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Bass weight

#62
DethByDoom said:
Ok. So… you love your bass but its heavy now. How am I the only one thinking the obvious/cheap solution? Keep her. Don't buy a 500+ dollar replacement. Buy a 30 dollar folding stool. Presto.
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Yeah but I want to rock out with my cock out. Can't really do that on a stool. That would be inappropriate.
 
#64
chuck norriss said:
I found a control plate that weighs less than an ounce. It's a pretty wood grain too. That will shave another half lb perhaps.

Aspen
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Vendor says less than one ounce.
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That would be a good thought ... only thing is, most of the completely LOADED control plates I have around here with pots, jack and all (less knobs) are less than a half pound ... :)

... the other thing, is that many times the ground at the input jack is not wired, and the metal control plate takes care of that ...
 
#65
Pilgrim said:
I'll jusr reiterate that there are lighter jazz basses out there - you might shop around for one.
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I'll second that, the weight range between production instruments of the same make and model is huge.

chuck, I can commiserate with your bad disk issue. Best of luck finding a good solution :)
 
#66
tjh said:
That would be a good thought ... only thing is, most of the completely LOADED control plates I have around here with pots, jack and all (less knobs) are less than a half pound ... :)

... the other thing, is that many times the ground at the input jack is not wired, and the metal control plate takes care of that ...
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What can I do to compensate for this non metal plate? I have a soldering iron.
 
#67
... you would need to run a wire to the tab on the input jack ...

... FWIW, that is a lot to go through, changing the control plate for purely weight saving purposes ... unless you are after the aesthetics of the wooden plate ... you may run into issues with screw length, pot shaft length, etc through the thicker material... all in the name of saving probably an ounce or two at best (if that)?? ...

I dont think there are many out there that are more weight conscious than I am, and IF the control plate was a concern for me, I would just take it off and machine the thickness down on the back side a bit ... BUT, there are easier/more cost effective ways to take that minute weight off rather than a $25 wooden control plate... not meaning to be rude, just trying to help ... and as always, JMHO
 
#70
All good suggestions. Chef is selling his Gretsch G5123B so if I can sell my Jazz, I'll get that. I love that bass. I owned one years back when they first came out, as Pilgrim may recall, and sold it out of financial stress. It would be a good solution & it's a lovely bass--the object of my affection & GAS. The weight of the jazz is still tolerable. I'll live, but I wouldn't mind that Gretsch at all.
 
#71
kurosawa said:
What kind of bass is the 7.8 lb one, and what wood?

I've seen Spalt King bodies on eBay lately in the 3-lb range, but they're either spalted maple or walnut capped 1) Aspen (related to poplar) or 2) Western Red Cedar.

Yeah that duostrap is cool for spreading the weight over both shoulders. .
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It is one of the original prototype Lightwave bass guitars, ftretless 4 string. I don't really know what type of wood it is.
 
#72
Pilgrim said:
Sounds like changing the bridge and tuners helped - 2 pounds is a lot!

That also should maintain the balance of the instrument - and routing under the PG would surely let it become neck-heavy.

I think you've done about all you can to lighten the bass without routing the body...so other than a wide, grippy strap, I'm not sure what else you can do.

I'll jusr reiterate that there are lighter jazz basses out there - you might shop around for one.
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I cringed when I read "rout the body" avoid it. It's gonna change the sound and balance. Most likely not in a desirable way.
 
#73
chuck norriss said:
All good suggestions. Chef is selling his Gretsch G5123B so if I can sell my Jazz, I'll get that. I love that bass. I owned one years back when they first came out, as Pilgrim may recall, and sold it out of financial stress. It would be a good solution & it's a lovely bass--the object of my affection & GAS. The weight of the jazz is still tolerable. I'll live, but I wouldn't mind that Gretsch at all.
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Chuck, you have my vote! What's more, this and a J give you two very different sounds. NICE idea!

I'll just feed your fever with some eye candy of my 5123...

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#74
Porn.

You still have the foam under the bridge--or are these old pics?

I miss that neck. I miss the scale, the sounds it makes, the playability, the audible vol unplugged. I can play that bass all day esp w flats on it. So many good things about that bass. It's like a fine woman.

For those curious about the gretsch aka GC special it's got a glued on neck & tv jones pups. That thing is magic & under $1k. I think I wrote a dozen songs w that bass.
 
#77
pedroims said:
Get a lighter bass.There are great light basses out there. Fender Road Worn is a good example, you can find one on the 8 - 8.5 range.
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Yes .. the other bass player at my church plays one of the better Ibanez 5s.. A very comfy bass to play. Another thing is.. the previous owner of the JV24 that I have moved the strap nut on the bottom closer to the top. When I got a new set of Straploks for the bass I was going to mount the new one in the original strap holder but when I tried it out I found that I actually like it more the way he had it. You may not want to do that.. but I found I had to stretch my arm less with it the other way.. the way it is.. than the stock way. He kept the original strap holder on there and it doesn't bother me so it isn't an issue. I find that this also helps my back because it keeps my arm closer to my body and allows me to balance the bass better. I have a herniated disc. This basis lighter than my 77 Jazz though..

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No Neck Shrek said:
Don't change anything but your strap ! I bought one of these for my wife, she loves it ! :hyper:
http://slingerstraps.com/
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That looks nice but it wouldn't work for me.. I like my bass a bit higher.. I like my bass set on my strap so tjat sitting or standing it is at the same height.
 
#78
Sparkdog said:
Forgot to mention - I can guarantee that some well intentioned soul will chime in shortly telling you to get a wide strap with suede underside to "solve" your problem...it won't. It might feel a little better in the short term, but you're still hanging 10 pounds across your shoulder and the disc in your back is not going to be fooled into thinking otherwise.

The wide strap is still a good idea, every little bit helps, but taking weight off the bass and getting the balance right is what will really make a difference.

Hope it works out for you.
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Agreed. A wide strap with help prolong your shoulder's capability to take the weight of the bass, but it's not going to help with the back issues.

Sav'nBass said:
That looks nice but it wouldn't work for me.. I like my bass a bit higher.. I like my bass set on my strap so tjat sitting or standing it is at the same height.
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Moving the button won't lower the bass much. You can adjust the strap to compensate. What it does do is change the playing angle & the bass's natural rest point. It will sit at a higher angle at the neck. I do this & it allows me to move quicker across the neck, instead of using my hand to pull up on & support the neck at the angle I like.
 

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