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Bass Weight

#22
My teacher ordered a Tune from Japan. 5 string swamp ash body with rosewood finger board and light weight hardware. I believe he said it is 5 pounds even. Which is pretty insane for a 5 string. When I picked it up I swore that the neck on my 4 string BtB was heavier.
 
#24
I have back problems as well, due to herniated disks. I paid a great deal of attention to weight when I bought my 5-string Ritters which weigh 9 lbs. and 9.4 lbs. and replaced my Fender P, which served me well in my youth, but was killing me after about half a set. Mahogany is less dense than Maple or Ash or Alder, and there are some basses that are hollowed out redwood or even spruce. If you really want light, get one that has chambers in the body. I don't think you must give up the extra string to get the weight down to something manageable. I would definitely NOT recommend the Barker bass. Lifting is as much of a problem as playing, IMO. Also, try to get a lightweight semi-soft case. That makes a big difference. As far as amps go, check out the Ampeg Portabass 800 head and the light weight cabs they make with luggage cart wheels as standard equipment. At set-up and take down time, I consider these a blessing from the gear gods. These are also plenty loud for most applications. You might consider a separate small rehearsal combo that is light weight also. When the back starts bugging you, every chance to get rid of a pound or two of regular lifting is a must. Also do everything you can to stretch out before rehearsal and gigs. It becomes a maintenance ritual. I've lived with it for about 15 years now. Pinched nerves, sciatica, weak knees, etc. You want to do everything you can to minimize strain.
 
#25
Good stuff Silver. My problem is Dengerative disk disease and degenerative osteo-arthritis of the spine (and other areas), and I agree lifting is as much a problem as playing. I'm prone to good times and bad, but the last time I had a flare up I wasn't playing regularly, this time I am.

I've got a Hartke B200 practice amp I use at home and I have a head and 2 cabs that remains set up at the church and when we have gigs away, there are guys who help with it, but the ones with the wheels sound great! I've used a Gig bag for years and like that. I wear a back brace when I play but during a flare up of the arthritis, (which I'm in the middle of now) I can't handle the SX. It's the hard maple neck that's the heaviest part and it puts too much torque on the back. Sitting down is only slightly better, because over the years I've had a hard time changed my playing habits and still end up twisting as I play. You know all those bad habits we have developed over time. :)

During flare ups I use my GSR200, and it's good, but I really like the J style basses and I love the 5, so I've never really considered the GSR my 'go to' bass... So I suppose that's whats got me looking for a lighter weight 5.

One of the other problems is I don't have easy access to any decent music shops nearby. Gutar Center is about an hour or more drive and a Sam Ash is even farther. And the Mom and pops have mostly Fender styles and a very limited selection of ones to look at. There's a Peavey Dealer about 30 mins away so How are the Peavey BXP's? Anyone know the weight of those 5's?

Thanks for all the input guys. Good stuff.
 
#27
Re weighted my bass with a fishing scale. It weights in at 10.5 lbs and my Ibanez GSR200 comes in at 8.5 lbs.

With most of the weight being related to my neck/head, I was wondering if it would be a good exercise to replace Tuners, etc...
 
#29
Most manufacturer's websites have detailed spec pages for their basses which should give their weights.
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Which need to be taken with a big grain of salt. I have a bass listed by the manufacturer at 10.2 pounds, and another listed as 9.5 pounds. I have a stand that holds two basses by the neck, and the dual grabber rocks on the center post. The "9.5 pound" bass yanks up the "10.2 pound" bass quite viciously, and is clearly heavier to lift. On the bathroom scales, it weighs over 12 pounds (and the 10.2 pound bass weights just over 10 pounds). Real useful information there.

Problem was, the manufacturer gave the weight for the solid ash bass, not the solid bubinga. There's a difference. If you want to know what a particular bass weighs, there's no substitute for weighing it yourself.
 
#31
The lightest bass I've ever touched was a BBO creation. It was made from butternut and lightweight components. Couldn't have been much over 5 lbs.

Matt Pulcinella builds some great basses that are light weight and balance extremely well. (mpguitars.com)

There was a device on the market a few years ago called the BassBrace. Essentially it was a belt that attached to a strap button on the bottom of the bass and supported most of the weight of the instrument on your hips rather than on your shoulders. Unfortunately the website is down and I assume the company is out of business. It was a good idea but had the fatal flaw of requiring modification to the instrument.
 
#34
My Modulus Q5 is lighter than most any four string I have ever played. It is also noticably lighter than my new Lakland JO5 which is reported to weigh 9.2 pounds.

The materials that Modulus uses to make their necks may be significantly lighter than wood, as the bass also balances very nicely.

Chas
 
#36
RedsFan75 said:
What makes up the neck of the modulus?
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Some sort of carbon fiber suspended in an epoxy-like resin. In addition to being light, it is almost impervious to the elements and HIGHLY durable.

Not only do I tune it once a month once the strings settle, but last year, I fell while walking up the stairs to the stage while carrying it. I slammed the bass flat onto its back under my full 250lb weight. It didn't even come out of tune. I don't I would have been happy if I did that with a wooden neck bass.

They are a little pricey, but well worth it my opinion.

Chas
 
#38
ehque said:
Personally, lightweight without considerations for cost? BassLab.
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I bought one of those (L-Bow 4) because of the weight and it delivered at almost 9lbs-I sold it. I poured serious cash into light basses because of shoulder tendonitis. My faves were Rob Allen and Elrick (6 and 7 lbs respectively). Then I discovered the Bass Brace belt. It holds 90% of the weight on your hips. It's essentially a weightlifter's belt with a loop that attaches to a recessed Dunlop straplock receiver on the lower body edge of the bass. I still wear a strap for positioning, but now I can play as long as my legs can stand. The belt is no longer produced :-( but you could make one. I also have a stand that holds a Jazz style bass (or any bass with a front-mounted jack) in any position-keeps you completely free of weight. I got that at MuFriend a few years ago; they don't sell it anymore-I don't use it since I got the belt. I can send pics of the belt if someone's interested. It save my bass playing life!
 

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