Basses for bassists with back issues

[JoeVictim]

I'll list the ones I've seen recommended over and over again, but I am interested in what lightweight options are out there and I want this thread to be more of a reference for other players that are having issues. I have had back issues since I was involved in a bus accident about 14 years ago. I ended up wearing a neck brace for about 3 weeks and never thought about it again. Recently, my back has been hurting non stop almost every day. Playing bass further aggrevates this and while I haven't weighed my current main player, I would guess its around 10 lbs.

So, some basses that have been recommended previously:
Yamaha RBX A2
Fender Aerodyne
Hofner or other Beatle bass


You can't tell me that everyone with back issues plays these three basses exclusively so what else have you all been playing?

UNITE!

 

[dhsierra1]

Turner Renaissance RB-4

 

[Musicfreak1988]

I have lightweight basses from:

Sadowsky - mine are 8-8.5 lbs
Nordstrand - mine's just under 8 lbs
Alleva Coppolo - I asked for around 8 lbs (still on order)
Stambaugh - about 8.5 lbs
Kallas - I asked around 8 lbs... I paid a premium for a lightweight body

There are tons of other manufacturers / luthiers who make lightweight basses if you ask them.

You could also look into a double crossing strap, so both your shoulders carry weight.

 

[Musicfreak1988]

If you go semi-acoustic or Steinberger you could find even lighter.

As for solidbody basses, see my post above. I know of a Sadowsky of a tad above 7.5 lbs.

 

[matthewfoote]

how about a Rob Allen. They are light weight, look fantastic and play like a dream. You can get fretted and fretless and I have seen 5 strings, not sure about 6 strings.

Regards

Matthew

 

[lucas vigor]

The new chambered body option on the Carvin SB400-5000 model. I tried one out...it was like holding air in your hands!

 

[Duke21]

Squier CV60 p bass have basswood body and are light

 

[Blake Bass]

My back savers are: Sadowsky NYC 5 string- 7.0 lbs
Rob Allen Mouse fretless-5.5 lbs
I prefer the Sadowsky over any heavy bass, even when my back feels good.

 

[Passinwind]

Just for a different spin, maybe think outside of the bass guitar on a strap box. Barker Bass or EUB.

 

[lomo]

Problem solved.



http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/how-do-i-spell-shoulder-back-relief-b-s-s-b-e-l-t-585996/

 

[ksandvik]

Most basswood bass guitars are light, G&L SB-2 Tributes, Fenders/Squiers manufactured in Asia...

Otherwise, me thinks anyone with a back problem should have a daily yoga/core strength routine of at least 10 minutes or more. Means you avoid future problems. Loosing weight helps a lot, too.

 

[rllefebv]

Just for a different spin, maybe think outside of the bass guitar on a strap box. Barker Bass or EUB.

For me, it was upper-back/shoulder issues that were aggravated by reach much more than weight... My Palatino set a bit lower than optimal kept me going on upright, while my Longhorn basically saved my band situation for several months... A few months of accupuncture finally alleviated the pain and got me fully back into the game...

-robert

 

[rhett]

Otherwise, me thinks anyone with a back problem should have a daily yoga/core strength routine of at least 10 minutes or more. Means you avoid future problems. Loosing weight helps a lot, too.

+1
drinking plenty of water and cutting back on or eliminating toxins (caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugar) makes a huge difference too.

 

[onestring]

A Dano DC bass is full scale, cheap, sounds great, and is super light. Mine weighs in at 6lb, 5oz.

 

[troy mcclure]

Fender P Lyte is 7 lbs

 

[handofseven]

I've found EBMM Sterling basses to be quite light... Makes sense with their smaller sized headstock and body...

I think early '80's Ibanez Roadstar basses are also quite light... So much so, that I'm thinking about ways to actually add weight to mine!

 

[Lemoore-on]

How about a chambered body from Wormoth?

I have a swamp ash bodied (mighty might) P bass that I assembled from parts that I use in 3rd sets a lot because it is light.

I have a fixture at L5-S1 that gets pretty stiff by the 3rd set.

I also use a Comfort strap!

 

[jeep floyd]

Peavey T40

 

[panda88888]

If scale length is not a concern, you can always try the Beatle violin bass. It's probably as light as you can get.

 

[mmbongo]

Parker Fly or Steinberger