Bad back, Advice on lightweight basses needed

[Hapa]

Buy a callowhill bass (J)unk, MDM, or short scale OBS

 

[uOpt]

I have a Warwick Thumb with an ash backed body and poplar top. Very light but sounds great even with the small body.

 

[Rotation]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Kala UBass yet. Haven't had my hands on one but hear they're pretty darn light.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/kala-ubass-megathread-part-6-a-964655/

 

[jvolts]

I wrecked my upper back mountain biking and found the only bass I could wear all night without issues is the Kubicki ex factor. It's a little over 7.5lbs but the balance on the shoulder is unsurpassed. Sounds great too.

I have been fixing up a Yamaha RBX A2 that is real light (maybe 6lbs?) and surprisingly sonically flexible for a passive set up.

 

[Stumbo]

Maurizio can make a bass for you that would be around 6lbs.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/ber-jay-5er-quilted-maple-funk-machine-888369/

 

[SemiDriven]

In years past, my lower back has given me fits (weekly chiropractic visits). Somewhere along the way, I fell into a routine of doing 40-half sit-ups in the morning. That strengthens my abdominal muscles enough to hold my back in place. Although I believe in chiropractors, haven't been to one in years.

I'm slinging a Dingwall ABZ5 (just under 8-lbs). Loving the lighter weight!

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Get a Hofner. I don't know if there are any lighter basses.
Today you can get a Hofner Ignition bass (violin) bass for about very little. They look, sound and play wonderfully.

 

[Freddels]

What tonal goals do you have in mind? What is your favorite sounding bass?

These answers will help in determining what you're looking for (besides low weight).

 

[spiritbass]

The lightest bass in my stable is an '85 medium-scale Squier precision. It's a seven pound, thirteen ounce tone machine.

 

[philtoler]

Get a Hofner. I don't know if there are any lighter basses.
Today you can get a Hofner Ignition bass (violin) bass for about very little. They look, sound and play wonderfully.

Amen to that

 

[Lowbrow]

I have a bad back, too.

Weight is a big consideration, so I buy through Sweetwater; they inspect and weigh each bass and the weights are listed with pictures of each actual bass they stock. If you speak with a Sweetwater sales rep they can actually watch out for a given bass within a given weight range for you. Last week a new Squire Cabronita arrived and it came in at 8 lbs 6 oz, which I bought immediately. Try them out, this service is a real value.

 

[hubrad]

I've had a sciatic condition for about 12 years now, and yet it's not so much the weight that matters to me but the balance. My most regular bass is an Overwater Jazz 5 which is about 11 pounds in swamp ash, but once it's strapped on it's so well balanced it kinda disappears! I do use straps with a little bit of stretch. . Neotech and the like.. but they are great for shock absorption even in standard format.

 

[radioface]

Year 2000 Fender American Deluxe Jazz, lightest bass I've ever owned.

 

[bluebird28]

Check out the GoldTone Micro Bass it is a 4 string acoustic with Aquilla Thunderguts Strings. Go to their web site and click on basses and then the microbass.

 

[blindrabbit]

I was amazed by how light the new Gibson EB bass was when I picked one of them up the other day. The weight (or rather, lack thereof) makes me want to go out and get one. I don't think I've felt a bass lighter than it, other than perhaps my old P-Lyte.

 

[Qlanq]

I recently bought a Sterling SUB 4, sounds great, weighs very little. Beautiful to play. Haven't picked my Geddy since.

 

[Feral Feline]

I find it interesting that people are suggesting Warwick. I'm not saying there aren't light Warwicks out there, but I always pick them up in the shop and set them back down – I like light basses just 'cause, and I have never met a light Warwick yet.


Fender Custom Shop Master Builder Yuriy Shishkov has built some "Featherlite" guitars out of Polonia (bodies) and Spruce (necks, airplane-grade wood).

Have him build you a bass, probably about US$8,000 to US$10,000.

 

[That Axe]

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 I love mine

 

[Richt1969]

I can suggest two great guitars

1. Hofner 500/1 violin (Beatle bass)
2. GB rumour bass guitar. I've got a 5 string with loads of extras such as twice drop tuners, led lights and custom body and is still as light as a feather. Not cheap though

Rich

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Birdsong

Basslab

Dingwall
Check out the SuperP's that tend to come in at 8 lbs, maybe even lighter on the 4-strings. The ABZ's are usually quite light too.

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