set. I use to think it was great, like a Les Paul where the instrument is cemented by gravity so that you are always in control during aggressive playing. I have neck/spine issues anyway but complications like constant tingling of three fingers in my right hand and tightness in my right shoulder have driven me to an “acoustic electric” bass of 7-9 lbs. Heavy basses do take their toll, but I miss mine.
Large padded straps are Ok but eventually…..Find a light bass you like enough to live with!!!
I have used Ibanez Basses for more that 20 years. Mostly because of the neck but also because of the weight. I use an old Blue Note strap because it disburses the weight well. I can’t find those particular straps anywhere now though.
my ebay way to calculate shipping weight
You can get a pretty accurate weight by buying a $20 digital fish scale from a discount store and with a piece of cord around the tuners and peghead, you just hang the bass from the scale. Much more accurate weight in seconds with a lot less hassle. Comes in handy when you need to weigh items for shipping too.
Similarly, I use an inexpensive digital luggage scales from KMart – just hang the bass off the scales using a soft cord.
For me, nothing beats a nice light Jazz bass. I play two different instruments and they are both right around 8 pounds. If my back is acting up I use an old Ibanez SB900LE and that’s closer to 7 pounds. It might be mostly psychological, but that one pound does seem to make a difference. YMMV 😉
Similar to above fish scale, I use a inexpensive digital luggage scale from KMart (about 25 bucks), with a cord around the neck.
I’ve developed shoulder problems that I expect will require surgery at some time in the near future. So right now, my go-to bass is an old Ibanez “Bean” bass that has a single EMG pickup. I also play an Ibanez Ergodyne 5-string, but only when asked to. It’s a bit harder on the bad shoulder. I wish they had made a 5-string “Bean” bass, but most everything was 4-string back in the day.
that’s strange. I’ve found that p basses are are almost always lighter than jazz basses.
By my opinion there is simpler, faster, and much more precise method how to weigh your bass ! :))))
Like some others here, as a guitar builder I have always found jazzes tend to be heavier than the smaller bodied P bass…
You people have to stop whining. Get into the music. When I am into a tune my 22 year old daughter could sit on my shoulders while I am playing an I really would not care.
My Sadowsky 5-string weighs just 7.8lbs, which makes is a joy to play… That’s why I got it… Weigh is one of the primary factors in my choice of bass.
I played an (unavoidably) heavy 6-string since 1986. (And at some point picked up an even heavier fretless, solid zebrawood body.) Current bass is a Krappy Guitars 3-string, and I couldn’t be happier…the others seldom leave their cases. It weighs in at 5.9 pounds, and the horn goes up to the 12th fret keeping it perfectly balanced. Part of the weight reduction is customized to no electronics on board. Tone control via parametric equalizer located first thing in the effects chain.
GFS Lightweight bodies made from paulownia. I have a franken-jazz-bass with one of these cheap bodies and the reduced weight is perfect. I don’t feel/hear any compromise compared to the heavier Fender Mexican standard body I swapped out. If you have a heavy Fender P or J and can drill a nice set of screw holes, I highly recommend.
Squier ’77 reissue Jazz Bass — ( black, rectangular pearl position markers) Agathis / Kauri (= pacific mahogany ) body, maple neck: 10 pounds ( 4.5kg) kills me… Had it 6 years, love it, but playing for 20 mins standing and i’m out. Might have to swap…… I read above- people with 8 pound JBs – i can only imagine the bliss..
My jazz bass weighs 9 lbs. someone told me the finish was removed pff of the body. I can still csll it authentic fender jazz bass right?
My unbranded made in China 4 string bass, weighs 24 lb. That’s right, 24 lb. I bought it on the internet, complete with soft bag and 15 amp bass amplifier. for £99. I had it delivered to argos. I did not believe how heavy it was when I collected them. They were in one box, and I thought the weight was because of the amp, but it was not. When I got them home. I found that the guitar weight almost twice the weight of the amp. As I am 81. As this was my first purchase of a bass guitar, I thought it was normal. But now I know. I will purchase a 3/4 size bass guitar.
odd…. my 1971 P Bass (sunburst/rosewood fretboard) weighs exactly 8 lbs. I have an after market duplicate from well nationally known custom builder that I assembled to match the ’71 as a touring back up and it weighs and incredible 10 lbs!
Does anyone know the weight of a 1985 Kramer (electric) hollow body bass?
Let me know I appreciate it!
~M~