I just looked that up. That's actually kind of interesting. I would still need to use a stool or something though.
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Basses for bassists with back issues
- Thread starter JoeVictim
- Start date
Yes, I used a stool on stage when I was recovering from surgery a couple of years ago. I didn't sit the entire time, but enough to prevent discomfort. Worked great. I don't have back problems, but I sit on a chair during rehearsals too, just for comfort and to be on the safe side. I sit about half the time.
For light basses, ash-bodied versions of the previous generation American Deluxe Fenders can be worth seeking out. They had downsized bodies, which helped. I had a 1999 Am. Dlx. P, natural finish ash, that was about 7.5 pounds IIRC. It was much lighter than my other solid bodies.
Assuming I keep playing regularly, at some point I might splurge for some Mike Lull basses to get some weight off my shoulder and back. Every one I've played has been amazingly light.
If you want a light-weighted bass guitar, I would recommend either the peavey millennium basses or the Ibanez soundgear basses. not only are they light-weighted, but they sound great too. I own both these basses and I think they sound totally awesome.
Help! My kit when in the crapper and now I only have a $400 budget. Avoiding hollowbodies because of my tendencies to run effects. All suggestions appreciated.
The lightest bass I have ever played is my Fender JP-90. Somewhere around 6 lbs.You can find them on e-bay Fender only made them 90 thru 93. Poplar body.Great neck with classic Fender tone.Just got mine 3 weeks ago and have been gigging with it since.NO MORE PAIN.
I don't have back problems, but I do have some surgery-related nerve damage going from the left side of my neck, across the trapezius and upper left pectoral area. Heavy basses, and basses with neck dive really start to irritate about an hour into gigging or rehearsal.
Well balanced, lighter basses really help. Here are ones I own or have owned along with approximate weight and going from least to most expensive:
Squier Bronco - A little over 6 lbs.
Squier Jag SS - about 7 lbs.
Gretsch Jr. Jet G2202 - just over 7 lbs.
Aria Pro II CSB 480 - about 8.5 lbs. This one is borderline for me.
Univox Hiflyer - 6 lbs. Slight neck dive due to body shape.
Birdsong Sadhana - 7 lbs.
Birdsong Skyrider - 8.2 lbs. Walnut = relatively heavy.
I have gigged all of these basses multiple time. My current band generally does 3 sets with short breaks over 4 hours.
The bass with the shortest reach is the Gretsch. The neck joins the body at the 13th fret. The Gretsch is about the same total length as an LP or PRS guitar. It fits in a standard PRS SE guitar gig bag. Funnily enough, I probably get the most comments on the Gretsch. Other bass players have commented on how big it sounds!
Aside from the above, pretty much any Danelectro or other hollow body is light in my experience. I agree with some of the earlier posters that poplar and basswood bodied full scale basses are generally lighter.
Here's a pic from this past summer of me with the Gretsch:
Well balanced, lighter basses really help. Here are ones I own or have owned along with approximate weight and going from least to most expensive:
Squier Bronco - A little over 6 lbs.
Squier Jag SS - about 7 lbs.
Gretsch Jr. Jet G2202 - just over 7 lbs.
Aria Pro II CSB 480 - about 8.5 lbs. This one is borderline for me.
Univox Hiflyer - 6 lbs. Slight neck dive due to body shape.
Birdsong Sadhana - 7 lbs.
Birdsong Skyrider - 8.2 lbs. Walnut = relatively heavy.
I have gigged all of these basses multiple time. My current band generally does 3 sets with short breaks over 4 hours.
The bass with the shortest reach is the Gretsch. The neck joins the body at the 13th fret. The Gretsch is about the same total length as an LP or PRS guitar. It fits in a standard PRS SE guitar gig bag. Funnily enough, I probably get the most comments on the Gretsch. Other bass players have commented on how big it sounds!
Aside from the above, pretty much any Danelectro or other hollow body is light in my experience. I agree with some of the earlier posters that poplar and basswood bodied full scale basses are generally lighter.
Here's a pic from this past summer of me with the Gretsch:
Link Removed
Haven't read the whole thread... I used to have a very light Yamaha RBX and currently a Lull MV4 which is chambered and also light It's just slightly less than 8 pounds.
Just got online and haven't read the entire thread either. But I learned the hard way the sometimes light means 'no balance.' The Rogue bass sold by MF is a great little bass, but the body is particle board and the neck is wood. If you let go of the neck, it flips upside down. That looks really cool during a gig! I play the Steinberger on occasion and love it. Don't know the weight but it has a great balance to it, both standing and sitting.
2 or 3 basses go to every job. 1 of them is a lightweight.
Vertebrae 3,4,5 are my problem ones(motorcycle accident in 1971).
The three lightest here(in order of weight):
Greco, super light solid-body but feels like balsa wood weight. Sounds great & sustains forever for a short scale. Yes it came from the Greco factory with a Bada$$ bridge.
Brice
Galveston(this was a surprise budget find)
Vertebrae 3,4,5 are my problem ones(motorcycle accident in 1971).
The three lightest here(in order of weight):
Greco, super light solid-body but feels like balsa wood weight. Sounds great & sustains forever for a short scale. Yes it came from the Greco factory with a Bada$$ bridge.
Brice
Galveston(this was a surprise budget find)
THe longhorn basses are real light as well....I am so gassin' for a longhorn.....
I found a 7.5 lb. Ibanez Prestige SR4000E I love after playing a 10.5 lb '76 Fender Jazz for years. My neck feels so much better....changed my life.
Danelectro
Rob Allen
Hofner Beatle or Club
These are the only basses in my experience that are a low weight sure thing. Under 8 pounds.
Yes, there are light Sterlings, SUBs, and MIJ Fenders, etc. out there, but I have played ones that probably were close to 10+ pounds.
Rob Allen
Hofner Beatle or Club
These are the only basses in my experience that are a low weight sure thing. Under 8 pounds.
Yes, there are light Sterlings, SUBs, and MIJ Fenders, etc. out there, but I have played ones that probably were close to 10+ pounds.
OK. Been awhile since this thread was updated. New chambered bodied Carvin SB4K coming in just a few weeks. Will report back on weight.
My Ibanez SR605 is pretty darn light. All the Soundgear basses I've played have been the same way.
