Bad back, Advice on lightweight basses needed

[cnltb]

Basslab (Invalid Link Removed) can make VERY light and good sounding basses.
Some Elrick seem to be light too, whilst sounding good.
Magnusguitars (Invalid Link Removed) too can make very good and light instruments

 

[chienmort]

Whenever the issue of "weight" comes up, I always point to my Fender Aerodyne. It may not be quite as fancy as a high-end or custom bass, but it's very lightweight (mine's 8.5lbs), versatile (love that P/J config), incredibly balanced (I can balance it on three fingertips right at the neck joint!) and sexy as Hell.

+1 for the Aerodyne. Change the machine heads and it is even lighter.

 

[mongo2]

For back/neck/shoulder relief I switched to EUBs, a 4.5lb Hofner Icon Club and a 5.5lb. Ibanez Mikro but that Mbrace looks like a nice idea.

 

[MrLenny1]

Valenti has very nice stuff that's light.
He apprenticed with Sadowsky.
Bird Song.
Rob Allen

 

[steve_rolfeca]

Depending on the severity of the back condition, an 8.5lb, or even a 7.5lb bass like my Dingwall ABZ may still be too heavy.

But something I've learned from the Dingwall, is that balance and reach are extremely important. Moving the lower strap horn around the edge of the body to lower the butt end of the bass can really help.

Dingwall recently started shipping basses with an extra recessed straplock, mounted on the back about 3" in from the end of the body. It shifts the bass to the right, reducing the reach to the nut a proportionate amount, and shifting the balance even a little more.

These are mods that can be applied to any bass...

 

[bassisten]

Take a look at these:

UBass
Aria Sinsonio
Older Samick basses (got a very light P-bass myself)

 

[spade2you]

They don't get much lighter than this. 5.6lbs and perfectly balanced short scale.

Despite the f-hole, it's not actually hollow. 7.8lbs and extremely comfy 35" scale bass.

 

[MattZilla]

I blew out my back

That sucks, thanks for your sacrifice. Wouldn't it blow to buy a nice lightweight bass that doesn't sound like what you want and still makes your back worse? My vote is to just get an Mbrace type stand for the bass that sounds and plays the best to you.

 

[tjh]

James .. you could always just find a bass you love, and use a tall stool with a peg/bar to put your leg on and support the bass ...

... we have one guitarist that needs to sit, and from the front on a tall stool it doesn't really look strange at all ... he can't move around anyway

 

[BassNoobSuomi]

Despite the f-hole, it's not actually hollow. 7.8lbs and extremely comfy 35" scale bass.

Wait a minute, Are those phosphor bronze strings? I tought those only really work on abg's. What have i missed?

 

[spade2you]

Wait a minute, Are those phosphor bronze strings? I tought those only really work on abg's. What have i missed?

Normal nickel strings. I guess my lighting was off in that shot. Was trying to get brightness to show off the bird's eye maple.

 

[BassNoobSuomi]

Normal nickel strings. I guess my lighting was off in that shot. Was trying to get brightness to show off the bird's eye maple.

Oh, that explains it. That's an absolutely pimptastic bass btw.

 

[DerekMcC]

It is really light but only has the acoustic pickup. It is still quite versatile depending on the capabilities of your amp.

My Carvin AC40:

 

[akukulich]

I've got a Lull V4 that is light as a feather and has all the tone I could hope for. Highly recommended.

 

[BassNoobSuomi]

If money is not an issue. Xylem basses. Their lightest bass this far has weighted in at 5,9 lb.

 

[spade2you]

Oh, that explains it. That's an absolutely pimptastic bass btw.

Thanks. Has a nice Jaco vibe with the J pickup and can get fairly thuddy with the P. Also extremely comfy due to the weight and lower bout carve.

 

[George Himmel]

I got 2 choices for you, both awesome! First up, you should try out a NYC Sadowsky. Light weight and superb craftsmanship! the 2nd is a Mike Lull. I have a PJ5 and it weighs 7.5 lbs! Super playablity and construction. these two will cost you a pretty penny, but they are well made, top shelf instruments.

This guy knows what's up. If you're not looking for die Uberfender, Rob Elrick and Sheldon Dingwall also make superb lightweight basses. IF you don't mind getting out of the solidbody mindset, Rob Allen and Rick Turner/Renaissance are VERY light.

 

[EagleMoon]

I'll add to the vote for an NYC Sadowsky. 7-8 lb. range is very common and you can't beat the playability and build quality. They are top-of-the-line in every way.

I have back problems as well so I've always been on the lookout for lightweight basses. Other ones that I've had under 8 pounds were Fender P Lyte, MTD Kingston, Ibanez SR, Spector Legend Classic and Warwick Rockbass.

 

[Jared Lash]

I too have back issues and would recommend a good strength and stabilization routine for your spine. Id be happy to send along some exercise suggestions of this like? I play a 11# SBMM and have no issues. Just a thought and no offense intended... from one sufferer of back pain to another.

I'd love to hear more info on your routine if you don't mind. Feel free to PM me.

 

[spade2you]

There are definitely things you can do to work on back and core. I'm not a physical therapist or a physician and not gonna make any recommendations that could get me in trouble.

I would assume injury implies more than weak muscles.