Im surprised that no one has mentioned Dingwall. I've seen 5 strings as low as 6.7lbs. (online, not in person)
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Basses for bassists with back issues
- Thread starter JoeVictim
- Start date
Same here...
My RoadstEr is just about the same weight... not to be confused with the RoadstAr...
One thing is for sure, it's not a back saver... The same can be said about the early Musician basses in general... At around 10lbs... Hum... Not quite what we can call back savers...
OK, go with an Ibanez Musician anyways !!!
Kidding here of course ! 
I unsderstand back pains and all... And frankly, it s@%ks, because, IMHO, if it's possible for one to endure, the tone on them old Ibanez basses more than makes up for the extra weight involved...
Nitram
+1.
I've had the pleasure of playing a friend's Renaissance fretless... awesome tone, and light as a feather (of course I'm comparing to my 10 lb, Frankenfender
).
sj_bass
Supporting Member
Definitely. My SUB-5 is just under 9 lbs, which is great compared to my old Stingray-5 which was more like 12 lbs...
Yes. P's can range in the mid 7's (like my E-series) on up to 9+..
Semi-acoustic is the best/lightest way to go, as some weigh under 7 lbs (like my Epiphone EA-260), but some can be quite heavy (the G&L ASAT semi-hollow can weigh well over 10 lbs...)
Good luck and keep trying out basses - that's the fun part!
My RoadstEr is just about the same weight... not to be confused with the RoadstAr...
My Sterling feels like a feather to me at about 8 lbs. I'm sure there are heavier ones out there, but I think if you like EBMM basses, they're a good place to start if you're looking to save on weight.
I was speaking of Roadst"A"r II's of the 650 -690 series. I've never bothered to weigh any of mine, but every time I pick one up I notice how light they are. I agree about Roadst"E"rs and Musicians. Those two models share the much larger (and consequently heavier) body style. I have a Musician MC924P and it's a bit of a beast.
I have a '91 Fender Prodigy Bass which is the second lightest bass I own. The first being a Hofner Icon. It sounds great, reeeally skinny neck (much skinnier than a Jazz), but mine is extensively modded. Made in USA. I don't know the exact weight, but I'd hazard a guess between 6 and 7 lbs.
Ibanez Soundgear basses for sure. I have back problems as well and these are VERY light basses (I've switched from Wicks 'cause their wight was killing me).
I have had back surgery on my lumbar and cervical spine. I am also in pretty much constant pain.
I have a Fender Jazz Special that is pretty light and easy to play when the back starts hurting. I have also gone to my old Musicmaster in times of need.
I think I have been less impacted by bass weight than I have other factors. I have a set of stretches that I have to do everyday. I have found a wide strap helps a bunch. Also, lightweight cabs. There are times that the load-in impacts my playing more than the weight of the bass. I HAVE to stay away from carrying monitor cabs and Fender Twins. It sucks and you feel lame, but you feel a lot worse when you struggle to get through the set cause you just had to carry the PA speakers. Get anything you can to take the weight off your back.
Back pain sucks. I had my first surgery 7 years ago, and I am only 35.
I have a Fender Jazz Special that is pretty light and easy to play when the back starts hurting. I have also gone to my old Musicmaster in times of need.
I think I have been less impacted by bass weight than I have other factors. I have a set of stretches that I have to do everyday. I have found a wide strap helps a bunch. Also, lightweight cabs. There are times that the load-in impacts my playing more than the weight of the bass. I HAVE to stay away from carrying monitor cabs and Fender Twins. It sucks and you feel lame, but you feel a lot worse when you struggle to get through the set cause you just had to carry the PA speakers. Get anything you can to take the weight off your back.
Back pain sucks. I had my first surgery 7 years ago, and I am only 35.
Good thread!
I'd have to say (keeping in mind everybody's back is different and noone will react the same way to a given prescription for back pain yadda yadda) the two most important things you can do to relieve back pain while playing the bass is:
1) Increase your lower back mobility. (IOW stretch!)
2) Increase your lower back strength. (IOW core exercises!)
I'd suggest a GOOD chiropractor and a GOOD physical therapist.
After that getting a bass that balances well for you and is light is key.
And good pain relievers don't hurt either!!
I'd have to say (keeping in mind everybody's back is different and noone will react the same way to a given prescription for back pain yadda yadda) the two most important things you can do to relieve back pain while playing the bass is:
1) Increase your lower back mobility. (IOW stretch!)
2) Increase your lower back strength. (IOW core exercises!)
I'd suggest a GOOD chiropractor and a GOOD physical therapist.
After that getting a bass that balances well for you and is light is key.
And good pain relievers don't hurt either!!
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
Is sittng down not an option? Anthony Jackson has done this for years and he plays a lot more high end gigs than many of us.
Solid color Guild Pilots run around 7 lbs.
The solid color bass bodies are made from poplar.
I just picked up a Guild Pilot SB-601, (1-"P" pickup) and it weighs 6 lbs.!!!!!
The solid color bass bodies are made from poplar.
I just picked up a Guild Pilot SB-601, (1-"P" pickup) and it weighs 6 lbs.!!!!!
A good chiropractor, a good physical therapist and exercising and streching only goes so far. After a hour and a half my thunderbird is a real pain in my back. I then switch to my Epiphone Flying V. Than I good for the rest of the night. It is fantastic and fun to play too.
I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned the ultimate in tone/weight ratio: The Carvin AC40 or AC50. These have everything you need. They have amazing Carvin workmanship. The mahogany body and neck which is semi-hollow is light as a feather and yet has amazing tone! Unlike so many acoustic and hollow-body basses this one has virtually NO feedback problems. I have no back or weight problems with basses, but I play this one a LOT because it's that nice! I can't imagine anyone with physical problems with bass weight playing anything else as a main axe. I'm surprised Carvin doesn't make this point in their descriptions of the instrument. It's not exactly cheap, but neither is what you get for the money!
(And as a plus, with a piece of foam jammed under the strings it does a really passable upright imitation too!)
After 2 deployments in Afghanistan I completely understand your pain. I own a Fender Aerodyne and 2 Jazz Bass Specials and the JBSs are actually lighter than the Aerodyne! The JBSs are the lightest basses I've ever played but I haven't played some of those fancy internet order only basses. Just don't buy a Ric, that sum b!tch is heavy!
ksandvik said:
I own one of those too, probably right around 9lbs as well and it's actually got some lightweight Hipshots and a tummy cut out of the back, factory SUBs don't as they slab bodied.
pablomigraine
Commercial User
The Standard body wood for Marco Basses is Hemlock with an Ash center block. My Marco TFL Jazz bass weighs just a touch over 6 lbs exactly.
I completely understand your pain. I'm in the same situation (except I have not had the surgery yet). I have shed all my heavy stuff. And when ever I can I sit down when playing. That helps a lot. I don't have any basses over 9 lbs anymore, and use the widest straps i can get. I would really like to give the belt thingy a try. Does anyone know where I can buy one?
