where is the best place to place the hook while trying to weigh a bass with a digital or dial scale, without hurting that beautiful bass?

I generally quickly inspect the mouth of the bass.

First choice would be a naturally open hole in the soft tissue around the lower lip.  Sometimes this occurs from a bass being caught before and healing over, while other times it "appears" to have occurred naturally.

Second choice would be, while lipping the bass by the lower jaw, look in its mouth for the very thin area (generally this is so thin you can almost see through it), closest to the main lower outer jaw bone.  This area makes a very tiny hole and the weight of the fish, on the hook, is reinforced by the lower jaw bone towards the very tip of the lower lip.

The other thing to remember is to DO THIS FAST so you can release that beautiful bass!  That's why I don't recommend anything but digital scales.   Spring scales are often difficult to get a good reading, especially if in waves, or the fish is flipping it's tail around.  Digital is the way to go.  And you should have your weight in about 3 seconds with a little practice.

thanks thats what i needed to know